Black Humour

[Tenebrae]

That sort of humour that seems completely funny when shared with your colleagues, you know though if an outsider was to hear it they would be completely scandalised/offended

Its happened before when I've worked with palliative patients, this queen song keeps running through my head.

We've had two palliative patients who passed today and I've had to keep giving myself some mental slaps every time I start humming it.

Anyone else find they have a black sense of humour?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

This thread has been reported numerous times by several members.

Please note posts have either been removed or edited.

Would hate to close this thread because it's really good, but if off-topic, personal one-on-one remarks, etc., continue, we'll have no choice.

Please have fun, get educated, see other POV, and have a nice debate. This will be the final warning ...

Thanks.

[Flyboy17]

Worked in fresh spinal cord unit, 4 bed ward-room. The guys were talking about the possibility of having their memberes transplanted above their level of injury in order to be able to continue to have sex. Fourth of the four guys, a quadraplegic among the other three who were paraplegics, had been quiet, taking it all in, and then he whined, "Aww, hell, I'd have to wear a bow-tie all the time!" A momentary pause of complete silence was followed by howling laughter; we were all in a state of hysterics., and it took us thirty minutes to finally stop laughing

.

I worked in a Spinal Rehab Center years ago. I learned just how humorous some but not all of those patients could be. I would see the Paras say to the Quads "hey Quad can you do this?" as they flap there arms. The Quad would then say "I'm doing it now but your to dumb to see it." That kind of stuff would go on and on.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

What is White Humor?

(Notice there was no "u". Tenebrae are you a Brit?)

Kiwi.

And no, New Zealand is not the 8th state of Australia:cheeky:

[ixchel]

This thread has been reported numerous times by several members.

Please note posts have either been removed or edited.

Would hate to close this thread because it's really good, but if off-topic, personal one-on-one remarks, etc., continue, we'll have no choice.

Please have fun, get educated, see other POV, and have a nice debate. This will be the final warning ...

Thanks.

Noted, and I apologize.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

But seriously...If my caregiver finds humor in a tense situation involving me or my care and runs off to snicker or even (gasp!) guffaw and it helps them to re-focus and provide me good care more power to them.

Heck, it it helps them refocus, I'll take the hit with the joke at my own expense!

If you can't laugh at yourself, what can you laugh at?

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I'm quite certain that I didn't tell anyone how they should cope. Coping mechanisms are a personal and subjective experience. I did say that some of the comments reek of immaturity. My main issue was with the nurse singing "Another one bites the dust" after a death and the other nurse that couldn't stop laughing after the Peds death, sickening(in my opinion.) It's one thing to do it, but to take time to type it out and laugh amongst yourselves in spite of the family's pain is disgusting.

You can cope however you choose, I never said otherwise. I can and will comment on it however I choose. I'm not sure why many of you are under the impression that your poop doesn't stink and you're free to make any type of comment without reproach?

I suggest you go back and read my OP. I never said I started singing the song. I said it kept running through my head and I had to keep giving myself mental slaps to ensure it didnt come out in an inappropriate venue.

Over the last few weeks I'd had ample opportunity to observe patient As familys pain. They got to watch as their loved one progressively lost all body function yet continued to exist in a great deal of pain and suffering. The family didn't want us to do anything for their parent that might extend the persons life. However when a patient wants a drink of water, or will accept a couple mouthfuls of food they get it. I spent along time with them explaining that while we wouldn't be doing anything to actively extend life, eg sub cut fluids, we had to at least continue to offer, even if the person declined.

Patient Bs famly knew that their loved one was terminal. However it hadnt been explained to them that death might be imminent. After putting a syringe driver up to manage pain, nausea and anxiety. I rang the family to advise that as the oral analgesia wasnt addressing patient Bs pain, we had put a machine up to help manage patient Bs symptoms. No one had actually sat them down and told them while we couldnt predict exactly when patient B would pass their body could only keep going for so long. After i got off the phone, I had to go hide in the sluice room for a few minutes because the gravity of the situation struck me like a ton of bricks and I really didnt want patients/family/health care assistants to see me shed a tear or three

And do not ever assume that because I have moments of black humour that it is ever taken at the expense of a family and their pain.

I have the most incredible job in the world. I am privileged enough to walk one of the most difficult roads a human being has to travel. Not only am I there to care for the person who is palliative, I am also there to offer support for the family. And yes I have cried with a family. To me it beyond a privlidge to be able to do this work.

[ixchel]

I remember watching this story on the news and thinking it was hilarious.

CNN.com - Cheney accidentally shoots fellow hunter - Feb 13, 2006

Only in 'Murica could the Vice President shoot a guy in the face.

Eta: the guy was just fine, and it was buck shot

[Farawyn]

Here ya go, you twisted weirdos.

This is fun!

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Just because that is how you cope, that does not mean that it is a healthy coping mechanism. Be careful not to crash and burnout over time. Laughter may suffice in the short term, but eventually everyone has to get real and deal.

[Farawyn]

Noted, and I apologize.

Moi aussi.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I just re-read this and realized I missed this beautiful gem here.

Holy buckets!!!!!! I cannot believe you would actually consider telling a patient that the way they cope/express grief is wrong!

I still floors me when I meet people who are suffering in their grief because the text books say at this point in time they should be doing X things.

I tell them "grieve in the way that helps you process your loved ones passing"

Fortunately our hospice service has a briliant service for family members following the passing of their loved one

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

When my Mother passed, it was her wish to be crimated and not have a viewing.

We gave the Funeral Director a favourite outfit of hers and a private viewing - just my brother and I. She looked very nice. Then the director cleared his throat and said I was n't sure what to do with these - and pulled out a pair of sunglasses Mom had stashed in the pocket. (she had Alzehimers and was always hiding things). My brother looked at him and said, "Well, the fire is going to be bright, right?" And we all cracked up.