Thursday I went in for yet another cha cha experience, and while the visit was all about the hysteroscopy - and that wasn't NEARLY as unpleasant as an HSG - the thing that was weird was just being there AT ALL. Or I guess, being there and "getting work done". Cuz while we did go in for a follow-up in September, that's different than having to spread your legs for RANDOM strangers on a semi-regular basis. The last time I spread em for a random stranger was like... August. Which is actually a fair while ago.
And while I'm actually pretty okay with spreading my legs for random strangers - a phrase I'm SURE to regret typing on the internet one day - the thing that gets me every time is the weight of it all. And I mean, no matter HOW laid back I go in, no matter HOW funny I [think I] can be about the snowflakes in my ute, I always come out a little "off". And not "off" like an emotional WRECK or anything like that, just "off" like "wow, here we go again, me and my little lunch bag full of free meds"... Err, sorry, "compassionate meds" is the phrase they prefer...
Cuz it's like this kind of surreal experience to be IN there again, walking AROUND there again, even RECOGNIZING all of them again. But the thing that got me this time, moreso than the lunch bag full of meds, was Nurse Paula - my favorite nurse of all.
Cuz Nurse Paula? Well, she's been with us through both retrieval AND transfer in IVF#1, transfer in IVF#2, a consultation or two in BETWEEN all the IUI's, AND the phone delivery of all of our betas. She's been KIND to me, she's been teary WITH me, and she's been just all round awesome. It's why she's the one I emailed after I dealt with this unpleasantness.
And Thursday, she proved yet again why I like her so much. Because Thursday, she showed she's the kind of nurse who even though she wasn't even INVOLVED in my appointment, she'd take the time to come by anyway and ask me how it went. She showed she's the kind of nurse who when I said I was waiting for them to sort out my meds, she'd grab me by the arm and HAPPILY haul me into the back to take care of it HERSELF. She showed me she's the kind of nurse who actually freakin' GETS IT cuz she asked me if I had somewhere to hide all my meds if I had to take them to work.
Mostly, she showed she's the kind of nurse who can see past the fact that I'm a patient, and discuss things like my funky purse and her holiday plans. Cuz when sometimes you feel like "just another patient", it's nice to feel like a human being instead.
Monday, 22 December, 2008
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19 comments:
Oh yes - the nurses and patient coordinators at our fertility clinic were incredible. They were willing to spend time with you, discuss every aspect of everything you could think of, and when you told them that the doctor said you could do something that was not what they were used to, they rolled with it. Of course, the doctor was too busy to bother, so that was probably why. But, they trusted what I said, rather than dismissing me or even obviously checking it. So glad you've found a person that you've connected with - she'll make the experience almost pleasant.
Awww, that's sweet. our clinic is quite large and this cycle was the first one where I felt like all the techs and phlebotomists and nurses recognized me. the receptionist knew me by name. it was nice....and a little sad at the same time. they have approximately 200 women cycle a month so I hadn't expected to stick around so long as to be memorable.
Glad you have such an awesome nurse! that can make all the difference.
mo
thank goodness for folks like Nurse Paula. In all my clinics over all these effing years I have only ever connected like that to one nurse. This was a nurse at the first clinic I went to in 'bama (the only clinic in the entire state that would take a single gal on). I still get e-mails from this nurse just "checking on me" and it almost makes all the years I got shuffled from RE to RE melt away.Sort of.
Is there any way to clone that nurse?
I'm glad you have someone there that can give you even a bit of strength.
I had one nurse like that at our clinic. She's gone now. I bought her socks.
omg. how random did that sound?
That is great you have a nurse like that. I hate ALL the nurses at my clinic. The only reason I stay is that I LOVE the RE. That is awesome for you.
I think I hear as many stories bitching about bad nurses as I hear about bad doctors. It's nice to hear a good one.
It reminds you that that the little things you do in your profession do matter.
Nurse Paula rocks. I love it when in the midst of all the craziness, you just connect with another human being who extends themselves to just... care. It matters so much!
I truly hate (again) that you even have to be going through this (again) but I'm so happy for you that you have the gift of a wonderful nurse.
By the way, did you ever receive your Jovo "prize"?
I think too often clinics forget just *how* important it is to have excellent, compassionate nurses on board. At my clinic 4 out of 5 of the nurses are like your Paula. And I *heart* them - so so much. Cos they make me feel like Sam the woman and not Sam the infertile with a broken body and heart.
HUGS
xxx
A good nurse makes ALL the difference in the world! Glad you have a good one!
Nurse sounds great, when I did cycle our clinic was tiny, so always the same doctor/nurse/receptionist and we grew very close with being there all the time for a year, and even in the dark times, they made it a little easier.
Hope the hyst was okay.
I am so very happy for you that Paula takes the time to care. Unfortunately, with the emotional toll of all this crap, it becomes pretty apparent who is a GREAT nurse, and who is a really shitty one. I'll keep my fingers crossed that Paula is the one who can be with you every step of the way on your IVF journey.
experiences like that just humanize the whole technical nature of this babymaking business.
I had a nurse I dubbed "wonder nurse" because she was just amazing that way. whatever I needed (aside from the baby), she did it.
What an excellent nurse...a role model to be sure. "Think Patients = Humans" -- if only that could be the motto at all healthcare facilities.
Glad she's there to help take the edge off!
I wish there were more nurses like that out there. I have one at my clinic... "Cool Nurse". No matter how freaky I was about the IV needle (the only needle I'm scared of) she was cool... put up with my nervous jokes.... called me at 7:30 am with betas (while the other nurses would take their sweet time, calling me late in the day, or not calling me at all!). Cool urse just goes out of her way for people, and genuinly seems to care. :)
You're lucky to have that nurse.
You are so lucky to have that great nurse!
It is SO nice to be reminded that there is life and focus outside of having to spread your legs for random strangers. Hurray for purses and holiday plans. So, so glad Nurse Paula can do that for you. It does make a huge difference.
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