Bleeding from Below

I'm done my ED rotation, and I made it home in this somewhat perilous weather. I think my favourite part of the rotation was all the different people you get to see - it really is like a "box of chocolates" in never knowing "what you're gonna get". Some people were nasty, but it was all wiped away when you'd see a sweet 90 some year old person, who was awake, alert and oriented and only rambling a little.

It would be interesting to see from a patient's perspective what it is like visiting a teaching hospital. I know I've tried to look at certain instances from their perspective, and I honestly begin to laugh at the awkwardness of some of the interactions. For example, in the ED, for many different complaints a "Guaiac" has to be done to make sure the person is not bleeding internally. I was scutted out more than a few times to collect the sample on patients that I had not interviewed or examined myself.....so basically, I'd blindly walk into a patient's room, introduce myself as "Dana, the medical student", and state I needed to check if they were bleeding from below. How would you feel if a stranger came up to you and implied they had to put a finger in your bottom?
In observing the situation from a third person perspective, perhaps I have an evil sense of humour, but I really can't help but laugh....because it is sort of funny. Although from a more empathetic point of view I feel bad, because the person is already feeling sick and vulnerable....

Anyways, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to everyone. In another month, my blog will again be taking place in warmer, sunny weather!