No Relief, Embarrasing Moment

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

This thread involves the subject of menstruation, somewhat descriptive, so if that's a disturbing subject to you, well, you know.

I was scheduled for a long back case today, and this was also the 2nd day of my period. Every once in awhile (once a year or so), my period is heavy, as in, soaking a tampon and 2 pads stuck together.

I'd asked for another room that gave me better odds of getting a bathroom break, but that didn't happen (i simply said that due to personal matters, i would need a morning break, which those don't always happen). Coordinator says "Schedule's made, and i ain't fixing it."

So i go to this room, case starts at 8, last bathroom visit was at 7:25. I asked for relief at 10, then 10:30 am after that wasn't answered. Kept asking, got told "no" over and over by the coordinator. I could already tell that there was a problem. Physically uncomfortable, yeah, being soaked, and not a thing i could do about it.

3:30 pm rolls around, case is finally finished, i strip my paper gown off, and look down to find the inner legs my light blue cotton pants dark red. Before i could grab a blanket to cover this up, the surgeon says loudly "Oh, GOD, are you OK???" Ah, thank you for calling this to everyone's attention, this way they were able to see what you were talking about before i got ahold of that blanket.:stone

Hurried up and went down the hall, but not before stopping off at the desk and saying "All i needed was 5 minutes, and there have been extra people here all day, so WHY couldn't SOMEONE have come in for JUST 5 minutes??" (she knew this, i mentioned what was going on that morning) Didn't stick around for an answer, i went to the locker room, grab the necessary supplies (including underwear) and a new pair of pants, and trotted off to the bathroom. Went straight to the manager's office. Who, which i appreciate, was furious, and said "hell if it was an issue with staff, I could have relieved you. No one should be denied to go to the bathroom."

I expressed that, while this isn't actually something TO be embarrassed about, i was anyway, simply because a private matter became physically public, and really could have been avoided.

It'll be nice when i start the new BC pills.

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I had a case even more embarrassing than yours that I wrote about not long ago. Don't feel bad, I know what you're going through.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I had a case even more embarrassing than yours that I wrote about not long ago. Don't feel bad, I know what you're going through.

Do you remember the title of it?

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Marie, I feel for you. Back when I was in clinicals for school the same thing happened to me, in the OR also. I was taken by surprise, to say the least.

I think it's good you went to the manager -- she needs to know that your requests for a short break were ignored.

Not being able to go to the bathroom is torture.

I hope you're feeling better.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I had a case even more embarrassing than yours that I wrote about not long ago. Don't feel bad, I know what you're going through.

was this the thread about leaving a menstruation stain in the chair at a job interview and being asked to leave by a non-medical professional who then proceeded to make jokes and carry the chair to the trash with gloves? I think I may be able to find the name...

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Specializes in M/S, OB, Ortho, ICU, Diabetes, QA/PI.

sorry that happened to you - that really sucks!!:o

shame on your coordinator who, I hope, is bleeding from one of THEIR orifices (preferably a back one) when your manager is done with them!! :coollook: :coollook:

just out of curiousity, is your coordinator male or female?

I gotta tell ya - I had periods like that and I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago (not for that but for a severely prolapsed uterus but that's a whole other story....) - I sure don't miss periods - although since I still have ovaries, my husband and kids (both boys) still get the benefitof my PMS............:rotfl: :rotfl:

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Typically i never ask for a break, you either get one eventually or you don't. But i think if someone is asking for one, an effort should be made to see that happen. The response i got wasn't "i don't have any people right now" or "it'll be a minute" it was simply "no."

I wouldn't want that to happen to anyone else either, which is half the reason i went to the supervisor. I don't feel humiliated anymore by the "accident," i am, however, still annoyed that it happened when it was preventable, definately going to make sure this doesn't happen again.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
was this the thread about leaving a menstruation stain in the chair at a job interview and being asked to leave by a non-medical professional who then proceeded to make jokes and carry the chair to the trash with gloves? I think I may be able to find the name...

OOOO, ok, i saw that one, if that's it. Had a brain block, but i remember reading that one.

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Specializes in M/S, OB, Ortho, ICU, Diabetes, QA/PI.
was this the thread about leaving a menstruation stain in the chair at a job interview and being asked to leave by a non-medical professional who then proceeded to make jokes and carry the chair to the trash with gloves? I think I may be able to find the name...

OMG, I have got to read THAT one when you find it - that sounds crazy!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
OOOO, ok, i saw that one, if that's it. Had a brain block, but i remember reading that one.

yes, it was quite pitiful the way she was treated. Here is the link for anyone who may be curious and for you, Marie, for comfort and shared stories, since you now have a personal experience to reflect on:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/so-embarrassed-just-want-vent-125902.html

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
sorry that happened to you - that really sucks!!:o

shame on your coordinator who, I hope, is bleeding from one of THEIR orifices (preferably a back one) when your manager is done with them!! :coollook: :coollook:

just out of curiousity, is your coordinator male or female?

I gotta tell ya - I had periods like that and I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago (not for that but for a severely prolapsed uterus but that's a whole other story....) - I sure don't miss periods - although since I still have ovaries, my husband and kids (both boys) still get the benefitof my PMS............:rotfl: :rotfl:

The coordinator is female, which, not to be sexist or whatever, but you WOULD think she would have an idea about it, ya know.

If it was like this EVERY month,. i'd definately want it out.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
The coordinator is female, which, not to be sexist or whatever, but you WOULD think she would have an idea about it, ya know.

If it was like this EVERY month,. i'd definately want it out.

is this an isolated incident or is her attitude always like this towards her staff? May need to pull together and get her transferred.

Yes, she is a woman and SHOULD understand. Not to mention, it is her job as coordinator, to find replacements/breaks for her staff. 8-3:30 with no bathroom break is grounds for some sort of action i would hope...what was SHE doing all day??????

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