To Cover or Not to Cover?

This post is more of a reflection. A question. A thought. Maybe, I'm not a 100% sure how to classify this since I, myself am not completely sure as to how I feel about it! Anyway, today I had a meeting. The meeting itself went fine, actually better than to be expected. Everyone left feeling great, which was awesome.

However, during the discussion, there was a comment made about an individual and everyone assumed the comment came from me! For someone reason, people have the view me as very opinionated (I can't imagine why!) Now, I have no problem owning up to a comment that I have made, but I honestly did not say anything about the individual in question. To make matters worse, the person who really DID make comment is someone that I am less than fond of. On SEVERAL occasions, the true perpetrator has received great joy (at least I'm convinced) in attempting to make me look bad. Honestly, the pro just can't be trusted.

Long story short, after it was assumed that I made the comment. I denied it and named the true snitch without batting an eye. After, the truth was out, one of my colleagues then said that she didn't want that information revealed. Now, I find that hard to believe since she made her statement in front of SEVEN (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) people! Here, let me tell everyone, but keep it a secret (eye roll).

Okay, so to the point of this whole post. Should I feel more guilty than I do about outing her? I really don't. Maybe I should? Maybe it is a little to callous of me, but seriously, you don't tell secrets to a crowd! Actually, I've answered by own question. No, I don't feel bad. Don't tell secrets to a crowd. The end.

Yes, you're pregnant and you can work!!!!!

I started to blog about this a few days ago when the incident actually happened, however, I really had to cool off just a bit before writing something I would regret. Even as I type this, it is requiring a great deal of restraint not to make demeaning statements regarding my lazy so and so of a patient.

I know, gasp. How can a physician refer to her patient as lazy or a lazy so and so? It is truly the internal struggle I deal with on a daily basis when I am confronted by the patient who asks for . . . . . . . an excuse from work for the duration of their pregnancy.

My response is a simple one. NO YOU CAN WORK.
"But I hurt. I'm tired. My job requires me to stand on my feet, blah blah blah". Bah humbug, cry me a river, seriously. Why does the request for an extended leave of absence bother me, when the patient is only 20 weeks pregnant (aka 5 months)?

It bothers me because if I were to become pregnant right now, I would have to work 80 hours a week (if it's a good week and I'm not violating my work hours), take call for 30 hours, and work until my estimated date of confinement (aka due date) unless experiencing a pregnancy complication. HEALTHY UNCOMPLICATED PREGNANCIES= YOUR %%%%% CAN WORK!

Don't get mad at me, cry, and try to say I'm a bad doctor because I won't committ falsification/ fraud/ mentidas/ lies/ etc and write you an excuse from work when you are perfectly healthy and able to complete your work in some form or fashion.

In my previous residency program, I worked with two pregnant residents who busted their tales day in and day out, operating, standing on their feet, long hours, etc until the day their delivery date. I have another friend in a residency program who was pregnant, again working until EDC. Their is a pregnant resident in my program right now, who again, comes to work each and everyday. . . . are you getting my point?

Pregnancy is NOT a disability! Is it tough? Sure it is, but then again, who told you to get pregnant? Condoms, birth control (IUDs, NuvaRings, pills, etc) all could have kept you from feeling the round ligament pain or the occasional contractions that you believe qualifies you for disability. And if your pregnancy was desired, well now you can experience the joy of pregnancy along with the reward at the end of a long 10 months (yes I said 10, pregnancy is not 9 months). A NORMAL pregnancy is NOT a medical condition, not an illness, not something deadly.

So no! I won't give you off work. Go ahead, tell my chief I'm mean. I'm still not giving you a work excuse. . . oh wait? Are you cursing at me, well let me let you go, afterall, I don't want you to be late for WORK!

The Worst Water in the World is in Cleveland

Yes. Absolutely, hands down, the Division of Water and Sewer in Cleveland, Ohio is the most inefficient and backwards Division of Water on the planet.

I waited on hold to speak with a representative concerning an issue for our rental property in Cleveland and spent 45 minutes on hold without ever reaching someone to talk with DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. After reaching the top of my irritation meter for the day, I hung up and called back.

The receptionist/operator answered my call. I politely asked was there anyone I could speak with because I had been on hold for a very long time. She said, no, calls are answered in the order they are received. I then not so politely replied "Then I guess ya'll don't want your money then" and hung up. I could have been a little more professional, but I decided why waste my talent of professionalism on the Division of Water, I have to save my politeness for my patients, fellow colleagues, and pretty much any human being not affiliated with the Cleveland Division of Water. . . sigh :)

Adele-great music after a long day!

Adele is a British musician from Northern London. It's hard to classify her as a certain "genre", but her music is awesome! She is a truly talented artist and her songs definitely can help you unwind after a day of being yelled at and receiving major attitude at work (though that would never occur at the hospital, I mean who in the world would be nasty to a resident. . . )

Her album entitled "19" is great. To find out more about Adele and to see if she can keep you from exploding on those around you visit http://www.adele.tv/.

Hometown Glory, a sample of her music on Youtube.