tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post6225482508255099440..comments2024-01-12T06:12:35.838-05:00Comments on StorytellERdoc: To Feed Or Not To FeedStorytellERdochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371229500424449124noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-49362880743889502822010-05-29T12:59:26.616-04:002010-05-29T12:59:26.616-04:00Dr Jim
for all those unwashed, unwanted, untreatab...Dr Jim<br />for all those unwashed, unwanted, untreatable,uneaten,unhealthy downtrodden people out there, I give you my thanks!<br />As the sister to a homeless man who has to go to the ER every morning to have his blood levels done, vitamin K shot, and coumadin levels adjusted for blood clots in his leg and lungs, I am truly grateful for the staff who treat him with candor, respect as a human, and even a bit of sympathy! He is only 46 and probably wont see 50 but he cannot seem to fix what is wrong with himself so remains as is. Keep that candle in the window, sir, as it shines on those who need its strength, even for just a moment!<br />Have a tremendously happy Memorial Day weekend Dr Jim!<br />GiaGia's Spothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482742283418885642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-29659569838055918072010-05-28T21:43:25.550-04:002010-05-28T21:43:25.550-04:00Tracy, thank you for your kind words. You made my...Tracy, thank you for your kind words. You made my day!<br /><br />It's amazing how one encounter with a stranger can change a person's entire life. I learned the definition of grace that day. What I received from Dr. S. and her staff was completely undeserved and unearned. Grace. <br /><br />They blessed me in more ways than they will ever know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-39489514696180157402010-05-28T00:58:20.691-04:002010-05-28T00:58:20.691-04:00I cannot disagree with your point about cigarettes...I cannot disagree with your point about cigarettes, but please think twice about an iPhone [or a computer].<br /><br />Years ago I used to read the 'blog' of a young woman who was homeless after she had a traumatic brain injury. Long story short(er), she had no family and was stuck in the middle of waiting for social services to figure out what to do with her. People used to tell her, "how can you claim you can't afford {whatever} when you have a computer? Sell it!" And she'd say, "This is my link to the world. This is my lifeline."<br /><br />A year ago I became unemployed and disabled. I didn't become homeless but I came close. The one thing I never let go of was my laptop. It did, in fact, become my lifeline. With no TV, no radio, and a cheap pay-as-you-go cellphone, the laptop was my only way to communicate with people. Like the young woman whose blog I read I'd go to coffeehouses and spend $2 on a cup of coffee so I could sit and use their wireless connection.<br /><br />So maybe the iPhone is a gift from someone who knows they need to stay in touch. Maybe it isn't. In that case you mentioned, sure, if you can afford cigarettes you can spend the money on something else. But the computer might be a gift to someone as a lifeline.<br /><br />I guess it's like trying to figure out who is really a seeker and who is really in pain.Moosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10397412122635951126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-92056182190379188742010-05-26T23:55:04.381-04:002010-05-26T23:55:04.381-04:00I love this post. This is one of the reasons I cho...I love this post. This is one of the reasons I chose to be a medic. We help those who have no other way to receive care and compassion. and with medical care I get the chance to be there in any other way then I will revel at the chance to help. I am glad that rose received the care she needed even with a clean bill of health.type1medichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048383983756732838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-28853208698147798872010-05-26T15:40:08.182-04:002010-05-26T15:40:08.182-04:00I was back at the food pantry again today (since i...I was back at the food pantry again today (since it's Wednesday) and two seperate guys came in almost at the same time. The first handed over his ID and said, "I don't know when I'm allowed to get food again, so I just wanted to check. I really need a toothbrush." Sure enough, he can't get more food until next week. The volunteer helping him paused and then told him to go back and get whatever he needed from the hygiene table (normally they're only allowed one item but he took at least four). The other man (and female friend with him) said they were completely out of food, and again, they couldn't pick up food for another week. All of us volunteers looked at each other and decided the rules were more like guidelines anyway and helped the hungry family. In that awkward moment of my internal pleading, "Please give them food; please give them food" I thought of this post: to feed or not to feed was the question we were asking. The lack of people requesting food today and the surplus of food probably helped the case. We didn't give them a full two bags, but we did provide them with enough to suffice until next week.<br /><br />I say it again: Feed.Katie Axelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09361471654719262744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-21295501302727913432010-05-26T12:22:28.218-04:002010-05-26T12:22:28.218-04:00Dear Anon #3,
Thank you for sharing your s...Dear Anon #3, <br /> Thank you for sharing your story...it was at once heartbreaking and hopeful and really touched my heart. You write beautifully and i am so happy things are better now.<br /> Bless you.tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264215182043791934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-1572995608067479822010-05-26T11:07:05.077-04:002010-05-26T11:07:05.077-04:00Oh doc I hear what you are saying. You want to he...Oh doc I hear what you are saying. You want to help them all, but there are limitations. I like how you reference the individual who has the cigarettes and iPod hanging out of their pocket, like you if I saw that I would say sorry if you can afford that you can work at some other way of getting your prescription filled.<br /><br />It's a hard call. I remember a patient we had in the ICU. She and her partner were homeless. The spent most of their nights in an alcove at the movie theater. She was the most generous person. If she had extra she gave it away. I know this as there were folks who knew this woman before she became homeless. This time she was in need. IT was winter and she got a very bad infection in her lungs it was touch and go for awhile. Anyhow, her partner would come and visit. He was so dishevelled and of course smelt like dried urine. We arranged for our social worker to gather up some warmer clothes for him. He often made his visit to the patient around meal time. As staff we just decided to order an extra meal and provided coffee. It just seemed like the right thing to do.<br /><br />The patient unfortunately passed away. We never saw her partner in the hospital again. A nurse said she saw him on the street pushing a grocery cart...but he never came back to the hospital looking for food or handouts.<br /><br />Yes it's a difficult call sometimes, but I think through our years of practise we get to know or can recognize signs of folks who are just there for a free ride.<br /><br />Great post doc!Smalltown RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08806734351278128551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-58085049375515613532010-05-26T03:46:36.083-04:002010-05-26T03:46:36.083-04:00I don't see how the above poster can say it...I don't see how the above poster can say it's manipulation - okay, your friend was a sociopath, that doesn't mean everyone who's hungry and needs a break *once* is. If she starts turning up regularly, maybe.coulrophobic agnostichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529243280844103232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-67653160978220786272010-05-26T00:59:29.771-04:002010-05-26T00:59:29.771-04:00As usual a wonderful, thought provoking post. Sev...As usual a wonderful, thought provoking post. Several years ago my job dried up and along with it went my health insurance and my dignity. I sunk into a deep depression which didn't help things. Somehow I managed to get impetigo on my face and the OTC antibiotics weren't working. Out of money and without health insurance, and with the infection on my face getting larger and larger I didn't know what to do. I swallowed my pride and went to a church sponsored clinic for the indigent. I was beyond embarrassed. I will never forget how kind everyone was to me, from the volunteer receptionist to the CNA who took my vitals, to the volunteer physician. <br /><br />The physician was retired, I think, except for her volunteer work with this clinic. She had been a physician for many years and had likely seen and heard pretty much everything. But, somehow she wasn't jaded by her experiences. She wasn't just interested in my infection she genuinely wanted to know about me and how I had ended up in the situation I was in. Still unable to look her in the eye, I began to tell her a bit of my story. She could tell how difficult it was for me to be there. She did so much more than treat my infection that day. She put a salve on my wounded spirit. Just a gentle, kind woman. I will never forget her.<br /><br />After she handed me the antibiotic ointment, she asked me what I was going to do for dinner that night. I said I would figure it out. She asked when I had last eaten. I could feel my face flush red and I said I was fine even though I had not eaten in about 2 days. Maybe I looked skinny, or maybe she just suspected I didn't have food, but she walked over to her purse and pulled out 2 bills ($40) and handed them to me. Tears started running down my face, and I was stammering that I couldn't accept this, and that I was fine and everything was fine, and I put my hands in my pockets and I wouldn't take it. She said I want you to take this, and I only ask of you two things. One that you'll buy food with it, and two that you'll contact me and let me know how you're doing. She handed me her business card with her contact info on it. As mortifying as it was, I did take the money, and I did buy food with it that day. I don't know why she trusted me, but she did. <br /><br />Time passed and I went back to school, and I have worked full time for several years since then. I have been lucky enough to be in a position to pay it forward. <br /><br />The sandwich you offer feeds the physical hunger, but your kindness and the kindness of your nurses and staff help heal the woundedness inside many who cross your path. Thank you for that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-55693847345844960952010-05-26T00:40:19.936-04:002010-05-26T00:40:19.936-04:00It sounds very manipulative to me.
I have recentl...It sounds very manipulative to me.<br /><br />I have recently relinquished a sociopathic friend who successfully disguised herself as such for two years. You couldn't talk her out of being the way she is. It's the same thing with this woman, and the other 50-100 returnees too.<br /><br />I wonder if, given their history of probably childhood abuse and neglect, if they just yearn for human contact as well, in the form of touch, communication, caregiving?<br /><br />In this sense, it is more valid to consider feeding, but not in a hospital emerg. Unfortunately shelters are not always the best option either. What is the solution?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-1435357107704938132010-05-25T20:17:40.889-04:002010-05-25T20:17:40.889-04:00Definitely would have fed her too, if it didn'...Definitely would have fed her too, if it didn't keep your attention away from someone who really needed it. Great post.Amber,https://www.blogger.com/profile/16513953400714972711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-62203052590248349532010-05-25T16:41:59.045-04:002010-05-25T16:41:59.045-04:00I feed! Always, unquestionably and without judgeme...I feed! Always, unquestionably and without judgement. As Kate said...they are hungry!Regardless, of how many times they have been to the ER.I feed. <br /><br />We have a relatively, low population base with few homeless so, the "food seekers" are few in numbers. WAAY lower than the 'drug seekers'- for sure! However, many folks are living marginally and I always choose to feed. <br /><br />I have even given box lunches "to go" if they are thin or appear malnorished. Is it right for folks to use the ER as a soup kitchen/food pantry? No, it is not. But, the drunks go to sleep after you feed them and the angry- they quiet down. <br /> <br />It is just as medicinal as any pill. It's an effective, non pharmacological treatment. Call hunger the symptom or illness. Food is the treatment.It's compassionate, the morally right thing to do and dirt cheap compared to the rest of what we do in the ER.<br /><br />I have never felt the gnaw of true, hunger pains and I could not sleep, at night, if I ignored another's plea to quiet their own. To be hungry enough to go to an ER-for food, has a desperate ring to it, all by itself. They are attempting to meet a basic need and food is necessary for "health." That's our business- good, bad or indifferent.<br /><br />I understand the debate about those that abuse but it is a somewhat empty argument. They are hungry. For whatever reason. I can't "fix" their reason, usually. But I can offer them food- it's humane and all I can do. To feed- always...that is the answer.<br /><br />Great relevant post.911RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697968739358691531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-90909078409003062652010-05-25T14:47:58.178-04:002010-05-25T14:47:58.178-04:00...and I'm threatening to go to the ER so I ca......and I'm threatening to go to the ER so I can get a prescription for Copaxone since I can't find a neurologist that accepts Medicaid! I'm out of refills and now injecting every other day instead of daily like I'm supposed to.<br /><br />I honestly don't know what I think of this. I can't find a neurologist, a GI doctor nor a urologist. <br /><br />I can find a food bank for help if need be.<br /><br />I don't know what the answer is... but this is a great post.Have Myelin?https://www.blogger.com/profile/05704037582961814202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-41255171581050457432010-05-25T03:03:38.691-04:002010-05-25T03:03:38.691-04:00What an interesting dilemma. And of course, on on...What an interesting dilemma. And of course, on one hand, it's not the ER's job to do so - on the other hand, can it ever morally right to send someone away when you can give them what they need, without taking care away from others who need your intended services?<br /><br />I mean, for me it's a no brainer at least on paper, but I'm curious - is it "allowed" to do such things? In other words, if a higher-up knew about it, would the helpful party be reprimanded? Especially if the person was a regular who became difficult, as one of your commenters described.<br /><br />And Kate also brings up an interesting point - what about people who spend their money on other things (like the person with cell phone and cigarettes but no money for cab fare) and thus can't afford to eat? Yes, they're still hungry, but it's a direct result of their priorities and decisions. Should that have an effect on what's done? <br /><br />Is there a line, should there be one, where is it? Etc.<br /><br />So many things to think about that, unfortunately, too many people would rather face with a shrug and a "not my problem."coulrophobic agnostichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529243280844103232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-9180196202794091552010-05-25T01:11:22.310-04:002010-05-25T01:11:22.310-04:00Well I must say I am a sucker. I feed. I normally ...Well I must say I am a sucker. I feed. I normally sneak for out to them, or so that they think that I sneaked it because if they perceive that I am not allowed to give it, which we are not, then they will not expect it and come in every meal time. It sounds horrible but if we feed everyone or they think it is a reason to go to the ed then we are over whelmed and do not have cots for the clients that need them foe medical conditions.MLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02844329474927366269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-15492038256333374082010-05-25T00:34:54.640-04:002010-05-25T00:34:54.640-04:00I don't know, I guess I have to be the dissent...I don't know, I guess I have to be the dissenter. If this woman didn't have an actual medical problem and all she wanted was a sandwich, that was an awfully expensive sandwich for us taxpayers, given that she received a lot of expensive and presumably unnecessary medical care along with it. I'm watching my medical insurance premiums go up like crazy. Am I paying, in part, for unneeded medical care for people who really just want sandwiches?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-3761002817900588512010-05-25T00:26:58.323-04:002010-05-25T00:26:58.323-04:00You did the right thing, Dr. Jim, both in feeding ...You did the right thing, Dr. Jim, both in feeding the hungry woman and in making your decision based on her particular circumstances, rather than lumping her in with the many other people who come to ERs looking for drugs, food, a bed ... Each one, as a human being, deserves that consideration.<br /><br />It's hard for me to imagine living without a home, without money, without food, and without hope for my circumstances to change. I'm soft-hearted; I'm afraid I'd be a terribly pushover in your situation. And yet I can also understand the frustration that medical personnel at ERs feel when they're lied to so often and taken advantage of. I guess there's no "easy" answer to this problem, but I can only respect your compassion. And I'm very glad that this homeless woman had her stomach filled.<br />-WrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-13783377570503996692010-05-24T21:13:45.348-04:002010-05-24T21:13:45.348-04:00This was a most impressive post. I kept waiting to...This was a most impressive post. I kept waiting to see if I would disagree with you, but I did not, on any points. You covered this whole issue so well, with compassion and also realism. I have a feeling you would know just when and where to draw the line.CharityVLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184364975188612954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-71971012481179553152010-05-24T20:01:25.204-04:002010-05-24T20:01:25.204-04:00Seeing someone go hungry is not pleasant... I thin...Seeing someone go hungry is not pleasant... I think you did the right thing, although I have a hard time imagining all you guys must witness in the ER, and all the questions that must go through your mind. All these people have a story to tell, and one must wonder what that entails.Calhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17204635978443190089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-61932024600182484092010-05-24T20:00:57.657-04:002010-05-24T20:00:57.657-04:00It's a double edged sword...meh. I want to fe...It's a double edged sword...meh. I want to feed and cloth and love them all...unfortunately, without drawing the line somewhere, good deeds get exploited. No easy answer.J-Quell'nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01878522077562588401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-5428054296046353942010-05-24T18:55:16.491-04:002010-05-24T18:55:16.491-04:00I can't imagine being in these circumstances.....I can't imagine being in these circumstances... having to fake an illness in order to have food. I would rather make bologna and cheese sandwiches at home to bring into work than turn someone away hungry.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16505134228454833619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-77010369123700225622010-05-24T17:00:59.071-04:002010-05-24T17:00:59.071-04:00As a citizen of the country, the homeless deserve ...As a citizen of the country, the homeless deserve a few chances to get back to "normal". I say feed the homeless , yes. A full stomach makes a person feel less angry person as well. I assume the anger comes from pain. You might reason/communicate with someone who is not in pain.Mark p.s.2https://www.blogger.com/profile/10529811159862096782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-77275567663443006582010-05-24T16:07:54.678-04:002010-05-24T16:07:54.678-04:00Kindness first. i used to work at Cathedral Outre...Kindness first. i used to work at Cathedral Outreach, where we helped people with sack lunches refferals, gasoline vouchers and sometimes store vouchers...i loved the work and miss it so much. You never knew who would show up at the door...The Bishop...or a person inpersonating a priest! :) (It was in another state....time to find something similar!).<br /> Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Jim.tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264215182043791934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-13481132820038320262010-05-24T15:53:19.955-04:002010-05-24T15:53:19.955-04:00My gut reaction was feed, without a doubt, feed. ...My gut reaction was feed, without a doubt, feed. Definitely for a first time visitor and maybe less with each visit but don't punish those in need because of the selfishness of others. However, as I mulled over it a bit longer I realized this is a question being raised all over the world. To feed or not to feed? THAT is the question. <br /><br />This past March I spend a morning working at the food pantry/ soup kitchen associated with my church. I'd never been there for that even before and while I was a spare set of hands my primary role was an unofficial interpreter. I didn't know the rules; I followed orders. The worker I was translating for told a woman it was ok, we could feed her that day, but in the future she had to go to a different site because she lived out of our district. Translating, it was my mouth that had to say we'll feed you today but we can't do it again. Those words were hard to say because I didn't (and to an extent still don't) understand the rules. I then took great pride in fetching a bag of food for this woman and her family. Not ten minutes later a different woman was sent away empty handed because it was her second visit to this site and she lived outside of the district.<br /><br />I stick with my first answer of saying feed, but I also realize that in today's society a line must be drawn somewhere. But no matter where you put it, it's not an easy line to draw.<br /><br />Great question!<br /><>< KatieKatie Axelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09361471654719262744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-6078386515644529442010-05-24T15:47:39.207-04:002010-05-24T15:47:39.207-04:00It's the humble, young ones we can reach out t...It's the humble, young ones we can reach out to---and hopefully help. <br /><br />There was never any bad fish. ;)The Hopeful Elephanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00004038685351656184noreply@blogger.com