It works both way I think. While it has such an awful effect on you, it has such a positive effect on the people that you treat - even if you think they don't notice. When I fret about the various heart problems I've had this year, the one thing that makes me feel better is thinking about the paramedics who had to come and pick me up from work one day because my heart had given up the ghost and gone into atrial fibrillation. All I needed was for someone else to take charge, because I was just so tired of being ill, of being weak and being frightened, and those guys were my relief; whatever happened to me wasn't down to me any more, and I felt safer than I ever have before or since. It's a huge brunt to bear, and I don't think I could ever do it. I've always respected you, and I'm glad that there are people like you doing the job. But you have to be selfish sometimes, and if you need time out, you need time out. As a patient, and I'm sure I speak for anybody who's ever been picked up by a paramedic, I think if anybody deserves to take it easy, it's you guys. x