It seems like all my patients today are either bringing up additional problems besides what they came in for, want to talk for longer than their alloted time, are sicker than I thought and require unforeseen lab tests, medications, and hospitalization, lie to me, don't come on time, complain that treatment isn't working despite refusing to follow it, or argue with me about my diagnosis and treatment plan because they consulted Google and know better.
My patience and endurance have been tested to the extreme by this job, but I'm amazed when I find that I'm able to handle it all with a smile. I'm definitely not the same person I once was.
Sometimes I have to leave the exam room for a bit to deal with it all, and I'll usually pull Emery out of whatever he's doing so we can decompress together. Time with him is like an oasis in the middle of a life that's starting to feel more and more like a desert.
The highlight at the end of the day is always the update on his baby. Bump was wrinkled like a prune, but it's now week twenty-four, and it has smoothed out with some fat gain. Stretch marks are forming on Aly's belly.
I'm excited for them.