Day 3: Lunch Break

A series of essays from Round and Round We Go, an anthology of thoughts and reflections during patient rounds.

In the hospital, we don’t exactly have a lunch break. That’s not to say we’re not allowed to eat at all–we have several food stalls from which we purchase food. In fact, within a certain timeline, employees can avail of the free food at the Mess Hall. We don’t get much of a choice in the menu, but If you come in at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, you’ll be assured of something to fill you up for lunch.

But that’s just it—hospital life doesn’t exactly follow a timeline. We can’t take lunch when someone’s blood pressure drops, much less when their hearts stop. We can’t randomly step out of surgery. Sometimes the work just doesn’t finish itself, and if you’re the type who wants everything done and delivered before you allow yourself the luxury of eating, then lunch may never come. . 

I’m part of that group. I can’t stand it when I have a to-do list lingering in the shadows. The anxiety of the unfinished pokes at me from all sides and steals away the joy of a good meal. So, I push back my lunch. “One more chart entry,” I tell myself. “I’ll just finish my clinic,” I say. “Aw, I’m not done yet,” I respond to friends and co-workers who invite me to lunch. Most days, I skip lunch altogether. 

I know it’s not a healthy practice, but some days can be worse than most. Frequently, I’m both hungry and exhausted at the end of the day, and therefore too tired to even think about food. I’m supposed to know that this isn’t good for anyone–I’m a doctor, for crying out loud—way to practice what you preach. 

But today, guess what? I had lunch.

That’s probably not the most earth-shattering news you will hear this week, but to me, that was the first time in a long time that I had a proper hospital lunch. One of the staff members celebrated their birthday, today, and she brought a bowl of shabu-shabu to share. I’ve had a bad cold the last few days, so a steaming bowl of soup was very welcoming. By then, I still had lots to do and catch up on, and I still wanted to get things done before taking a pause. But I was hungry, hungrier than I cared to admit. Lunch could not have come at a more perfect time. 

So I took a bowl for myself and helped myself to the squid balls, the meat, and the noodles, and it was probably the best meal I’ve had in a long time. For one, it was free, and I’m grateful they even thought of me. It’s one of the loveliest things about Filipinos—this inherent instinct to share, especially with food. Plus, I got to eat with other people for a change. Hospital life does not always lend itself to meals at a dinner table, where everyone says grace together and talks about their day. There are moments of togetherness now and then, but as the day continues, you’re more likely to eat alone, perhaps not even at a proper table. Throughout my internship and residency, I always had sandwiches for lunch, because I wanted to eat with one hand while the other was busy working on something else. 

And after the ten minutes I took to eat lunch, I was filled, happy, and energized. And you know what? The world did not end in my absence. I missed several minutes of work, but I figured I would have worked much slower had I dragged my tired and hungry self through the afternoon. 

Lunch breaks are not always possible. Some days will certainly be busier, and there are some work I cannot leave undone for a moment. But when time and opportunity allow, I should take a lunch break. There is value in refilling your cup, energizing your batteries, and simply allowing yourself the privilege to pause. 

And if and when you can, remind someone to take their lunch. It may turn out to be the best part of their day. Thank you to everyone who reminds me to take a break.

Photo by Eaters Collective on Unsplash