Friday, December 16, 2016

Why we're depressed

I brought a patient in from triage and gave her to one of the Kids on the medical side.  "This woman is the prototype  for Debbie Downer and Eeyore".

"Tell me".

"Every question leads to a tale of sorrow and woe.  Ask her any question.  Anything.  It will be the worst thing that has ever happened to anyone.  Ask about allergies?  I get a list of 20, and I had to hear about Every.  Single.  Reaction.  Each reaction lead to another set of complications.  Each complication to a debilitating condition.  Each condition to an endless series of Unfortunate Events.  And then there was a fire in which all of her oxycodone was burnt up.  It took me 39 minutes to triage her.  I feel like all the joy has been sucked out of me and all the fairies are dead. "

"So you're saying I'll never smile again.  Damn"