abscesses, erectile dysfunction, and heartache

Family medicine - a little bit of everything. In this past week, I have become teary eyed in front of a patient, almost been hit with pus from an abscess, and discussed with a patient that it's ok to talk to me about sex.
I saw 2 abscesses drained this week. Gotta be careful, because many are under pressure and in the process of draining - pus and such may shoot across the room. Another sebaceous cyst that we drained smelled. It wasn't THAT bad, but an odor was definitely present. (I just picture my Aunt Tina gagging - she easily gags and smells).

This little old lady came in for a check up and I went in before the doctor just to talk to her and see how things were going - meds, etc. Her husband passed away about 6 months ago. She was talking to me about her husband. Telling me he was the greatest man that she ever knew. They were married for 65 years. You could tell how much she loved and missed him. I was sitting there across from her teary-eyed. Thinking in my head - don't you dare cry in front of this woman. I believe there is a time and place to cry with your patients, but not within the first 5 minutes that you meet them - and not when you don't know her history or her husband, etc. The doctor came in with me later and asked the patient how she was feeling, etc. Then he asked her - how's your heart? Any chest pain or shortness of breath? The patient responded - "It's broken." I almost lost it there.

Erectile Dysfunction - the favorite thing to mention right before the doc leaves the room. Oh by the way - can we take care of my other problem. Or oh yeah Doc - can I get a prescription for Viagra. Today I saw a patient who was on an SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that does have decreased libido as a side effect. He hints at this with me, but then its like not that "that" (sex) is the only important thing in life, but I've noticed a difference. I told him it's ok to talk about "that" with me and that no it may not be the most important thing in life, but it is a quality of life factor. Later he kind of danced around the subject when the doctor was in the room with us. The doctor was like - she's going to be a doctor and yes she's young, but you can talk about it in front of her.

So variety - that's my day. Always something new and different. This is just a small taste.