Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Never mind

I'm walking a forgetful elderly lady up front after an appointment, and notice on the info sheet that today is her birthday.

Dr. Grumpy: "Happy birthday!"

Mrs. Taubeta: "Oh, is it someone's birthday?"

Dr. Grumpy: "It's your birthday."

Mrs. Taubeta: "I have a birthday coming up, too!" (looks at Mary) "Well, have a happy one!"

Mary: "It's your birthday."

Mrs. Taubeta: "Really? My birthday is next week, too! What a coincidence."

Dr. Grumpy (giving up): "Well, I hope you have a happy one."

Mrs. Taubeta: "Thank you. And to you, too. I'm sorry you have to work on your birthday."
at

16 comments:

  1. Mama DSeptember 19, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    That's so sad...

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  2. JOSeptember 19, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    I had a pt with AD who when asked the date woul respond with her birthdate and then say wait a minute it's my birthday today - will we have a party? Her caregiver would then say - we had a lovely party on your birthday but today really is present date. I always thought if I ever loose track of time, I want everyday to be my birthday too.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Who's on first?

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2012 at 9:31 AM

    Well bless her heart.

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  5. LTC RNSeptember 19, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    I work with dementia pts. One lady had a birthday everyday. People thought it was sad, but she had a great family...cupcakes every day! As long as we had a birthday party in the evening she was happy. No meds, just a cupcake then off to bed..tomorrow was her birthday. (Just like that movie 50 First Dates)

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  6. Mari-AnnSeptember 19, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    So nice for her...she gets to meet new people every day.

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    betatau - very good one, IB

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  8. MASeptember 19, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    Dr. Grumpy sure wish you were my doctor as you sound like a pretty neat doc.

    As to the rest of the comments: How lovely indeed and what a wonderful way to deal with forgetful patients.

    Have a lovely day!

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  9. BethanySeptember 19, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Please say she wasn't driving home. Please say she wasn't driving home.

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  10. Ms. DonnaSeptember 19, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    AWWWWWW My my doc walk me to the desk when I am old and forgetful...

    Hey, I am old. And forgetful. Is that why Dr. A walked me to the desk ... ????

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  11. SuzeSeptember 19, 2012 at 7:55 PM

    Sounds like my life. My dad is 16 years into his Alzheimer's journey and by chance Friday is his birthday. It drives me bats but he is so happy!

    Thank you for the smile and the reminder that as a carer I am not alone.

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  12. gloria pSeptember 19, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    Poor old soul. I wonder if her hearing is partially at fault.

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  13. WendySeptember 20, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    She was just messing with you. Over here there is a tv show "Benidorm bastards" where old people pull pranks on youg(er) people.

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  14. Crazy RxManSeptember 20, 2012 at 1:18 AM

    I had a really good comment to make on this issue but I forgot it. :(

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  15. cliffintokyoSeptember 20, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    I hope that I am fortunate enough to have similarly kind people around me if/when I start to lose it...

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  16. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    It is a good reminder that everyone gets old. This will likely happen to a lot of you.

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So wadda you think?