Forrest Was On To Something.
Have you seen the movie, ‘Forrest Gump?’
If you have, you may recall that iconic scene, where he sits alone on the bench, contemplating life and the similarities of life with the box of chocolates he holds in his lap.
He says,
“Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get.”
As an internist – or #tweeternist, as I call it on Twitter – he couldn’t have been more right. But his words are especially true in a day of a primary care medicine doctor.
For us, every day is like a box of chocolates!
Primary Care Medicine: Like A Box of Chocolates
Backache in room one,
She comes in with a plea –
“It radiates down the leg,” she says,
“To right above my knee!”
Room Two is waiting next,
He says he should be quick.
He’s following up, but needs assurance
That he’s no longer sick.
Although he’s been squeezed in,
He brings up THREE more things (oy vey!),
And though I rush through all the list,
To every word he clings.
Room one and four have coughs,
They’ve hacked and spewed up phlegm.
They both prefer a med that works
For sleep in the PM (for Z’s!).
A pre-op is up next,
Her surgery’s next week.
I want her cleared – of course I do –
But how? She’s feeling weak!
Oh wait, there’s a commotion –
A patient’s fallen ill!
She’s vasovagal’ed – false alarm –
But kind of scary still!
We’ve got a bleeder next:
Like faucet, from the nose.
We’ll hold the pressure for a while,
And rid him of his woes.
“A phone call from a doc!”
They scream, from down the hall.
And though I’m busy – not a joke –
I have to take that call!
In room three now there’s crying:
A patient deep in pain.
She’s in the dumps, and feels depressed,
And blames financial strain.
Up next comes teacher Sally,
Who’s coming for advice –
She wants some treatment for the lice
She’s had not twice, but thrice.
A chest pain right next door,
Now needs my full attention.
But so does fainting, bleeding, bites-
I’m pulled in each direction!
And so my day continues,
Surprise behind each door.
It’s hard work, but I love it,
And I’m always back for more.
So next time at your visit,
Keep all of this in mind,
And even if your doctor’s late,
Be patient, warm and kind (we care!)
