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DiversityNursing Blog

Finding Humor in Life's Challenges

Posted by Pat Magrath

Wed, Jun 28, 2017 @ 04:15 PM

PAY-Laughing-Cheetah.jpgOccasionally I receive Ron’s eNewsletter and I always find them thoughtful, humorous and to-the-point. In this one, he offers examples of the importance of using humor while under stress, most of them in medical situations. I hope you find them clever and humorous too! 

I wish my brain consistently delivered me a funny and snappy comment like the people in this newsletter or my neighbor, Kay, who is always so witty and sharp at 86 years old! She is delightful to be around. How about you? Are you quick-witted and find the humor in most situations? Perhaps you have an example you’d like to share?

Written by Ron Culberson

For instance, a few years ago, while going through airport security, I was trying to remove my watch. I had recently changed the band and was having trouble unhooking it. As I attempted to take it off, the watch slipped out of my hand. I grabbed for it and accidentally smacked it twenty feet across the floor. Nervously, I turned to the TSA agent and said, “Time flies, doesn’t it?”

He laughed. I retrieved my watch. And I made my flight without incident.

Dropping your watch is not a huge problem. I understand that. But when we can find humor during life’s more challenging experiences, the situations feel a bit less challenging. So, I thought I’d share some of my favorite examples from family, friends, and colleagues who used humor to cope with their particular predicaments.

———

Recently, I spoke for the US District Court clerks in western North Carolina. The Clerk of the Court, Frank Johns, shared that he was diagnosed with an unusual type of intestinal cancer in 1999. His daily treatments consisted of two chemotherapy injections administered in each side of his, well, back side. Luckily, Frank is married to a nurse so she could administer the injections.

On some days, Frank noticed that the injections didn’t hurt at all while on other days, they hurt a lot. So one day, when he didn’t feel any discomfort from the shots, he asked his wife to mark the spots on each cheek with a Sharpie. A couple of days later, he went to a tattoo parlor and had two permanent bullseyes placed where the spots were. Oh, and by the way, Frank is an avid gun enthusiast so the bullseyes were appropriate on a many levels.

In Frank’s case, humor definitely hit the spot! And it made a challenging situation better. Today, Frank’s cancer is in remission.

———

Early in my career, I spoke at a local support group for people living with serious illnesses. I asked the participants how they used humor to cope with their health challenges. One man said that when he went to see his doctor for a checkup, he placed a Beanie Baby crab under his hospital gown. When the doctor lifted the gown to examine him, he said, “Sorry, I’ve got crabs.”

The doctor burst out laughing.

When you’re dealing with a serious illness, edgy humor can be one of the greatest reliefs for the tension. It’s like fighting fire with fire. In this case the patent’s reference to an STD lead to ROTFL.

———

A colleague was telling me that when her father died, she went to the funeral home to purchase an urn for his ashes. However, she felt that the urns on display were too serious and that they didn’t fit her father’s fun personality. She felt that they were just too “urn-est.” Haha.

So, she solved the problem by burying her father’s ashes in a beer growler! He had always loved beer and she felt this represented his life much better than a more somber container. I guess you could say one bad urn deserved another (sorry).

———

My friend Theo Androus's dad was quite a gregarious guy. Once, Theo told him that his haircut looked awful. His dad said, “Son, the only difference between a bad haircut and a good haircut is two weeks.”

As Theo’s dad got older, he began to have physical problems due to diabetes. On one evaluation visit, his doctor told him that he would probably need to have his leg amputated at some point in the near future. 

Theo’s dad asked, “When you cut off my leg, can I have it back?”

The doctor responded, “Why?"

His dad said, “Because I want to bury it under a tombstone that says, ‘The rest is yet to come.’”

Theo’s dad was the epitome of using sharp wit to battle serious life challenges. He was definitely a cut above the rest.

———

My friend Michael Aronin was born with cerebral palsy. All his life, he has dealt with people who are uncomfortable with his speech and his unsteady gait. But, as a comedian, he has always responded to this discomfort with humor.

Once, when Michael was nine, he was in a department store with his mother. He tripped and fell. A sales person came over to help his mother pick him up. As they were lifting him to his feet, he said, “I shouldn’t have had that second beer.”

Michael has a brilliant way of straightening out the uneven road in his life.

———

A couple of weeks before my father died, and when it seemed pretty clear that he would not get better, a few friends and family came to visit him in the hospital. My dad was a private person who didn’t like to talk about himself or the seriousness of his situation.

One day, our pastor and my dad’s friend Neal were in the room. The pastor asked, “Is there anything you want to tell anyone?”

In his typical witty way, my father said, “Well, Neal owes me five dollars.”

We all laughed and my dad successfully avoided one more serious conversation.

———

Sometimes it may feel like nothing is funny. Other times, humor is the only way we can get through the day. A touch of humor can be just the balance we need so that we don't get knocked off our feet by life’s challenges.

So, laugh a little. It’s good for what ails you.

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Topics: funny, humor, humor during difficult times

They Put Cameras Inside A Retirement Home, But Never Expected To See THIS Happen!

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Fri, Apr 24, 2015 @ 11:03 AM

By Barbara Diamond

www.littlethings.com 

maxresdefault resized 600Now tell us: Is this a viral-worthy video or what?!

Everyone loves it when seniors prove that you’re never too old to have fun. The video below is brand new on YouTube, but I have no doubt it will soon be seen by millions of people.

I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched this clip, which features the residents of Belvedere of Westlake’s Assisted Living Facility fighting for their right to party. With a hilarious parody of The Beastie Boys’ classic song, “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” — an anthem in both the rap and rock worlds — the Cleveland, OH nursing home residents are here to prove that age is but a number, and they certainly still know how to rock. From slingin’ back bottles of booze and gambling, to rocking out on the guitar and stripping down to their skivvies, these seniors are certainly doing it their way. LOL!

Not only do they still have a great sense of humor and tons of energy, but it’s clear that these folks are truly young at heart. My favorite part is at the 1:53 mark. I won’t give it away, but I will say this… You go, Granny!

If this video made you smile, please SHARE it with your friends on Facebook!

Topics: nursing home, funny, health, healthcare, video, nurses, patients

6 Things that All Nurses Want for Christmas

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Mon, Dec 22, 2014 @ 01:29 PM

6 Things that All Nurses Want for Christmas resized 600

What do all nurses want for this holiday season? We asked the nursing community on Facebook and reddit and we discovered that yes, it’s not necessarily a pair of scrubs. Here are their answers:

  1. Better staffing and better nursing jobs

    Top of the list are these answers that we think go hand-in-hand:

    “A job. Going 2 months strong being unemployed (currently living the dream of being a stay at home wife). When I was working: Adequate staffing.” – mogris, from reddit

    “I second the ‘adequate staffing’. I'm a little worried that my Christmas night will be crushingly busy.” – CrossP, from reddit

    “I'm in the same unemployment boat as you. It is not a fun ride. I just want to be someone's nurse again.” – OkieDokieArtichokee, from reddit

    “Better nurse to patient ratio!” – Lisa B., from Facebook

    “Low census and adequate staffing” – nocturnalnurse, from reddit

    When hospitals and other healthcare facilities don’t want to hire more nurses, then obviously there are fewer nursing jobs created. Meanwhile, the existing staff will have to bear a heavier workload.

  2. The right to die with dignity

    “Legalized euthanasia.” – Vilalintine, from reddit

    After all, death shouldn’t be something to be afraid of. Controversial as this may sound, sometimes it is the better option for the patient.

  3. The company of family and friends, at home or even at work

    All nurses want for Christmas is “to spend it with their families.” – Leslie C., from Facebook

    “To not be pulled to another unit. I'm already away from my home family, don't take me away from my work family too!” – FunkeeBananas, from reddit

    “Word. Worst Christmas ever involved me and another nurse getting pulled to another unit, that nurse crying, my pod mate being a total bitch, and my two being patients sad, sad trainwrecks. Ugh.” – abermanlebt, from reddit

    Who doesn’t want to feel at home this Christmas, even at work?

  4. The ability to not get tired

    “Feet that don't hurt after 12hrs.” –Hottiemcgee, from reddit

  5. A break during their shift or sometimes a break from nursing itself.

    “A break…” – Nancy G., from Facebook

    “Nonnursey gifts. ;) seriously, get me a new game or help with the gaming PC I'm building and I will love you forever. Or blankets. My husband keeps this apartment freezing! Same there's only do many layers and blankets I can cover up in before it impedes my gaming.” – thackworth, from reddit

    “Steam gift cards and a matched pair of GeForce GTX 980s. ...or is that just me?” – auraseer, from reddit

    Everyone does need a break from nursing once in a while—and that break takes different forms. For some of our nurses, it’s a day of playing their favorite video games. So before you go shopping to get some gifts for nurses, you may want to consider this fact. (Hint: if your nurse friends aren’t gamers, a day of pampering is always nice.)

  6. And of course, all nurses want the best for their patient.

    “For the NICU babies to go home with their family.” – kitty-cat-meow, from reddit

    “An empty waiting room.” – A_guy_in_scrubs, from reddit

    No patients means no one’s sick, and hence, no problem!

We’ll end this post with a Christmas carol from rninnj, posted on reddit:

12 filled meds from pharmacy

11 family members leaving

10 toes on a diabetic

9 days off

8 beds ready, no new admissions

7 cups of coffee

6 smiling patients

5 sleeping patients

4 extra staff members

3 patent lines

2 uninterrupted breaks

1 partridge in a pear tree

Wishing all nurses a happy holiday season!

Source: www.nursetogether.com

 

Topics: funny, gifts, humor, nurse humor, Holidays, nurses, Christmas

5 ways to keep a normal social life while working the night shift

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Mon, Jun 23, 2014 @ 01:08 PM

BY SCRUBS CONTRIBUTOR

05 26 14 Scrubs Article Image 3 v1 298x185

Ah, the dreaded night shift. Every nurse will have to encounter it at some point in his or her career. Some enjoy the more patient-based shift with its lack of administrators and clerical work, while others never can get into the rhythm of being a night owl.

If you’re a nurse on the night shift, chances are you have plenty of non-medical professional friends who won’t keep the same schedule as you. So how do you keep a normal social life while you work the night shift? Check out these five helpful tips:

1. Plan ahead with your non-work friends. If your shift is starting at 7:00 PM, for example, you could realistically have time to meet them for dinner an hour or so ahead of time. The night shift might remove some of the spontaneity of your social life, but it doesn’t have to remove time for fun and socializing.

2. Limit your caffeine intake. It can be tempting to consume cup after cup of coffee to get through those long shifts, but it’ll throw your sleep rhythm off even more and cause you to have to miss out on social functions with friends and family during days off.

3. Treat the switch to normal sleeping hours like jet lag. Take short naps at first to store up some energy and then power through the day until it’s time for bed. This will quicken your transition back to a normal sleep schedule. Try making time for non-work friends the day after you’ve adjusted back to normal sleeping hours.

4. Group your night shift days together. This will assure that you can have longer stretches of days off or daytime shifts. That leaves plenty of time for recreation, fun with friends, errands and time with family, but it’s also better for your overall health!

5. Get to know your coworkers! You’re spending so much time with them at odd hours, so you might as well establish trust, rapport and friendship. Try and bond with them socially and professionally. For example, if you like exercising, invite them to go on an early morning hike or to a workout class with you after the shift ends; if you are a coffee nut, see if they want to grab a cup at a nearby café. You can also bond professionally by trying to coordinate procedural training, or going to conferences and professional development events together.

The night shift doesn’t need to kill your mood, routine or health. Treat it seriously, plan accordingly with your shifts and keep a positive outlook so you can make new friends and keep up with those outside of your professional circle!

Source: scrubsmag.com

Topics: funny, nurse, nightshift

‘Twas the night before Christmas — for nurses

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Fri, Dec 20, 2013 @ 01:30 PM

BY MARIJKE DURNING

describe the image‘Twas the night before Christmas and night in the ward

I glanced at the names that graced the white board.

The charts were all piled on the desk without care

In the hopes I’d have time to see what was there.

The patients were restless, moving about in their beds

While call bells went off, causing pain in my head.

Charge nurse in scrubs, I with my lab coat

Waited for the effects of our latest coffee jolt.

When way down the hall, there arose such a clatter!

We ran from the office to see what was the matter.

Away down the hall, I flew like a flash

Clipped my knee on a wheelchair, my teeth I did gnash.

The light in the hall, turned low for the night

Showed me a scene that gave me a fright.

Because what to my fearful eyes should appear

A lonely walking patient, coming ever so near.

The patient stumbled forward, an IV in his hand

Trailing behind, a catheter bag, a train so grand.

Now Nurse! Now Doctor! Now anyone here!

Come on anybody, I want me some beer!

Along he went to the top of the hall,

My colleague and I were afraid he would fall!

By his side I did go, to help calm him down

He greeted my presence with an obvious frown

He called for a chair and then again for a beer

We quietly told him, “Sorry, we don’t serve that here.”

And then, in a twinkling, I heard in a room

A lady calling, she needs a broom!

A crash we then heard, the patient came to the door

Come, see what’s a mess, see on the floor!

I left the beer drinker to go have a peek

The sight on the floor made me send out a shriek.

I went to the phone: “Get me housekeeping, please!

I need your help now, I’m starting to wheeze!”

The patient was moved to a room that was clean

I thought of the patients I hadn’t yet seen.

The patients got settled, the call bells stopped beeping

Midnight was coming, we felt the time creeping.

IVs we did check and vital signs we did take

Wondering if this Christmas, we’d both get a break.

Back down to the desk, we had paperwork to do

Looked at the clock, still plenty of night to get through.

We went through chart after chart, the orders we checked

When the call bells went off, down the hallway we trekked!

Midnight was coming, Christmas Eve would soon end

We wondered if admin would mind if some rules we would bend

For the holiday season is the time for some fun

As long as our patient work was all done!

We went back to the desk, just for a moment or two

When we found treats on the desk—from where and from who?

The treats, they were good and touching to get

But from where they arrived, we hadn’t found yet.

We heard sounds of someone running out of sight

And heard very clearly, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

Source: Scrubs Mag

Topics: funny, Twas The Night Before Christmas, nurses

The Anatomy of a Nursing Student

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 @ 12:35 PM

The Anatomy of a Nursing StudentSource: Nursing School Rankings

Topics: nursing student, funny, anatomy, lifestyle

Bad hospital food!

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Mon, Jul 22, 2013 @ 01:49 PM

 

describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: Coming to a Theater Near You

Whatever the paste-like substance is on the bottom right portion of the plate, the icky gravy coating certainly doesn't make it look any more appealing. The glop of green had better days in a Japanese horror flick.

describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: Catch of a Different Day

It looks like this may have been the catch of a different day, likely a day long ago.

describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: Thank Goodness There's Dessert

Umm... at least there's caramel pudding! Even the wilted salad that hangs over the edge of its plate seems keen to escape this sad assembly.


describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: Save Me From Savoury

Although the word "Savoury" does appear in the title of this dish (according to the paper under the plate), this is not a word that immediately comes to mind upon first glance. This meal would look more elegant spread out in a garbage can (or perhaps against a wall). 


describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: Ham Tartare?

It's hard to mess up ham—but we think this plate deserves a medal for making it appear totally unappetizing. The lack of condensation on or around the food also points to another sad fact—this meal is completely cold and clammy. If you stare at the mashed potatoes(?) long enough you can almost see a face. A sad, sad face. 

 

describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: The Dry to Try

Well, there's Remoulade sauce so we're guessing this is breakfast? Talk about a DRY looking meal. We're choking just looking at it. Additionally, we have no idea about those things opposite the slice of bread. Could be calamari, could be dog biscuits.

 

describe the image

Bad Hospital Food: To Be Determined

There are just so many mysteries on this plate. It's certainly hard to discern the nutritional value of a meal like this when the four main food groups are Incognito, The Thing, Slime and Tan Unknown. 

Source: ScrubsMag

Topics: funny, hospital food, bad

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