That sound you hear is my forehead banging against the wall.
I have a girl in my care with newly diagnosed cancer. She is a couple of years younger than me. The problem is that she has been coddled a preposterous amount and talks in a baby voice. For those of you poo-pooing my shocking lack of compassion: she was doing this before the diagnosis! I am routinely called into the room around six times per hour for meaningless tasks such as her showing me another tatoo. Or asking me if I want a piece of candy. Or making up symptoms for attention like taking a piece of toilet paper and throwing it in the toilet and telling me that its a piece of skin that came out when she peed. Yes, folks, patients make up symptoms sometimes! Even cancer patients. How about calling me into the room to introduce me to family that she's introduced me to four times already that day? She says we "get paid very well" to take care of her. Not the last time I looked at my paycheck.
She is unemployed, is not married, has a car load of children, has a drug habit, and intentionally lisps. Initially, my heart poured over with compassion for this mere child. Now that the week is drawing to a close and I've heard all about how funny she thinks it is that she's worn the same underwear for four days, my nerves are being worn thin. She is so busy trying to be cute that she won't even let me educate her on her impending cancer treatment. She isn't in shock or denial. She isn't depressed. I'm fighting for her life while she plays in her hospital bed. It's ludicrous.
Everyone who has been involved in her care is considering taking a breather from her. I'd like to, but my conscience is killing me. She genuinely likes me, and she trusts me. How can I swap her for a different patient even if she doesn't care for herself?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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