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Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas
Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas: Festive diaries from the million copy bestselling author of This is Going to Hurt | Adam Kay
55 posts | 66 read | 38 to read
From the author of record-breaking million copy bestseller and 2018 Book of the Year, This is Going to Hurt Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat . . . but 1.4 million NHS staff are heading off to work. In this perfect present for anyone who has ever set foot in a hospital, Adam Kay delves back into his diaries for a hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking peek behind the blue curtain at Christmastime. Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas is a love letter to all those who spend their festive season on the front line, removing babies and baubles from the various places they get stuck, at the most wonderful time of the year.
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Cupcake12
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Pickpick

For 2024, I‘m trying to read more non fiction. This was an entertaining story of the life of a junior doctor over the Christmas period. Filled with challenges, intriguing stories and a range of shocking patient admissions to A&E, some where just mind boggling 🤣
Full admiration for any medical staff especially over the festive period, who sacrifice their own family Christmases. Lots of laugh out moments as well as sad and emotional moments.

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Cupcake12
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Starting this one tonight, ready for my book club meeting on Wednesday 😀📚

Crazeedi I read a previous book by this author, I liked it 10mo
30 likes1 comment
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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

This book was mostly super funny, although he does tackle some sadder moments of working the maternity ward on Christmas- and he gives a trigger warning before one story that would be very much needed for some reader. I think I'm going to read his first book since I enjoyed this one so much.
#WinterGames #GangstaWrappers
@Clwojick @StayCurious @bookwormjillk
#WGWordSearch 1570 pts

Bookwormjillk ❄️💙❄️💙 10mo
bthegood 🎁❄️ 10mo
30 likes2 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Merry Christmas, Litsy fam!

Bookzombie Merry Christmas! That‘s a great reading spot! 10mo
LiteraryinPA To you too! 10mo
AmyG Merry Christmas 🎄 10mo
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Ruthiella Merry Christmas! 🎄 10mo
Jess Merry Christmas to you too! 10mo
JenReadsAlot Merry Christmas 🎄 10mo
squirrelbrain So cosy! ❤️ 10mo
Leftcoastzen Merry Christmas 🎄 10mo
Mimi28 Merry Christmas 🎁🎄❤️ 10mo
CarolynM Merry Christmas 🎄🎅🤶 10mo
batsy Merry Christmas! 🎄 10mo
51 likes11 comments
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Rachiiebookdragon
Pickpick

Love his books/diary entries 😊

Thank you Mr Kay, and I will do my best to pass a Christmas card to my local midwifery team when I next go in for my next appointment/20 week scan 🎄

4.5/5

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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Twenty-five holiday-time hospital stories as told by comedian, and former doctor, Adam Kay. Quirky and darkly humorous, this is a very quick listen for anyone who likes a bit of an odd holiday read. Some of the stories are very tough, though, so just be aware. It‘s not all jokes. Love the cover!

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jamield1911
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Pickpick

Hysterical.
Adam's stories have me creased up, without fail.
I have just ordered his third book. I can't wait.

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jamield1911
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🤣🤣🤣🤣
He seriously cracks me up. Only two chapters in, and I've laughed out loud 4 times 🤣

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Reading.w.Dee
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Pickpick

For #DevineDecember prompt of #stocking I chose this fun, laugh out loud memoir about experiences as a young resident who finds himself in the most unlikely situations. Especially over these special holidays.

Working among medical professionals, I can appreciate the termoils of working over Christmas and missing holidays with family. Full appreciation to all the front line workers out in the thick of it.

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Jeffs650
Pickpick

Excellent. At times I was literally laughing out loud. Some serious subject matter too but mostly an easy funny read.

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MatchlessMarie
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Pickpick

Finished this morning on #audible. Loved it. Might get the physical copy eventually. Looks like I need to add Kay‘s first book, This Is Going to Hurt to the TBR next. NHS70 by Only Sun was the first #BookMusicPairing to spring to mind for this one. 🧑🏻‍⚕️ #ChristmasInJuly https://spoti.fi/3NPgNl9

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I save my holiday reading for the actual holiday - now that I get them off! Completely relatable book to anyone, especially medical professionals, that have to work holiday shifts. It‘s a slim volume perfectly suited to downtime on Christmas Eve and Day.

Merry Christmas to all my Litsy friends who celebrate!! 🎄💚

AmyG Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 3y
MoonWitch94 Merry Christmas to you! 🎄♥️🕯🎁❄️ 3y
Cinfhen Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 ♥️😘 3y
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BookwormAHN Merry Christmas 🎄 3y
squirrelbrain Merry Christmas Meg! 🎄❤️ 3y
Megabooks @AmyG @MoonWitch94 @Cinfhen @BookwormAHN @squirrelbrain thank you all!! 💚🎄 Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and happy weekend to everyone else! 3y
96 likes6 comments
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Oryx
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Driving through snowy Scotland - listening to the tagged audiobook, which turned out to be a perfectly hilarious Christmas road trip read.

squirrelbrain Lovely pic! I read that book last year; it is hilarious isn‘t it? Happy Holidays! 😘 3y
kspenmoll Gorgeous!!! 3y
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arlenefinnigan
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Treat yourself to today's Audible daily deal. It is Christmas after all.

CarolynM Merry Christmas Arlene, to you and your family 🎄🌟💕 3y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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whatrebeccasread
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Mehso-so

“Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas” is a quick collection of anecdotes from Adam Kay‘s time working for the NHS. It‘s a nice read that you‘ll likely enjoy, but it doesn‘t have the same impact as his previous book. 3 stars from me!

My full review is up on my blog now 📚

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cerijones
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Little one couldnt sleep last night so started reading this in the early hours whilst snuggled up with her in the hopes she would sleep! Loving it so far finding it quite funny and entertaining to read

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kezzlou85
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Todays colour was mint green and this is the closest I could find for #12Coloursofchristmas. Its a really good read though. #MerryReaders #WinterGames2020
@Clwojick

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TheEllieMo
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 48
#BooksToRead #TBRPile #TBRMountain

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JoeMo
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Pickpick

This was a fast and easy read. I was hoping there was a bit more to it. Most of the stories could have taken place any time of year, but it was still fun. Some readers seem to hate the author‘s sarcasm. Sure, he cranks it up a bit much at times, but that‘s normal for many folks in caring professions. Plus, he admits when he‘s in over his head and is deeply affected by some of the personal tragedies that occur to the patients. I‘d give it 3.5/5.

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kezzlou85
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First book finished for #MerryReaders #WinterGames2020. 25pts. One square filled in on #FestiveFlicks
Plus managed 3 hours on #crushtherush and #ReadYourWay. 70pts. Also watched an episode of Vicar of Dibley and Only fools and horses. 10pts. So total for day 1 is 108 pts.
@Clwojick @Traci1

TheSpineView 🎄📚🎁👍 4y
Traci1 Great start! I love Vicar of Dibley. 4y
Clwojick awesome! ♥️ 4y
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kezzlou85 @TheSpineView thank you. 4y
kezzlou85 @Traci1 thanks. Me too. Just makes me laugh. There's some new short ones this year. 4y
kezzlou85 @Clwojick thank you. 4y
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JoeMo
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Here‘s my adjusted December TBR list. I realized after posting that I left a few titles off and I always end up tinkering with things when I have free time!
#wintergames2020
Go #teamrednosedreindeer

Heideschrampf That looks like a serious xmas binge! Awesome! 4y
29 likes1 comment
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ShelleyBooksie
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Mehso-so

This book was funny but I felt it had the potential to be a much better story. There were some interesting medical stories but I wanted more detail! This book was more like a tease. He also references his first boom a lot - I feel like I should have read it first.

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erzascarletbookgasm
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#MagicalMay #NursesDay

I enjoyed the tagged book.

It couldn‘t be more timely to applaud the nurses and healthcare workers for their terrific and courageous work. Happy Nurses Day! 👩‍⚕️ 👨‍⚕️

Bits of info I found out today:
The WHO has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. 2020 is also the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale‘s birth (born 12May).

Suet624 Florence! 5y
Eggs ❤️midwives❤️ 5y
62 likes2 comments
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hwallis92
Pickpick

Not quite as funny as Kay‘s first book but a great quick read that really hammers home the importance of our NHS.

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Reviewsbylola
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Mehso-so

I loved Kay‘s first book, so I couldn‘t wait to get my hands on this one. Unfortunately, the entries belonged in the first book. This felt like he was just trying to ride the coattails of his first success, so scrounged you‘re something new to publish. I did find myself laughing quite a bit, but overall I‘m disappointed I spent money on this one.

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Sha0102
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Pickpick

Funny book!

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Chancecall
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Pickpick

More diary entries from a doctor-gone-comedian Adam Kay, just as funny and more light hearted than his other book. Super easy read, fully recommended for a chuckle. Still glad I'm not a doctor though.

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Nelle1
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Such an amazing read - Adam Kay you are literally the best! Such a balance of humour and reality of how bad the NHS situation is at the moment. I will be looking out for your next read!

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em.erb24
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Better still, let them know you're grateful. It's easier than you'd think to make an NHS employee's day, especially at Christmas.

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kaysworld1
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Pickpick

This book was so hilarious and the guy didn't hold back.
I hope his relationship lasted!
I totally recommend this book everyone.

#readingmyownbooks #reading #reallife

Emilymdxn I love this one! 5y
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kaysworld1
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Omg this book is hilarious I have laughed out loud so much, don't read it in public!!

@squirrelbrain Thank you so much I needed that laugh 😆

#readingmyownbooks #reading #greatbooks #reallife 🤙

squirrelbrain Glad you enjoyed it! 👍😁 5y
Deifio Oh but I think it's nice when people read a book and have to laugh! Makes me want to ask what they're reading, but am always afraid I'll disturb their reading flow and enjoyment of the book 🙈😅 5y
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Connster
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I‘ve just finished reading this one, which was my Secret Santa gift this year. A really great, but short, read. Would recommend!

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Apinlibraryland
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Merry Christmas, everyone!

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kaysworld1
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Thank you Helen 🥰 you truly made me feel so loved and thought about on my birthday.
P.s the bookmark is personalized I nearly cried 🥰

@squirrelbrain ❤️
#birthdaypresents #bookfriends 🎁

squirrelbrain Glad you like the gifts! (My Mum made the bookmark). Hope you had a lovely birthday 😘 5y
kaysworld1 @squirrelbrain I love it send my thanks to your mother your both amazing 😊 5y
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clairerwade
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Pickpick

The NHS are amazing.

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erzascarletbookgasm
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Pickpick

As a junior doctor, Adam Kay has worked for six consecutive Christmas Day shifts in a hospital. Here is his diary entries..what he observed about his patients and some insights to hospitals in England (NHS). Some amusing stories (I chuckled), a couple of sad ones. I like his message at the end, asking us to show appreciation to NHS staff who have to work on holidays.

Cathythoughts Nice review 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 5y
CarolynM Lovely review. I nearly bought this the other day, then I decided I should read This Is Going To Hurt first. 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I haven‘t read that, @CarolynM heard it‘s better than this. I may have to seek that out. 😊 5y
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Curvybookgirl
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Pickpick

Great festive follow up to his debut bestseller and a real laugh especially if you work in the NHS

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veritysalter
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Pickpick

A funny collection of diary entries from a doctor doomed to always work over Christmas. #WinterGames #MerryReaders #HolidayRead

Crazeedi I'm going to read this one!! 5y
Clwojick Oh! I need to read this! 21 pt 5y
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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is brilliant, I enjoyed it so much. A lot of it is hilarious and is perfect if you're a medical geek and/or have a dark/sick sense of humour. There's a lot of real warmth too, with some heartbreaking stories told with genuine sensitivity and empathy. Highly recommended.

Megabooks Totally agree! Great review! 5y
31 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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arlenefinnigan
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Next up

Cinfhen I‘ve heard it‘s great 5y
Cinfhen How are you feeling??? 5y
arlenefinnigan @Cinfhen didn't sleep well last night. Late start in work means late finish means cleaning my house late at night 😞 thank you for asking xxx 5y
Reviewsbylola I can‘t wait to read this one! 5y
29 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Megabooks
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We figured out a way to make our family recipe from-scratch cake gluten-free, so that with homemade caramel frosting

The tagged book is the first I‘ve red in awhile, and I really liked it.

Henry 🐩 14 years of companionship last week!, my parents, my neurosurgeon and his staff, my bff and several other friend, and last but definitely not least Litsy and the wonderful friends I‘ve made here!! Love y‘all!! ❤️📚❤️😘

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

Eggs We love you too 😍🥰😘 5y
wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag! 😘 5y
sudi Awww 💖, thanks for the tag😘. Sending you lots of love 💕💕💕 5y
See All 11 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sending lots of love!! ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
DaveGreen7777 Thank you for the tag! 😊 🏷 5y
Megabooks @Eggs thank you friend!! 💕💕💕😘😘 5y
Megabooks @wanderinglynn have a happy thanksgiving!! 😘 5y
Megabooks @sudi Sending love right back!! 💕💜💕 5y
Megabooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you misty!! Happy thanksgiving!🦃😘 5y
Megabooks @DaveGreen7777 hope you have a great thanksgiving!! 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Megabooks you too!! 🧡🧡 5y
73 likes11 comments
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Libby1
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Pickpick

I enjoyed these short glimpses of life as a doctor working over the Christmas holidays. The NHS in the UK is one of the most magnificent ideas in the world. As an American living in the UK, I am grateful to live in a place that at least tries to put ideas of social justice in action. This book is funny & heartwarming & sad - & very human. Human institutions are always flawed, but I‘m thankful for the humour & heart behind these stories.

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Libby1
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“And then there‘s the heart-wrenching stuff. The middle-class pastime of Christmas Eve granny-dumping - bringing one‘s elderly or infirm relatives into hospital with some vague, fabricated medical complaint, so the dumpers can dedicate the next few days to solid partying, unfettered by caring for their parents.”

😢

#NFNov

Bookwormjillk What? That‘s terrible! 5y
Libby1 @Bookwormjillk - I know. I can‘t fathom it. 5y
MoniqueReads305 As someone that works in a hospital I have seen this. In fact one of my coworkers call Friday "Old People's Drop off Day". Holidays are worse. 5y
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charl08 Yikes. 5y
jillrhudy The heck? Some people have no shame.
5y
rwmg 🤯😱😭 5y
batsy Damn 😡 5y
Pogue @MoniqueReads305 I too have seen it when I worked in hospitals. I think so many people do not realize what happens in hospitals. . 5y
youneverarrived People actually do this? 😧 5y
53 likes9 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

This would make a fantastic holiday gift to any medical professional! We can all relate to working or being on call during the holidays. Plus Adam is very funny! It‘s nice and concise, too.

Do consider sending a doctor/vet/dentist you‘ve used a lot a gift/card if you are able. They are VERY appreciated!! My neurosurgeon and GP‘s offices are getting gifts this year.

Megabooks And I just thought of my pharmacist! I use a small local pharmacy, and I‘m going to get them some stollen or muffins from a local bakery. 5y
Eggs What a lovely idea!! And now I want to read this book 📖! 5y
Megabooks @Eggs It‘s really fun! I hope you enjoy it 😊👍🏻 5y
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plemmdog I usually volunteer to work on Christmas. My partner and I don‘t have kids and it truly keeps me grounded and full of gratitude. Plus our volunteers make sure Santa always comes to the hospital for the families stuck there with their children. 5y
Megabooks @plemmdog I‘d always volunteer to be on call because my parents could travel to be with me and our big family celebration is the weekend after Christmas, which is more medical friendly! 👍🏻👍🏻 I don‘t have kids, too. 5y
Crazeedi I'm adding this to my tbr!! 5y
Megabooks @Crazeedi I think you‘ll like it! 5y
Crazeedi @Megabooks we just found out our little local pharmacy is closing!! Weve used it for 20 plus years because it's not a big chain. We are devastated, and the people there were too 5y
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Megabooks
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1. No recent selfies, but I took one of Henry recently, and my friend Jenny just got an 8 month old pup, Ziggy!

2. “I insert an (advent) catheter, admit him to the ward, and resist the temptation to text 30 people.” (Tagged book. Really crazy story from previous page!)

3. Was sunny and cold, now dark and cold!

@Eggs #wondrouswednesday (sorry I‘m so late!!)

Eggs You‘re not late! There is no late-I love reading all the posts, no matter when they come! Those dogs 🐕 are adorable🐶 5y
Megabooks @Eggs Thanks so much! I was really happy Jenny and her family were able to find a dog. They put down her 17 year old boxer(!) that she had gotten the year after college. They‘ve had Ziggy for two weeks and he seems to be a great fit, and that makes me really happy! And of course I love my 17 year old Henry. I got him from the shelter 14 years ago this week!! 😊❤️💙🐩 5y
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Megabooks
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Guess what came in the mail today?? Cute small hardcover based on @Emilymdxn ‘s review!

Pulled this image from google because I‘m tired, but my doctor upped my meds and I‘m already feeling a bit better. 😁👍🏻

Many thanks for all the continued support. 💕💕 I‘m looking forward to seeing how the NHS differs from US hospitals. 🏩

Coleen_Nieto @Megabooks I just finished this one. I thought it was great. 5y
Caterina Glad the meds are helping! I'm continuing to pray for your recovery! ❤️ 5y
Megabooks @Coleen_Nieto Fantastic! I‘m excited as someone who has worked the holidays. 😫 5y
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Megabooks @Caterina Thank you! I appreciate your prayers! I‘m always happy to see you‘re doing well in seminary here. 😁 5y
Texreader Good for that doctor! Keep up your spirits. Really appreciate your updates 5y
Emilymdxn I really hope you like it! Our NHS is in a bit of a state after 9 years of austerity and budget cuts but this is a fantastic book, not alllll doom and gloom. I hope your recovery continues and the meds make a difference, I‘ll be thinking of you 💛💛💛 5y
Megabooks @Texreader Thank you!! I appreciate your support!! 😊💙 5y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn I‘m enjoying it so far! Over here, some congressional Republican slipped and admitted their party doesn‘t want Americans to have universal healthcare in any form. With Obamacare, we still paid for health insurance, office visits, etc., but the republicans said, “oh, it won‘t work.” And defunded it before it even had a shot. That left people like me who worked but the employer didn‘t pay for insurance with a big problem. 😡😡 5y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn I ended up having to find a job where it was included. So many women get health insurance through their spouse. There‘s an assumption of heteronormativity built in. Anyway, probably boring! Thanks for supporting me through my surgery journey!! 💙💙💙 (edited) 5y
Emilymdxn @megabooks it‘s so awful on both sides of the Atlantic! We‘re so lucky to have the nhs and I hope we get to keep it - though at present it doesn‘t cover eyes or teeth at all (cause those aren‘t important body parts am I right), barely covers mental health (who even needs a working brain) and you get kept waiting for months cause there aren‘t any drs cause the govt scared foreign nationals away with brexit. Woooo 5y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn eyes and teeth are separate here too!! Some employers provide coverage and some don‘t. Kids are covered often, but sometimes adults aren‘t. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Mental health usually requires preauthorization and has limited visits because what problem can‘t be solved in 10 visits?! My psychiatrist doesn‘t accept any insurance but he has a reasonable half hourly rate that hasn‘t increased in 15 years! 👍🏻 5y
Crazeedi Hi meg! Glad you're getting some relief! 5y
Megabooks @Crazeedi Hey! Good to hear from you! As you know, each day is different. Tonight has been hard. I‘m just trying to give myself space to heal. Take it day by day. I watched some of the Jeopardy tournament on the DVR with my parents, which was fun. How have you been? How‘s your husband? 💕 5y
Crazeedi @Megabooks I'll be sending you a note soon! Been writing as many as I can! 5y
Bklover I loved his first book! Hope you are still healing well! 5y
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