To the Medical Professionals Who Want to Make a Difference

Every day we touch the lives of others, whether it’s an encounter so brief we barely notice it or an ongoing relationship through the years. No encounter is too small. For good or bad, our interactions can be very impactful upon one another. Encounters with medical professionals are no different.

As a chronic illness patient, I am always nervous about encounters with my providers — doctors, nurses, technicians — as you hold great power while we’re in your care. Those of us with chronic illnesses have countless encounters and experiences that scar us or lift us up during our medical trials. We constantly wonder if our providers will treat us with care and compassion, or will patronize and ridicule us for our needs and fears. Unfortunately, chronic illness patients are far too familiar with both experiences.

Poor experiences with providers multiply our already existing fears. Chronic illness patients have encountered it all. Coldness or warmth. We notice how you look at us, whisper about us and care for us. We’re usually already on high alert — many of us have been scarred from years of testing, procedures and whatever else the hospital typically holds for us. I developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during my first year of hospitalizations and surgeries. My entrance into a hospital now capitalizes on my PTSD. It makes me fearful and suspicious of providers until my trust is gained. I’ve been ridiculed by providers for the coping techniques I utilize during procedures. I’ve been patronized by providers for my fear and low tolerance of pain. My death-curdling cries for help have been ignored with snide remarks, my life placed on the line of an ego.

When we have a positive, helpful encounter, it lifts our spirits in the midst of some of our darkest times. During the course of a year I had multiple stays at my local children’s hospital. Although I don’t recall many memories from this time, the ones I do recall are not pleasant memories. However, one memory stands out amongst all the others. The memory of one of my nurses has remained with me for 20 years. He treated me with great kindness and understanding. I felt safe in his care, particularly during a time when I was angry and mistrustful from a year of unceasing pain and medical traumas. His impact was so great upon me that my parents and I attended his wedding a year after my hospitalizations ended. The core of our interactions remind me that there is a light, even if small, that will help to guide us through darkness.

Fast forward six years later to my second year of multiple hospitalizations. As a young adult, the capacity for my memory has improved since my childhood hospital years. I am reminded of four nurses and technicians who aided in my emotional coping during my physical recovery from surgeries, poor health and countless procedures. I underwent a full round of hyperbaric oxygen treatments and was cared for by two technicians whose humor and compassion actually let me look forward to my treatments. I was distracted from my worries, fears and medical issues during the long treatments confined in that chamber. And when I returned from a procedure, often I would find a technician hiding out in my room during their breaks ready for more laughter.

Although I liked most of my nurses, two stood out from the rest. One of my nurses was able to recognize me by my voice from repeated hospital admissions even before looking at his patient list for the day. His daughter would visit me to help me wash my hair. I looked forward to her visits as one of the most refreshing experiences of my prolonged hospitalizations. Another nurse was engaged to my anesthesiologist. During my many trips downstairs from my 10th floor hospital room to the lower levels of the hospital for my procedures, my nurse and anesthesiologist would have me pass along messages to the other. These messages always provided the three of us with great laughter and smiles and were vital in distracting me from my nervousness about each procedure I was about to undergo.

In dealing with our chronic illnesses, we’ve spent far too many days in the hospital; we’ve spent birthdays and holidays there. The hospital is not a fun place for us to be. We don’t want to be there. In fact, we dread the hospital even if it’s only an outpatient visit. We try to focus on the good experiences — the times we actually are able to laugh amidst our physical and emotional pain.

The care you take in your medical care greatly affects your patients. We notice when you’re having a rough day but try to hide it from us, trying to not let it impact your care. Instead of finding moments to laugh with us, give a reassuring hand squeeze, a sympathetic ear. We notice when you’re exasperated with us, ready to escape from our room and get back to your home. We realize you have a long, hard day. So have we, though. We aren’t trying to make your day harder; we just want to feel well enough to return to our homes as well.

We find worry and fear in the harsher moments. On your bad days, during those tiresome long shifts, remember that we bond with many of you, finding shared interests or strength in your compassion. We’re looking to you for help to get through our stay. Your care makes a difference in our lives — now and in the future.

Follow this journey at Life’s a Polyp.

The Mighty is asking the following: Write a letter to anyone you wish had a better understanding of your experience with disability, disease or mental illness. If you’d like to participate, please send a blog post to community@themighty.com. Please include a photo for the piece, a photo of yourself and 1-2 sentence bio. Check out our Share Your Story page for more about our submission guidelines.

Lead photo source: Thinkstock Images