Bait and Switch

Before I start out a day of patient care, I pull up my schedule. Next to each name is the reason they've stated they're coming to the doctor. "Abdominal Pain." "Med Refill." "Anxiety". You go through the list, one by one, evaluating the order they're going to come in, where the potential delays are going to be, and what patient's are going to require more of your time. You hope that the 'allergies' are truly 'allergies' so that you'll somehow stay on time between 'rectal bleeding' and complicated 'diabetes followup'. You hope that the well-woman doesn't have eighteen other issues to discuss, or you may never get to your well-child check after that. But honestly, one can never tell what lies behind door #3.

Like today:
"Abdominal Pain" reveals to be: severe chest pain and shortness of breath requiring an EKG, an aspirin, and a quick transfer to the hospital.
"Cough" reveals to be: a kind middle-aged woman who knows she probably only has a cold virus, but needs to get better so the hospice nurses will let her back in near her sister who is within days of dying from ovarian cancer.
"Diabetes Follow-Up" reveals to be: a no-show. I feel guilty for enjoying the catch-up time in my schedule because this patient has no-showed several times and badly needs the medical care he's missing.

The uncertainty is both maddening and exciting. On days where you feel tired, you feel like you are just waiting for the 'oh by the way' that could throw off your entire rhythm. But on other days, most days, you feel intrigued, excited, and happy that you're never quite sure what rewards, pitfalls, and emotions, lie in store.


In other news, Chris and I just bought this Turkey Day Calendar, and I'm pretty happy about it:



I paid a little too much for it, but who can put a price on tradition?
When we first found it, Chris optimistically suggested that I could probably make something that looked nearly as nice.
I stared at him until he remembered that I barely have time to sleep, let alone start new ambitious craft projects, and pulled out our wallet.

Honestly, though, I'm just so happy to have a way to keep the focus on Thanksgiving. Each day is a little pocket where you (or a child) could place an "I'm thankful for..." card. Such a great idea!