tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post4232058420301300433..comments2024-01-12T06:12:35.838-05:00Comments on StorytellERdoc: To Like Or DislikeStorytellERdochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371229500424449124noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-78094454514011088982011-07-17T08:35:47.731-04:002011-07-17T08:35:47.731-04:00Sir, a doctor like you in the ER made me smarten u...Sir, a doctor like you in the ER made me smarten up about my asthma, realize that my old PCP was an ass (he ignored my repeated ER trips, refused to tell me what if anything I was doing wrong, and refused to increase my control meds despite needing a Ventolin inhaler a week), and realize that if I wanted to regain my health, I couldn't sit around passively waiting for someone to come and save me, I had to be willing to be a firm PITA so I could get the care I need.<br /><br />I changed doctors and over the past two years, have attained good control and more than doubled my lung function. I went from having a hard time walking across a room to considering a 15km hike a 'fun weekend stroll'. I think that ER doctor, coupled with my current PCP, have saved my life. I'm now applying for med school, and I hope that I can do for someone else what they did for me someday. :)<br /><br />So, thanks for all you do, and rest assured that every now and again, you will get through to someone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-71973255989608854862011-07-11T12:51:14.882-04:002011-07-11T12:51:14.882-04:00sounds like you gave her the wake up call she need...sounds like you gave her the wake up call she needed!John Valentyhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvalentynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-15113382250947241232011-07-11T02:47:27.960-04:002011-07-11T02:47:27.960-04:00It is good to be sharing through such difficult da...It is good to be sharing through such difficult days in life.To write the pains and pleasures of life as it stands.The endurance you show is inspiring.breast reduction surgeryhttp://www.breastreconstructionsurgerylosangeles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-54387060148931864042011-06-25T15:17:36.369-04:002011-06-25T15:17:36.369-04:00I just found you from KevinMD. First, I was touch...I just found you from KevinMD. First, I was touched by your story of the son caring for his mother, and how it related to your experience. I am dealing with Stage IV breast cancer and worry very much how it will affect the lives of my children. Then, to read this story also touched me, as my mother recently died of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. My mother avoided doctors because she didn't want to be told to stop what she was doing, but I sure wish she could have heard your words. <br /><br />I'm not sure why I'm writing except to say both of your stories resonated with me and I've linked to your blog from mine.ButDoctorIHatePinkhttp://www.butdoctorihatepink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-38743252140513253412011-06-18T14:04:49.582-04:002011-06-18T14:04:49.582-04:00Wow! I'm a third year medical student in South...Wow! I'm a third year medical student in South Africa and have recently been struggling with understanding patients who refuse to change their lifestyles. I want to be a good doctor, but I have to keep reminding myself why I want to help people who refuse to help themselves. Thank you for the posts; I shall definitely be returning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-19849004081715276462011-06-16T08:21:52.984-04:002011-06-16T08:21:52.984-04:00And will you get a "smack down" from you...And will you get a "smack down" from your superiors for telling this lady the truth?<br /><br />I haven't worked in an ER for 4 years...burnt out. Because the "powers that be" wouldn't let us use tough love on any of the patients. The suits thought that we had to "be nice" to everybody; just to get good Press-Gainy reports.<br /><br /><br />Steve (This is my 10th year as a nurse; and I'm ready to hang it up)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-4688503969217985962011-06-11T11:14:21.345-04:002011-06-11T11:14:21.345-04:00Hey Jim! You had me with your first paragraph! As...Hey Jim! You had me with your first paragraph! As always, you take us right in the room with you. <br /><br />I've heard that if women become alcoholic they will fall harder and faster than men. I recall there was a pretty young woman who used to come into our ER via ambulance ...totally wasted. So much so that she couldn't do anything but stare at you. She had the most beautiful light blue eyes lined with the naturally black eyelashes. And a pretty smile ...when she smiled and that is when she accompanied someone else to the ER. Anyway, after working there for 20 years, I saw the deterioration in appearance you described. She almost took on a witch like appearance it became so hard. Also, her family life deteriorated. When sober, she seemed so nice. It was very sad.<br /><br />I know of someone continuing to smoke with emphysema. And my husband smoked for most of his life and once sadly told me, "I want to quit ...but, I LIKE it." <br /><br />But then a year ago, a close friend (never smoked)was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. he quit 2 days later using the Nicorette gum and never went back.<br /><br />It is shocking how some patients blame the physicians and other medical staff for things when it is clearly their own lifestyle choices causing them to reap what they have sewn. I can relate because I wrestle with weight issues ..yo-yoing ..but is a struggle for me. I would n-e-v-e-r blame a doc though and any person with intelligence and clarity of mind would not.<br /><br />You handled it perfectly!<br /><br />I hope it impacted her enough to really want to do it. But, then she has to go back into the old environment. Miracles do happen though.SeaSprayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07906503090688697222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-19428447085190828862011-06-11T05:57:21.114-04:002011-06-11T05:57:21.114-04:00This is a really neat blog post, thank you for sha...This is a really neat blog post, thank you for sharing. I am a medical student who just blog-hopped on over from Doc Cartoon's blog! :-)--Sunrise--https://www.blogger.com/profile/10612586355249296658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-60377357721324819402011-06-10T17:11:37.257-04:002011-06-10T17:11:37.257-04:00You've been doing this long enough to know whe...You've been doing this long enough to know when your words fall on deaf ears, but you say them anyway. I admire that.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542230897888388433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-80896598496582519332011-06-10T01:58:52.026-04:002011-06-10T01:58:52.026-04:00Hey, Untold Stories of the ER is posting here, tha...Hey, Untold Stories of the ER is posting here, that's awesome! I've been absent from blogspot for a while (I tried this "real life" people have been telling me about...turns out I prefer the internet ;) ) but I'm so glad to read your entries again. How you keep from yelling at these people is beyond me. I've been mulling over going back to school for nursing, but I just seriously don't know if I can deal with it all.coulrophobic agnostichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529243280844103232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-67042190386480218572011-06-07T09:50:32.528-04:002011-06-07T09:50:32.528-04:00My first thought was dementia or short-term memory...My first thought was dementia or short-term memory problems from the drinking, malnutrition and low oxygen. It seemed like a total switch from answering that she'd had lung tubes twice before, to then asking such a child-like, illogical question. Could the patient really be that unaware? Maybe you were TOO diplomatic and kind?Terinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-78797620800570965142011-06-06T18:32:38.313-04:002011-06-06T18:32:38.313-04:00Thank you for that. I should learn such diplomacy....Thank you for that. I should learn such diplomacy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-7233677027836687152011-06-06T10:57:57.730-04:002011-06-06T10:57:57.730-04:00So many times I've had this same conversation ...So many times I've had this same conversation with people...ot only with the pneumonia, pancreatitis and COPD, but also uncontrolled diabetes, morbid, STDs and repeated unwanted pregnancies. <br /><br />Denial is a tough disease to fight!Sarah P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05568622211247670950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-36933330027130694472011-06-04T13:37:08.269-04:002011-06-04T13:37:08.269-04:00I loved and agreed with this post. When my husband...I loved and agreed with this post. When my husband had high blood pressure, but wondered why his medication wasn't making him feel better, I totally re-examined our family diet. I reached the conclusion that medication can only do so much-- WE had to make a change. <br /><br />We did. No more high blood pressure, no need for meds cause he's cured. Unfortunately, many people aren't taught the skills (cooking, for instance) of good nutrition. The inner aisles of the grocery store are a death trap, literally. <br /><br />A good support system is so important for good emotional, mental and physical health. Again, having this, identifying this even takes some work. There are too many people not willing to put in the effort. Good supports means you are held accountable because good supports don't let you get away with bad behavior. <br /><br />Damn shame. People ask us all the time how we've managed with all the health issues my family has been through in the past three years. It's no secret: you take responsibility and act upon it. You become aware and develop insight into your own health. You work with the healthcare community and not against them. And you heal thyself... <br /><br />Your patients are very lucky to have you, even if they don't know it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09714578433823634712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-8615665703166236592011-06-03T17:09:17.012-04:002011-06-03T17:09:17.012-04:00I enjoy your blog so much...thank you.
moI enjoy your blog so much...thank you.<br />moAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-57883514199489192011-06-03T15:07:58.568-04:002011-06-03T15:07:58.568-04:00My brother is the same ( apart from not drinking )...My brother is the same ( apart from not drinking ) ; he's on dialysis , but won't give up smoking . He's 66 but looks 80 and last Saturday he almost keeled over . Unless they ask for help , nothing can be done .jimbo26https://www.blogger.com/profile/02240878442136195921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-40477962689950576862011-06-03T14:27:49.414-04:002011-06-03T14:27:49.414-04:00Doc, your stories teach me so much about the way t...Doc, your stories teach me so much about the way to deal with all types of people and personalities. I love the way you handled this woman, especially when you were able to be honest with her about her own participation in her medical issues, informing her in a compassionate yet firm way that the genesis of her problems lies within her own control.<br /><br />My younger brother died yesterday at 48 after a massive MI a week ago from which he never recovered. I can see elements of his life, albeit for very different reasons, in this woman’s story you describe so eloquently. Thank you for taking the time to relate this tale; there are lessons to be learned here for me too.Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08938791116446859160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-1126434100197682902011-06-03T14:22:35.300-04:002011-06-03T14:22:35.300-04:00Your patience is (and your patients are) remarkabl...Your patience is (and your patients are) remarkable! Thank you for always looking after us even when we aren't willing to look after ourselves.<br /><br /><>< KatieKatie Axelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09361471654719262744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-6678585522102016402011-06-03T14:15:18.836-04:002011-06-03T14:15:18.836-04:00Hello,
I can't seem to find another way to co...Hello,<br /><br />I can't seem to find another way to contact you, so I thought I'd try this way. I work for a television show called "Untold Stories of the ER". We are in production on a new season and are looking for Doctors with unusual, touching, humorous, critical or life changing stories from the ER." I read some posts on your blog and was hoping you might be able to help us! If you want you can contact me at jbarker@untolder.com .<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />JacobJakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16415482388855847220noreply@blogger.com