You're not happy, you're bitter

I've gotten some feedback here at EMSfun Blog that the Happy Medic seems to be rather bitter. Quite the contrary my friends. I share these moments because no matter how crazy some of these folks make me I always make work on time. I always cut the triage nurse slack if we have to wait to get a bed. I always give a blanket to the little old lady who woke us up at 3 AM for her sneezing.

I really am happy to be where I am and worked darn hard to get there. This job requires us to use humor and distraction to get over what we see and what we feel. I find it best to hold the jokes until after the run, whenever possible, and remember that no matter how bad my shift is going it will always end at the same time.
Some of my dialogue here on the 911 page seems 'bitter' I'm told. I don't see it, really. The role of EMS and the fire Service has changed dramatically in just the last 10 years and the public knows it. We're now the catch all end all, one call service. The dial a nurse should just be replaced with a recording stating "We are now transferring you to 911 since we'll recommend you call them anyway." But when we arrive we take a deep breath and sigh knowing that this is just the way it is.

I got the name "Happy Medic" from a nurse at the local Trauma Center after a rather difficult run. I can't recall the particulars of that one but not 20 minutes later we had another customer with us, one of our regulars, and I was whistling the whistle while you work song while taking his triage vitals. the nurse came around the corner and said, "Why are you so happy?" I looked around and said, "On my worst days, when I feel like I can't get through, I think about all these folks and remind myself that my worst day is like some folks best day. That helps me relax. when I'm relaxed I whistle. Whistling makes you happy."
"Ok Happy Medic" and she wandered off. My partner that day said the name was perfect and now when they see me coming in they know all the drama will be from the patients, not from me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Those who thinks you are bitter indeed are humorless of whom I don't want to be associated with much!

They are human, so are we. They are they, they are not us. Their perspectives are not our perspectives. Their life experiences are not your life experiences. You happen to know how to rope in your own wild days better than most. It is those who doesn't KNOW how to handle roaring waves properly are those who needed help. Help / show them according to your best abilities (within reasonable laws) as one day you may find yourself in similar spot (completely utterly shocking yourself).

Oh yes, cluelessness, ignorance and ironies can be pretty darn funny sometimes!!
Anonymous said…
Who thinks you are bitter? I think comments like that are from bitter people. Those individuals are bitter and they want to project their bitterness onto you.

I say keep writing happy medic stories and if anyone does not enjoy reading them then STOP! I will be reading them everychance I get. Thanks!
Anonymous said…
Having grown up with a Dad in the Fire Service and at the busiest house in the County and being in a cop myself, I completely understand the need to find humour where most folks (citizens) don't.

We're not bitter. We're survivors. God bless and stay safe.