Doctor Kelly

Feeling off, unmotivated or just different than you used to? I highly recommend giving this article a read!

No, How Are You, Really? Acceptable answers to this suddenly complicated question

We are going into week 3, 4 & even 5 for some people of self isolation. The initial adrenaline surge that came with the concept of living through a pandemic & social distancing will have worn off. The neurotransmitters that give you that boost/focus/positive energy never evolved to last for such a long stretch of time. This is why you may find yourself or others now having a harder time coping these days with social distancing.

To keep going, you need strategies. Strategies to stay well, which will in turn enable you to stay motivated to keep up the great work & contribution to the local+national+global effort to curb covid and especially it's ability to destroy your healthcare system.

Here's a wise Uncle sharing some personal TIPS which may help you formulate your own strategy.

Chris Hadfield explains how astronauts cope with self isolation - Telegraph Media interview

Lesson of the week: don't drop the baby
..

I DIDN'T, just to reassure you.
..

HOWEVER,

There was certainly an ALMOST moment. Everyone in the room gasped & held their breath while I recovered my grip. Think of a football coated in oil that gets passed to you super quickly - it's actually quite slippery!

Good lesson to live by for a doc delivering babies, don't you think?? 😁🤓👍

Covid has captured the minds and lives of our global community. But the world still turns and the people in it are still beautifully inspiring. This week I've supported and been inspired by new moms overcoming lifelong addiction, by new moms overcoming the immense fear of labour, by the fearlessness of new teenage moms and mom's in their 40s, and by the all consuming love of new parents holding their first child.

I promise to keep reminding you of the goodness that is present in this world while this covid chaos reigns.

In turn, please keep strictly self isolating and reducing the harm of covid.

Great job everyone already on how hard you're working to minimize your impact! !

Yesterday was a 3:30am to 2:30am day, with just two small naps thrown in - my poor brain, I feel like this tape dispenser!!

But, SMILE, for however long you can muster, because there's a *beautiful*, triumphant new mom & a vigorous, ultra cute BABY BOY in the world now ❤😁🙌!

That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief The coronavirus pandemic has led to a collective loss of normalcy.

*storytime*

Pain is scary stuff, especially when you know it's coming.

Recently, a woman came to my hospital in early labor. She was a strong bad@$$ who had overcome massive barriers in her life. She'd always had an epidural in previous deliveries. She asked for one now, but she wasn't yet near active labor so we tried a different pain method first. This did diddly squat! Her body then shifted rapidly to active labor but now anesthesia was busy in an emergency surgery. CRAP! Poor mom was trembling with fear about the idea of what pain was coming. I've never seen someone so terrified.

What to do?

I reminded this woman that she's safe, that she has immense strength & has overcome so much, and that with complete confidence I know she can do this. She stopped trembling. I told her I wouldn't leave her side during this process. She really stopped trembling. And THEN I ruptured her membranes & a beautiful baby popped out in just two pushes!!

I left this legend of a woman feeling proud & happily cooing at her healthy baby boy.

This job is freaking great!!

MASKS!

Anyone have any questions about masks in the context of covid-19?

I've sensed disturbance in the force... 😝👍 Aka I've noticed some confusion about if masks are needed vs not vs purpose etc etc.

Ask away below if you have a question 👍🙌😊

Covid keeps spreading, remember the most *essential* thing you can do right now is STRICTLY self isolate! Stop the social outdoor hangs and just try your best to contribute to a massive effort trying to mitigate disaster.

Trying to navigate this whole self Isolation process?
Don't take it from me! Take it from my Uncle Chris, the expert navigator to life both on and off of this planet!!
👍

An Astronaut's Guide to Self Isolation Chris provides four useful steps to productive self-isolation

Hmmm how to be a sane person... i could have use this guide AGES ago!!

tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide

Coronavirus Sanity Guide — Ten Percent Happier Free resources to build resilience and cope with coronavirus stress and anxiety. These meditations, podcasts, talks, and blogposts will help you find some calm amidst the chaos.

It finally happened ... I didn't expect it.... But it happened....

GORE got the best of me!!

Last night's delivery was a DOOZY, and for the first time in my life, when it was all over, I hurled my guts out.

Doctor lesson of the day: if you're going to be around gory things, make sure you've eaten food that day.

Stay well & socially isolated! Xx

Some helpful clues to navigate social distancing! 👍😊

TWIN FUN!

Twins were scheduled for delivery recently. Loads of the best maternity docs prepared for it. I was going to have a very minor hands off role. It's early on in labour when I go to check on her. I see mom and learn there's been some small progress. I leave the room for 10secs and then get a nurse running and yelling at me that mom has uncontrollable pushing and that the baby's are coming out! GASP and not according to our schedule, the horror! Calls to the other doc's are made while I sprint back into the room. I see a head beginning to peak out and proceed to quickly deliver a healthy beautiful baby girl MYSELF! And then the senior doc's were there and all was well (aka I stopped shaking with nerves). Mom and babies had zero complications. They are happy and healthy and cooing at each other full of loving optimism.

Great. Freaking. Times... You know, if you forget about the whole covid-19 thing.

Stay mentally & physically well everyone! Wash those hands and take social distancing seriously.

Things are changing quickly (pretty much daily) in terms of covid-19 healthcare guidelines. This terrific up-to-date self assessment tool is being released by the BC government tomorrow for anyone who's feeling sick and trying to figure out what to do. https://covid19.thrive.health/

Here's a link to great evidence-based info about the virus, including MYTHBUSTERS. For example, it is a fact that hot climates and cold climates don't kill the virus.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool Determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.

Hello!
I'm wondering whether you'd like me to include posts regarding covid-19 updates and education, or just stick to the medical stories? Please let me know 👍😁🙌

Thanks for following the page!

Stay healthy & self-isolated to the best of your ability! ❤