CK always comes around with a story that makes us laugh.
And for those who aren't around nurses, or medical professionals, I need to warn you, they have a skewed sense of humor. Almost, macabre. But, in those fields, it's necessary. Anyway...
She was telling us about an agitated resident. (most, but not all residents in her area are of diminished capacity...this is a critical piece you need to remember for the story).
Anyway, this agitated person was sitting in a recliner in a common area, yelling loudly, disturbing the entire area. CK was trying to calm her down, but her response to every attempt was unusual. "They were trying to kill her".
CK: Can I get you a blanket?
Resident: AAAAAAAA, YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL ME!
CK: (hoping to remove the resident to her room, and therefore away from the group) Would you feel better in bed, Dear?
R: AAAAAA, YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL ME!
CK: Can I get you XXXX?
R: AAAAA,.........!
CK: How about we try to lie down?
R: NO! CAUSE THEN YOU'LL KILL ME!
After repeated attempts, over a period of time, CK hit the end of her rope.
CK: No Dear. I wouldn't kill you in bed. Too much mess, and I'd have to clean it up. Easier to do it in the recliner.
R: Quietly looked at CK for a minute with wide eyes. Then her eyes narrowed,and she slowly said in a hushed voice, "What's wrong with your mind?"
As Ck was telling us about this, the look on her face when the resident dropped THAT line on her, was priceless.
Oh, and the resident calmed right down after that, and went about her business like none of it ever happened.
It takes a special person to do what CK does. And we've always told her she was special. (read that however you want.)
Priceless happens.
I can see CK doing that - too funny!
Posted by: bogie | December 26, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Hey, even the "special" kind of people that do my job can run out of patients!! There is nothing you can do about it.
Posted by: CK | December 26, 2008 at 06:35 PM