Aristus
Aristus's JournalNow I've seen everything! A patient stuck rolled-up newspaper in his ear and set it on fire.
A patient came in complaining of ear pain. I asked the usual questions. Any discharge from your ear? Any prolonged exposure to loud noises? Did you stick anything in there?
"Yes. My ear was really itchy, so I tried a home remedy that's supposed to ease the itching. I stuck a piece of rolled-up newspaper in my ear and set it on fire. The pain got worse after that."
I took a look in his ear. No effusion, discharge, or other sign of infection. The ear canal was red and irritated-looking, but otherwise fine.
I gave him some information which could prevent such an occurrence in the future; namely: don't stick something in your ear and light it on fire!
Rx for ibuprofen for the pain.
Have a nice day...
I want to live on a smarter planet...
I'll take my small victories anywhere I can get them. I rescued an anti-vaxxer yesterday.
Had a new patient come in for a visit yesterday. Had a very pleasant encounter with him as I got his past medical history and his list of chronic conditions. We made plans to manage them with lab tests and medication refills. While he was in the lab, I started writing up the chart note. My MA put at the bottom of his chart that he had refused her offer of a flu shot. She is required to put that in the chart.
I went to the lab and had a talk with him, encouraging him to get his flu shot. He said: "That's just not something I'm in to. I don't want to do it right now."
I asked what his objections were to immunization, and he was a little vague, not stating any of the usual anti-vaxxer talking points. I guessed he just was confused by all of the misinformation out there. He said: "Isn't there still some debate as to the effectiveness of the flu shot?"
I replied: "In the media, which thrives on controversy, yes. In the scientific community, no. 100 years ago, anywhere from 50-100 million people died from the Spanish Flu. That doesn't happen anymore because of the vaccine."
He has a brand-new baby daughter. I admit to shamelessly invoking her in my argument. "By getting your flu shot, not only are you protecting yourself, you are protecting your daughter, and anyone else who, for whatever reason, is unable to get the vaccine."
"Okay. Thank you. I'll get my flu shot, then."
I went up to the MA's desk and muttered: "Quick; give him his flu shot before he changes his mind."
Science wins again!
Any chance Kavanaugh could get charged with perjury?
I'd like to see his entire tenure on the bench taken up with investigations, depositions, a trial, and, ideally, conviction and imprisonment.
So we can't impeach the bastard. Let's charge him in criminal court instead, and grind him down...
GODDAMN TRUMP AND HIS TRUMPANZEES! Just visited in clinic with a victim of sexual assault.
Her attacker was her neighbor, a creepy handsy guy who finally saw his chance when she got drunk at a party.
It was impossible not to think of Kavanaugh and all of his creepy, rapey apologists while she was telling me the history of the attack.
Fortunately, he left evidence behind (and took pics with his phone!), and she sought appropriate medical care. She also filed a police report, and has been undergoing post-traumatic counseling. Her boyfriend knows and is very supportive of her. She presented today for an STD test.
I told her in no uncertain terms that the attack was not her fault, and that getting drunk does not equal consent to sex. I told her our entire team is going to do everything we can to help her recover.
But God-damn the monsters who do this shit!...
Friday Night Wine-Buzz.
With some cannabis to help it along.
The tips of my fingers and toes are numb...
That's how you know it's working... 
Thank God It's Friday, amirite? 
I love you all...
Watch This Space - Drinking Thread Going Up Later Tonight.
If I'm even able to type by then... 
I remember when I was a kid thinking how lucky I was to have been born in the US. Now I'm wishing I had been born Canadian, or in New Zealand, or Denmark, or someplace.
Our threadbare, shopworn, moth-eaten country has definitely seen better days...
Has anyone heard any more buzz about the Army bringing back the old 'pinks and greens'?
I think it would be wonderful. The old pickle-green Class A uniform sucked. And todays' choice of ADU's or dress blues is a little impractical.
The last I heard was an Army Times report from last year. Anything a little more recent?
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Gender: MaleHometown: Puyallup, Washington
Member since: 2001
Number of posts: 66,327
