Karma made an appearance. A woman who, a few years ago, made my life difficult at work wound up as my patient. When I worked with her, she made no disguise of the fact that she didn’t like me and did all she could to be a pain in the hindquarters. Why did she do that? Because I was hired to be her boss, and she felt that the position was rightfully hers because she had been there for a long time.
She has Stage 4 cancer and was in a great deal of pain. The cancer was attacking her nervous system, and although it was making her right side go numb, the only sensation it left her with on her right side was pain. You know what I did?
I treated her pain and gave her the absolute best care that I could, because I am a professional. I showed her and her family every bit of the kindness and compassion that she never showed me.
I went to the doctor and asked for an order to give her a full milligram of Dilaudid every hour as needed to control her pain. Cancer is a very painful and horrible way to die, and its victims deserve all of the care and compassion we can provide.
With that, I am leaving on vacation for a few days. Posting will be spotty.
15 Comments
Lori G · November 9, 2024 at 10:58 am
The best revenge is to have a wonderful life and not become what you hate, and also not to become like those who are wicked. This is what Jesus meant by ‘love your enemy.’ Perhaps at the end of her life she will repent when she sees your excellent behavior. Some do.
Dan D. · November 9, 2024 at 11:17 am
“You know what I did?”
You did not repay wickedness with the same. However I believe it is far more than mere professionalism with you. I have read over and over that you hold compassion for those you apply your well developed skills to heal. That a nobility missing from this world and especially in men. This is not to puff you up but to recognize right actions for what they are.
“For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Well done! (I write that a lot here and mean it every time.)
dc · November 9, 2024 at 11:52 am
You are to be commended. Well done.
Iwoots · November 9, 2024 at 1:09 pm
As a Christian, Born-Again Christian, Born-Again Christianized Jesus Freak (whatever you want to call me) – You sir, as an atheist, put to shame about 80% of the self-professed christians that I have encountered in my 30+ years of endeavoring to follow Jesus. Well done.
Anonymous · November 9, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Good fucking man.
GreenCross4Safety · November 9, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Good on you, DM. Way to handle her. I agree with Lori G.
SoCoRuss · November 9, 2024 at 1:37 pm
You are a saint. No way I could have stopped myself from at least a good solid payback comment.
I’m not a turn the cheek and don’t lower yourself kind of guy to people who want me in a boxcar or to make my life terrible just because they can or want to bend me to their version of groveling correctness.
Chicken · November 9, 2024 at 2:57 pm
This is why I could absolutely not work in the medical profession. I want a job with emotional highs from solving a problem without the risk of putting my psyche through a meat grinder.
Milton · November 9, 2024 at 3:25 pm
Thank you.
It is certainly a joy to see, or hear about, people that do what is right, rather than the many dark alternatives.
Somewhere back in my twenties, a habit of asking “Would I follow that guy into battle?” developed.
DiveMedic, I think you are one those guys. Go with God.
SP RN · November 9, 2024 at 3:46 pm
Hmmm.
Two big measures of a man are how he treats others and what he does when no one is looking. It tells what’s in his heart.
You may not think you’re a believer but what I can see of your heart tells me otherwise.
Michael · November 9, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Kindness is its own reward.
Your a good man.
Boneman · November 10, 2024 at 9:06 am
Brilliant. Karma is it’s own agent and seldom do we get to witness it’s work in progress. You did what so few of us get the opportunity to do. You took the higher ground and did not look down on others from the vantage point.
God Bless.
lynn · November 10, 2024 at 2:38 pm
Thank you for being kind.
Tractorguy · November 11, 2024 at 9:11 am
I would have treated her professionally too, but you can bet I would have given all my other suffering patients their painkillers first. She would have been absolutely last on the list.
Stefan v. · November 11, 2024 at 12:48 pm
The following podcast features Dr Garrison Bliss, and his experiences in the sickness system and the practice he developed that better addresses the needs of patients….and caregivers. May it please and inspire you:
https://rumble.com/v5frf25-coffee-and-a-mike-dr.-garrison-bliss-who-was-the-healthcare-system-designed.html
And a hearty WELL DONE for demonstrating integrity.