I have a job with home health

[JackieOnLine]

it's not full time and so far it's odd and stressful but it's nice to be out and about in the world all wearing socks and everything. supposedly, I see three patients this afternoon but the plan was I drive to Reno this morning to get my computer but it's not ready yet. so, I am just waiting to hear it's ready and not sure what happens if it doesn't happen in time.

I went along to shadow a therapist who saw the same three people on Tuesday so I've met them and I hopefully know enough to get the documentation done - we shall see.

I can tell already that - just like in a nursing home - I am going to have a ton of stories I can't share due to privacy laws. people sure are interesting!

also, a big THANK you to those who reached out to me for posting "sad" - I appreciate it. I doubt I will ever not face depression and anxiety since I've had them so long but everybody has issues, right? and we don't get to pick which ones.

one of my dogs got pancreatitis this past year and just had a flareup and now the other one has it, too. he isn't out of the woods yet the poor little peanut. but he perked up after the vet's office gave him fluids and he is fasting til tonight. we'll see - but what a horrible disease!

 

[southernlady]

it's not full time and so far it's odd and stressful but it's nice to be out and about in the world all wearing socks and everything. supposedly, I see three patients this afternoon but the plan was I drive to Reno this morning to get my computer but it's not ready yet. so, I am just waiting to hear it's ready and not sure what happens if it doesn't happen in time.

I went along to shadow a therapist who saw the same three people on Tuesday so I've met them and I hopefully know enough to get the documentation done - we shall see.

I can tell already that - just like in a nursing home - I am going to have a ton of stories I can't share due to privacy laws. people sure are interesting!

also, a big THANK you to those who reached out to me for posting "sad" - I appreciate it. I doubt I will ever not face depression and anxiety since I've had them so long but everybody has issues, right? and we don't get to pick which ones.

one of my dogs got pancreatitis this past year and just had a flareup and now the other one has it, too. he isn't out of the woods yet the poor little peanut. but he perked up after the vet's office gave him fluids and he is fasting til tonight. we'll see - but what a horrible disease!

At least you are going to be working and getting outside with people.
Sorry about your pooch.

 

[CaitlynR]

You can still share stories, just mix em up. My rule of thumb is that I mix up the stories enough that I could be talking about you, to you, and you wouldn't know it. I think I consider it a high art at this point. ;-)

 

[JackieOnLine]

I can try but we have been warned about this: often the stuff that is interesting about people involves whatever their medical issues are and this is considered something that identifies them as much as if I used their name rather than someone else's name.

I mean to be careful, anyway. besides it seems mean to go into people homes and then talk about it - best not. but I will say having a problem with CLUTTER is not an uncommon problem in our population. in fact, having just a path through the house that is just wide enough for your walker seems to be the norm.

in other news, Fritz is getting white rice and broth for his first food tonight: here's hoping he can keep it down. he still won't drink plain water but if I flavor it with a bit of no salt broth he will and no vomit all day so maybe his poor stomach is settled.

reading about pancreatitis makes me want to NEVER have it.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

You are wise to be cautious.

A couple of decades back and then some, an acquaintance, an RN, was telling me a story. Mind you, all I knew about her job was that she was an RN who did some kind of admin work, not patient care.

To reassure me about the stress I was feeling re my being off work so long (a non-work-related thing), she started describing a dude whose case she managed in her position as a Work Comp case manager. No names. But her description of him...exceptionally high achieving fellow, Mr. Number One in everything he ever did (without mentioning specifics)...I knew who she was talking about. (Probably because I had dated him years earlier...lol.)

I just stared at her for a second...and then, because I'm a smart ass, asked, "So how is [guy's first name] doing now?"

Her chin hit the street. And then I said, "If you tell me...and don't mention to my husband that I'm inquiring about this guy...no one will ever know you told this story."

He was doing much better. He went back to work. (Last I heard, his pensions equaled a paltry $36,000...per month. And, by the way, he also married and SHE struggles by with a mere $25,000+...per month. I always wonder how people who retire on a mere $60,000 per month can manage, don't you? I mean, only two grand a day? And there's TWO of them!)

And this IS the first time I told that story.
(The event occurred circa 1991.)
(Don't tell Mr.Sue. LOL)

 

[CaitlynR]

Ok, but imagine if she described the person as a woman in a different decade of life, who she worked with at a different time period (if it was recent, say it was 5 years ago, or vice versa). Only preserve the aspects that were the point...a high achieving, ambitious person who was also stressed out but ended up doing well. False details added to flesh out the character.

I will say, the vast majority of times I talk about patients are in this sort of context, that there is a point that I think may be helpful to the audience and I preserve the point and dump the rest. Sometimes the "client" is really a story about me. I value honesty very highly but I always disclaim that these stories are not accurate by design. But the core of the story is real.

However, talking stories just for entertainment purposes would be harder, as the "point" may be one of frustration or humor at someone's expense. Given the power differential between provider and patient, it violates the whole "punch up" rule of humor. So these sort of thing I usually talk about non patient aspects of work or generalities.

For example: I can share that some people waste their time and mine and show up but then just want to complain about everyone in their lives and ignore me when I try to refocus on areas they have control/influence. I have had people literally roll their eyes at me when I try to give any feedback at all. I wish they would just get a pet, who would enjoy the attention and keep quiet which is the service they are seeking. (Ok not the funniest story from work, mostly venting, but you get the point, this isn't about any one specifically and doesn't violate anything).

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Yes, there ARE ways to tell the stories.

 

[bearmom]

Yay on the new position! I always like working with seniors, and still often go with my mom to the senior local lunch (they consider me a "kid" at 52) just because many of the ppl there are so interesting. It's also nice that I get rock star status for no reason, lol. The few times I've actually worked with seniors, it could be frustrating with low pay, but I had more job satisfaction than most other things I've done.

I've been gone and missed "sad", but am sorry you deal with depression, and can relate. I'm not necessarily recommending this, but have done some reading on micro doses of LSD and psilocybin, a mushroom-derived hallucinogen and and effectiveness on depression. Several types of the mushrooms grow here, even on my property although they usually get snapped up by teens. I've only had limited success with SSRIs, and after too much introspection a year or so ago, looked into other options. If I have another round of deciding that humanity and the planet is better off without me, I may give it a try, but am pretty leery as I'm not in a place I want to "trip", but just feel OK.

Is Fritz sill keeping food/water down? I discovered popsicles for dogs years ago, with a dog that had quit drinking, and it was basically something like gatorade but chicken broth flavored, frozen into a puck type thing she could lick. I found them at a place called Mud Bay Grainery, but think it's a localish chain, and those may not be in every pet store. I'd probably just make them if ever needed again.

 

[JackieOnLine]

yes, Fritz is back to (old dog) normal - when he wouldn't drink I took him in for fluids but if I'd had broth that usually works. the morning after we'd gone to the vet he stopped drinking again and with a taste of (salt free) beef broth added he went back to drinking water whenever I offered it and he was nothing but recovery since then.

my last therapy job (in fact my only job for years now) has been in a nursing home so it's all about the seniors. I love feeling like the kid in the room when I am 56.

have done some reading on micro doses of LSD and psilocybin, a mushroom-derived hallucinogen and and effectiveness on depression.

interesting


for now I am feeling better - and am on a second blood pressure medication, so that is under control. yay!

 

[JackieOnLine]

Yes, there ARE ways to tell the stories.

I could really mess that up, though, and I also could use practice keeping my mouth closed. I feel so proud I have already had a patient who had fox "news" on their TV and complained to me about something I know damn well is a big lie - and I just redirected her to therapy because that is what I need to do. at least for a patient and their families.

 

[k9ophile]

I could really mess that up, though, and I also could use practice keeping my mouth closed. I feel so proud I have already had a patient who had fox "news" on their TV and complained to me about something I know damn well is a big lie - and I just redirected her to therapy because that is what I need to do. at least for a patient and their families.

You can rant and rave in your car after you've given the needed care. I deal with opposing political views the way I deal with nutritionists. I smile and nod. Well, most of the time. I will discuss things, but do not get into shouting matches.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

You can rant and rave in your car after you've given the needed care. I deal with opposing political views the way I deal with nutritionists. I smile and nod. Well, most of the time. I will discuss things, but do not get into shouting matches.

Oh! How I wish I were better at that!

 

[k9ophile]

Oh! How I wish I were better at that!

I can lend you my know-it-all patronizing brother for practice. He's the source of my, "Hmm. I'll have to think about that." I love him and this state of mind has allowed me to do so. (Well, that and the fact he's in OH and I'm in TN.) Also, working around arrogant physicians has helped me perfect the "I'm such a simpleton!" act for years.

“Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

I've followed this advice for years.

 

[hilary1617]

Remembering the aphorism, "never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man", saves me often in today's political environment. Congratulations on the position!!!

 

[DianaCox]

Time Enough for Love is my favorite book. I wish the rest of Heinlein's writings didn't disappoint me so much in comparison.