Today while I was skyping with Kim the activities person asked me if I'd like to set up a meeting with the monster truck drivers from Monster Jam, who were coming to visit with the pedi patients on Friday morning. I decided to let the 8 year old boy down the hall to me get extra time with them, as I have no interest in monster trucks, and honestly, I'm probably older than some of the drivers. Not like you can really have a lifelong career doing that - I bet it's like some other sports and once you hit 30 you're pretty much on the way to retirement.
My hospital wristband has three bar codes on it - one QR code and two normal codes. I wonder why/what they're for, as they haven't scanned any of them yet.
One of my facebook acquaintances posted recently about how her dog has cancer and they don't know what they're going to do or how they'll deal with it. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know a lot of people are super attached to their pets, and since I don't really remember having anything more complicated than a fish, I never had that myself. But I also kind of feel like she has a toddler and she should be glad it's not her kid that's sick. Every once in a while we'll hear one of the toddlers here screaming and screaming because they're being poked and stuck and in pain and they have no idea what's happening to them. Also, and perhaps I'm super cruel for saying this, she can get a new dog if this one passes. No matter how healthy a dog is, you're going to see it die of sickness or old age because dogs don't live to be like, 50. But I might if my treatments work, and I'd really love to make it, without feeling like I'm less important than an aging family pet.
Veterinary oncology is weird. I love (LOVE LOVE) tumor biology, but when I stop and think about it practically I can't stomach veterinary oncology.
ReplyDeleteI mean, we approach cancer treatment in animals differently than in people. In 90% or more of cases, we're aiming at controlling the cancer and providing more good quality life instead of aiming at remission or a cure. Therefore, we use lower doses of chemo aimed at avoiding side effects (like nausea.)
But, I know that in my own pets, I wouldn't do almost any of the things that I really enjoy reading about. It leaves me in a weird place.
Either way, you are definitely not less important than an aging family pet! <3
As far as for the bar codes, in the hospital I work in we have three as well... one for glucose checks, one for lab, one for meds. But we scan them all the time.
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect, a less helpful tidbit than I had imagined, sorry.
I think about you lots, and send good vibes your way...