Isn't is so amazing how sometimes the holidays can bring out the best in people? It can also bring out the worst too. But I'd rather focus on the positive!
Last week at work we had this older woman as a patient. She was very very difficult. It would not be a stretch to say she was an incredible bitch. She was mean and nasty to all the nurses, the receptionists, and even the doctor!
She was there of her own free will getting surgery done that she elected to have. But she was constantly complaining about everything. The fees, the temperature of the room, and making sure we did the correct procedure. She didn't want to sign the consent form because she did not understand it or like the fact that there was a possibility of death from this procedure.
But with ANY surgery, there is that possibility. That is just the way it is. If you get a tooth pulled, you could die too. It's a standard consent. But she bitched and moaned about it. She was horrible.
Of course she was MY patient. Blegh! But I was very nice to her. I explained things in terms she could understand. I sympathized with her fears of dying. I held her hand. I did all the things I know I would want someone to do with me, even if I was acting like a total troll.
And it paid off! She came in yesterday for a post op check and she and her husband came looking for ME. They had made me a present because she just adored me and thought I was the nicest person in the whole world. They made me this little Japanese serenity garden with pretty flowers in it!! They constructed it by hand just for ME.
I was so touched. These strangers left our office and thought about me to the point they made a gift for me. My heart was all squishy about that. It was very sweet of them. And even if I wasn't nice to her because I wanted a gift it definitely made it worth it. Not because of the gift itself but the fact that I made someone feel that good.
That is why I do what I do. Not because I like people barfing on me or yelling at me because I stabbed them with a needle. I do it because I want to help people when they have no one else to help them. I want to make them happy and be comforted. Even the horrible people.
I think she was so evil because she was scared. And I helped her. And she was like a new person. I hope it doesn't sound like I am patting myself on the back too much but I was very proud that I had that affect on someone......it made me feel good!!
I hope everyone else has a good holiday and that you can take time out of your busy schedules to help someone else too. Even if they don't seem to deserve it. It might pay off in the end.......
xxoo natalie xxoo
