A Man attended the Outpatients Clinic at a leading Hospital, arriving at 1:15 pm for a 1:30 pm appointment. He checks in at the reception and is told to sit in area C, and he will be called. At 2: 15 pm, he enquires and is told things are a bit behind. Ultimately, at 5:30 pm, his name is called out.
The Doctor greets him and says, "Sorry for the delay", and he responds, "Well, I know why they call it a waiting room!" Then comes the lightning-fast response from the doctor, "And you know why we call you Patients!!"
Patients are not always Patient
Some of you are aware that I had some surgery earlier this year.
I went in absolutely determined that I was going to be the most courteous and thankful patient that they had ever encountered. I tried really hard, and for the 24 hours that I was there, I think I succeeded. I mean, it’s easy when you're on a truckload of really good drugs and feeling very happy and floaty.
The process of what happened after I was discharged from the cocoon of the medicos and machines was a whole lot more confronting. As you come down from the placid euphoria of medication and pain management becomes your own responsibility, the control begins to unravel. When I combined this with some discourteous and belligerent side effects, then I discovered that actually… I am not the model patient after all. In fact, there are times when I was impatient and more than a little tetchy. A few things to come out of all of this.
First, I consider it a source of great blessing that I live in this part of the world and at this point in history. We have access to great medical expertise and resources. These are not always available to many of my brothers and sisters around the globe, and certainly weren’t accessible to my forebears.
Secondly, spare a thought for those who work tirelessly and compassionately with the ill, all day, every day and around the clock. The nurse who tended me overnight was going home at the end of her shift to take her children to swimming lessons!
Finally, my feeble hope is that my experience might make me more understanding and sympathetic to those whom I find in my ‘priestly travels’. The comforter who also needs comforting. A wounded healer.