Doctors Who've Been Treated By Other Doctors With Their Speciality Reveal What It Was Like
There's an old saying among hospital staff: Doctors make the worst patients. You can spend a short amount of time to ponder why that is, but the easiest solution is usually the best solution. When you have two people, arguing over what's the best way to treat one of them, things are bound to get heated, and entertaining. Reddit user, u/xblackacid, wanted to know the best of these tales when they asked:
Doctors of Reddit, have you ever been to the doctor who specializes in what you specialize in? If so, what was it like? Was it weird?
Might Be More Than You Thought
Saw one of my attendings for a vasectomy.
It's good to have it put in to perspective so I know what my patients go through when I have them whip out their junk.
Spinal Tap
Anesthesiologist: Pretty weird. I asked for a spinal for ankle surgery, so I could feel what they're like myself. The anesthesiologist had to stick me three times for the spinal.
Then when the surgeon was prepping I could feel how cold the iodine was. Dammit. So I had to go to sleep after all :(
Letting Go Of The Scalpel
My wife is a surgeon. She has had surgery before and says it not weird. She can't exactly perform surgery on herself and grew up going to doctors despite having parents who were doctors so it was normal to her.
Interestingly, our son had to have open heart surgery as an infant and she said that it was hard to let someone else operate on her baby. You don't really trust anyone as much as you trust yourself, especially when it comes to your kids. She couldn't operate on him for obvious reasons and she's also not even a cardiothoracic surgeon so it only made sense that someone else performed the surgery, but she said it was still extremely hard and she couldn't stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. Similarly, her sister is an anesthesiologist and gets nervous when her kids have to be placed under anesthesia. I think being more educated on the topic can be both a blessing and a curse.
Note: Our son's surgery went fine. You wouldn't be able to tell he had surgery on his heart unless you looked at his scar. He's currently playing baseball and training for a youth triathlon.
A Soda Tooth
I'm a dentist at a two-doctor practice, so we're basically each other's dentists, and we give each other Looks because both of us are kind of coffee/soda addicts and have seen each other's radiographs. The other dentist keeps whinging about how they need a crown but will never get in the d-mn chair for me to drill it! Doctors make the worst patients, it's said...
Who Consoles The Consolers?
As a psychiatry resident, I started consulting a psychiatrist myself. It was strongly recommended by several of ours seniors on our first day, since it can be quite violent for lots of different reasons, (horrible patient life stories, lots of sexual abuse, being threatened or attacked by some patients...).
It's not a physician/patient relationship. We talk very openly, like two coworkers, and he tells me a lot about his own experiences and difficulties. It's a bit like having a "tutor", which we don't have during our internship in my country. Very helpful !
No One Knows
Neurologist. It was weird. I kinda just went in and was like "I have no f-cking clue, it's weird and doesn't fit the closest syndrome." He just replied "Yeah, no, that's pretty weird, I have no idea either. What do you wanna do?"
So we were both flumoxed and ended up doing nothing and hoping, which is pretty par for course for neuro anyway
Gender Pranks
I thought I broke my foot and went in to one of the ERs I staffed as a resident because I knew that ED wouldn't be busy and I didn't trust the local urgent care to read my foot xr.
One of my mentors (who is also department chair and vice chief of staff) was on. He saw I checked in on the computer, changed my complaint to "vaginal pain" and when I got to the room, the nurse reflexively put the pelvic cart in the room...good times. Also, foot wasn't broken.
Edit: yes, I am male.
Taking Yourself Out Of The Equation
I'm a family doctor (aka GP). Sometimes I call my family doctor to parlay about my kids when they're ill because it's hard to doctor your own kid. I prescribe my own hay fever medication though. My family doctor also places IUDs, but I opted to get my IUD at a gynaecologist, despite that costing money, because I felt that would be weird to get from someone who's basically a coworker.
And my doctor is retiring soon... And I'm going to take over his practice. So I gotta find a new one!
"...It Wasn't Enough"
A close family friend is a neurosurgeon at a large academic center (training neurosurgery residents). He had a seizure in the bathroom, hit is head, and had a massive cerebral hematoma. Rushed to the ER and then seen by his own residents (trainees) as well as colleagues. Imagine you're training someone one day to do neurosurgery and then you come in on a stretcher the next day needing them to do it to you.
BTW, he did die unfortunately. They must have drilled a hole to reduce the swelling (or whatever neurosurgeons do) but apparently it wasn't enough.
Wasting Time
Also a med student and I had to most unusual experience at the GP the other day. I had to go to a different one than ususal because mine was on holiday and as soon as he found out I was a med student he started talking to me about all my different classes, told me about his time as a student and gave me the number of a professor friend of his to see regarding the field I'm interested in. Then he send me out to his daughter's office to do the actual examination because he saw how late it got.
I was in his office for a good hour.
Change The Channel
My dad asked to watch his own vasectomy.
The doc said ok and my dad fainted and split his head open.
You're 15 Minutes Are Up. Mine Start Now.
I'm a medical student, but a couple months ago I went to a psychiatrist. When he found out that I was a Med student he started telling "back in my day" stories which ultimately ended in a rant about how med students have it so much easier these days.
That was definitely an awkward 45 minutes
A False Start
Emergency Medicine registrar (US= resident) - I fainted in handover one morning. Boss insisted on working me up in case there was a worrying underlying cause.
Nothing found and eventually agreed with me that it was likely to just be 13h night shift with no eating drinking or taking a break, combined with the AC malfunctioning and the department being like an oven.
They kept asking what I wanted to do. The whole point of seeing someone else when you're sick is because your own judgement probably isn't the best. I pretty much just wanted to go home and sleep, but just said " yeah, okay" to every test he suggested.
Missed A Glimpse
A couple of comments. I no longer tell phlebotomist I'm a doc if I can help it, because they get nervous and miss probably 80% of the time. If I don't tell, they almost always do a great job.
When I was in labor with my son, the resident on call had been one of my classmates. He would have to examine my cervix and stuff overnight as it would be necessary. That would have been weird, except that he said this: "I'll have the OB nurse check on your routine progress as necessary, but if you run into ANY problems, you're mine." That was just the right thing to say and do, and all went well, thankfully.
Those Aren't The Numbers I Want
My father is a cardiothoracic surgeon. He had heart surgery about 10 years ago.
I remember him walking out of his room with the heart rate monitor and was telling staff that the readings on the monitor weren't what he wanted them to be and that they should read "X" and that he needs "X" of "X".
After that my uncle turned to me and said, "doctors make for the worst patients"
When You See The Numbers Add Up
A nurse, with emergency and shock/trauma experience. I was rear-ended at freeway speed in stopped traffic. CHIBLOC plus massive intrusion into the passenger compartment = level one trauma. Traffic was garbage and so the local ambulance service got me far enough to get to a clearing for the helicopter to take me to a hospital.
My fool a-- flips into trauma nurse mode and starts grilling the EMTs on the bus and then the flight nurses about why I need air transport and, if they really feel I need a bird, why the f-ck are they taking me to a level two trauma center... of course I declined the Ativan they kept offering me.
Surreal experience. More surreal still when I get a 39k chopper bill for a 10 mi ride to a bandaid station.
Get To The Point
I'm an ob/gyn. Went to see a gyn (that I've worked with professionally).
Wasn't weird at all. She was quick and to the point which was perfect for me but she's also down to earth and kind. I just didn't want to see someone I worked with really closely or one of my male attendings.
ALL The Goods
So I'm a labor and delivery nurse. I am pregnant and since I get free healthcare at the hospital where I work, I will be delivering there. Which means my coworkers will be my nurses and doctors and will know and see EVERYTHING. I think for most people that would be a nightmare, but I'm honestly looking forward to it. I trust the people I work with and I also get to pick and choose which nurses and doctors I get. So basically I'll get the best healthcare possible, and all my friends will be there after the birth to come congratulate me!
Sometimes, You Can Even Learn
As soon as the doctor I'm with finds out I'm a Med student they treat me way nicer. They take opportunities to teach me, actually discuss my treatment with me as an equal and allow me to have input. As someone who has a chronic condition and so regularly has contact with doctors it has really improved my experience.
Remember, They're Human Too
More weird for her colleagues treating her. My mother worked in neurology. After her aneurysm, none if her co-workers wanted to officially declare her brain dead (they did tell my family she was though).
They kept her on the machines for a couple of extra days until the most senior staff member in the department did it.
H/T: Reddit
Curious to hear about some of the more creepy indiscretions people get away with, Redditor Flytechofficial asked:
"What is perfectly legal, but creepy as hell?"
These things that happen in public restrooms can be considered criminal.
Respecting Splash Zones
"Using the urinal next to me when there were plenty of other choices."
Nightmare For The Pee-Shy
"hanging out in a public bathroom timing how long people pee."
Bad Timing
"I swear to God. I did a lot of work in hospitals for a while, big f'king hospitals with tons of bathrooms all over the place. For some God damned reason, regardless of what time or bathroom I selected to take a sh*t in not 30 seconds after I sat down a janitor would knock on the door to clean the bathroom. It's not as if it was one janitor, just some random janitor would inevitably need to clean whatever bathroom I was in as soon as I got comfy. It's like I was being stalked by the janitors."
"So now I'm trying to take a sh*t knowing full well there's somebody out there actively timing how long it takes."
Looky-Loo
"I was drunk in a casino and went to use the washroom. The floors in there were a polished marble or something. Sitting on the toilet, pants down, my stall neighbour made eye contact with me on the reflective floor tile."
The following examples involving minors have no legal repercussions.
Outside Watchers
"Technically, you can stand on the sidewalk and stare into someone's house through a window. It's not illegal as long as you stay off of their property, but it's really freaking creepy."
Keeping Tabs On Someone's Age
"A national newspaper having a countdown for when a child actress becomes 'legal' for sex."
"Answers to questions that will surely come. ....Yes. The Sun (UK). Emma Watson."
– pdirth
The Young Subjects
"When I was a child, we had a creepy horrible neighbor that would harass my family constantly. One of the things he did was stand at the corner of his yard and videotape me playing in a pool with my friends (we were around 8). My parents called the police but were told that it's legal if he's on his property."
These perfectly harmless examples can give you goosebumps.
Macabre
"Hanging your doll collection from the trees in your yard using string made from human hair."
People's Taste
"I believe the act of cannibalism itself is legal so long as you didn't murder anyone to do it. If your homie gives you his arm to gnaw on, it's fair game."
I recently treated myself by going to a movie theater after what seemed like a long hiatus for much of the year.
Streaming blockbuster movies from home, while convenient, has never made as much of an impact when compared to the moviegoing experience.
But after my recent trip to our local AMC, I'm beginning to think watching entertainment from the comfort of my quiet home is a much better option.
I forgot that a good majority of audience members are disrespectful and pretty much ignore all the rules—including no texting or talking during the movie.
The normal volume conversations and the number of lit screens from people's smartphone's in my peripheral vision throughout the movie were huge distractions.
Maybe as I'm getting older, my patience has worn thin, or I happened to have a particularly unpleasant experience. But seriously, how can anyone enjoy going to the movies when people are constantly updating their status inside a darkened auditorium?
It should illegal. Rant over.
I feel like if there is nothing after life, it just invalidates life. But maybe I'm just dramatic. I hope there is peace. Thoughts?
black and white two funerals GIFTogether...
"When we die, the whole world as seen by us, dies together with us."
"Yes it does. As does the entire universe. Only when we are alive can we experience the passage of time. The instant we die the entire universe will experience heat death and cease to be. It my take a million eons but since we can no longer experience time it will be relatively instantaneous."
- OkEbb749
Thanks Alan
"It's one of the great wonders of life: What will it be like to go to sleep and never wake up? And if you think long enough about that, something will happen to you. You will find out, among other things, that it will pose the next question to you: What was it like to wake up after never having gone to sleep? That was when you were born. You see, you can't have an experience of nothing. Nature abhors a vacuum. ~Alan Watts"
So Romantic...
"When I was much younger, I had a dream where I died. Not a typical dream, not a romanticized dream. It was a dream where I was an archer in a medieval battle. About 5 minutes into the battle, chaos was all around me, and I watched an opposing archer aim and loose an arrow straight into my left eye."
"I remember the sensation of impact, ringing in my ears, and falling to the ground. I remember the warmth of the blood on my face. The feeling of life leaving my body, and the sense of worry evaporating into warmth and peace as the world left behind me."
"I remember waking up shortly after thinking that the feeling and reality of that experience was so vivid and so detailed that it must have been an experience from a previous incarnation hundreds of years ago. From that moment on, I've never feared the actual process of death. I feel like I've experienced it many times before."
Erase
Computer Reaction GIFGiphy"I think one of your best friends delete's your browsing history."
"Take the hard drive out of my computer at home… Put it in the bath… And make sure it's completely wiped. -Tensai Slime"
If you love me... rule number one... HIDE THE EVIDENCE!!! Let that be heard far and wide. And dreams, always so intertwined aren't they?
Before & After
Happy Baby GIFGiphy"Exactly the same as before you were born."
- whumoon
"I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it. -Mark Twain"
Moving On...
"We clean the bed and assign it to another patient."
"The REAL reason why nurses are so dark. 90 year old man in hospice got hit by a car on his way to get fitted for his funeral tuxedo, and didn't have a DNR. Kept him alive for four hours, and now it's time to document everything that was done to save his life because there will inevitably be a lawsuit from a family member who has had four years to say goodbye but somehow didn't get to."
Again...
"Play again?
Yes
[No]
I don't know what they mean or how to utilize them. I'm a Buddhist (but a gamer first and foremost) so it's cool you guys made those connections This totally makes up for r/movies continuously banning me."
Oblivion...
"I've answered this one before but here it is again. Either two things happen after you die: you either go somewhere or it's oblivion. If it is oblivion, then we're just going back to the same place before we were born and there's nothing wrong with that. We were there for billions or trillions of years, possibly infinity."
"You lose that concept of time since your brain doesn't work anymore so you don't even know it's over. It's not nothing because nothing would be something and that means that you are aware, which you can not be if you're dead. If we do go somewhere, then that's something no one understands because no one has ever come back to tell us."
"Those stories of people coming back after they "died" and "saw stuff" weren't really dead. Their hearts stopped but their brains were still working. If the Universe continues to recycle itself infinitely, then there's a chance we will be reborn or continuously reborn but have no memory of our previous selves."
- jamoh20
On Holiday
"When I was a kid I drowned while on holiday with my family, a giant fat man jumped in the pool on top of me and no one noticed till I was on the bottom of the pool. I remember the feeling of my lungs being on fire, then shivering then as everything was going dark a strange sense of peace and I was ok with it, No panic or terror then it went black."
"I was resuscitated at the side of the pool a few minutes later. I remember nothing from the black to being "alive" again. I was around 7 when it happened and since then I've been strangely at peace with the fact that one day I will die and slip into the dark void of nothingness. Hope that helps."
Popcorn?
500 days of summer cinema GIFGiphy"You wake up in a chair in a cinema and learn that the other are past lives of you and you're about to watch your next life very soon on the big screen."
The truth is none of us know the truth. We live everyday with the afterlife being a gamble. And that seems like it's going to have to be enough.
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