Hey y’all, welcome to this week’s edition of Weekend Reflections, where I talk about what went down at work, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Y’all, when I say this weekend was a rollercoaster, it was a rollercoasterrrrrr. So many good moments, and so many moments of “excuse me, ma’am, I know you did not just threaten me!”
Highs: This weekend, my coworkers and I decided to switch things up and order from Niko Niko. Let me tell you, it was worth it! The food was solid, but their pistachio cake? Absolute perfection. I’m a sucker for trying out new restaurants and cuisines, and this one’s definitely getting a repeat visit.
Also, I had some great interactions with patients who brought their sense of humor along. There’s something about a good dad joke and a smile that just makes everything better. Those little moments really brighten my day and remind me why I love what I do.
Lows: This weekend had its challenges. The number of angry family members I dealt with was off the charts. I even had to sit down with my manager and director to talk through one particularly tough case. During the conversation, my director hit me with a piece of advice that I really needed to hear: “You don’t have to listen to anyone threatening you; just hang up the phone.” It’s so easy to forget that in the heat of the moment, but it’s important to remember—no one deserves verbal abuse or threats.
Another tough moment was dealing with a substance abuse case. The patient had overdosed, and their dad was by their side when I went to see them. It’s heartbreaking to see families go through the trauma of nearly losing a loved one. I tried to comfort the dad, but I also had to remind him that, at a certain point, there’s only so much you can do. The patient was in his late 50s. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. It’s a tough reality to face, but it’s something I see all too often.