Conversations in the Hospital

Thought I would share a few entertaining conversations I had in the hospital this month.

Conversation 1

This lovely elderly man was admitted with urinary retention, and subsequently developed a urinary tract infection. While examining him, I proceeded to ask him the routine 10 AMTS (Abbreviated Mental Test Score) questions.

One of the questions was, "What do you think my occupation is, if you look at me?"

Bear in mine that I was wearing a simple blouse and trousers, with my stethoscope hanging around my neck, and my pager stuck to my pocket.

He gave me a good look, and said, "Well, you're a beauty queen."

hmmm.....I wish I was. He scored 5/10....so guess he was pretty confused eh?

Conversation 2

A locum orthopaedic doctor came to my ward to review a patient of mine who possibly has a broken pubic rami. He examined the patient thoroughly as you would. Then, he started to write his findings down in the notes. While doing so, he looked up and asked, "Is it better to write; there is good moving of the right leg, OR there is good movement in the right leg?"

I know I really shouldn't be laughing at others, whom English is not their first language. I tried really hard to stifle my giggles. My colleague told him that the latter sentence was a better of describing the patient's range of movement. It was amazing that he could keep a straight face while doing so.

Conversation 3

There was a pleasant elderly lady in the ward. Unfortunately, most of us, when we grow older, we will lose our hearing. This lady was nearly 90 years old, and she looked alot younger than that. I asked her whether she smokes. She replied, "Well, yes I do...you know, its really hard to get rid of this habit."

"How many do you smoke in a day?" I asked.

"hmm...about 4 to 5 a day."

"Oh ok...so about 4-5 a day...."I repeated as I make a note of it on my records.

She said," No....not 45 a day....it is 4 TO 5 a day."

I laughed...and told her that I know she said 4 to 5, and not 45.

Treasure What You Have

It is such a common humanly mistake that we never seem to REALLY treasure what we have until it is taken away from us.

I thought the latest Shrek movie was excellent. It was funny, good animation and not to mention, the moral value the movie was trying to teach everyone. Shrek had almost everything he could dream off....a lovely ogre wife, Fiona, 3 cute kids, good friends (Donkey and Puss), and a nice place to live..... BUT (there is always a but), he felt that he has become a tame ogre, not fearsome no more. So he decided to exchange one day in his life, and that day, was back to a day he didn't have any friends, no family, and Fiona did not recognise him as his wife. He regretted his actions, and felt miserable. He misses Fiona and his family. He did everything he could to go back to his present life, and succeeded in the end. And like most animation, the story ended happily ever after.

I felt good after watching it. I realised that sometimes, I may have taken some things for granted...and I need to change my actions, change my attitude, to become a better person, less grumpy, and really appreciate the lil things in life that makes my life meaningful.

ahh....how's that for a new resolution?

That aside, I highly recommend Shrek Forever After to everyone! It is definitely way better than the previous one. Watch out for catchy words like, "Cat-tastrophic!" and "Ri-don-culous!"