Tuesday, April 10, 2007

amazing stories

chronic alcoholics (ETOH) dying at young ages
patients with COPD who are still smoking...one in her hospital room
WWII vets in their mid-80's who are dying and have unreal stories about war and life
the amazing number of B-17 pilots I have met
frequent flyers and the anger care they get from ED nurses who are sick and tired of seeing them, which pisses off the chaplain for their insensitivity
compassion fatigue of healthcare workers and how they try to 'relax' off duty
the narcissistic system of patient satisfaction and how it is going to f&^$@# up healthcare (focus on the words in that one)
the unbelievable number of 40-something white women who have attempted suicide that I have seen...something is really wrong
the angry god of some patients..."chaplain, what did I do wrong that god would do this to me?"
watching a family yell at a Doc "this is a hospital with state of the art equipment...fix my father and do it now." The Doc responds "I am sorry, there are some things we can't fix and this is one of them."
holding the hand of a patient as they die because they have no family except the medical team
having a Doctor stop me in the hall and ask "what are we going to do about patient Sue?" then walk off shaking her head
writing a poem/prayer for the 13 year old daughter of a staff member whose horse died and is asking god why?
going to the home of a staff member whose daughter was killed in a tragic accident and crying with them
...

so many stories...

I should be writing more...I have so many stories and so many patients in my head and some in my heart.

Also have a major job opportunity in the works...so stay tuned.