My Overdistended Bladder

It was a relatively light clinic day. Although I didn’t have many patients scheduled, there were a few new patients. Overall things were going smoothly. I got to spend the time I needed with each of my patients, and I didn’t feel rushed.

As I was in the exam room seeing my last patient, I started to feel the fullness of my bladder. The thought of “I need to go to the bathroom” began to surface from the deep chamber of my brain. As I was having a serious discussion with the new patient, the thought of wanting a bathroom break grew stronger and stronger. Before I knew it, that impression of natural human necessity was my main focus. Thankfully I was wrapping up with the patient. I discussed my final recommendation, politely sent the patient to the front desk, answered a couple questions from different staff members who were trying to catch me with a free second. I then dashed toward the restroom.

Nine hours. That was how long I didn’t use the bathroom. Nine hours. That’s 7 plus 2 extra hours that an adult should sleep every night. Nine hours. That’s more hours than a regular day’s full-time job.

How did I let myself hold it for so long? I was focusing more on taking care of my patients than paying attention to my body. This wasn’t the first time I lasted more than 7 hours during work without using the bathroom. Many days I would ask myself, several times, to choose at that particular moment between using the bathroom or going into the patient room.

The patient room option usually won. I would finally go to the bathroom when there was impending or almost inevitable urinary incontinence.

No one appreciates that I am thinking more about my patient than myself, in the expense of my body. If I suffer physically, I won’t be able to give my patients 100% dedication and attentiveness. So why do I over-distend my bladder? It is my choice. Not a very good choice – although at that moment, it sure felt like the correct thing to do.

It is time to take care of my body. It is ok to take a quick 2-3 minute break when nature calls. I don’t want a burst bladder. It is ok to have some compassion toward myself. Using the bathroom is not slacking off. It may actually save me some time as I will be more focused on patient care, rather than thinking about my stretched bladder muscles and my patients at the same time.