you know...
PUNCH DRUNK?
It's that feeling when things that wouldn't normally be funny
are so stinkin' hilarious.
And you feel like you are totally the comedian.
Ya!
That feeling.
That was me today.
At work.
The ER is often PUNCH DRUNK fodder.
It can get crazy and out of control in seconds.
Like today.
And yesterday.
The encounter that left me PUNCH DRUNK???
The drunk.
(Oh, and he was high on a buncha stuff too.)
And he called me a name.
(Like...THE name.)
And all I could do was laugh.
And I started his IV....and it brought a smile to my face.
My only experience of drugs and alcohol is second hand.
From my patients.
Seeing it is enough to make me NEVER want to experience it.
We were trying to figure out what to do with this guy.
He'd been there
AND
He'd tipped over his urinal.
AND
Pulled out his IV.
(I don't need to describe the mess.)
Did I mention he'd been there awhile?
The doc went into the room and found him....
drinkin' a beer!
He'd stashed it in his backpack!
By this time I have tears running down my face.
Cuz I'm punch drunk!
I made my co-worker pose for me.
Not funny?
Really?
Maybe ya had to be there.
41 comments:
I can't imagine the stress...I so admire women who do your type of work! When I get passed tired, I start getting silly and saying my words backwards! ;D
I love how you dealt with it. Being punch drunk sounds like the perfect way to handle a situation like that!
Sometimes I start thinking everything is so funny if I'm on the computer late at night. I know I've left some crazy comments!
Better to laugh than to cry!!! I'm sure you see just about every type of person there is....at their worst.
Like it can't get any worse and so you have to laugh about it? I'm sure your co workers would have you laughing instead of screaming or crying anyway. I think for me that tired brings on silly? Just can't help it.
You lead such an exciting life!
I get silly when I'm tired. Bless you having to deal with such folks in the ER!
My sister used to work the ER and told the funniest tales! I don't think you have to be tired...people are just nuts some times and when they are the ER is where they all seem to end up. :). Blessings, Marlene
Oh my. I bet your job is exciting. When I'm not pregnant I get like that when I'm tired. When I am pregnant, I get mean and nasty when I'm tired. (sorry family!)
I think it is hilarious. Being around a drunk takes away all of my compassion. My dad used to own a beer bar and I helped manage it while going to college. You see things that are so stupid that you have to laugh. The funny thing is, the drunk guy probably didn't notice the smirk on your face or that you had been laughing (even internally). Alcoholism is a tragic disease, yet dealing with a drunk is so pathetic you have to laugh.
At least your job isn't boring.
My husband definitely gets punch drunk. I used to but now I just get comatose and grumpier--whatever!! You have to have humor to do your line of work. I'm glad there are people like you out there to take care of stupid people like me.
that is hilarious...I bet you are a blast to work with!
Oh, good grief! You definitely just have to laugh at those things!
Was Dr. Lamb around? He would have added to the hilarity, I'm sure!
I can't even imagine the stories you have beyond this one, and I'm glad you were punch drunk so you thought to snap the shot!
I think good for you that you laughed when he called you that instead of smacked him across the face!
Simply hilarious!
Thank heaven for punch drunkiness, it makes it easier to get through some things. i hope you nurses put the tipped over urine in the IV. ewww nasty! have a good one!
My kids get punchdrunk these days. I remember getting that way with my sister late at night. we'd be up into the wee hours of the morning talking and giggling.
Definitely the best remedy for the situations you encounter frequently I'll bet.
You get all the kids we send to the hospital! If a kid shows up drunk or high, we don't admit them. Off to the drunk tank they go!
So glad for people like you who have a sense of humor and can be happy even with bad situations at work (or anywhere) since I see unfriendly, grumpy people working all the time. And I love how you enjoyed putting in the IV!!! :)
I'm sure that there is a special place in heaven for people like you that have to care for wigged out, druken, spaced out druggies and those "full moon" people. I guess laughing is a great way to deal with it.
Sounds like he needs a mommy.
My mantra/motto/whateva you want to call it is....
"There is humor in EVERY situation. Sometimes we just have to look harder."
Going to go serve me up some punch now.
Sometimes you just have to laugh!
I actually love the punch drunk feeling! And DUDE! He snuck in a beer? *shakes head*
We had a guy wander into the running store last week and ask to use the phone to call for a ride. Drunker than drunk and smelling of weed. He then proceeded to sit in one of our fitting chairs to wait.
I was gonna give him 5 more minutes and then call the cops, but just then a van pulled up, he approaches the drivers side, they exchange talk and pass hands and then man stumbles off and van leaves.
REALLY??? The dudes at my work wouldn't believe that a deal just went down there. I fear I work with some naive, wet behind the ears toddlers
When I saw that pic on FB, I wondered what patient had tried to sneak it in! Some drunks are funny, others are just plain stupid. I bet you see it all in the ER! If it weren't for HIPPA, you could probably write a book.
OF COURSE I find this funny. We are made out of the same cloth, you and I.
I usually tend to laugh at things that .....well....your not supposed to be laughing at, and that makes it all the more Funny.
When I worked with the Drug Court in SLC, we saw some pretty dang funny stuff too.
I wuv you
OH.....and THAT's why I. AM. NOT. a nurse, the whole tripping over the urinal thingy and having to clean that up.
I'd need to DRINK that beer first.
That is funny. I know a few people who would try to sneak a beer into the ER. Laughter is the best way to handle stress.
I'm sure there are some days at the ER you HAVE to be punch drunk to get through it! Why didn't you get a picture of someone cleaning up the urinal mess?
If ever I have to go to the ER in your town, I hope you're working. We could both be punch drunk!
It sounds like one of those times when you had to laugh to keep from crying. Great job my sweet friend. I am glad you have learned ways to handle situations like that and not get way loaded down with stress. What a treat it must be for those who come to the ER and have you as their nurse. Hugs
I think you start a whole blog dedicated to your ER experiences, could be awesome!
P.S. My girls were punch drunk tonight!
Well yea sometimes you have to laugh or cry. What a mess
You must see it all there in the ER! I think I would have laughed too.
Punch Drunk Funny is the most funnest kind of funny fun there is!!!
It is funny and I hear great stories from my nurses. Thanks for dealing with it so well. I'm honestly not sure how you do it!
I did find this funny!
I'm sure the ER is a crazy place. I've seen the show, I know what nutso things can happen there ;)
I think it's funny... lol
It is amazing what drugs and alcohol do to people!
That would have been an exciting day at the ER! A story you will never forget, I'm sure! I am glad you were laughing through the whole thing!
Heeehehehe, sometime ya just gotta laugh.
Oh girl, I can only imagine the stories that come outta the ER. Yep, I've been Punch Drunk far too often!
God bless ya and have a great day filled with loads of laughter.
'Good medicine' ya know?
You should WRITE A BOOK--seriously. Can't even imagine the stories you must have.
I don't know if you know, but I can see the ER from my house... I thought I could hear some raucous laughter coming from those walls! Who knew you'd have patients like that around here? Bubble? Maybe Not!
Is that the dr. lecturing the patient in the pic?
Oh my! One of my very best friends in the whole world is an ER nurse. I get to hear some good stories, but this is a new one! I'll have to tell her. She'll love it!
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