"I'm not argumentative"

"I'm worried about my cat" says Mrs. Contradictory. "He's been occasionally vomiting and is just not eating as much as normal. He's lost about a pound in the last 2 weeks... I'm really concerned that he might have kidney disease, or diabetes, or liver problems." Yes, those are all things to be concerned with, given Sylvester's history... So lets run some bloodwork and see what's going on, ok? "Yes, absolutely. I want to do whatever you feel is needed to make Sylvester feel better."

... so we draw the blood ... and I recommend some symptomatic care for Sylvester to make him feel better. Nothing too involved, given that he's stable and I want to know the results of his bloodwork before we nail down a treatment / management plan. I offer some SQ Fluids (a pocket of fluids placed under the skin that is slowly absorbed - it helps keep the patient hydrated despite his decreased water intake) - an injection for nausea - and some appetite stimulant pills (that are given once every 3 days). Does this sound like a good plan to you? Well, before I can get those words out of my mouth, Mrs. Contradictory is cutting me off. "No, I will not do any fluids. Or injections. Or medications. When Sylvester was here last month, that guy Doctor gave us some eye meds - it was easy, and simple. Then at the recheck exam, that other lady Doctor gave us a medicine to give by mouth - and that was a nightmare. So I am not doing any medications this time." Ok, but I can give injections and you won't have to do anything... and Sylvester will feel better until we find out what is wrong. "No. I will not do it. I'm NOT being argumentative, I am just refusing complex treatment." Ohhhh-kaaay. Then we will do the bloodwork and nothing else. "Yes, that is what I want. Bloodwork only. I really want him to feel better."

So I get the bloodwork back... no major issues with diabetes, renal failure, etc. So I call Mrs. Contradictory - and again I recommend some symptomatic care... thinking she will refuse. Surprisingly, she willingly agrees to make another trip to the clinic for basically the same treatment I offered in the first place - and she is very thankful for my phone-call and treatment recommendations. Sometimes I just don't understand.

True Colors

I've noticed something. Stress - and stressful situations - bring out a person's true colors. Maybe that color is blue... down in the dumps, constantly complaining, woe-is-me. Maybe that color is red... anger, rage, yelling, cursing. Maybe that color is green... peaceful, easy going in the midst of the storm. Maybe that color is yellow... bringing a little sunshine to those around them despite the chaos. Do you want to know the true character of a person? Observe them in stressful situations. Watch carefully. At first they may be able to disguise their true colors. But when the stress continues... when the stress is long term... when everyone around them is stressed as well? Then. Then their true colors will emerge - and you will know what is at the heart of a person.