August 12, 2012

• Entitlement and YOLO

  So I took care of this nice young woman the other day. She was pregnant and having pain, like many women have when they are pregnant.  I did some tests and she and her baby were fine.  Everything was going perfectly till her friend (I’m guessing 18 years old) started helping.

  I fully encourage the asking of questions.  I think problems often arise, especially in medicine, when even the simple questions go unanswered.  Her friend mostly had comments.  I’ll name her Brittanee Barbie Bubblesworth, cause that seems about right.  Now remember, Brittanee was not even the patient, just a friend in the room.

   

  Me (to the patient): “So take Tylenol for pain, since that’s pretty much the medicine of pregnancy”

  BBB: “Um, you know, Tylenol really doesn’t do much for pain”

  Me: “Yeah, she has no pain now, she’s doing fine, if she is hurting, she can take Tylenol.”

  BBB: “Can she have Vicodin for pain? Cause my OB gave me Vicodin”

  Me: “I’m not giving her Vicodin.  She has no pain.  She is feeling fine without complaint, I’m telling her that if she has pain, she can use Tylenol.”

  BBB: “Well, Vicodin doesn’t even do anything for me anyways.

  Me: “That’s great.  But she’s the patient, and she is fine.”

  BBB: “I usually get something stronger.”

  Me: (and this is society at its best)

   

  I walk out of the room.  I find getting scolded by an entitled 18 year old somewhat irritating, especially over not prescribing Vicodin to her friend who has no pain.  I return a little later.

   

  BBB (dramatic sigh): “Well, can I have something to drink?”

  Me: “Sure, come with me.”

  I took BBB out of her room, just across the hall is a water dispenser that  can be used by all.  I showed her how to use it and I handed her two cups.

  BBB: “Wait, so you want ME to get the water?”

  Me:  ”Yeah,” I said, and then walked away.

   

   

  Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not above getting water for my patients, especially if they are sick.  But, when you are a fully capable 18 year old, who isn’t a patient, somewhat arrogantly demanding Vicodin for your friend who has no pain, this gets a little irritating.  Needless to say, it was just another day in paradise.

   

  Oh, that reminds me, she of course had a YOLO sticker or tattoo or wristband on.  ”YOLO” stands for “You Only Live Once.”  The thought behind this is that you should embrace life and live it to the fullest.  It essentially breaks down to carpe diem for really stupid people (thank you Jack Black).  Something like that.  

  What YOLO actually turns out to mean is “Your Odorous Liquid Ooze.”  Which is their discharge after too many YOLO experiences.  You may only live once, but you can get Chlamydia lots and lots of times!

   

  • 2:23 pm
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