I think, or at least I hope that I always remember my first patient. On neurology inservice I was assigned one patient, Bob, a man with a recent stroke and global aphasia. Every morning at 6:45 I go into his room, talk to his nurses and then wake him up to make sure the neurologic exam has not changed. Some mornings he cooperates, but most mornings he is just too sleepy. There is something endearing and tragic about a grown man that is returning to the ways of a child. Sometimes the deficits of the stroke frustrate Bob to no end, and other times, it seems like he barely notices them. I wonder what he was like before the stroke, b/c it seems to me that he has been altered in more than just physical defecits.
I also saw another patient this morning- classic Hispanic older guy. As I was getting his knee reflexes he told me I would have made a good Geisha. I told him I was not in that line of service. Note to self- never get on knees to test ankle jerks or knee reflexes.
One of our patients is homeless and recently diagnosed with a progressive terminal illness. He has no contact with his family, although he does have several kids, he does not know much about them including where they might possibly be living. It's very difficult for me to imagine facing death alone like he must. And, since he is homeless, he really does not have any options of places to go. Very tragic...
No comments:
Post a Comment