Gridlock!
As I sit here in gridlock traffic I feel as if this is an
analogy to my work in it's current state.
I am short an educator, juggling inpatient and outpatient duties at 2
facilities, and working toward advanced disease specific care certification for
inpatient diabetes. So alone I feel at
times in my quest for excellence! Woe is me!
On this day, one of my consults to see a newly diagnosed person with a1c
of 6.8% who is 82 years old, another for someone with type 1 admitted with
DKA.
My young mom of 4 with gdm is late for her outpatient
appointment, brings her 16 month old, and is just plain angry. My skills and
expertise could surely be utilized in a more constructive and effective way,
couldn’t they? My volunteer is scheduled
to come in Monday which means I need to get her assignments ready for her. I have so many projects to complete and now I
am “stuck” in the middle of hundreds of other tasks that are blocking my path
to my destination.
I proceed to focus on the tasks at hand. The 82 year old is the nicest lady, trying to eat her lunch with difficulty due
to severe tremors. She appreciates the
time I take to sit with her and ease her fears about her new diagnosis. The client recovering from DKA patient tested
positive for influenza and couldn’t manage on her own. I assist her with trouble shooting and
problem solving for prevention. She
softens in my presence as she is labeled non- compliant by some of the
staff. Goodness, she is having a
milkshake and bolusing for the carbs!!
Although staff provides excellent care I do not believe most have the
insight to managing diabetes as a CDE would.
The young mother scolds her son, had poor eye contact, and although she
had had gestational diabetes previously is frightened not only at the prospect
of complications but of a fifth mouth to feed.
As we have our conversation her son starts to launch the toys I have
given him directly at my head across the table.
I cannot help but laugh. By the
end of the session she too has let her guard down, is more pleasant with her
child and comfortable with her ability to practice the skills we reviewed.
I return to the solitude of my office and realize that
this is truly why I love my profession!
To make a small difference in someone's day is a reward far better than
prestige, fame, and fortune (although a raise is always appreciated). It is a privilege to be able to meet and be a
part of such a diverse population of people.
Think about what makes us who we are. I am sure all of you have favorite
stories that make you smile. So in the
time it took me to write this blog my car has moved approximately 12 inches.
The problem with Charleston is when a bridge gets shut down everyone is
affected. Much as if a person with
diabetes is in crisis many around then are affected as well. After 2 hours and 10 minutes the traffic
flows! Luckily I had this to write and
Charleston is a beautiful place to get stuck in. Be in the moment. Take a moment to comfort, validate, and laugh
in your busy day. We all get gridlocked
at some time, then a clearing appears and the possibilities are endless!