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My husband came home last night after a terrible day in his trial with his client disintegrating on the stand..he was …
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DrOrrange 
10:02pm, October 14, 2009
As I watch our stock market tumbling I find myself feeling cynical, how did these folks get us IN to this mess! I then remember one of the the coolest coolest things about my job....THE PEOPLE...I get inspired all over again and I have to think we will all be ok. When I do talks in schools or community groups I tell kids about the long haul medicine entails and I mean the LOOOOOOOOOONG haul and many many sleepless years they will endure but how I wouldnt change a thing. It is a total joy and priviledge to take care of patients and their families and I am constantly inspired by those who stumble in to my office....and who I meet on DS!
This week I saw an elderly woman who fell at home and fractured her arm so I was going to admit her. Simple and unfortunate story right? Wrong. She is the caretaker for her husband of 55 years, who is wheelchair bound after bilateral below the knee amputations. They only have each other and she refused to be admitted because he would be alone with nobody to care for him. Well, we got a private room so he could spend the night while we worked on a better temporary solution. I am always amazed at how many REGULAR people (like us on DS) just get through it, dont complain, struggle on and are so inspiring. How they were managing alone all these years I will never know.
One of my ovarian cancer patients who had just suffered through another round of chemo with her fingers and toes burning from side effects spent the morning before her visit picking me cherry tomatoes.
Family members who camp out in their loved ones rooms, stiff necks from sleeping in chairs and eating the combo plate of the night from the cafeteria.
I delivered bad news to one of my patients Ive had for 7 years...and became teary eyed while telling him this wasnt good and how devastated I was. Well he immediately comforted ME! "Dr Orrange youve done the best you can for me and someone had other plans."
Regular folks are amazing
So while I focus on the time it takes to get to this career I remind prospective medical students that while you have to LOVE medicine to do it, you will LOVE the people...no matter what....its about the people.
Dr O.
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Wow, that was really touching. You're right, regular people are amazing. Even in their own time of need, they're more than willing to take care of someone else.
CloudStrife
Loved this entry, Dr. O as I use to work in the hospital setting and saw so much compassion, I am no longer working because of PD but, I sure miss interaction with people. Thanks for all you do!
parkiejan
DEar Dr O You continue to 'lift us up with your spirit and compassion'
Thanks for sharing. Love and Hugs
JudyL
JudyL
WOW, THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL STORY!!! VERY INSPERATIONAL!!! YOU A A WONDERFUL LADY!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!
Theresa42266
Thanks for the uplifting words. I can't help but think of one of our candidates when reading it when he says "our econimical situation is fundamentaly strong" I think that the will and perserverance of the people is what he is talking about don't you?
dalynda
Thank you for sharing these stories with us. You are a kind and compassionate person and your patients are lucky to have you in their lives. I am blessed to have a GP that sounds a lot like you. She always says 'it is the people' that keeps her inspired to continue her 'work, all hours of the day and night,
it is the people'! We are all lucky to have you involved with DS, as it is important for all of us to realize, being a doctor is much more complicated and 'personal' than a lot of us realize. You are a gift to us! Thank you and God Bless! Carol
Grease
Wellnessnow: Well, thats the first time Ive been told I am a murderer. I always respect all opinions but this is a little much, no?
Dr O.
DrOrrange
WOW yeah that was harsh...
jlt625
Wow, that's not right nor was it called for. Doctor's are doing all that they can. Without them, more people would die. I'd say doctor's are saviors if anything. Besides, Dr. Orrange did nothing to you so you have no right calling her a murderer anyway.
CloudStrife
I think prayer is needed at this time. "Father forgive those people with harsh words who know not what they say is hurtful" Amen. I continue in my own life to be VERY thankful for the medical professionals who save lives daily.
gentle51
Thank you gentle51
DrOrrange
That's your opinion and your opinion is very rude if you put it like that. Just back off, alright? Better yet, get off this site. You said it yourself, doctor's don't help and this site was made by doctors so why are you here? You know what? Don't answer that question. Just do us all a HUGE favor and get out of here and LEAVE EVERYONE ALONE!
CloudStrife
One more thing...you just don't understand humans at all. Don't even try to feed us anymore BS, alright wellnessnow? Don't say any more to anyone until you understand what it means to be human.
CloudStrife
Will you to stop arguing. wellnessnow is allowed his opinion though i dont agree with it all the way and yet to some extent i do agree with it. For example i had a doctor who increased my dosage of prozac which caused me to have a mental breakdown. Regardeless though without him and being paietent with me and helping me find medication that works, i wouldnt be here. I dont see why wellnessnow though that you hav messaged on this paticular instea of the other guy . . . i cant think of his name. my question is, is it because she is a woman? Either way your opinion in my eyes seems a little . . . radical. Either way i dont care your opinion is your opinion, but try to make it sound logical and not attack people by calling them murders. The dear doctor has done nothing to you to in my eyes and i dont understand why you have choosen to responed to this entry. i dont understand why you say Cloud isn't human? But cloud shouldnt have said the thing about you being human. Thats not right either. Either way your both arguing and its just over conflicting opinions, which is alright theres no need to argue.
Morose-Mary
MoroseMary
wellnessnow...... im watching you.
BreakingBlake
For a post that was meant to be a feel good post...Im sorry it took this direction.
Dr O.
DrOrrange
Either way, I still liked it. This entry was very touching despite the comments that were made.
CloudStrife
I wish all doctors would love people Like you do. Some doctors need to understand they are working with real people not Just cases, I know that's what make you a wonderful Doctor, hugs to you-Stephanie
CoolGal
All posts of wellness now are gone and I never saw them. I know what they must have felt like. I am a Marine, returning home in the 70's I was spit on and called a baby killer at the airport in San Francisco. Wellness now must need a trip to the VA hospital and see those missing limbs and eyes and on and on. Many of them live a hard life.
Now days people thank me for my service, and I see active and recently active duty service people when at the VA, I try and shake their hands and thank them for their service. They've paid the price and deserve all they can get that is good. To that end:
Doctor Orange, Thank you for your service! I know you paid the price to be a Doctor, and I have read many of your articles, you are a blessing to this world.
As a Doctor you see a lot of sad stories and many amazing stories of fortitude, recovery and loss.
May God Bless your every second.
DeltaLimaTango
You are what I would like to see in all doctors. A genuine interest and compassionate persona. Would love you as a friend as well as my doctor. I live in Arizona so that won't be possible.
tucstan
Wish you lived in my neck of the woods!
Very moving and encouraging journal Dr. Orange. I thought only a few of really great docs were left. Glad I am mistaken, looks like we have one more really dedicated doctor who cares for people to begin with. You sound like you appreciate the time you spend helping your patients. Thank you from me for all of them! These days and times it seems the really good doctors are rare. You give us hope that one day we may find a doctor who takes their oaths very seriously without losing your humanity! Maybe some of your students will take it to heart and we will have many more good, caring doctors who actually like people in the future. Wouldn't that be great?
Thanks for all your help to make DS a great place!
Love Rhea
Love Rhea
tiredtiredtired
LOL! Guess that is like two hugs by signing off twice! LOL! Have a wonderful day everyone!
tiredtiredtired
Dr. O I am inspired each time I read your posts. You remind me of the many doctors I have had the blessing to work with as a hospital chaplain. When my daughter was born with a major birth defect and for many years I only saw one side of doctors and we worked together as a team for my daughter's health. Then when I became a hospital chaplain I saw the humanity in doctors and became an encouraging friend. I am blessed that my primary care physcian is like you. I will keep you in my prayers. Blessings
angelunaware