How often do your pts thank you?

[cmonkey]

I had surgery 12/28 and spent four days on med-surg afterwards. I literally spent 3/4 of my time sleeping (bliss! oh rapture unforseen!), but *every single time* anyone came into my room for any reason (meds, IV change, turn off the freaking IV alarm, phlebotomist, housekeeping, whatever), I said "thank you." I got the feeling I was abnormal.

Also, and just because it's funny to me, apparently I'm the only person who's ever requested prune juice, let alone TWO servings. I heard the young CNA in the hallway marveling that anyone would actually ask for the stuff. :huh: I actually like it.

So. How often do your pts say thank you, and does it come as a surprise when they do? Am I a rock star?

[paganoid]

I'm precepting in a county hospital with the expected problems of our patient demographic. I was astonished when not one but two patients came up to the unit after their hospital d/c visits with the MD at the clinic. I frankly didn't remember either of them until first one and then the other reminded me what rooms they'd been in. The gentleman was very gracious and said the night I worked with him made this the best inpatient stay ever. The lady was Jehovah's witness and said it didn't matter that we didn't believe the same, she was praying for me to pass state boards and get my license. That really took some thought, or else she has a granddaughter in nursing school. Either way, these patients made me weep, all 6'3" and 280 pounds of me. It knocked me out. And it was a good lesson "why" I'm doing this.

And neither patient received significant pain meds during their stay.