One of those days...
Do you ever just have one of those days? I believe today was that day for me.
If you know me, you know that I am a pretty positive person. I always look for the brighter side in every situation, and for the most part ... I did that today. But, sometimes it just all gets to me. Little things build up and then big things happen on top of the little things. I'm almost certain that most of you know what I'm talking about. So, let me tell you a little bit of how my day went ;)
I found out that our checking account had overdrafted. First thoughts - "Stink. How did that happen? I'm so meticulous with our money." So, I began to look and discovered that although I had transferred money from our 'home account' to our 'petty cash' ... it did not clear with the other four charges. Therefore, I had a grand total of $140.00 in overdraft charges. Not cool. In digging a little deeper, I found that my new scrubs, which I just bought, were the first to clear and that charge started the snowball of overdraft charges. So, I was frustrated. I had transferred the money like a good girl, yet I was still charged unnecessarily. I found all this out before the bank was open and realized that I couldn't do anything about it until my lunch break. Therefore, I had to go on with my day and try not to worry about it too much.
On to patient care. I treated a lady this morning that told me I was young and pushy. Also, she went on to tell me that she didn't like me very much :-D Good 'ol PT. Some patients prefer to call it Pain and Torture rather than Physical Therapy. Later on, I treated a younger guy who had been pretty much a total assist until today. He was awake and following commands!! I was glowing! Finally he was up and I could get him moving again working toward the goal of getting back to life as usual. Well, my excitement quickly faded as he was completely inappropriate with me the entire time. F-bomb this, s-word that, etc. Great. I don't think I've ever had to be so stern with a patient as I was with him today, but I kept telling him that I did NOT tolerate that kind of language. And, golly gee, I had him standing maximum assist x 1 for almost 10 minutes (with a couple of minutes dispersed in between where he was minimum assist ... so, it was worth it). But, needless to say, afterwards I was pretty tired.
Lunchtime finally rolled around and I was able to call the bank. I was excited because I am the type of person who likes to get things settled as soon as possible. I explained the situation to the sweet lady on the other end in detail for almost 5 minutes. She asked questions and I answered them and we were on the phone for almost 10 minutes before she tells me that there's nothing she can do. I would have to talk to the branch manager, but she was out to lunch at the moment. Great. Why did I waste my dying battery to explain the situation to someone who cannot do anything about it? I missed the branch manager's phone call because my phone died at work, so now I will have to deal with this tomorrow at noon again.
Back to patient care. The afternoon held for me a lady who told me, my Clinical Instructor, and a few RN's that she hated all of us. Also, I saw a lady who yelled whenever she was moved and constantly screamed for someone to help her and take her home. I was supposed to get her moving and recovering from a hip fracture - boy, was she ever so happy to see me. NOT!
Now for the drive home. I called my mom like I always do after work and found out that she scheduled my cousin's baby shower for the ONLY Saturday that I have to work on this clinical rotation. Disappointment. I also realized that the nagging itch under my arms was really starting to sting. When I finally got home, I took off my scrubs and saw that I had broke out in a rash wherever the scrubs rubbed (aka at my waistline, between my thighs, under my arms, etc). How ironic that the very scrubs that caused the initial overdraft in our checking account were now giving me a burning, itching rash. Typical.
So, that is how my day went. Now for the Paige outlook on it all:
Now, let me leave you with God's outlook on our frustrations and disappointments. Two verses came to mind today:
If you know me, you know that I am a pretty positive person. I always look for the brighter side in every situation, and for the most part ... I did that today. But, sometimes it just all gets to me. Little things build up and then big things happen on top of the little things. I'm almost certain that most of you know what I'm talking about. So, let me tell you a little bit of how my day went ;)
I found out that our checking account had overdrafted. First thoughts - "Stink. How did that happen? I'm so meticulous with our money." So, I began to look and discovered that although I had transferred money from our 'home account' to our 'petty cash' ... it did not clear with the other four charges. Therefore, I had a grand total of $140.00 in overdraft charges. Not cool. In digging a little deeper, I found that my new scrubs, which I just bought, were the first to clear and that charge started the snowball of overdraft charges. So, I was frustrated. I had transferred the money like a good girl, yet I was still charged unnecessarily. I found all this out before the bank was open and realized that I couldn't do anything about it until my lunch break. Therefore, I had to go on with my day and try not to worry about it too much.
On to patient care. I treated a lady this morning that told me I was young and pushy. Also, she went on to tell me that she didn't like me very much :-D Good 'ol PT. Some patients prefer to call it Pain and Torture rather than Physical Therapy. Later on, I treated a younger guy who had been pretty much a total assist until today. He was awake and following commands!! I was glowing! Finally he was up and I could get him moving again working toward the goal of getting back to life as usual. Well, my excitement quickly faded as he was completely inappropriate with me the entire time. F-bomb this, s-word that, etc. Great. I don't think I've ever had to be so stern with a patient as I was with him today, but I kept telling him that I did NOT tolerate that kind of language. And, golly gee, I had him standing maximum assist x 1 for almost 10 minutes (with a couple of minutes dispersed in between where he was minimum assist ... so, it was worth it). But, needless to say, afterwards I was pretty tired.
Lunchtime finally rolled around and I was able to call the bank. I was excited because I am the type of person who likes to get things settled as soon as possible. I explained the situation to the sweet lady on the other end in detail for almost 5 minutes. She asked questions and I answered them and we were on the phone for almost 10 minutes before she tells me that there's nothing she can do. I would have to talk to the branch manager, but she was out to lunch at the moment. Great. Why did I waste my dying battery to explain the situation to someone who cannot do anything about it? I missed the branch manager's phone call because my phone died at work, so now I will have to deal with this tomorrow at noon again.
Back to patient care. The afternoon held for me a lady who told me, my Clinical Instructor, and a few RN's that she hated all of us. Also, I saw a lady who yelled whenever she was moved and constantly screamed for someone to help her and take her home. I was supposed to get her moving and recovering from a hip fracture - boy, was she ever so happy to see me. NOT!
Now for the drive home. I called my mom like I always do after work and found out that she scheduled my cousin's baby shower for the ONLY Saturday that I have to work on this clinical rotation. Disappointment. I also realized that the nagging itch under my arms was really starting to sting. When I finally got home, I took off my scrubs and saw that I had broke out in a rash wherever the scrubs rubbed (aka at my waistline, between my thighs, under my arms, etc). How ironic that the very scrubs that caused the initial overdraft in our checking account were now giving me a burning, itching rash. Typical.
So, that is how my day went. Now for the Paige outlook on it all:
1) We may have overdrafted, but at least it is possible to recoup the money. And, if not - oh, well. God is in control.
2) I can handle whatever a patient throws at me. My goal is to see them get better and go back to their prior level of function. So, having a patient gripe at me, tell me they hate me, drop F-bombs in my ear, or yell when I move them is all just water off my back. I know the ultimate goal, so I will keep a smile on my face and shower them with love, encouragement, and motivation.
3) There are other baby showers already planned for my cousin that I can attend. Plus, I can still help with this shower. I can send out invitations and make a facebook event even if I can't be there for the actual shower.
4) The rash? Well, I should be used to it by now after having eczema for almost 6 years. Nothing new.
5) Finally, how can I have a 'bad' day when I get to come home to my sweet family?? I mean, really!! I love them so much :)
Now, let me leave you with God's outlook on our frustrations and disappointments. Two verses came to mind today:
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
We are blessed to serve such a wonderful Maker.
paigenery....my most beloved best friend. I love you so dearly and how ironic you would post a scripture from Isaiah 41. I have been in a study of Isaiah since August, which up until now has been all about God's discipline on those crazy 'ol Isrealites aka dark, stormy, dreary stuff, and finally we make it to 40s Chapters...the turning point, the light at the end of the tunnel...and lo and behold you find light at the end of the tunnel there too! Ok so I'm rambling.
ReplyDeleteBut, as I read this post, I'm so glad to have my glass half full best friend turn my "one of those days too" around.
That's good that you look at it as the glass half FULL. I hate arguing with banks and insurance companies. They never want to help people out.
ReplyDelete