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Lots of folks say “you must be brave” when they find out I work in the ER.
It’s true that I don’t (usually) get upset at the sight of blood. But there are plenty of things that scare me.
A non-exhaustive list of things this emergency physician is afraid of:
It’s true that I don’t (usually) get upset at the sight of blood. But there are plenty of things that scare me.
A non-exhaustive list of things this emergency physician is afraid of:
Choking
Because I’ve seen a child choke on a hot dog or grape that wasn’t cut lengthwise.
Because I’ve seen a child choke on a hot dog or grape that wasn’t cut lengthwise.
Door slamming
Because I’ve had to repair way too many fingertip amputations in little kids.
Because I’ve had to repair way too many fingertip amputations in little kids.
Throwing sticks
Because one time I saw a kiddo lose their eye after an innocent game with a sibling.
Because one time I saw a kiddo lose their eye after an innocent game with a sibling.
Jumping on the trampoline with your dog
Because...just don’t do it. It’s a bad idea.
Because...just don’t do it. It’s a bad idea.
Influenza
Because I’ve seen healthy kids, pregnant women and adults die from influenza.
Because I’ve seen healthy kids, pregnant women and adults die from influenza.
Infant suffocation from unsafe sleep
Because I’ve held a mom as she crumpled in my arms and screamed when I told her we have tried everything to no avail.
Because I’ve held a mom as she crumpled in my arms and screamed when I told her we have tried everything to no avail.
Drownings
Because I’ve had to tell a parent I couldn’t reverse what happened in the blink of an eye to the beautiful child with the sun-kissed still-damp curls.
Because I’ve had to tell a parent I couldn’t reverse what happened in the blink of an eye to the beautiful child with the sun-kissed still-damp curls.
Gunshot wounds
Because I’ve seen way too many bodies, families and communities torn apart in milliseconds.
Because I’ve seen way too many bodies, families and communities torn apart in milliseconds.
Stroke
Because I’ve seen how it robs vibrant and proud patients of their voice and independence.
Because I’ve seen how it robs vibrant and proud patients of their voice and independence.
Heart attacks
Because I’ve seen patients stay at home while their heart muscle is died and they developed disabling heart failure because they are worried their insurance will say it “wasn’t an emergency” and deny their claims.
Because I’ve seen patients stay at home while their heart muscle is died and they developed disabling heart failure because they are worried their insurance will say it “wasn’t an emergency” and deny their claims.
Chemical dependency
Because I’ve seen patients suffer and die because they cannot access lifesaving treatment.
Because I’ve seen patients suffer and die because they cannot access lifesaving treatment.
Depression
Because I’ve held the hand of a spouse and parent talking on the phone to their young child and holding it together so they can figure out how to tell them they only have one parent now.
Because I’ve held the hand of a spouse and parent talking on the phone to their young child and holding it together so they can figure out how to tell them they only have one parent now.
Cancer
Because I’ve struggled to treat the pain and suffering of patients and their families who bravely support their loved one, knowing they are losing them too soon and powerless to change the course.
Because I’ve struggled to treat the pain and suffering of patients and their families who bravely support their loved one, knowing they are losing them too soon and powerless to change the course.
COVID-19
Because I’ve cared for patients who have died OF COVID. Because I’ve cared for patients whose spouses died OF COVID. Because I don’t want to be the link in the transmission chain that leads to someone else’s death. Because I don’t want to risk leaving my kids orphaned.
Because I’ve cared for patients who have died OF COVID. Because I’ve cared for patients whose spouses died OF COVID. Because I don’t want to be the link in the transmission chain that leads to someone else’s death. Because I don’t want to risk leaving my kids orphaned.
I’m afraid of these things because they are real risks.
Some are big risks. Some are small.
Some are common and cause temporary pain and suffering.
Some are small risks but disastrous with permanent damage.
Some are big risks. Some are small.
Some are common and cause temporary pain and suffering.
Some are small risks but disastrous with permanent damage.
Many things about our health cannot we cannot control. It’s hard to accept. But some things we can.
We cut the hot dogs (lengthwise!).
We wear helmets and seatbelts.
We get flu shots.
We have a system at the pool.
We have a no slamming doors rule.
We cut the hot dogs (lengthwise!).
We wear helmets and seatbelts.
We get flu shots.
We have a system at the pool.
We have a no slamming doors rule.
Please know that COVID-19 scares the doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers.
We are afraid.
Because we have witnessed what it can do if you or your loved ones get severe COVID. We know that money, power and fame can’t purchase a cure.
We are afraid.
Because we have witnessed what it can do if you or your loved ones get severe COVID. We know that money, power and fame can’t purchase a cure.
The good news is that we know what helps to prevent infection and spread.
Wearing a mask. Distancing. Avoiding large indoor gatherings. Hand hygiene. Quarantining, even when it is inconvenient. Supporting patients who don’t have the resources to isolate or shield their elders.
Wearing a mask. Distancing. Avoiding large indoor gatherings. Hand hygiene. Quarantining, even when it is inconvenient. Supporting patients who don’t have the resources to isolate or shield their elders.
Don’t confuse recklessness and hubris with bravery or bad luck.
Let’s keep normalizing compassion and care for for one another and save lives.
Let’s keep normalizing compassion and care for for one another and save lives.
