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Discussion

Gracious Patients

We all have story after story of the patients and families who just wear us down with their attitudes and demands. I'm no different and they seem to be a growing percentage of our cases.

However, I still come across some of the most gracious people in the midst of crises.

Recently I had a 30-something lady who presented to the ED for being fatigued and weak, with intermittent abdominal pain. Thirty minutes after I drew her blood I knew why... her white count was 48,000 with a massive left shift. She and her husband, even as they were wrapping their minds around a new diagnosis of leukemia, were so gracious in their interactions with me. They never missed a "please" or a "thank you" and they prefaced every request with a, "I know you're busy but when you have a chance..." or a "You probably haven't had time yet but I could still use..."

Just a couple days ago I had another patient with a brand new diagnosis of intestinal cancer with mets to the liver who showed up febrile and in pain. Throughout the shift she smiled routinely and never missed a chance to tell us what a good job we were doing and how hard we were working... along with a quick eye-roll and tongue-cluck as another patient went off on us.

Some people just restore my faith in humanity and I appreciate them so much.

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    I love when this happens. It's rare but it's definitely a nice reminder of the fact that our work is essential and important.

    I have had patients (and families) thank me profusely for simply doing my job. I appreciate it more than I can say but I always remind them it's not a necessity to thank me.

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    I had 2 patients back-to-back who not only thanked me, they also wrote thank-you notes to my boss. :yes: Oh, yeah!

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    I find more patients that are kind and greatful the other way. I think though, those other patients stand out in our mind more so that's why we forget all the praise we actually do get.

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