Sounds like some great lyrics to me. For all I know they are lyrics, but I’m way too tired and drained to Google or Bing or any other search for a match. I’m fine with it. If anyone want’s to claim it, go ahead. I’ll edit it to put quotes around it later, if so.
Some things have crossed my mind while sitting in CCU imagining myself as a guardian angel. (You have a whole lot of time to imagine in CCU.)
I’ve alway heard that when people are sedated, or in a coma, they can hear and sense you. Well, if this is true, can’t they hear what doctors and nurses say in front of the patient, and in a voice to be heard over the noises of the machinery kept on 24/7? Just wondering. Maybe the mind edits, remembers the things like, “I love you boo-boo. Stay strong for me, for us.” Or by some cruel joke does their mind hear the Social Worker come in and say, “You know, pulling the plug.....” What the fuck? He’s been plugged in and tuned out (thankfully) for a whole 36 hours and holding his own for God’s sake.
I’m hearing things being said to my brother-in-law and me that have no business being said if he had tried speaking to his nurses or a doctor, or (heave forbid) even pulled one of us aside to ask, “How is Lance doing?” And yet these insensitive snippets come booming out of their mouths with absolutely no consideration for the emotional fragility of the family. I say, time to change things...and drastically.
We have sexual awareness training classes that have become mandatory, well...cool. But these people, and granted they are working in an environment which can harden and make one callous...but if you can’t do better than what I’m hearing...if you don’t have some sort of self-censoring device, then get the hell outta Dodge.
Yes, times are tough, but you have a job, probably a decent life...oh maybe not, but don’t bring it to work then. Okay? Look around...consider yourself very fortunate and re-evaluate what the hell your job title means...”Social Worker.” What is it about social do you not get? The dictionary says: From Lain, socious ‘friend”. Huh, you sure could have fooled me. The actual noun; social worker--work carried out by trained personnel with the aim of alleviating the conditions of those in need or help. Huh, fooled again.
Oh well, it’s just your job, what the hell, look at your watch, you have another what...nineteen rooms to empty out? The quota is a bit shy?
I’m done. No actual Social Workers were harmed while unloading my anger, and if you are one and this post doesn’t make you cringe in recognition, you are doing it right and have my full support. We need more like you.
Adjustment of my halo and wings before I say, “I love you Lance, keep up the good work baby! WE have a social worker to piss off!”


Salon.com
Comments
I spent a lot of time in hospitals with my mother and know just what you mean about the conversations that go on in the room.
Refresher courses in "Sensitivity101" should be required every 2 years. They are required to have that course before being released to "help" us, aren't they?
Thinking of you and Lance,
Sharon
In 1995 I decided to get an MSW; guilty of having too much fun travel writing. I spent a year at Columbia and interned at a hospital working with children with AIDS. I was so disheartened by some of the hypocrisy and incompetence I just quit after the year. I think in any profession there are some who are mediocre and some who are wonderful and you don't have the latter right now. And the system doesn't help. They are hardened, overworked and underpaid, and showing it.
Hang in there sweetie! Love and hugs to you and Lance.
Thinking of you x
Go, Lance!
Thanks
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There are standards and practices, not to mention ethics violations at play here and I (as a helping professional) am stunned and outraged at this level of insensitivity! FIRST, DO NO HARM!
For the immediate future, save and lavish your own immense energy and courage on behalf of your beloved. When Lance is beyond the reach of this staff's incompetence, please consider filing a formal complaint. Compassion and empathy are the principle goals of those trained to work with people at their most vulnerable.
Close your eyes and feel the warmth of my virtual hug?
In your case, ungplug him and move the next one in. God, how infuriating. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. It's shameful for one who's in the profession.
I'm feeling you, Buffy. You talk to Lance about every wonderful experience you guys have had; the fights, too, but in an amusing way. Anything to stir some recognition and fire up some neurons!
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Prayers and hugs...
I am so sad to learn that Lance has been so ill. ICU is a netherworld, and I am apalled by the "social" workers there. Certainly cause for a hidden camera. Lance is very fortunate to have you, not just for your love and devotion to him, but for your smarts as his patient advocate. I hope he pulls out of this and is able to recover and enjoy life as much as possible.
When my father was in a coma and on a respirator for nearly a month I spoke to him as if he were sitting in front of me, read him the newspaper every day, and when he appeared to take a turn for the worse I whispered in his ear that he better get his %$% out of bed soon or he'd be very sorry. Woke up the next day and lived for more than a dozen years.