[December 2, 2022] Yes, I am at the Emergency Department (no longer the ER) of my local hospital to find out that my kidney stone is stuck in the urethra tube, causing swelling in the kidney and great, mind screaming pain. Maybe an 11 on a 1 to 10 pain scale. Worse than being injured in combat. Drugs work wonders.
I’m sitting there half asleep when 5 white male nerdy college 19 year olds come walking in. One says to the intake nurse that he is acting manic depressive and drank 500 milliliters of bottles of beer ( who says that?). He is a psychology student and “self diagnosed“ his manic depressive state and all his friends concurred with his diagnosis and they’re psych students too. He brought a fully packed bag. Called his mom to be with him. One friend stayed and the rest left but not before a tearful goodbye.
I am an observer of human behavior and what I saw after 9 hours in the ED waiting room deserves comment because it tells us about the human soul and it’s capacity to do good. Those sitting with me are all suffering to a serious extent, else they would not be here very late in the evening. We are a team of sufferers with much in common even if we all do not speak the same language.
An obviously young pregnant Hispanic woman with her mom is moaning. She’s bleeding, quickly they take her to surgery. They say I am to be triaged, meaning my condition is less serious than those at risk of life or limb. A young boy passes out on the waiting room floor. Nurses pick him up and disappear behind the doors where they quickly revive him. I see him later, good, he survives.
Many speak no English and struggle to communicate what’s wrong. Others do not have insurance. A few are too low on the triage ranking system and still suffer greatly. We all are part of the greatest healthcare system the world has ever seen. Little does that matter, we want the pain to go away.
Finally it is my turn. I’m wheeled in to see the ED doctor, the same that treated me a year ago with the same emergency. He recognizes me, I can barely see due to my pain and I still hear myself say thank you. I’m struggling a little here. He laughs, pokes me some (ouch), and has a nurse inject me with something that easies the pain.
As I head to one of the ED small exam rooms that same young man is sitting there, outside my room talking to a couple who I know not who they are. The small item I was unable to identify is a Wawa hoagie. This young man was prepared when he arrived to stay. But I couldn’t get beyond the idea this young man was just one of the many young men neutered at the alter of diversity, equity, and diversity that infects colleges today. He is weak. Unless he learns to be strong, I’m afraid he will suffer unnecessarily.
Funny. Glad Gen. Satterfield is better.
Ha Ha, great observations. And that young men are being encouraged to be weak and effet.
No surprises here for me. I’ve been around these past few years talking with young boys and men and found that much of what Gen. Satterfield says here is spot on. Lack of adopting responsibility is what is leading to a lack of willingness to be a good person.
A look inside the hospital emergency department waiting area. Just so much to see. Just too much to learn. When you’re with a of folks Duffy, then you are In unusual territory. 👀👀👀👀👀
Good thing you have great doctors.
Yep, and we still have General Satterfield to thank for sage advice.
I enjoyed articles from the past few weeks, Gen. Satterfield. Your insights are always giving me something to think about. I’ll plug your great book. ‘55 rules for a good life’ will surely be a huge hit. We all can be better but only if we can compare ourselves today to who we were yesterday. Good luck.
Interesting observations, especially the young college students.
Sir, interesting experience you’re having. Now maybe you can get to know a few good-looking nurses. Oh, sorry but you’re married —- at least you can look and talk to them. A small Beni. 👍
Ernest, now just calm down. Gen. Satterfield will use his time to help others and not waste his time watching tv. That’s the way he is.
Good luck today. Oh, Gen. Satterfield, I got your book in the mail yesterday. Started reading “55 Rules for a Good Life.” Enjoying the book. Learning a whole new way of thinking.
That’s why we’re all here. 😎
Enjoy the break from your hectic once you have, sir and kiss a nurse for me. Ha ha
Good morning, Gen. Satterfield, sorry to hear u are in the hospital. Ouch, kidney stones are the worse.
Ouch yep, understatement… kidney stones are among the most painful.
Thank you all for your wonderful concern. 😀
… and thank you, sir.
Looks like the general is going on a ride today. Wishing him well. I know from personal experiences that kidney stones are some the most painful of afflictions. Let’s hope the authors to plan. And soon.
Yep Gen. Satterfield has a thumbs up from me too.
Best luck today and thx for getting out this post from your hospital bed.