I was wondering about the bloat. I haven't had an issue yet (this is only my 3rd night shift - though it is the 3rd in a row), however, when I was in nursing school and working nights in the ED, I'd feel like I needed Lasix after a shift. I also have awoken with a dire need to pee at 1400 the last days, but I have been attributing it to the 2L of water I've been drinking to stay awake.
You adapt. I was working day shift (7a-7p) for the 7 weeks of orientation at my new job, which meant early wake up times for me. Even feeling exhausted, I could not get to sleep and was restless when sleeping. Since changing to nights, I get 8 hours of almost uninterrupted sleep (aside from a quick pee break) and feel much more rested. Tomorrow is the switch day, which kind of sucks, but is an excuse for a pile day (basically, I stay awake from 1600 on Tuesday until I go to bed on Wednesday night (2200-ish) with only a short 1-2 hour nap to reset to a "normal schedule". I plan to do laundry, watch West Wing, and read. I try to stay on a "normal schedule" when I'm not working and bundle my work shifts so that I can spend time with the husband and interact with normal people.
Good to hear that the dog is doing better - and I'm all for nut-removal on pets.
Jealous of your sons - your last camping trip sounded so fun. They are so lucky to have a dad like you that is so involved in their day to day and interested in sharing these experiences with them.
Checking in. Only an 8 hour shift tonight (11p-7a) as I am taking a class for work during the day on Friday (8a-4:30p). Looking foward to a pile day tomorrow, haircut on Thursday (and dress shopping for another college hockey wedding - UNH and Cornell), and then the Highland Games on Saturday (celebration of Scottish heritage with men wearing kilts and "crotch bags" and "log carrying competitions"). (The husband did not appreciate my summary of these events to my mom - apparently there is a proper name for the bags that hang around the hips of men in kilts as well as a proper term for log throwing competitions).