perks and downfalls

 Downfalls

I didn’t like the atmosphere of the Transplant Center. It seemed like an over booked and somewhat unorganized clinic. It was common for me to see patients wait in the lobby for a half an hour.  There were also a few crabby people working at the front desk. Unfortunately the few crabby people EASILY overshadowed everyone else’s kindness.

When I was making cancellation phone calls, a patient was concerned about her test numbers and felt that waiting 2 more months for the next available appointment would be detrimental to her health. I was honest with her and told her it was my first day working and that I would call her back. I inquired with a front desk lady and she said that nothing could be done; she acted as if I was blaming her for the cancelled appointment. Another man wanted to know if he should switch doctors since it was another cancellation. The same lady threw her hands up in the air and said we couldn’t give advice. It was his choice. Not satisfied with these answers, I went to my supervisor and she told me that it was unacceptable. Luckily we were able to keep the appointment for the lady with the bad test numbers. However, I am appalled that such an insincere, bitter woman can work at a transplant clinic. It would be one thing to be at a store, but it is another when it is a clinic that serves people with serious illnesses.

I did not like how I wasn’t guaranteed interaction with patients each shift. In my other position, all I did was talk to patients. I do realize that I was still helping them get a better clinic experience, but I was sad that I couldn’t interact with them more.

Perks

However the few interactions I did get, brightened my day significantly. Whenever I got a chance to exchange a word with a patient in the lobby or in the clinic I did. These are some of the memorable moments that made it worthwhile.

It was a dreary fall morning and a 40 year old lady in a business suit had a jug 10 inches in diameter. People couldn’t help but to comment on it. Her defense was that it held only 5 cups of coffee; it looked like it held more but lots the bulk was for insulation.  She engaged each person, including me, and spread her infectious laughter. It made me happy that one person was able to make at least 15 people laugh within the 15 minutes she sat there.

In the infusion clinic, someone in their early 20s was getting an infusion. I got the feeling that this was one of her first times because I had not seen her before, and she was accompanied by several of her friends. They sat attentively at her side as she laid there. While I was cleaning the drink station, one of the friends came over and was surveying the drinks available. He told me she wanted tea but didn’t know if the kind available was the one she liked. I let him know that if she didn’t like that one, there were others available. He came back because it wasn’t the kind she liked. So I ran over to the other clinic and grabbed 2 other types. He seemed very thankful and I hope that I helped make his friend feel more comfortable.

One of my favorite people I met was a man in a wheel chair who was missing his leg below the knee. I was feeling bad for him because the drink station I was working at wasn’t wheelchair friendly. So as I passed him I asked if he want something to drink. He said “No thank you, but I could use a tissue.” Due to how his chair was positioned he didn’t realize they were right behind him. Once again I pitied his situation. A nurse standing by the door asked him how he was doing. I expected an “okay” for an answer; he is in Transplant clinic, missing part of his leg, and in a wheel chair. Rather he shocked me with the happiest sounding, “I am doing TERRIFIC! It is a beautiful day!” when it was only 30 degrees outside and somewhat cloudy. I realized that he did not need my sympathy, but rather I should be envying him. He clearly had a better outlook on the day and was happier than me as a result. I told so many people about this man and how amazing his attitude was. I wish I could have gotten to know that man because I could have learned so much from him!

I also liked my position because I befriended the staff of the infusion clinic because they weren’t always as busy as the transplant staff.