Sunday, June 3, 2012

Kind words

In the middle of a very busy shift this weekend, a client took the time to thank me for my exceptional knowledge, straightforward communication, and to let me know they appreciated my kind demeanor and gentle bedside manner.  They told me I was the best doctor they'd ever met, and asked if they could continue all their pets' care through me. I thanked them for their amazing compliment, and told them no --  I only practice emergency medicine, and cannot take on routine clients. One of the definite downsides to being an ER doctor, but the benefits of saving lives when it really counts makes up for it (for me, anyway)

Those simple, kind words helped carry me through a long day of difficulties.  Remember to thank the people in your life when they do something well, even if it's their job.  It means a lot.

~ER doc

2 comments:

  1. Hey doc!

    your bog inspires me! I found it about 2 days ago and I've been reading it when I am free to do so. I have to go back to school to do my 1 year of premed before I can go to vet school as I did my undergrad in finance. and reading your posts gets me ubber excited about going to vet school I cant wait!

    Anyways Im posting as I have a question about a case and what you would do about it:(case from my internship)
    japanese chin came in. she was in labor. The vet performed a C-section and took out 4 still born pups. Persistently since surgery she has been bleeding from a 1 inch section of the surgical incision. she has white mucous membranes.

    I live in another country where there is a lack of medicine unfortunately...something about one of the pharmaceutical suppliers being a monopoly but at the same time has very bad management as a results vets here have to manage with whatever we have.

    I just wanted to know what you would have done to remedy her post surgery status.

    THANKS!!

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  2. Hi,

    There's no way I can answer this question specifically - a physical exam is needed to really understand what is wrong with your patient. That being said, pale / white gums and bleeding are VERY concerning, and I hope this has since been remedied. Concerns would include a bleeding problem, such as rat bait ingestion, a platelet problem, surgical error (not ligating vessels correctly), or she could be having a number of other problems. First steps would be checking PCV/TS, platelet count, and bleeding times, and treatment would depend on the results of those items.

    ReplyDelete