Seeing my patients at Cardinal is like seeing my relatives around the holidays. I love to hear the stories about their family gatherings and when their last grandchild was born, while I am cleaning out their hearing devices and replacing wax baskets or domes. Cardinal and all of my patients are my extended family!! It is like coming home!! A number of years ago, the door closed with my previous employer, and the door opened here at Cardinal.
After being here for several months, I realized that the devastation that I felt from being let go was wasted because it was God’s plan for me to end up here and find a new home.
After being here for several months, I realized that the devastation that I felt from being let go was wasted because it was God’s plan for me to end up here and find a new home.
A patient the other day reminded me that Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here very soon. Not only does this mean family fun, lots of food and cookies, and presents, but for me, it will be information seeking from relatives and close family friends about their hearing loss and what they can do about it.
It never fails. I am in the room for 5 minutes and I have relatives asking me to look at their hearing devices to make sure they are working properly, since they were not able to hear their grandkids with all this noise around them. I think I look into everyone’s ears to see which of the relatives need to get wax removed, and which need to see an ENT regarding the negative pressure in their ears, or the fluid in their children’s ears that needs to be evaluated.
But honestly, I love it!! These people wait until they can see me to help them, since they have trouble getting to their doctors, because of transportation issues or other health concerns. Recently, I spent about an hour talking with my Uncle from Wisconsin about his hearing loss, and provided some counseling for both he and my Aunt to help aid in communication in difficult situations. I had not seen them in over a year, but our entire conversation was about his second cholesteatoma surgery on his right ear and how that has affected his overall hearing. And I loved it!! My son had to finally pull me away because he had to get home to study for his Algebra test. At least I was able to get a big hug from him before he had to leave for home!
Can’t wait to see what comes up this year at Christmas dinner !!
Sounds like a good time!
It does sound like a good time!
When you are a good listener, people talk!
So true Joanne!
They are lucky they have you!
Yes, they are.
This is because you are so fun to talk to! Wish I could be a fly on your wall this holiday season.
Agree Jen!
These are wonderful thoughts. We love watching your relationships with your patients. Your efforts are wonderful.
Dale,
Thank you for adding your thoughts too!
Very nice! Your family get together time certainly sounds like fun time!
I agree. Sounds like fun.