I used to see my patients
In a very busy clinic
Some were so demanding
Those days were not a picnic
One man would always ask me
Is vitamin A good for you?
He'd go through B to Zinc
Till his lips and mine turned blue
Another lady would tell me
Her history from premature birth
She'd tell of her first world tour
In the skies and down on earth
I used to have the patience
Of someone they called Job
But as I grew more grumpy
I'd try to do a swap
If patient A was coming
My doctor friend I'd call
He'd check A out for me
While I hid behind the wall!
But now that I'm retired
I really miss my patients
I'll write of them, their doctors
Calling it Trials and Tribulations.
I did try to stick to the Hippocratic Oath. But some days when it got a bit too much, I took a little break, just a little.....
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In the waiting room.
The woman’s talking gallstones
He’s going on about his eyes
That one’s under the doctor
What does that mean
She doesn’t understand the younger generation
The price of fish
She’s come in with her leg
That caught my attention
Does she have three
He came in with his leg last week, now it's his arm
Her daughters pregnant with triplets
For some reason, I imagined them doing it three times that night
Hospital food is still awful
Maybe it’s the price of fish
You don’t want admitted on a Monday
Note to body, heart attack Tuesday onwards
You don’t want that Dr Campbell
I had him last week
Doctor Baker is nice
My goldfish died
That happened to my dog
Wonder if it ate the goldfish
My doctor's experimenting on me
Sure the medical board don’t allow that
Okay, all hell's broke loose
Dr Campbell has taken a heart attack
On a Monday as well
Poor Dr Campbell, he was so nice
Well that’s the kettle calling the pot black
What’s wrong with you son
Well I thought I was going nuts
But I’ve now made a remarkable recovery.
Hahaha won’t be going to this hospital! Thank you for that story.
I'm sure I've overheard this precise dialogue in the doctors waiting room.
Zoom calls have killed the doctors waiting room.
I am so pleased we cannot hear what they say about us outside our rooms. The poor nurses and clerical staff get the brunt of the patients' frustrations. They're as good as gold when they enter our rooms although the history can go on and on.
Lol, I can understand how a person will want to give their doctor the history of everything they think can be related to an ailment. Patience is truly key. I love the humor within
Thank you.
really well written,
offering a subtle peek, into a perspective
few of us
ever take a those few seconds, to consider..
thanks for sharing, dear poet
Thank you for your comments.
When i was a younger man i hated going to the doctors but now i spend a lot of time with various health complaints being seen either at the health centre or various hospitals. I make a conscious effort to be the nicest, most thankful, and pleasant patient I can be especially to the receptionists and phone staff. I know they take the brunt of a lot of disatisfaction from the public and really it's quite unfair. In return i feel i have become known and it sometimes is a pleasant surprise when staff go the extra mile to sort out whatever problem i'm presenting. Who's a lucky boy then LOL
Your piece today clearly outlines the frustrations of being the human being inside the uniform so many of us just don't think about.
Yes, the nurses and clerical staff take the brunt of the patients' frustrations and anger about delays, appointments, everything. Staff really appreciate patients who treat them with respect and kindness. The doctors themselves are very happy to be told about such lovely patients. Thank you.
I can thoroughly understand these words Rozina, my daughter works in a hospital and the things she sometimes tells me are so awful.
During my times with doctors and medics I, like dusk arising, am always polite, respectful and as helpful as I can be and I always get the same back to me, medics are so wonderful.
Andy
Thank you. If members of the public were to hear us laughing, they would think we're insensitive. But 'black humour' amongst our group keeps us sane through the stress and depressing events that we see daily. Thank you for your comments.
this is splendid .. you certainly have something of a special gift Roz .. I bet you had most of your patients in stitches ...................... I know exactly where you are coming from too having worked for **** years withing the health service ......... x
Thank you. I worked almost 40 years in the public health service (equivalent to the UK NHS). During bad economic times our workload tripled as people couldn't afford to seek private services. Waiting lists for appointments lengthened. Procedures were delayed. We kept reminding ourselves to stay calm and be patient and keep a smile on our face as things were already so bad for the public and most people are so afraid to come to hospitals and get more bad news about their health and results. We've had masks on for many many years!
A fantastic write here Rozina, with an effortless enjoyable flow.
Also, the fact that you used to work in healthcare, I take my hat off to you, and this poem truly outlines the hardship in trying to help others, of which, I'm sure they are very thankful to you for your efforts. I like the sketch of yourself as well, though you may have been hiding, you were probably also observing, from a mentor, thus, the next time, you would know exactly what to do.
Bravo, and I hope that all is well!
Thank you for your comments.
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