To Talk Like This and Act Like That

Wow.  I really stunk at taking pictures last month.  I did get out to Temple Square one day; I posted a few on my photography blog, which has been woefully neglected for the past several months.  I have had several blog posts running around in my head, though they really aren't connected at all, and I don't have pictures for them.  Sorry.  I guess I'll just start here anyway.

Last Wednesday, Dr. H was at Riverton.  It was a busy day, and I was a "star body," meaning that I didn't have an assignment to a particular room; I just went around helping.  And I kept busy--I hardly sat down all morning.  I was helping out in Dr. H's room, and everyone and everything was ready except for Dr. H, so I suggested that we do a time-out (that's where we all make sure we have the right patient and we are doing the right procedure . . . we do it before every surgery).  The time-out is supposed to be initiated by the surgeon, though rarely is someone offended when someone else suggests that we do it--we all know it has to be done.  After I suggested the time-out, Dr. H said something to the effect of, "So you're an extra person today?  Well, just make sure that we don't get more and more people in here, because then the Oprah circle gets started and I just don't like all those people in my room."  He always assumes that where two or more women are gathered, they will start yapping about Oprah.  Okay, whatever.  We did the time-out, and then he continued: "I don't mind if you stay, as long as you don't say anything."  He kept going on like that, and since I knew he was talking more about me than to me, I just backed up out of the room and left without saying another word.  As I was leaving, Dr. H said, "Oh, c'mon.  I didn't really mean it."  Uh, yes he did.  I didn't come back until the case was over and they were cleaning up.  Dr. H saw me come in and said something like, "How long are you going to be mad at me?  When are you going to forgive me?  Because it would be the Christian thing to do to forgive me."  I told him that I did forgive him, and that that statement was offensive to me, because he cannot tell me if I am being Christian or not.  He then said sorry like he meant it, but I also heard him say something about this being another reason why he doesn't like to work at Riverton.  He left to go talk to the family, and we all went about our business, but I was trying to hold back tears.  The nurse and the anesthesiologist in the room said they were sorry, and that they appreciated my help, which was sweet of them. 

I was frustrated more than anything.  Yes, it's just the way Dr. H rolls--he's very high-maintenance, and he thinks very highly of himself.  There are not many people who enjoy working with him, and it's generally agreed that he is a jerk who doesn't want anybody else to take the spotlight away from him, even by talking (though apparently he's very friendly outside the O.R.  I wouldn't know).  And whenever I have to work with him, I have learned to keep my mouth shut.  He doesn't want to hear what I might have to say.  He has no respect for me.  As long as I do my job and stay silent, we get along fine.  But his saying that over my suggestion that we do a time-out just did me in.  Honestly, I don't get offended very easily and I get along with 99% of the people I work with.  But having someone you hardly know describe to everybody else how worthless your best efforts are in such a nonchalant manner . . .that hurts. 

I got over it, and I even gave a lunch relief in that room later that day and we all came out okay.  My manager even asked him later how his day was going, and apparently he told her what he did.  I don't know how that went down, and quite frankly, I don't want to know.  I'm done with him.  I'll work with him if I have to, but I won't speak to him again if I can help it.



So that was last week.  In a total juxtaposition, yesterday was a lovely day at work; probably the best I ever had at the main house.  Here are some reasons why it was so good.


a)  I got up on time and got to work early enough to check the case carts with out too much stress.

b)  When I got there, I found out I was working with Dr. Kelly.  He's not my favorite, but he's nice enough--very methodical and predictable, and he didn't have any funky airway cases or anything.  Just tubes and tonsils.  That much I can do without stressing.

c)  I remembered my hats and I clocked in correctly--a rarity for me when I'm floating.

d)  I have to change into hospital scrubs when I get to work, and more often than not they don't fit.  I actually got some that did fit--on the first try, no less.  The pants were even long enough!  I usually have to change once or twice to find some that are comfortable and that don't look like capris.

e)  There was leftover fruit from a retirement party that I got to partake of, as well as some fun-size candy bars from a rep hanging out in the lounge.  Yay for free food!

f)  We did 7-8 little cases, starting at 7:30 and we were finished by noon.  I had a nice lunch, then I worked on my employee spotlights in the afternoon.  I brought my camera and laptop and actually used them.  I was productive, and I got all my hours without my boss bugging me to go home.

g)  I got a primo parking spot in the terrace.  Right by the stairs.

It was just such a lovely day at work, with everything coming together so nicely.  Today was okay, though apparently it was my bra's expiration date--snapped both underwires.  Gah.  Here's to tomorrow (payday, thank heavens), and to bra shopping once again.