Comments on: The Hidden Lives of Doctors, Part II: The Tergiversator http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/ This blog has moved on to ScienceBlogs - come and check it out! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:27:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: kidsonc http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1508 Thu, 22 Dec 2005 19:56:30 +0000 http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1508 We play act with more than just our patients. We do it with ourselves also. Often faced with difficult decisions in which the facts may be absent or conflicting, we convince ourselves of the infallibility of our decision making. Without such self-assurance we could never pour toxic chemicals confidently into our patients, or make those daily decisions from which one misjudgement could result in injury or death. Our patients expect this guise of infallibility, and are not very forgiving when we do not live up to expectations. From my own perspective, I do not worry if my patients or their parents feel that I display omniscience, omnipotence, or precognition. This might be my 100th patient with leukemia, my 20th patient with this particular sold tumor, my umptiumpth with whatever it is they have. I have been through this many times before. I can't predict who will be cured and who will die, but like someone who has driven the same road time and time again, I know where to find the curves and pot holes. I also know that some families respond with grief, others with anger, others with appreciation. I'm there to absorb their emotions. That's just part of the job. I know that I'm not always going to live up to their expectations of perfection. My only doubts are when I don't live up to my own. We play act with more than just our patients. We do it with ourselves also. Often faced with difficult decisions in which the facts may be absent or conflicting, we convince ourselves of the infallibility of our decision making. Without such self-assurance we could never pour toxic chemicals confidently into our patients, or make those daily decisions from which one misjudgement could result in injury or death. Our patients expect this guise of infallibility, and are not very forgiving when we do not live up to expectations.

From my own perspective, I do not worry if my patients or their parents feel that I display omniscience, omnipotence, or precognition. This might be my 100th patient with leukemia, my 20th patient with this particular sold tumor, my umptiumpth with whatever it is they have. I have been through this many times before. I can’t predict who will be cured and who will die, but like someone who has driven the same road time and time again, I know where to find the curves and pot holes. I also know that some families respond with grief, others with anger, others with appreciation. I’m there to absorb their emotions. That’s just part of the job. I know that I’m not always going to live up to their expectations of perfection. My only doubts are when I don’t live up to my own.

]]> by: debutaunt http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1499 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:23:24 +0000 http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1499 I actually told my doctor to wait once. My nurses had kept me all up that night and I had to get some damn Starbucks immediately because I was "very grouchy." She was lucky I was nice. I'm glad Trish sent us here. I like you. I actually told my doctor to wait once. My nurses had kept me all up that night and I had to get some damn Starbucks immediately because I was “very grouchy.” She was lucky I was nice. I’m glad Trish sent us here. I like you.

]]> by: Minerva http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1484 Sat, 03 Dec 2005 16:07:29 +0000 http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1484 Acting is vital in the role of teaching too.. or indeed, any profession requiring guidance. Isn't that why Ronald Reagan made such a good president? Minerva Acting is vital in the role of teaching too.. or indeed, any profession requiring guidance. Isn’t that why Ronald Reagan made such a good president?

Minerva

]]> by: ThirdDegreeNurse http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1483 Sat, 03 Dec 2005 02:24:23 +0000 http://thecheerfuloncologist.blogsome.com/2005/12/01/the-hidden-lives-of-doctors-part-ii-the-tergiversator/#comment-1483 I feel your pain. I am floored by people who bring their 88+ year old relatives back to the hospital from hospice care for "dehydration." Especially when the poor patient's bowels are not working (think "fountain")and are never ever going to work again. I heard one sig. other say perhaps the doctor could put a feeding tube in one end and they could keep a Foley in the other end and give enemas daily.. . to a patient with severe, very advanced dementia who was not a happy camper. Imagine if people really knew (gasp) that we were truly mortal and yes, there is indeed, an end to life. I feel your pain. I am floored by people who bring their 88+ year old relatives back to the hospital from hospice care for “dehydration.” Especially when the poor patient’s bowels are not working (think “fountain”)and are never ever going to work again. I heard one sig. other say perhaps the doctor could put a feeding tube in one end and they could keep a Foley in the other end and give enemas daily.. . to a patient with severe, very advanced dementia who was not a happy camper. Imagine if people really knew (gasp) that we were truly mortal and yes, there is indeed, an end to life.

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