Good Sarcasm (#6)

I had the most interesing patient during this last couple of days. She was referred to me by one of the doctors the Wednesday before when I had to go "pick out" a patient. He said that she would be great for charting and that I would have a lot to do. Ha - boy he could not have been more right. I walked in Thursday morning to this demanding, impulsive woman who had not slept well and just needed everything at that moment. I was listening to the nurse's shift change report, yet was becoming distracted by this woman's anger and apparent need of attention. I said to myself, "What am I getting myself into?" I was scared to death to even go take her vital signs with fear of her scolding me.

After the nurse report, the nurse I was working with asked if I needed help. I just kind of stood there, staring at this woman pondering what she had just asked me. Noticing my silence, the nurse offered to do the physical assessment with me. Boy, was I relieved! We did it together and my patient was actually pretty cooperative. She was giving me a hard time for being a student nurse, just teasing me really. But quickly assessing her personality, I gave some of it right back to her. We started forming this strange bond simply because of our sarcastic attitudes back and forth. We were not being mean, I really cannot be mean if I tried. I suppose that's a gift?

Throughout the day, I began really warming up to this patient. We had a little one and one chat as I was asking her questions about her family, current health, and values. When she had that one on one conversation, she transformed to be this really sweet lady. She just wanted someone to talk to. Someone who looked like they cared.

The next day (Friday) was even better. Because she had known me from the day before, she teased me even more (I am convinced this is her love language..haha), and I gave it right back to her none the less. I was careful though with what I said and people in the room just started laughing every time. I was very happy that I had received the opportunity to take care of her the last couple of days. God just assured me that he loved her just as much as me and that she just needed someone to show her that she still has value.

Later that night, I had the chance to go see Eric play in a jazz concert. The best drummer ever right there! =) Not much homework done, but it was a very rewarding day.