(Regrettably, our local university is the main reason that county STD rates are the second-highest in the state (the highest-ranking county is home to a naval base). Outbreaks are common and rather a grim joke with local healthcare providers. The county has purchased a new emergency radio system and one of their officers has arrived to train our staff on how to use the equipment.)
Instructor: “The great thing about this system is that it is linked to over two hundred towers, state-wide. This means that if you need to, you can communicate not only throughout the county, but with other jurisdictions as well. For example; let’s say you have to set up some kind of emergency clinic at the University for… I don’t know, what’s an epidemic that the students might experience there?”
Me: *without thinking* “Probably chlamydia.”
(My boss shushed me, but our director of nursing almost fell off her chair from laughing so hard.)
Hospital, Montana, USA | Healthy | December 27, 2017
(My husband has sliced his thumb open at work and after an hour of convincing him, I manage to get him into the ER. The doctor looks at it and determines it needs stitches, plus he needs a tetanus booster, and so the nurse gets the shot ready. This happens with me and [Nurse #1 ] talking to him on his right, and [Nurse #2 ] on his left prepping for the injection.)
Husband: “Okay, just… I don’t know… Let me get a deep breath before you inject me.”
Nurse #1 : “Are you afraid of needles? It’ll be a quick pinch and done, way less than slicing your thumb open.”
Me: “Exactly. It’s so quick. Remember all of the times you donated plasma? The needle is smaller and you barely feel it.”
(In the meantime, [Nurse #2 ] has prepped him and has uncapped the needle. She gives us a little nod and sticks him while we continue talking.)
Husband: “I know; it’s just irrational and my thumb hurts and it’s just overwhelming!”
Nurse #1 : “You used to give plasma? That’s awesome! What do they use, like 15 gauge?”
(The other nurse is done now and cleaning up.)
Me: “No, 12. The needles are HUGE!”
Nurse #1 : “Oh, geez. Well these are only 25 gauge, so super tiny compared to what you’re used to.”
Husband: “Yeah. I suppose. It wasn’t so bad, I just hated that cold feeling when they put the blood back into you.” *deep breath before turning to [Nurse #2 ]* “Okay, I should be good now. Go ahead.”
Nurse #2 : “Dude, I’ve been done for like a minute now. You did fine.”
Hospital, Massachusetts, USA | Healthy | December 27, 2017
(I have dislocated my shoulder.)
Doctor: *looking at a mark on my shoulder* “I see you’ve previously had your shoulder operated on.”
Me: “No.”
Doctor: “Yes, there’s the surgical scar right there.”
Me: “No, it’s a stretch mark.”
Doctor: “No, it’s a surgical scar.”
Me: “Unless somebody kidnapped me, drugged me, then operated on me while I was unconscious, I think I would remember surgery.”
Doctor: “…”
(A few years later, I was being examined by a dermatologist, and I told him the story. He said that it did indeed look like a surgical scar, and would I care to come by the hospital during rounds so he could fool his interns?)
Dentist, Maryland, USA | Healthy | December 26, 2017
(I am at the same dentist I’ve been going to for the past five years without issue. I brush my teeth twice a day and frequently use dental floss wands. While I do take really good care of my dental hygiene, my teeth aren’t bright white, as whitening toothpaste hurts my sensitive teeth. However, I’ve gotten nothing but glowing reviews from my dental hygienists and dentists the past few years. I haven’t even had a cavity since I was in elementary school. As the dental hygienist is looking at my teeth, she asks me various questions about my dental hygiene.)
Hygienist: “How often do you brush your teeth?”
Me: “Twice daily.”
Hygienist: “Oh, good! Do you floss?”
Me: “I don’t use dental floss, but I use floss wands.”
Hygienist: “Oh, that counts! Good on you for using those.”
(The dentist stops by to do his inspection of my mouth. I have never seen this dentist before, but I’m not worried, since I’ve had nothing but good experiences with this dental practice. It is an uneventful few minutes, until he jabs me unnecessarily hard in one of my back molars with his sharp tool. Keep in mind, I’ve been going to the dentist twice a year for 25 years, so I’m used to the mild pains of getting my teeth inspected and cleaned. This pain is far out of the ordinary and almost feels deliberately hard. I have never had a dental professional cause that kind of pain in my mouth, even from cavities.)
Me: “Ow!”
(I begin to taste blood, which has me really concerned.)
Me: “I taste blood.”
(I say this with his tools still in my mouth, as he has not stopped his inspection at all.)
Dentist: “Well, that wouldn’t have happened if you actually flossed. See, this is why flossing is so important.”
Me: “I do floss.”
(Again, I mumble, as his tools are still in my mouth and I don’t want to be hurt again. He then finishes his inspection, stands up, and quickly speaks to the dental hygienist. While this is happening, I sit up to check on my tooth. I reach into my mouth and pull out a finger with blood on it.)
Dentist: “Schedule a follow-up appointment in one month, due to her poor flossing habits. It would seem she’s caused herself extremely sensitive teeth and gums. She’ll have permanent dental damage if she doesn’t start taking better care of her teeth.”
(The dentist then walks away, leaving me completely speechless.)
Hygienist: “I’m so sorry about that, honey. Let me get you some cotton balls for that blood. I’ll clean that up and try to finish your teeth cleaning.”
Me: *as I’m fighting back tears* “I swear, I do floss! I even have a pack of floss wands in my purse right over there!”
Hygienist: “I’m so sorry, sweetie. You’re fine; I promise. I didn’t see any inflammation or signs of apparent sensitivity. You also didn’t react to my inspection at all, so I don’t think you have overly sensitive teeth from poor dental care. Again, I’m so sorry. He’s the head dentist’s son, and he’s right out of dental school. He’s only temporarily hired until he finds a job at another dental practice. From what we’ve seen so far, he likes to give an excuse why a patient needs an immediate follow-up appointment so he can try to make more money through more appointments. His father has promised that he won’t be here much longer. I’m so sorry you were here on a day that he was scheduled to fill in for his father.”
(The nurse gave me an over-packed goodie bag with stickers, a new toothbrush, three new toothpastes, a small toy, and a new set of floss wands. She also continued to apologize many more times. She told me I wouldn’t need to come in again until my next dental check-up in six months, when she assured me the dentist’s son wouldn’t be employed there anymore. I’ve never had an issue with this dental practice, but if he’s still there when I come back in six months, I’ll be finding a new dentist.)
British Columbia, Canada, Medical Office | Healthy | December 26, 2017
(My GP has referred me to a dermatologist in the nearest large city because of a rash on my hands. A couple of months later, I’m in his office for a regular check-up.)
Doctor: “Did that dermatologist ever get in touch with you?”
Me: “Not a word.”
Doctor: “Maybe you had better call her. Here, I’ll look up her phone number.” *fiddles with his computer for a bit* “Oh, dear, I just found her obituary.”
Me: “I guess that explains why she never contacted me.”
Doctor: “But doesn’t it make you feel good to know you’re doing better than your doctor?”
Oregon, Pharmacy, USA | Healthy | December 26, 2017
(My doctor has prescribed me a four-month supply of a new medicine, to see if it will help with my migraines. I get it filled for the first two months at my local pharmacy without a problem, but the third month I am told I have to call my insurance to sort out a problem. After fighting my way through the automated system and identifying myself
Me: “My pharmacy told me that I need to call you about one of my meds.”
Operator: “Yes, it looks like that has been flagged as a ‘maintenance medication’ in our system, so it can only be filled at a regular pharmacy twice. After that it needs to be filled as a three-month supply via mail order.”
(This is news to me, but then again, it is a new insurance plan, so I am not that familiar with it.)
Me: “Okay, but I only have two more months on this medication; my doctor just gave me a four-month script to see if it works for me.”
Operator: “Yes, you just need to get set up on our online system to get it in a three-month supply.”
Me: “That’s the problem: I don’t have three months left on it. Can I get a two-month supply?”
Operator: No, it has to be a three-month supply because it is a ‘maintenance medication.'”
Me: “But I only have two more months on this prescription; it’s a trial to see if it works.”
Operator: “That’s fine; just get set up on our online system and you can get a three-month supply from now on.”
Me: “No, I can’t. I probably won’t be on this that long, and my prescription is only for two more months. Are you saying I need to go to my doctor and get a new three-month prescription in order to fill my last two months?”
Operator: “No, you keep the same prescription; just order a three-month supply online. Do you need the website address?”
Me: “No, I think I need a new prescription, because mine is only for another two months.”
Operator: “No, it must be three months.”
Me: “So, I need to get a new prescription from my doctor for three-months’ worth, or stop taking it now?”
Operator: “No, just enter your prescription online and select ‘three-month supply.'”
Me: “But I don’t have three months left on this medication.”
Operator: *sighs loudly* “I can give you a one-time exception to pick up this month from your pharmacy, but after that you really need to start getting it in a three-month supply via mail order.”
(I decided three months would have to be enough of a trial on that medication; it wasn’t working anyway, and that phone call to get more definitely triggered a stress migraine.)
Hospital, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA | Healthy | December 25, 2017
(I suffer from chronic sinus infections, having experienced ear infections with regularity since I was a toddler. However, the word “suffer” is actually quite a stretch. I’m chatting about it with the doctor checking me out; who initially doesn’t seem convinced anything is wrong.)
Me: “They never really bothered me, though. I was in for a check-up when I was two, and the doctor kept asking my mom if I’d been fussy, crying, sleeping badly, rubbing at my ears or anything. She said I’d been fine and asked why I’d be doing anything like that, and the doctor said I had the worst ear infection he’d EVER seen!”
Doctor: *giving me an are-you-serious look* “You have the worst sinus infection I’ve ever seen.”
Canada, Dentist, Ontario | Healthy | December 24, 2017
(I’ve never liked going to the dentist, but this incident really made me hate it more than usual. It’s just a normal annual teeth cleaning, uncomfortable but bearable, but when the hygienist was using the polish, a chunk of it broke off and went down my throat. I started choking and the hygienist had to stop the cleaning for a moment to let me clear my airway.)
Hygienist: “Quit being such a drama queen.”
(I was furious, and made sure to tell my mom about it when I was done. I don’t know if she told the dentist about what happened, but I never saw that hygienist again.)
Hospital, USA, Washington | Healthy | December 23, 2017
(After our son is born
Nurse: *to my wife* “And I’m just confirming that the baby is covered by your insurance for at least 21 days?”
Wife: “Yes, that’s correct.”
(Later
Doctor #1 : “Hi, Mom & Dad! Congratulations! I’m [Doctor] and just here to look over the little guy. Oh, he’s a cutie!” *examines the baby for five minutes* “Well, everything looks good. Congratulations again!”
(Even later
Doctor #2 : “Hello! I’m [Doctor #2 ]. I’m here to examine [something else] with your son. Congratulations, by the way! Oh, he’s a handsome guy!” *examines baby for five minutes* “Well, everything looks good. He seems to be doing great!”
(Later still
Doctor #3 : “He’s doing great, but his levels aren’t quite where we would really like them to be. I’m going to keep you guys here for another night to monitor him.”
(Months later we start seeing bills from pediatricians whose names we didn’t recognize at all for “neonatal exam” and other odd things. Two years later our daughter is born in the same hospital.)
Nurse: *to my wife* “And I’m just confirming that the baby is covered by your insurance for at least 21 days?”
Wife: “No, I’m on a self-funded plan so that isn’t the case. We’ll be putting her on the state-based Medicaid plan with her brother and coverage will be retroactive to her birthday.”
(Later, as in less than 24 hours after the birth
Nurse: “Looks like you guys get to go home today! Just so you know, her levels aren’t quite where we would want them to be so you’ll need to set up an appointment with your primary care pediatrician to have her checked within the next day. Congratulations again!”
(The next day at our pediatrician’s office
Pediatrician: “Why in the world would they discharge you with her levels like this? This is very concerning to me. She needed another night in the hospital. Did any pediatricians at the hospital look at her?”
Wife: “Just one. Weird, because last time we saw like four or five; they’d just pop in and we’d never see them again.”
Pediatrician: “These numbers are not good. We need to get her to the ER today.”
(Off to the ER (at a different hospital) and our new-born daughter had to stay the night for some urgent treatment. She’s fine now but the lesson is learned that we mention Medicaid to the hospital with extreme caution.)
Hospital, USA, Washington | Healthy | December 23, 2017
(After our son is born
Nurse: *to my wife* “And I’m just confirming that the baby is covered by your insurance for at least 21 days?”
Wife: “Yes, that’s correct.”
(Later
Doctor #1: “Hi, Mom & Dad! Congratulations! I’m [Doctor] and just here to look over the little guy. Oh, he’s a cutie!” *examines the baby for five minutes* “Well, everything looks good. Congratulations again!”
(Even later
Doctor #2: “Hello! I’m [Doctor #2]. I’m here to examine [something else] with your son. Congratulations, by the way! Oh, he’s a handsome guy!” *examines baby for five minutes* “Well, everything looks good. He seems to be doing great!”
(Later still
Doctor #3: “He’s doing great, but his levels aren’t quite where we would really like them to be. I’m going to keep you guys here for another night to monitor him.”
(Months later we start seeing bills from pediatricians whose names we didn’t recognize at all for “neonatal exam” and other odd things. Two years later our daughter is born in the same hospital.)
Nurse: *to my wife* “And I’m just confirming that the baby is covered by your insurance for at least 21 days?”
Wife: “No, I’m on a self-funded plan so that isn’t the case. We’ll be putting her on the state-based Medicaid plan with her brother and coverage will be retroactive to her birthday.”
(Later, as in less than 24 hours after the birth
Nurse: “Looks like you guys get to go home today! Just so you know, her levels aren’t quite where we would want them to be so you’ll need to set up an appointment with your primary care pediatrician to have her checked within the next day. Congratulations again!”
(The next day at our pediatrician’s office
Pediatrician: “Why in the world would they discharge you with her levels like this? This is very concerning to me. She needed another night in the hospital. Did any pediatricians at the hospital look at her?”
Wife: “Just one. Weird, because last time we saw like four or five; they’d just pop in and we’d never see them again.”
Pediatrician: “These numbers are not good. We need to get her to the ER today.”
(Off to the ER (at a different hospital) and our new-born daughter had to stay the night for some urgent treatment. She’s fine now but the lesson is learned that we mention Medicaid to the hospital with extreme caution.)
Crazy Requests, Louisiana, Office, USA | Healthy | December 22, 2017
(I work in home health and we get calls like this a lot surprisingly
Me: “Thank you for calling [Agency]. This is [My Name]; how may I help you?”
Caller: “Hi, I’m a nurse, and my [family member] needs care, but they only want me to take care of them. Is there any way we could go through you and have only me take care of them?”
Me: “Yes, if you fill out an application and we hire you. But you would have to see more patients in a week than just your [family member].”
Caller: “Oh, no, I just want to take care of [family member] and no one else. I have a job already. I would just need to be paid for my [family member]. How would they be able to request me after being admitted to your agency?”
Me: “The only way is to be hired here to see patients.”
Caller: “But I have a job already; I don’t need to be hired. And I can’t see other patients, only my [family member].”
Me: “So you want to use our facility, our resources and supplies, see no one else, AND you want us to pay you?”
Caller: “Yes, exactly.”
Me: “Sorry, we don’t do that here. Try [Other Home Health Agency].”
Arkansas, Medical Office, USA | Healthy | December 22, 2017
(Over the last two years I’ve had two breast lumps, which were both biopsied, and have been suffering pain, from what I suspect is a third, over the last 5 months. The pain used to only bother me when I tried to wear a bra with an underwire, but over the last 2 months it has gotten to the point where it just hurts all the time. My primary care physician does indeed find a lump in the area and has ordered a diagnostic ultrasound of the area, which thankfully I get scheduled within the week.)
Sonographer: *going though the normal medical questions* “Do you smoke?”
Me: “No.”
Sonographer: “Have you ever been pregnant?”
Me: “No.”
Sonographer: “Have you had previous breast surgeries or biopsies?”
Me: “Yes, both on the left. One was in May of 2015 and was excisional, and one just eight months ago and was a fine needle aspiration.”
Sonographer: “Have you ever been pregnant?”
Me: *doubting her listening skills* “…I believe you just asked me that. No, I have never been pregnant.”
Sonographer: “Is there a lump?”
Me: “Yes. [Doctor] found it based on the location of my pain over the last several months.”
Sonographer: “And when was your appointment with her?”
Me: “Last week on the 25th.”
(The sonographer quietly finishes her paperwork and does the ultrasound. After completing the imaging she steps out of the room to speak to the radiologist, which takes approximately 20 minutes. I spend the entire time hoping that this time is merely a cyst and I can have it drained to relieve my pain and be done with it. Finally the sonographer comes back into the room, sans radiologist.)
Sonographer: “So, it’s indicated to be benign. We’re going to schedule a follow up for you in six months.”
Me: *I’m slightly taken aback by both the abruptness and that they apparently expect me to suffer increasing pain for another six months* “Wait, what? Even though I’m in pain and haven’t been able to wear a real bra in several months?”
Sonographer: “We’ll give you a pamphlet on pain management. Do you want to set your appointment up now?”
(By this point I’m both ticked off and nearing tears, as I feel I’m just being dismissed because I’m young, and am not being given any information.)
Me: “Can you at least tell me anything about the spot? What are the dimensions? Is it a cyst like [Doctor] said it might be? Or is it solid? What do the edges look like?”
Sonographer: *looks like I’ve just deeply offended her by asking questions about my own health* “It’s like what you had last time. But it’s teeny tiny. You just have very dense tissue around it so it feels bigger. So do you want to set up your appointment now?”
(After several rounds of asking her the same questions and her not providing the answers in exact terms but pushing for the follow-up appointment, she finally told me that the lump was about 8mm, which wasn’t as large as one of the previous ones, but was not “teeny tiny,” and at least had edges that are the indicator for it being benign. She pushed the pain management pamphlet on me, got my follow-up set up, and practically shoved me out the door. I relayed all my concerns about how little was addressed to my primary doctor, and she at least reviewed my results and gave a referral to a surgeon for me to move forward. The most annoying part? The sonographer apparently put down that I’d only been presenting the issue for a week, which was when I received confirmation of a lump, not that it’d been going on for several months as I’d told her. Listening is an active skill, everyone!)
Connecticut, Health & Body, Office, USA | Healthy | December 22, 2017
(Due to living through some really messed up stuff, I have an incredibly high pain tolerance, and avoid asking for help if it’s something I can do myself. Combine that with the fact that I am a massive klutz, and you get someone that consistently injures themselves (frequently at work), fixes it as best they can, and just shrugs it off as nothing. I have once again managed to hurt myself, resulting in about a two-inch long gash on my forearm. It’s not too deep, but it needs stitches. I can and have stitched myself up from similar injuries in the past, using sewing needles and fishing line. I am in the middle of doing this, when a coworker I will refer to as “Work Mom” walks into my office.)
Work Mom: “Hey, [My Name], my computer is having iss— WHAT THE H*** ARE YOU DOING?!”
(I do not stop stitching as I speak with her.)
Me: “Oh, I just got a little cut, and am sewing myself back up. I’ll be right as rain in a minute. So what’s going on with your computer?”
Work Mom: “No. No, no, no. How are you not screaming? You are coming with me to the walk-in right now!”
Me: *stops stitching* “I really don’t think that’s necessary. I’ve done this before, and I’ll be fine.”
Work Mom: “I’m calling medical, then you are going to the doctor. You do not have a choice in this, you crazy b****!”
(I give up, as arguing at this point is futile. I walk down the hall to medical, and sit in a chair after speaking to the onsite medical person. As Work Mom’s back is turned, I finish stitching up the cut, and cut the needle free. Work Mom gets permission to take me knowing I won’t go by myself, and we go to the walk-in clinic. We wait for a bit, and get called into a room. The doctor walks in about 10 minutes later.)
Doctor: “So, what’re you here for today?”
Me: “I think it’s a bit of an overrea—”
Work Mom: “This crazy person got a cut, and decided that it would be easiest to stitch it up herself!”
Doctor: “…what? You’re kidding me.”
Me: “No. I’ve done this before, and had no trouble.” *I hold out my arm for the doctor to inspect*
Doctor: “Jesus, woman! Didn’t that hurt?”
Me: “Eh.”
Doctor: “I’ll have to remove this… What did you use?”
Me: “Fishing line.”
Doctor: *mutters something under his breath* “I’ll get the proper tools for this.”
Me: *knowing I will never get another chance to ask this* “So, how’s my stitching?”
Doctor: “What? Did you just really ask me that?”
Me: “Yeah, come on. I’m curious.” *I have a massive s***-eating grin on my face at this point*
Doctor: *mumbles something*
Me: “Sorry, I didn’t catch that?”
Doctor: *exasperated* “You’re stitching is fine, but seriously, don’t do this again!”
Health & Body, Office, Ohio, USA | Healthy | December 21, 2017
(The entire staff is having an end of the fall quarter meeting in a large conference room. Since it’s flu season, there’s frequently the sound of coughing and sniffling because management made this meeting mandatory and refuses to let anyone call off sick. I’m sitting to the side, and the director has just called the meeting to start when one employee from the very back walks forward, crossing the entire very large room. Everyone falls silent to watch her. She props open one of the doors halfway (which just leads to a hallway) and then walks all the way back to her seat, pass dozens of coworkers, some of which are clearly feverish.)
Employee: “I just HAD to open a door! I couldn’t stand the thought of being stuck inside a closed room with all these sick people! I don’t want to get sick myself!”
(She was sitting next to another coworker who was surrounded by a pile of used tissues. As if opening a door part-way in a giant conference room halts the transmission of viruses and bacteria.)
(I go to my local pharmacy to drop off a prescription. As most pharmacies are, it is very busy with a full waiting area and they tell me there will be a wait for my medication. I browse the store for a while until I hear my name called over the intercom, and then get back in line to pick up the prescription. An elderly man who is also waiting for a prescription gets up from his chair and approaches me.)
Patient: “Are you Veronica? They just called a Veronica; are you her?”
(They definitely did not just call anyone named Veronica, and my name sounds nothing like Veronica, although they both do end in the letter ‘A.’)
Me: “Uh, no, sir, I’m not Veronica but my prescription is ready.”
Patient: “Well, if you’re not Veronica then your prescription is not ready so get out of line and wait like the rest of us!”
Me: “Sir, they called my name and I am going to pick up my prescription. Even if they didn’t I’m not cutting anyone in line or making anyone else wait longer, so please don’t shout at me.”
(At this point he started telling the whole waiting room that I was not Veronica and I was trying to steal Veronica’s prescription, but he was actually speaking very calmly so no one really paid him any mind. They called me up to the desk and I got my medication, and let them know the man seemed slightly agitated and might need some help. As I was leaving I heard him arguing with the pharmacy technician, saying “But she’s NOT VERONICA!”)
Medical Office, Scotland, UK | Healthy | December 21, 2017
(I am working as a receptionist in a GP surgery. As part of my job, I have to take orders for and print out repeat prescriptions, as well as note down any special requests to pass on to the doctors. Patients are aware of this and will often try to bypass the 48-hour wait time between ordering and collection by asking me to “just print it,” apparently unaware that I need a doctor to sign it first. On this day, a late-30ish man approaches my desk
Patient: “Hi, I need a prescription for [opiate].”
Me: “You usually need a doctor’s appointment for that; do you want me to book you in in two day’s time?”
Patient: “No, I’ve run out. It should be on as a repeat prescription.”
(I’m suspicious, because this drug rarely if ever is put on repeat. Nevertheless, I check his file. Not only is it not down on his repeats, but there is a pop-up note saying DO NOT SUPPLY THIS PATIENT WITH [OPIATE] DUE TO HISTORY OF ABUSE.)
Me: *trying to be tactful* “Well, sir, it looks like the doctor has taken you off of this medication. If you like, I can give you a phone appointment this afternoon?
Patient: *suddenly aggressive* “DO YOU WANT ME TO SUFFER? IS THAT IT?”
Me: “No, sir. I simply can’t give you the prescription without a doctor’s approval.”
Patient: “PRINT IT OUT!”
Me: *refusing to show that I’m feeling intimidated* “I can’t. And even if I could, I’d need a doctor to sign it for me, and they’re all in with patients.”
Patient: “Well, you’d better f****** interrupt one, shouldn’t you, you stupid little b****?”
Me: “No doctor is going to sign this prescription right now. I’m asking you once to stop using abusive language and allow me to try to help, or I will have to ask you to leave.”
Patient: “Well then, you f****** sign it!”
Me: “I’m not a doctor.”
Patient: “Just sign it!”
Me: “You’re asking me to break the law and put my signature to your prescription.”
Patient: “Yes.”
Me: “You want me to put my name to a prescription which, if caught, will land me in jail, cause legal trouble to the doctors here, and probably not even get you the medicine you want?”
Patient: “I NEED MY [OPIATE]!”
Me: “I’m not going to do that. Either take one of the appointments I’ve offered you, or leave.”
Patient: “WELL, MAYBE I’LL F****** MAKE YOU DO IT!”
(Thankful for the plastic barrier between us, I pressed the security button, and he was escorted from the building by two of my other coworkers, cursing the whole time.)
Whether You’re A Brother Or Whether You’re A Mother You Should Learn CPR
Medical Office, Non-Dialogue, USA, Vancouver | Healthy | December 20, 2017
I am sitting in the waiting room of my doctor’s office waiting to be called back. They have a TV playing some health network with short tips and tricks to being healthy.
One of the tips was to perform CPR to the beat of the song ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees. I laugh out loud in the quiet waiting room imagining passing out only to be revived by someone singing that song.
I got quite a few weird looks before I was able to get my giggles under control. But I guess I won’t forget the beat if I ever have to perform CPR now because I will want them to be ‘Staying Alive’!
Hospital, USA, Washington DC | Healthy | December 20, 2017
(I have been suffering from a cough and breathing problems for a few days. Thinking it is just a passing cold, I don’t worry too much about it until one night I notice that my neck is noticeably swollen. Concerned, I go to my mother, who is a nurse, and ask her opinion. She decides to take me to the ER due to the swelling and my issues with breathing. After arriving, I am taken to a room to wait for the doctor to evaluate me.)
Nurse: “I hear you’re having some trouble breathing.”
Me: “Yes, I’ve been coughing, and I thought it was just a cold, but now my neck is swollen.”
Nurse: “Well, let’s just listen to your chest for a minute.”
(She listens to me breathe for a few moments, makes a note on her chart, and leaves. Several minutes later, the attending physician enters the room.)
Doctor: “So you’re having issues with breathing?”
Me: “Yes. I told the nurse I thought I had a cough, but now my neck is swollen and my mom was concerned it could be something else.”
Doctor: “Well, let’s just listen to your chest.”
(He also checks my lungs, the same as the nurse.)
Doctor: “Well, you seem to have some labored breathing, so we’re going to give you a breathing treatment to help with that.”
Me: “What about the swelling?”
Doctor: “I don’t really see any swelling.”
(My mother and I both stare at the doctor in disbelief. Full disclosure, I am overweight, and because of that, I do have somewhat of a ‘double-chin’. However, this is far beyond double-chin territory; it was noticeable enough for both me and my nurse mother to be concerned.)
Mom: “Her neck is obviously swollen. This isn’t normal. I know what normal is for her, and this isn’t it.”
Doctor: *dismissing her* “I’ll be back with the breathing treatment.”
(My mother and I are completely irritated by his behavior. My mom, in a stroke of genius, pulls out her phone. Not a week before, we had been on vacation, and had taken many pictures; my mom pulls up a picture of me, facing forward, that shows how I usually look. When the doctor returns, she shows him this picture as evidence that my neck does not normally look as it does now.)
Doctor: *taken aback* “Oh, your neck IS swollen! Let’s get you in for an MRI!”
(Thankfully, I just had bronchitis. However, neither my mother nor I were pleased that one of my symptoms was ignored, simply because the doctor assumed that it was irrelevant!)
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the timeless love story this Valentine’s Day Weekend. #Titanic returns to the big screen in remastered 4K 3D on February 10. pic.twitter.com/WcBFJJ8hBI
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