Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Misunderstanding

My mom has been pretty sick the last few weeks. She was septic and pulled though, much to everyone's surprise. My conversation with her a few days later.

Mom: Doctor said I had three germs in my blood, that's why I was so sick.
Me: Really? What ones?
Mom: One was Proteus, I think.
Me: Yes, that's a common bug.
Mom: The next one was chlamydia.
Me: Are you sure it's not Klebsiella? I'm pretty sure you weren't septic with chlamydia.
Mom: No, I'm positive it was chlamydia.
Me: ?????

At this point, I don't argue because what's the point?
Mom: I don't remember what the last one was.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Ugh

Those OR days when nothing goes right. Had one recently. Knew my first case was going to be a bitch, because I'd scoped her in the past. As an aside, I really hate endometriosis. So you set yourself up for success - extensive counseling about possibly needing to convert from a scope to an open procedure. Book extra OR time. Have the most experienced partner as an assist instead of using a nurse first assist. Have in the room anything you may possibly need (not opened, but in the room). And the case went well, although it took the extra time allotted. Next case had difficulty. Final case of the day I was hoping would be a slam-dunk scope. Put in the camera.

"No. Not today. I don't want to deal with that."

"I think I'm going to start swearing now."

Yeah, not how we want to start the case - with big ugly adhesions everywhere.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Help

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

We need to do more for the vets who come home. We need more mental health caregivers. We need more help. Or else more of the same will keep appearing on the news with depressing regularity.