Yeah, I’ve said it before and likely again. It takes a lot to shut up both my inner voice and brain. Even when I come off propofol, apparently, as I did after last week’s colonoscopy. I asked my daughter (the PA who works in a CICU) later if most people are chatty after. I’m sure she rolled her eyes with me on the phone or laughed before saying, no mom. And certainly if they are talkative it’s not a happy chatty, she added.
As I opened my eyes and was greeted by an overworked but compassionate nurse, I had a lot to say. Within a few minutes, I asked her if she could get me my phone as “I had an inspiration for my next blog.” I kid you not. I’m astute enough to know now and shortly after I dictated this into my phone, that it really wouldn’t make a blog. But…I’m sure you’re curious?
Talk about consciousness
BLOG intro while in the bed at ambulatory care, minutes after awakening.
Today I had a routine colonoscopy. I remember the first time I went in and was so scared about propofol and being out of control. After all, I was a young person who really didn’t like drugs for lots of reasons. Giving up control was one of them, family alcohol history, another.
Maybe it was having recently finished Michael Pollan’s A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness that precipitated the thoughts as I came out of anesthesia. Regardless, now that I’m out of that hospital bed and have had a few days to fill up my belly, I really don’t have an interest in writing that blog. Yet – oh my, how it ties to what I do want to write about.
As I went on my morning Ramble today, it was hard at first to let go of intruding thoughts about the dire state of healthcare and my worries and fears for its providers and staff. (Gratefully, since walking is my go-to well-being thing, like writing, the angst floated away as I began to eat blackberries and swam in the river.)
Back home, though, it’s relevant that I’ve been reading Adam Axler’s new book, American Triage: From 911 to Fahrenheit 451. I appreciated connecting virtually with Adam, who lives across the country from me. We share interests and worries about healthcare; he having worked as a provider, and me only trying to support them. Both of us have observed and tried to work in the challenged system. And yes, I thank him for his service! While I do still connect with my original professional colleagues, many who are still very good friends, I enjoy meeting newer writer and author friends. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit this too has sometimes been hard after having such a large, supportive professional community for my 40 years of work. But, bit by bit since first publishing My Music Man in 2017, this community has grown. And I’ve instinctively connected with some, like Adam. I too have time in my life, time to – as I did earlier this week – meet a community member for coffee who wanted to talk about A Map of Her Own AND the beginnings of her own writing journey. I’ve been so fortunate in my life; if I can give back in ways that are helpful to others, I’ll nearly always say yes. Compassion does steer a lot of my choices, today.
But, back to healthcare. With a daughter who is a PA and having worked in healthcare, it’s been both eye-opening and enjoyable to trade notes with Adam. From his book bio:
“Adam Axler spent 25 years in emergency medicine, beginning as a firefighter/paramedic who worked Ground Zero, and retiring as a physician assistant. A proud Clevelander now living in South Florida with his wife and two daughters, he has spent the last decade selling vintage science fiction, because apparently one dystopia wasn’t enough.”
American Triage reads as a collection of short stories or essays. It wasn’t lost on me that each chapter includes a “burnout meter” value: in a prior job I was involved in confidentially interviewing healthcare workers about what did and didn’t work in their jobs as related to safety and well-being. (Before I got laid off, I might add.) I highly recommend this book for everyone; especially those who have had little experience in this type of work or within healthcare or may think things are “just rosy.” I figure I’d love to get Adam and my good friend Ron Turker (author of The Wandering Jew of St. Salacious) for a candid conversation about our losses in science and healthcare. Learn more about Adam Axler and Ron Turker.
I probably wouldn’t have decided to write this blog were it not for having had lunch with my daughter this week. Yeah, the one who is a Critical Care PA in a cardiac ICU. Yep, she just might be the one who takes care of you if you need heart surgery or an intervention. She’s good at what she does and committed to patients, their families and medicine. And…it’s all probably taking years off her life. Oh, she’s young, by the way! It’s hard for me not to speak out because there is so much that could be done to make things just a little bit better. All those things that my Total Worker Health research friends have told us over and over again. And frankly, in most workplaces, those recommended strategies and interventions are absent. Instead, patient acuity is so high, hours too many with no time to eat or take a break, and days off are simply recovery time so to get back to work. Add her stories to my other daughter’s who works as a mental health therapist, and I vacillate between anger and tears.
And most of us who get it feel helpless. We might be struggling with our own healthcare woes – can’t pay for insurance, find a doctor, get an appointment. After all, what can we do? Certainly, become informed. You may be complaining because you can’t find a physician, but recognize it is all so much bigger than that. Be kind to each healthcare staff or professional you encounter. Even if they aren’t having such a good day. Pay attention to news and the huge losses we are having in science. I worry for my kids, I worry for their coworkers, the workforce at large, patients and the system.
I know some of my followers and colleagues are a whole lot more informed than I am on this. So please add any other small steps we can each do to make a difference, including those to change it all up. Here’s what I’ve got:
- Reduce strain on the system – be a low maintenance patient. This doesn’t mean not getting care when you need it; but be smart about it and don’t rely on your provider to tell you something you already know (or should know). Adam has some great (and nearly unbelievable) examples of this.
- Avoid using the emergency department for non-emergencies. Sure, you don’t want to wait for your appointment with your PCP…but maybe you should.
- I am certain my PA daughter would agree with this one: complete your advance directive. (I’m reminded mine needs updating!)
- Support WELL THOUGHT out legislation to: improve patient care ratios, reduce paperwork burden, and reduce workplace violence exposures.
- Support efforts to provide healthcare for all. I simply can’t go down a path of believing we have sunk that ship.
- Help support the worker pipeline through effective local programs and initiatives to ease shortages.
- Watch the film, Suck it Up, Buttercup and learn more about what’s happening to improve conditions and healthcare.
Do share other practical recommendations if you have them! And, in between all that, do something good for your heart and soul. Like take a swim in your favorite river and pick blackberries. Oh and read a good book.
P.S. Events and News
My workplace safety and health brain gets rolling and I nearly forget to mention some of my book related news that I’d like you to know about. Of course, if you haven’t yet read my books, do check them out! I’m looking forward to joining a group discussing A Map of Her Own tonight. Let me know if you have a group you’d like me to join to discuss any of my books.
Tomorrow – Friday – (after taking care of the little guy) I’ll be headed to the Washougal Market where I will be at the City’s Featured Author Booth from 2-6 pm.
Saturday, I’m pleased to be able to join the Centennial Astoria Column Celebration in Astoria. Oh, did I mention my piece was awarded third place or honorable mention in the memoir category? I’ll be reading an excerpt of it at 2:30 pm. Look for a blog next week that captures my entire piece and even a movie I had fun making, as well as photos from Saturday.
Finally and this is early warning, but I’d love my local friends to add this to your calendar: Lake Oswego Third Tuesday – Exploring a Map of Her Own: The Power of Place, Human Connection, and Story – September 15 from 7-8 pm. This will be held at the Lake Theater so, um, that’s a lot of seats to try to fill.
And with that. Be good to yourself and others. Especially those healthcare providers.
I’m happy to hear you are taking good care of your body and helping the system by making recommendations to others. I fear that your suggestions won’t impact the biggest drains on the system: the people who cost the most are those that are hypochondriacs, or lonely, or are forced by economics into using ER as their only strategy. I realized this when caring for a friend years ago, who bombarded her care team with phone calls and visits, morning till night, during a time when she was feeling depressed and lonely and finally had the excuse of an actual serious health condition to call about. There was nothing I could say to get her to stop demanding more checkups and more tests and more callbacks, seeking the attention she craved. Your tips are all great for people who are able to employ them, and I hope we all absorb these reminders. By coincidence, Pedro and I just updated our Advance Directives a few days ago! But we haven’t taken them to our doctors yet. Tell your daughter thanks for her service.
Thanks Crystal. I always appreciate your comments and feedback. In this case, yes, I am certain you are right. And the whole system is so hard. My spouse is – literally at this moment – trying to find a medicare approved new PCP as the one he used for years closed. I’m trying to help and keep him from screaming over this challenge. I too appreciate all the work you’ve done and can’t imagine some of the system and other challenges you’ve experienced. None of it bodes well, and that is so hard to accept. Take care of yourself and let’s prioritize getting together this fall!