Our Words Are Our O.R., Part II of III
Our Words Are Our O.R., Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part II:
I was determined not to rise to what I saw as potential baiting – several nurses spoke about it, too. Many professionals (within multiple facilities) said, “I’ve never seen, heard, or read anything in our medical training books with case studies like the manner people speak to you. And you sit and listen to all of them. You do not interrupt. You do not argue. You listen.”
Each time I bowed my head and stared at my shoes focusing on what is best for the patient – not me. I thought it would work to help us ease through this chapter.
Yes?
Nope.
The next time and each time after that moment the good doc, surgeon, would enter the room, “Now a good time?” with flat-lined look. Each time I let it go.
One morning Dad shared, “My daughter processes words. She is always processing words when you speak.”
The doctor sighed and looked out the window.
I did not blink (or sigh) as Dad looked to me and shrugged his shoulders.
The second time a significant event occurred was when Dad was in stat emergency; individuals were drawing his blood and urine.
The director of nursing was speaking – vaguely – (I had Power of Attorney) about “what might be happening.”
I listened.
Suddenly she snapped, “I don’t like the look on your face.”
My father and all individuals in the room looked startled.
I said, “Excuse me?”
She repeated her words, hands on her hips.
Slowly, I said, “Ma’am, I’m listening to you.”
She, “Well, I just don’t like that look, okay?”
More slowly (Dad was being placed on the gurney and now was not the time to focus on what she thought was happening), I said,
“Ma’am I am focusing on what you’re saying.”
Dad, the man with a master of education degree, said, “She’s a court reporter. I’ve told you. She has a college degree in listening.”
The woman puckered her lips.
Dad, “She is translating what you are saying. Always has. She always will.”
Me, “These are new words to me regarding my father.”
Dad, “She has at least three languages in her head translating what you are saying.”
I looked to Dad and said, “With punctuation. And I am listening.”
Dad, wincing in pain, weakly smiled, and said, “And I paid good money for her to possess these skills.”
The levity that I believe Dad, also a social worker with psych background, was seeking at that moment was not acknowledged by this snarky D.O.N.
(Others did look to Dad and to me with a small smile before each bowed their head, each returning back to work on the ER stat run.)
Yes, in hindsight I could have taken a different response with the woman.
That day, I was able to listen to multiple conversations between the people now working at a feverish pace due to an emergency.
Again, this is what we do each day in our work. We listen.
The ambulance medics had Dad belted. Four people held bags, wires, IV poles, and additional medical equipment. They stood waiting for me to follow them.
I chose not to argue at that moment because I knew Dad and I could wind up back in the same room that afternoon and did not want to alienate that woman.
Part I of III is posted May 2, 2014, Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted May 14, 2014, Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted May 29, 2014, Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette, the Court Reporting Whisperer, may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Tutor, Motivational Management & Career Coach,
Multiple-Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting and CART Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
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As a 25+ year court reporter, CART Captioner, author of NCRA test prep material, and an instructor, public speaker, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes, and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
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