How do you know?
1. Your kid is sick with this (when you were hoping it was just a migraine).
2. Your town is experiencing an ice storm. (even better reason to be trapped with all these germs inside). My Lysol fumigation continues...
3. You planned a busy day while kiddo was off school (doctors appointments, dentist appointments, meeting your friend for lunch). All get cancelled.
Maybe I just need to go back to bed and hide until Bubba calls me again...stay tuned.
Showing posts with label doctor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doctor. Show all posts
Monday, February 17, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
I think of arm wrestling
Or a juxtaposition of life where you wonder about things. For entertainment purposes, I checked out some interesting books at the library. The latest one: You are a badass: How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life.
Yes, this is indeed a book title. I didn't make it up.
When I read this opinion piece in the New York Times recently, it struck me for a few reasons. One, it's written by a doctor. Two, it's written by a young doctor with cancer. Three, it reminds me of a character at the Hotel struggling with his own diagnosis.
We can't give him time. We can only tell him that if he gets treated, he will most likely be cured. If he delays, he jeopardizes that chance of living until his grandchildren graduate from school.
He's cheated death a few times, so maybe he's jaded. Or maybe he'd just believe us if we could give him a number.
We can't.
So he's just going, as Becket says, to keep not going, and going along.
Yes, this is indeed a book title. I didn't make it up.
When I read this opinion piece in the New York Times recently, it struck me for a few reasons. One, it's written by a doctor. Two, it's written by a young doctor with cancer. Three, it reminds me of a character at the Hotel struggling with his own diagnosis.
We can't give him time. We can only tell him that if he gets treated, he will most likely be cured. If he delays, he jeopardizes that chance of living until his grandchildren graduate from school.
He's cheated death a few times, so maybe he's jaded. Or maybe he'd just believe us if we could give him a number.
We can't.
So he's just going, as Becket says, to keep not going, and going along.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
When you're the unforgettable one
I have heard a lot of stories about unforgettable patients. I've even told a few of my own. Today, I'm reminded of how I was one of those unforgettable people.
Dr. L. was my mother's doctor. For a time, he was the family doctor of many of the folks within 30 miles of our home. Doc L. was an old school doctor. He did everything--house calls, delivering babies, you name it. He was in World War II and told my husband about a condition called jeepitis, or Jeep disease. It had a real name, though, by the time Dahey got it in the military.
Dr. L. was also my grandparents doctor. They loved him.
How did I get to be unforgettable, you ask? My mother was his patient. We were at a family gathering after Dahey and I got married when we saw him again (Dr. L. eventually married into the family after he was widowed).
Dr. L. pulled us aside and said, "You know, I've never told you this, RehabRN, but I'll never forget your mother. I will never forget the day I had to tell her she had cancer. All the thoughts going through my head and thinking about your dad and you kids. I have to say that in all my years of practice, it was the hardest thing I ever had to do."
"But I'm here right now, and I look at all of you, and everything that has happened, and I see that you all turned out alright. That everything turned out for the best. And I am happy I am here to see it."
Today, we said goodbye to Dr. L. Family and friends gathered at the chapel of the local nursing home run by the good sisters. The sister who ran the nursing home told us Dr. L. was a lot of fun to work with. He also was the sisters' doctor for many years, coming to see them on his day off.
It was his wish to have the sisters send him off from their place, since he spent time there and enjoyed their chapel. He was then buried at the local cemetery with military honors, on a beautiful, windswept hill, near a wood.
The rain that was predicted never came, but the sunny skies made us all give thanks for the light he was in all of our lives.
Godspeed Dr. L. I certainly won't forget you, either.
Dr. L. was my mother's doctor. For a time, he was the family doctor of many of the folks within 30 miles of our home. Doc L. was an old school doctor. He did everything--house calls, delivering babies, you name it. He was in World War II and told my husband about a condition called jeepitis, or Jeep disease. It had a real name, though, by the time Dahey got it in the military.
Dr. L. was also my grandparents doctor. They loved him.
How did I get to be unforgettable, you ask? My mother was his patient. We were at a family gathering after Dahey and I got married when we saw him again (Dr. L. eventually married into the family after he was widowed).
Dr. L. pulled us aside and said, "You know, I've never told you this, RehabRN, but I'll never forget your mother. I will never forget the day I had to tell her she had cancer. All the thoughts going through my head and thinking about your dad and you kids. I have to say that in all my years of practice, it was the hardest thing I ever had to do."
"But I'm here right now, and I look at all of you, and everything that has happened, and I see that you all turned out alright. That everything turned out for the best. And I am happy I am here to see it."
Today, we said goodbye to Dr. L. Family and friends gathered at the chapel of the local nursing home run by the good sisters. The sister who ran the nursing home told us Dr. L. was a lot of fun to work with. He also was the sisters' doctor for many years, coming to see them on his day off.
It was his wish to have the sisters send him off from their place, since he spent time there and enjoyed their chapel. He was then buried at the local cemetery with military honors, on a beautiful, windswept hill, near a wood.
The rain that was predicted never came, but the sunny skies made us all give thanks for the light he was in all of our lives.
Godspeed Dr. L. I certainly won't forget you, either.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The first day of Spring
Yes, it's spring on the calendar, but you can't tell in RehabLand. It's freezing!
I went to the allergist for the first time in a LONG time. (my personal rite of spring). Discovered that I really do need to change up my meds so I can be less stuffy, or at least have a less stuffy nose.
Even though it was cold, I stood outside waiting by PrivateU to get lunch from a food truck. Not just any food truck but an exceptional Asian fusion one. To top it off, a pink cupcake truck was parked nearby.
Life really is sweet...and lunch was surely wonderful today.
Stay tuned...more to come.
I went to the allergist for the first time in a LONG time. (my personal rite of spring). Discovered that I really do need to change up my meds so I can be less stuffy, or at least have a less stuffy nose.
Even though it was cold, I stood outside waiting by PrivateU to get lunch from a food truck. Not just any food truck but an exceptional Asian fusion one. To top it off, a pink cupcake truck was parked nearby.
Life really is sweet...and lunch was surely wonderful today.
Stay tuned...more to come.
Monday, January 21, 2013
It's really Monday
It may be a holiday (banks are closed, Bubba's out of school) but it's still a Monday.
I told the nurse at my appointment this afternoon that there were several, telltale Monday signs. One, if it can go wrong, it will. Luckily, all my odd things that happened weren't life-threatening. Two, the doctor was late for my late afternoon appointment. No big deal...he's nice and doesn't short change you on your moments.Three, the parking lot was full. My favorite comment by one lady coming into the office, "There must be a lot of sick people here today."
Lady, if you only realized what you just said. I heard nary a cough (except for one cough out of a little boy on the far side of the room) while I was there.
Thank goodness they don't run late with the sick folks.
More to come...the week is still young.
I told the nurse at my appointment this afternoon that there were several, telltale Monday signs. One, if it can go wrong, it will. Luckily, all my odd things that happened weren't life-threatening. Two, the doctor was late for my late afternoon appointment. No big deal...he's nice and doesn't short change you on your moments.Three, the parking lot was full. My favorite comment by one lady coming into the office, "There must be a lot of sick people here today."
Lady, if you only realized what you just said. I heard nary a cough (except for one cough out of a little boy on the far side of the room) while I was there.
Thank goodness they don't run late with the sick folks.
More to come...the week is still young.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Points to ponder
Yes, it seems far away from nursing to talk about insider trading, but it's not really if you read this article.
Sure, those investment types are NOT supposed to take the advice of a doctor and go sell stocks, but they did. They made huge profits.
And it just reminds me what one of my old professors said eons ago. "Take a glass of water with you to every meeting. If they start to discuss insider trading or price fixing, accidentally spill said glass of water on yourself and walk out. Make sure this is recorded in the meeting minutes, or make a note to self."
Just in case the SEC and other sundry law enforcement folks come calling...
Sure, those investment types are NOT supposed to take the advice of a doctor and go sell stocks, but they did. They made huge profits.
And it just reminds me what one of my old professors said eons ago. "Take a glass of water with you to every meeting. If they start to discuss insider trading or price fixing, accidentally spill said glass of water on yourself and walk out. Make sure this is recorded in the meeting minutes, or make a note to self."
Just in case the SEC and other sundry law enforcement folks come calling...
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Heard on the unit
I love the random comments and compliments I hear right up at the front of the SU.
"You don't need anything? You mean you're going to do whatever it takes? Okay. If I can help you, I will". --TechnoWizard
If he/she only knew how many silk purses (as a nurse) I've been forced into, sometimes I feel like MacGyver. Do not leave any loose wire or chewing gum near me, or never complain, never explain might be more appropriate.
"Cool! You get all the good stuff." --Mr. X.
As I told TechnoWizard, I show all the geek patients the technology (no matter what it is) whenever it's in the SU. They enjoy the distraction.
"I'm getting paroled."--Mr. P.
Mr. P. says he sees people that look familiar from his days working the transit beat. Sometimes, he says the darnedest things.
"I'm sorry." --Dr. Snitty
This doctor is rarely apologetic about anything. It was nice to catch him/her in a good mood today.
"You don't need anything? You mean you're going to do whatever it takes? Okay. If I can help you, I will". --TechnoWizard
If he/she only knew how many silk purses (as a nurse) I've been forced into, sometimes I feel like MacGyver. Do not leave any loose wire or chewing gum near me, or never complain, never explain might be more appropriate.
"Cool! You get all the good stuff." --Mr. X.
As I told TechnoWizard, I show all the geek patients the technology (no matter what it is) whenever it's in the SU. They enjoy the distraction.
"I'm getting paroled."--Mr. P.
Mr. P. says he sees people that look familiar from his days working the transit beat. Sometimes, he says the darnedest things.
"I'm sorry." --Dr. Snitty
This doctor is rarely apologetic about anything. It was nice to catch him/her in a good mood today.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
So glad...
My PCP likes me.
He/she managed to convince Dahey he needed a DRE and a colonoscopy, since he didn't decide to have his physical on his birthday, like I asked.
Now I just have to get him/her to get him a pain management consult to see why his goofy back and legs are having random pains again.My guess after working with Dr. S. in the SU is that Dahey may have this problem.
Crossing fingers. By the time this year is done, Dahey will be as good as new (at least he'll seem like it anyway).
Stay tuned...
He/she managed to convince Dahey he needed a DRE and a colonoscopy, since he didn't decide to have his physical on his birthday, like I asked.
Now I just have to get him/her to get him a pain management consult to see why his goofy back and legs are having random pains again.My guess after working with Dr. S. in the SU is that Dahey may have this problem.
Crossing fingers. By the time this year is done, Dahey will be as good as new (at least he'll seem like it anyway).
Stay tuned...
Monday, August 22, 2011
There but for...
The grace of God go I...the old saying goes.
I absolutely loved the following line in one of KevinMD's posts entitled, What this doctor learned when he was a patient.
Dr. D’s orthopedist has about the communication skills of a mentally-retarded clam.
Sometimes we nurses say the same thing...about everything I just mentioned. Thanks KevinMD having such a great guest post. It's a great story.
I absolutely loved the following line in one of KevinMD's posts entitled, What this doctor learned when he was a patient.
Dr. D’s orthopedist has about the communication skills of a mentally-retarded clam.
Sometimes we nurses say the same thing...about everything I just mentioned. Thanks KevinMD having such a great guest post. It's a great story.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Parade route
I felt as if I was parading around the unit today, only instead of following the marching band, I was following the siren call of the antiquated call light system.
One nurse said the ghost of 43 was at work, because, the call light in that room kept going off. For hours. There were very few places of respite from the "beep, beep, beep". Someone had to be near the board, to see the other lights go off and answer them, when the silence button timed out and started the shrill beeps again.
One of my patients had to be whisked away to a far-off appointment, completely bathed, shaved, fluffed and buffed. He/she will be going home soon, so this appointment was long awaited.
A skittish nurse fell at home over the weekend and scraped her head. No head injury, mind you, except to her pride. I think she enjoyed the attention the patients gave her asking about her condition.
Most of my day centered around the call lights and helping the rest of the nurses, since that was my job today. I was so happy when I got to go home!
And while I've been vegetating, I read a couple of interesting articles about patient stories and doctors ignoring their own health. It makes me think, even the research and graduate work I have has a large storytelling component.
I just hope I do the best job I can.
One nurse said the ghost of 43 was at work, because, the call light in that room kept going off. For hours. There were very few places of respite from the "beep, beep, beep". Someone had to be near the board, to see the other lights go off and answer them, when the silence button timed out and started the shrill beeps again.
One of my patients had to be whisked away to a far-off appointment, completely bathed, shaved, fluffed and buffed. He/she will be going home soon, so this appointment was long awaited.
A skittish nurse fell at home over the weekend and scraped her head. No head injury, mind you, except to her pride. I think she enjoyed the attention the patients gave her asking about her condition.
Most of my day centered around the call lights and helping the rest of the nurses, since that was my job today. I was so happy when I got to go home!
And while I've been vegetating, I read a couple of interesting articles about patient stories and doctors ignoring their own health. It makes me think, even the research and graduate work I have has a large storytelling component.
I just hope I do the best job I can.
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