Faith, Hope, Attitude

Walking out of a patient's room tonight, I can not imagine being a doctor and having to give a patient/family bad news. 

I have a patient. I will call him "Mr Wilson" as he reminds me of the Mr Wilson on Dennis the Mennis.  Comes across hard on the outside until he gets to know you and then soft on the inside. 

While on one of my roundings he asked me a question.  He asked me if I thought he would ever be able to live back at home.  He told me he wanted me to answer honestly (as he knows from encounters we have had in the past that that is the only way I roll).  Conversation went kind of like this:

Me: I think you know what that answer is but you want to hear it from me.

Mr Wilson: No

Me: Yes you do.

Mr Wilson: Do you? 

Me: I will only be totally honest with you if you do not give up hope. 
Mr Wilson agreed 

Me: In reality, no I do not think that you will be able to.  But that doesn't have to mean that you won't. 

Mr Wilson: :::Silence:::

Me: You had small goals that you wanted to acheive

Mr Wilson: I would like to be able to get back home

Me: Maybe your first small goal would be to make a day visit at home.  See how that goes.  (Asked him about his home and if there are steps and such and if his family live in the area and if he would be open to allowing them to help him as he is a very dignified gentleman)  How willing are you to accept help from your children and grandchildren? I know you are a very prideful man.  But are you willing?

Mr Wilson: I don't have much pride left

Me: I know it is tough on men when it comes to their pride and dignity.
 
Mr Wilson: There are a few that I would be comfortable with.  I could have my son make a ramp to get into the house. 

Me: You just have to know there is always that reality that you will probably not be able to move  back home, but you have that hope that you will.  Hope, attitude, and faith. 

Mr Wilson:  Not in that order

Me: No, Faith, Hope, Attitude

Mr Wilson: :::Shakes his head agreeing with a tear in his eyes::::

Me: Promise me that you will not lose faith or hope

Mr. Wilson: I promise

Walked out of his room with tears in my eyes thinking this was a minor thing being totally honest and blunt to a patient (which meant the world to him) that he will probably never be able to move back home like he so wants.  I can not even imagine what a Doctor feels like when he delivers bad news to a patient knowing there is no hope.

In the end of my shift I chuckle at how I can feel so lousy one minute walking out of a patient's room and feel so good walking out the next time. 

Do I love my job.....ABSOLUTELY! 


BTW...Mom and Dad....Mr Wilson said that you named me wrong.  Apparently to him you should have named me "Golden Ray" 
I think I will stick with Trisha :)











 

Change = yuck!

Thinking a bit lately.  About what you might be asking....Change.  What prevents us from changing? Walking out of our comfort zone? Trying new things with a fabulous goal at the end?  Some of my answers? Failure, disappointment, not being in control, or maybe the way others will judge/look at you.

As I have mentioned that Dan and I are in the 180 program at my work.  It is a program to help the employees become healthier and make better choices in their lives all together.  Kind of like a whole body package....meditation, yoga, nutrition, and mindfulness.  It started out great.  Class was twice a week for so many weeks, then go down to once a week and now we are done to once a month until April of next year.  I have learned alot about myself in this program.  Good and bad.  I am learning how to eat healthier and choose more wisely.  Still hate breakfast or having to make time to have a meal when I am in the middle of something or even having to plan.  I am NOT a planner.  This is my biggest obstacle.   I need to plan meals, grocery list, shopping, ect..

This is my huge goal to over come this month.  I am going to be a planner for a minimum of 3 days a week.  I am going to plan, I am going to plan, I am going to plan!!!! 

I have noticed that if I continue to eat three healthy meals a day and have some  healthy snacks I do lose weight and feel much better vs skipping meals.  I even sleep better! So say a pray for me to have the strength and determination and will power to achieve this goal.  Will keep you posted :)