Rachel Brooks63, seriously, please just quote my "rudeness." 😈 If you can't even do that, then quit coming at me with these constant threats—this is a public forum, if I'm not mistaken, not your own private playground. 🙄
I mean, look, we all know free speech isn't actually a thing, even though people love to pretend it is... but this whole situation is honestly getting pretty exhausting.
Regarding that bit about hemorrhagic shock you added later—look, things like fear, looking pale, and intense pain can show up during both hemorrhagic and traumatic shock, but they can also happen on their own, regardless of how much bleeding is actually going on. It would be absolutely amazing if being a doctor was just like following a simple cheat sheet: okay, if the answer to question one is B, the second is C, and the third is A, then it’s definitely a duodenal ulcer; or if it's B-B-A, it's meningitis, or A-C-B means pregnancy... But, unfortunately, that’s just not how reality works... 😢
Mistakes can happen anywhere. Even we made massive errors back when we were launching the Space Shuttle 😈
Honestly, I feel like a lot of people in this thread are struggling with a specific misconception— they seem to think that doctors make mistakes ON PURPOSE, out of pure malice or some twisted desire to hurt the patient!
Well, let me tell you, that couldn't be further from the truth 🙂
Look, obviously, if you're in immediate life-threatening danger, or if delaying medical care right now could lead to things getting way worse—like death or permanent disability... any doctor is legally obligated to take you in and get you stabilized 😍 Otherwise, they aren't required to—they have to follow certain hospital protocols and administrative rules. Despite what people might think, Medicare isn't exactly this perfect, fail-safe safety net 😬 and it doesn't always live up to the rosy promises politicians make to voters during an election cycle...
Look, any doctor you go see is going to start by assessing your situation first. Unless they decide you’re in the middle of an absolute crisis that needs immediate, life-saving attention, they might just refer you to a different physician based on whatever administrative rules are currently in play—like where you live or which provider actually holds your medical records. It's basically just how the insurance and hospital systems manage things. 😈
Just because I’m a doctor doesn't mean I’m expected to have the exact organizational layout of every single emergency service unit memorized 😍 (that’s just how assumptions 🤮 work ). 🙂
Look, regarding NYC, I know purely from general knowledge 😬 that there’s the Mayo Clinic right in the middle of the city, pretty close to the Trauma Center (though word is the Mayo Clinic might get a new building near the intersection of Broadway and Broadway, somewhere near the new FBI headquarters). They send out units for emergencies, but they also have an ER right inside their own facility for people who show up on foot or by car. But, since any system can get overwhelmed, the standard practice is that patients with a primary care physician usually go to them first, or head to a local community clinic. Those neighborhood doctors basically cover for one another when it comes to minor stuff—you know, things like strep throat or earaches and that kind of thing.
The thing is, since the staff at the Mayo Clinic ER and those local clinics are often general practitioners, and let's be honest, they can't always fix everything on the spot, patients get referred to specialized surgical or internal medicine departments at the major hospitals. That whole process is dictated by where you live—it’s pretty obvious that if you live over in Savannah, you're heading to Brooklyn, and if you're in the western suburbs, you're going to Holy Spirit, etc. Of course, if we're talking life-or-death stuff like heart attacks or car accidents, it all comes down to getting someone to the nearest hospital—if you crash closer to Brooklyn, you're going to Brooklyn...
Obviously, if you aren't living in NYC, you have more options. 🙂
So, regarding all the unfairness or grief you've dealt with from some "evil" healthcare workers—even if things have been trending in a certain direction lately—please don't pin the blame on me. 😈
Before we get all sentimental and dramatic about this, I just want to drop a little reality check—just because a patient feels like their situation is an "emergency" doesn't mean it’s actually a medical emergency. 😈 For instance, if you've had a sore throat for a couple of days, it might be driving you absolutely crazy and getting on my last nerve, but that isn't what the ER is for. You should be seeing your primary care doctor instead.
Justin Fox, honey, maybe do a little more digging on this: being gay doesn't mean you face an absolute risk of catching AIDS any higher than any heterosexual person engaging in risky sexual behavior 🙂
Come on, sweetie 😍, do you even actually know what counts as risky sexual behavior in the first place???? 😈
This is honestly just plain stupid and discriminatory—I really feel like someone needs to challenge the legality of this whole regulation.
Nowadays, being gay or an IV drug user isn't automatically seen as the only way to be at risk for AIDS; instead, we look at anyone engaging in high-risk sexual behavior across the entire population 😈
Jack Roberts83 said:I really hope you aren't actually some corrupt bitch in real life after dropping a comment like that. 🙄
What you quoted is absolutely spot on! And hey, if that's how you see me—fine by me, I honestly don't care. 😈
Honestly, I feel embarrassed for my colleagues who take a bottle of wine or a coffee from patients like you, only to be labeled liars or corrupt pigs later on.🙄
That’s why I don't accept anything at all (unless the patient happens to be a close friend, but you wouldn't get that anyway)—even though plenty of people take offense, thinking I didn't "offer enough." I just gently explain to them that I don't need anything and that seeing them feel better is more than enough for me.
And everyone should keep in mind that a good number of us doctors also find certain patients incredibly grating (especially those who think they can buy anyone and everything). Just like patients sometimes find certain doctors annoying, too. 😈 That doesn't mean we aren't equally professional and skilled with every single patient; far from it.
But please, lose the illusion that we exist solely for your comfort and well-being. 😬
Most importantly, let's be clear: some of us cannot be bought. Not with gifts, and certainly not with money. 🙏
redhawk76 said:You’re out here saying you wouldn't even take a glass of water from "certain people" around here if they begged you. That pretty much implies you *would* accept things from others—maybe those who are a bit more submissive or less likely to push back—and honestly, based on that heated reaction, it sounds like you think you have some kind of inherent right to act that way. Look, I'm just saying: it might actually be good for you to hear what patients really think about that "right" of yours every once in a while.
If patients were actually forced to answer whether they... Honestly, I think what people are really after—for themselves and for their kids down the road—is just a society where basic decency isn't a luxury. They want a world where, if you’re actually happy with a public service or some government program, you can just look the person in the eye, give them a genuine smile, and say "thank you" without it being weird. They’re dreaming of a future where that kind of mutual respect is just the standard way things work, rather than being some rare exception. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with just that one word, but I'm all ears if you want to dive into a topic or hash something out. Whether you're weighing two different options or just testing the waters, feel free to lay it all out. I've always been a fan of those "this or that" debates—they usually lead to some pretty interesting rabbit holes once you start digging. Just let me know what's on your mind! I’m still sitting here absolutely overthinking this whole thing. I keep driving myself crazy trying to figure out who actually deserves a "thank you" gift and what that should even look like. Should I go with something classic like a nice scarf or maybe some cool desk decor? How much should I even spend? I don't want to look cheap by giving something tiny, but I definitely don't want to come off as "too much" or awkward. It’s such a fine line—you want it to be thoughtful without being overly personal, but if it’s too cliché, it feels hollow. Honestly, I'm at the point where I'm questioning if I should even bother giving anything at all...
Even if we actually managed to pull this off—if we could make a system like this work without someone getting burned, whether it’s a patient at a hospital or a clerk at the DMV—I honestly think it would be a wake-up call. It’d probably become pretty obvious, pretty fast, that people aren't actually as obsessed with "freebies" or handouts as everyone likes to claim. At the end of the day, you’ve got so many people out there just absolutely crushing it—whether they're working on the floor at a Target, grinding away as engineers, or putting their heart into local community programs. They’re so dedicated and selfless in what they do that it honestly doesn't even cross anyone's mind to give them an extra pat on the back or some kind of special recognition. It’s just treated like the status quo, you know? Like, people assume that being incredibly hardworking and giving your all is just the baseline, so they don't think twice about rewarding that level of commitment. Look, at the end of the day, my issue with healthcare workers isn't because I think they’re the most corrupt group in our district—honestly, some studies suggest things are even sketchier over in the legal system anyway. It’s more about practical reality. We all run into medical staff several times a year just by living our lives, whereas most of us will go our entire lives without ever needing to deal with a lawyer. It's just about how often you actually have to cross paths with them. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about those "silent powerhouses"—you know the ones. I’m talking about the quiet, hardworking, incredibly competent, and patient types. The people who act like the unsung heroes of any organization. They aren't looking for a spotlight, they don't demand accolades, and if someone tries to give them unearned praise, they’ll probably just politely decline it. All they really want is a simple "thank you," and honestly, that’s it. But it makes me wonder: why do they stay silent? Why do they let society lump them into the same category as the corrupt, loud-mouthed "bad guys"? It feels so unfair when the people actually keeping the wheels turning get painted with the same brush as the sharks running crooked schemes. I really want to believe there are way more of these steady, reliable souls out there than there are of the villains. Does anyone else feel this way?
Come on, redhawk76, go take a walk or something and get some fresh air. Once you've calmed down a bit, feel free to come back if you actually have something smart or relevant to contribute. Otherwise, just keep it quiet. 😈
And just in case you forgot what we were actually talking about:
Is it a legitimate tip or just a bribe? Honestly, that line between a "thank you" gift and a kickback can feel pretty blurry sometimes, especially when you're dealing with bureaucracy. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, mostly because I had a weird encounter at the DMV last week. I was sitting there, just waiting for my paperwork to clear, and I watched this guy hand a twenty to the clerk after she helped him skip a massive headache with his registration. On one hand, he was just being a decent human being and showing appreciation for her extra effort. On the other hand, it felt a little bit like he was paying for special treatment. It makes you wonder where the boundary actually sits. In my mind, if you're giving someone something because they went above and beyond their job description to help you out, that's just being a good person. But if the expectation is that you *have* to pay up just to get the service you're already entitled to? That’s definitely moving into shady territory. It’s such a gray area, and it really depends on the intention behind the gesture. What do you guys think? Is there a clear distinction, or is it all just a matter of perspective? Hey everyone, I was hoping I could tap into the collective wisdom here for a bit of advice. I’m looking to get a thank-you gift for my doctor—he honestly did an incredible job getting me back on my feet after some serious health issues—but I'm feeling a little stuck on the logistics. I really want to show my appreciation, but I don't want to overthink it. I’m trying to find that perfect middle ground where it doesn't feel like I'm blowing a massive amount of money, but it also doesn't look like an afterthought or something cheap. You know that awkward spot where you don't want to seem "too much" or overly personal, but you still want it to feel genuine? If you guys have any ideas for something thoughtful but sensible, I'm all ears. What's worked for you in the past when you wanted to say thanks to a professional without making things weird? I honestly think they don't actually want to become an alcoholic, which is probably why those empty bottles just keep piling up. I see we’ve got quite a few doctors lurking in this thread, so I figured I’d throw this out there to them—and honestly, anyone else who might have some insight from their own life experience. I'm really curious to hear what you guys think. __________________ crimsonpuma48
Look, my reaction isn't exactly like yours—you seem pretty worked up about this—but I’m coming at this from a different angle. I’ve been working in the healthcare field here in the States for twenty years now, and in all that time, I have never once asked anyone for a bribe. Period. Now, don't get me wrong, I have received gifts before, but those always came from people I actually know and truly respect. To be honest, not every patient is easy to deal with, and frankly, not everyone is deserving of a gesture like that. Some people just don't earn it. There are days when I wouldn't even take a pack of tissues from someone, let alone anything else. Look, I have absolutely zero intention of accepting anything from someone who thinks they can just buy their way into some kind of special treatment. Or worse, like they think they can actually buy me.
Honestly, you’re probably not even going to get where I'm coming from on this one. 😈 Look, you really need to drop the whole social justice act, like that "poor lady at the grocery store" routine. It’s getting honestly exhausting, and honestly? It isn't even working. You aren't actually making anyone more empathetic toward social issues by playing the pity card—you're just being tedious. 😎
It’s like there's this unspoken rule that doctors have to be these awkward, nerdy types with thick glasses and zero style—just total shut-ins who live for their textbooks and their patients. As if they aren't allowed to have an actual life outside the hospital, let alone a hobby or something they actually enjoy doing.
Spot on!!!! Seriously, what is this idea that we should all be living like monks? Like we shouldn't think about anything other than our work and our patients 24/7, 365 days a year. 🙏 🙏 🙏
Not too long ago, I actually dared to mention on my blog that I, just like everyone else, have free time where I don't want to hear a single thing about patients, their problems, or my job. And man, did people react. Not only was I branded as someone completely lacking empathy—basically labeled a monster—but people were even openly calling for my head.😈
Egg and Megan Reed - honestly, it feels like you guys are living in a completely different dimension when it comes to where and when you actually exist 😂 😂 😂
I'm right there with you on this, but I can't say I'm feeling too bad about it 😬
Look, it’s not just about having genetically prone hypertrophic scarring. Some people are just naturally wired for wonky healing, but even then, no two scars look the same. It’s wild how much variables play into it—where the wound is located, the specific technique the doctor used, or even the type of sutures they picked out... but it goes deeper than that. For women, the timing within the menstrual cycle can actually make a difference, not to mention how much stress your body was under while trying to knit itself back together, or how you handled the wound care at home. And honestly? There’s always that mysterious "Factor X" that plastic surgeons always talk about in their textbooks. 😈
St. John's Wort is really best used during that later stage when the scar tissue starts to contract—though honestly, I don't think there's any harm in applying the oil beforehand right where the incision is going to be. Neven ointment is great for speeding up epithelialization—basically helping both skin and mucous membranes heal. You can use it on vaginal or anal mucosa without any issues, especially if you use Dr. Theissov’s version since it uses a lard base. That makes it useful for treating vaginal erosions or even dealing with hemorrhoids (I actually suggest it quite often when paired with my own "secret" trick of local icing 😈).
As for looking up some official textbook on this stuff—look, this is just basic bread-and-butter knowledge for my line of work. It's the kind of thing you just know by heart without needing to go hunting through a manual...
Keep it dry and just let it be until it starts leveling out with the surrounding skin... after a few days pass, you can start applying calendula ointment over the whole wound area and its perimeter. It really helps boost epithelialization and has those nice, natural mild antibiotic properties...
Look, if the wound has actually closed up—meaning the stitches are already out—then someone’s basically just staring at it; it shouldn't be oozing any pus at all!!! If there is pus, then you're looking at a secondary infection caused by over-fiddling with it or picking at the scab. The golden rule here is simple:you don't need to be constantly washing and re-dressing a surgical wound!!!
By the way, why on earth would anyone feel the need to wash a wound that's dry and healing perfectly fine with water "multiple times a day"??? I mean, how many times a day do you wash your legs or your... other parts? 😈
For a wound that's healed or in the final stages of healing—one that's "healthy" and doing its job—you should only be re-dressing it every 2-3 days. Once it's pretty much finished healing, a daily shower is fine, but after that, you just gently pat the area dry with a clean towel and cover it with sterile gauze until the discharge completely stops. Doing anything more than that just risks causing a secondary infection, which is really just contaminating the site by messing with it too much.🙂
Now, primary infections where things start failing right from the jump are an entirely different animal.😬