What is the worst thing a patient has ever said to you?

I've had all kinds of rude and outrageous things said to me, two stand out in my mind.

One's rather general. (If you've ever been in a small town, you'll know it for the insult it is. People say it and are just curious, but some people say it.) "Honey, you ain't from around here, are you?" My reply depends on the pt and what I think will bug them the most. Well dressed 'people of status' get the "I hear that frequently. I suppose it's because my grandmother was very strict in regards to grammer and vocabulary." Other's get "Well, I moved from Connecticut." (Not entirely true, it was my final travel assignment.) Whooo-hoooo! A damm yankee, lol. Or I pour on my best honey-southern drawl and ask "Is this better?" I really love it when the Florida part-timers say it... I'm like, really? Which holler do you call home? I wish I had my husband's knack for accents, then I could really have fun.
Cuss me, call me names, but don't give me a backhanded insult and imply I don't have the sense to know what you're really saying.

The other was a chronic alcoholic. Not a pleasent fellow in the best of circumstances, and his trips to my ER are not usually under good terms. One of the first times I took care of him- he really pushed the limits. Keep in mind, he had two local cops ready at bedside. He wasn't in DT's and fully alert- just jonesing hard and belligerent.
First, I got to hear all about who he was 'before'. I learned all about all the land he owned and money he had- which by that point he'd lost. Then I got to hear about his extensive gun collection, which he had also lost as a result of a felony. He really rambled on about the guns- not quite making any threats but implying he'd get anyone who crossed him. The whole time, his often-beat wife was quietly providing him support. He wanted versed. He wanted ativan. He wanted a drink. No, he didn't want the %$@! IV. I had better get that versed, if I knew what was good for me. (Trust me, if my little hospital did it, I'd have been willing to get him that versed, and an ET to boot, and just hush him up... I mean, protect his airway and provide a compassionate way to ride out the DT's.) At one point, he looked me dead in the eye and told me 'I'd hate to see someone get hurt'. He meant it. Twit. I told him that I sure would hate to see someone get hurt as well- I generally disliked having to go to court. Besides, the only guns present in the room belonged to the two nice officers. (who at that point were about to 'subdue' Mr. Congeniality) One of them reminded him that there was a set of leather restraints with his name on them. I later learned it was no joke- pt really did have his own set. His house was raided as well, just to make sure he hadn't aquired any new guns. It would usually have creeped me out- but I was so fed-up by that time I just didn't care.
I took care of him many times after that. I found out that even though he beat his wife, he loved cats- go figure. After a conversation one night about pets, his cats, my cats, and animal planet- everything was cool. I still didn't trust him. Last I saw of him- he was end-stage liver and on his way to jail. Which made me wonder who was taking care of his cats.

His loyal wifie of course!

Caliotter, how horrible! Just wrong on so many levels- they had no right to treat you that way!
I don't know that I would have not gone back the next day either- shock manifests in strange ways.

You'd think, but once he became so ill he needed someone to care for him, she left. (I mean left, as in half the country away.) He was too sick to beat her and actually seemed sincerely sorry- it's amazing what happens when one finally quits or really gets sick- so she left for greener? pastures. I can't say I blame her, but I do wonder if it was because she finally felt it was safe to leave, was just fed up, or needed a 'strong' man.

I know where you're coming from w/ regards to addiction and family. I've watched several friends and family battle alcohol- so I tend to have a soft spot for alcoholics. I set limits yes, but I can't keep the thoughts of how I would want my loved ones treated far from my mind.

Spouse abusers are at their most dangerous when their victim leaves them. She probably felt it was safe enough to leave if he was too sick to track her down and kill her. I found the "strong man" comment particularly offensive. I don't have a soft spot for alcoholics, but as far as domestic violence, I've been there. Luckily, I got out alive. I've known people who weren't so lucky.