July 1

Good luck to all the new residents just getting started!

Best. Job. Ever.


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Patients are safe with residents

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/bc-pcb062612.php

I'd still be careful on July 1.


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Patients say the funniest things

Oh no, I'm very happy to get my STI testing done so I don't feel like such a dirt bag.

Me: See you later alligator!
7 year old boy: (moves his arms like a big crocodile mouth snapping shut) RAWR!!!!

Things aren't right down there. I think I need the finger. You know - to make sure I don't have prostate cancer.

With the Nuva ring an everything else, I'm starting to feel like my vagina is a storage locker.





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Words to live by

After I feigned exasperation that my patient, like most others who are much older than me, wasn't able to provide a sample because (understandably) they'd gone before leaving home, he replied:
When you get past 60 years old, never pass a urinal; never ignore an erection.

Hear hear.




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"I said I loved you when we got married..."

"I'll let you know if it changes."
~ male patient describing his marriage

So many of my older female patients complain about not being sure if their husbands still love them. These couples have fallen into routines that make intimacy a tiny part of their lives. I ask what things he does for her doing the day - it'll be things like bringing coffee to her or killing spiders. I remind my patient that her husband is doing these things because he loves her.

It would be so much easier though if he just said it.

My advice to all these couples getting married this summer - please ACTUALLY tell each other you love each other regularly. Just do it. Please.




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Grief

People try so hard to be helpful with those dealing with the loss of a loved one. They hate to someone they care about in pain.

My advice to anyone in this situation - "should" is a bad word. You mean well, I know, but telling someone they should take dance lessons or should get out more or should lay down and cry is only adding to any guilty feelings they already have.

Instead, if you know of someone who found dance lessons helpful, "I know my friend Sally found dance lessons got her out of the house and gave her a chance to talk with people who didn't know Stanley. I don't know if that's the sort of thing you like, but I know it made Sally happy." Now your friend Sue doesn't feel she's letting you down if she doesn't want to tango.


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Overwhelmed

At least once a week, I look at what I don't know but feel I should know to be a "good doctor" and am completely paralyzed by the volume. I "read around" my cases and try to get ahead but feel like its an uphill battle.
I know uncertainty is something family docs need to be comfortable with. I wish there was a way for that to be taught in residency. Seeing older docs who have all the answers is not very good for this fragile ego.



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