Why oh why ??

OMG
If another male patient takes my polite "building rapport" -ness the wrong way and decides to share with me  all the weird and quirky things they feel  and dont feel while bonking their wives/girlfriends/whoeverIdontgiveacrap.... when they intially just wanted me to check their cold out or refill their script...I might just have to shoot myself. Seriously. like WTF. Is there a sign on my head that says SEX THERAPIST....ok I know my scope of work can sometimes cover some man problems (and sometimes women too) in that department and their are some diseases and meds that can help in that arena...but old men with bedridden wives who want to describe in detail this feeling and that feeling and then BANG...honestly.... and young men who are like " then when I go faster and faster" when the convo initially started off with "my stuffy nose and sneezing wont stop"....I seriously just want to spew in my mouth....

Im trying really hard to tell myself that sometimes, people may have a legitamate problem they need help with. But more often then not, the things that get described are absofuckinglutely normal and I dont know why people feel the need to share with me. Like seriously. You are crossing a barrier. I am just uncomfortable now. The same way your daughter should feel uncomfortable if you told HER about you freakin sexual excursions....it freaks me out too.

And to add to that, I dont need to know that you think that 'cold rush' you feel at the end ...is because you walked over that grave last week and you think a spirit is floating in and out of you. Like seriously, freaky and then scarey...

I am a lover of signs. Signs tell people all the unspoken stupid things that they should be doing that I don't want to waste my breadth on like "please wait patiently until  your name is called  before entering the office" (and not just barge in on other patients  when you feel like it) and "If you would like a repeat prescription, please bring in your medications or at least write down their names"(as oppposed to "koe faafou mai ka fualaau", and then you ask what they  are taking and they say "kailo")
Im contemplating a sign for the above problem but how would one word it ?? please keep the sexual talk to a bare minimum and only if requiring treatment???

eh se kailo se...

Things you can't see

This week, I've had a rollercoaster of experiences over things you cant see. Some my own, some of other people. In my job, often I am a listener. I think its important in a job where you provide a service, to be a good listener.  So I have been listening alot to people that have been suffering, but they suffer from things you can't see. Funnily enough, Ive been experiencing this a little myself. I have found myself the unfortunate victim of a symptom called "Tinnitus" which is basically a ringing sound in your ears. Like, all the time. Its kinda really annoying when trying to appreciate the stillness of the night, the quiet, the full moon, the stretch of black water...and then this darned ringing like someone has a high pitched radio stuck on no station just going EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
 You get my drift.

So, this week Ive listened to people who have things in their eyes (blurred vision aching eyes), their heads (pulsing headaches and migraines) , some depression and even morning sickness! And its made me feel a whole lot of empathy for these people who have these things that you can't see. You look at this person and they look absolutely fine, a picture of good health really! And then, apparently, they are sick. And the most dissappointing part  about what they are feeling is that no one else understands what they are going through, and are even getting annoyed with them. Basically if you can't see something, its hard to understand the nature of whats there. Its also hard to empathise at the right time, and support people who have (ringing in their heads and nausea left right and centre) ....I can see why someone with a not so obvious symptom, could easily fall into depression. Unless you have a really caring on to it support person who ASKS you how you are ...its easy to feel ignored and left to suffer in your own silence.

I try to encourage these sorts of people to bring their support people, their other halves, or a sibling in with them. Someone who you can reiterate the nature of the problem and the severity of their ailment. That does not always happen and this is not always an ideal world. heck, even I feel like that many a time, but sometimes I think my other half is too mechanical with his way of thinking about life. You have a problem, whats the solution, right you're on that tablet huh..the end.And I don't think he is alone in this mannerism. I think alot of people (men) are like this.... and sometimes it is our job to (knock some sense into them ) tell them about whats going on and what you need from them (eh) I am also sure alot of medical people fall into the trap of everyone expecting them to 'treat' themselves as it is our profession- and that includes, nurse oneself and ask oneself how one is. (!)no need for anyone else to ?interfere.  
Not trying to go all Dr Phil on you but in a way I am so too.

Anyways, so just a word to my friends, if you know someone that has something, that isnt like a broken leg in a cast, make the effort to remember and ask- hey hows that _______(insert symptom you heard about in the past but can not see) Because I think human nature makes us look at our friends and family and partners for empathy/sympathy as a way to help get us all through any sort of suffering. And many types of suffering are unfortunately silent.

Adios people:)