I am a 70+year old resident of upstate SC. I have long enjoyed your articles, remember shared exploits of your family and experiences within your world of medicine. I am blessed to be healthy, but once upon a time in the early predawn hours, as my stoke victimized husband slept, I took the trash out the back door to the bin, and through a freakish accident, faceplanted off the third step onto a concrete sidewalk and implanted my arm on a solar light stake in the yard. My son took me to the ER and dropped me off, going back to my home since my sleeping husband could not function without physical assistance and suffered from early onset dementia as well. The sweetest kindest 14 year old ER doctor whisked me through the cleanup. Xray, stitching up process in a record amount of time. He used his personal cell phone to call my daughter in law to pick me up. Mission accomplished in time to get home prior to my husband waking up. What a kind team that doctor had around him, how intuitive he was to listen to my worries concerning my husband. How nice he was as he walked me to the exit where my ride was waiting. I felt like I had been cared for, not "seen" or "treated" . Thank you and people like you who have become mentors and leaders in the human side or medicine. Sorry to ramble - this is my first ever posting. Take care, be well and soldier on, regardless of your position in life. Bless you all.
Thank you for speaking up for the family. I returned to the ER about a month ago, and while it will always be overwhelming and frustrating, I’m so glad I did. There are so many kind and appreciative patients and families too, and I really missed them. As you said, the need is great and only getting greater. I thank God for a supportive work family and the occasional “thank you “ from a sweet soul in my care. And please don’t stop speaking out against the systems and ridiculous rules that make our job so much harder - maybe someday we’ll see common sense again (that and the mythical pillow! 😂)
I will share this on my social feeds for what it is worth...kinda makes me feel guilty about retiring (PA) But it is my time to heal from all the years of doing it, and to discover a new path towards healing and serenity for myself. I will continue to pray for the ER families everywhere. Lord knows I may need to visit again one day as a patient.
I am going to share this with my ER/ED (not fully used to the name change either) family! You perfectly highlight the complexities of the medical system as well as the day to day stressors of the staff trying their best. And thank you for raising up what the women often go through, even as a chaplain, the harassing things patients have said to me are unbelievable!
What I started saying to rude people lately: I gave up my 20's to be here. Please be patient.
I am a 70+year old resident of upstate SC. I have long enjoyed your articles, remember shared exploits of your family and experiences within your world of medicine. I am blessed to be healthy, but once upon a time in the early predawn hours, as my stoke victimized husband slept, I took the trash out the back door to the bin, and through a freakish accident, faceplanted off the third step onto a concrete sidewalk and implanted my arm on a solar light stake in the yard. My son took me to the ER and dropped me off, going back to my home since my sleeping husband could not function without physical assistance and suffered from early onset dementia as well. The sweetest kindest 14 year old ER doctor whisked me through the cleanup. Xray, stitching up process in a record amount of time. He used his personal cell phone to call my daughter in law to pick me up. Mission accomplished in time to get home prior to my husband waking up. What a kind team that doctor had around him, how intuitive he was to listen to my worries concerning my husband. How nice he was as he walked me to the exit where my ride was waiting. I felt like I had been cared for, not "seen" or "treated" . Thank you and people like you who have become mentors and leaders in the human side or medicine. Sorry to ramble - this is my first ever posting. Take care, be well and soldier on, regardless of your position in life. Bless you all.
Thank you for speaking up for the family. I returned to the ER about a month ago, and while it will always be overwhelming and frustrating, I’m so glad I did. There are so many kind and appreciative patients and families too, and I really missed them. As you said, the need is great and only getting greater. I thank God for a supportive work family and the occasional “thank you “ from a sweet soul in my care. And please don’t stop speaking out against the systems and ridiculous rules that make our job so much harder - maybe someday we’ll see common sense again (that and the mythical pillow! 😂)
I will share this on my social feeds for what it is worth...kinda makes me feel guilty about retiring (PA) But it is my time to heal from all the years of doing it, and to discover a new path towards healing and serenity for myself. I will continue to pray for the ER families everywhere. Lord knows I may need to visit again one day as a patient.
Well said Ed. Thank you
Another great read of nothing but truth! Funny how as I read this, I "hear" your calming voice. 😊 I sure do miss working with you and our ER days.
I am going to share this with my ER/ED (not fully used to the name change either) family! You perfectly highlight the complexities of the medical system as well as the day to day stressors of the staff trying their best. And thank you for raising up what the women often go through, even as a chaplain, the harassing things patients have said to me are unbelievable!