Gratitude

"Doctor, I am hurting so bad.  I missed my Dilaudid this morning because the surgery instructions said not to eat or drink anything.  Can't you please give me something right now.  I feel like I'm going to faint the pain is so bad.  Also please don't take off the fentanyl patch during the surgery.  And remember to write me for Benadryl afterwards.  If I don't get my Benadryl around the clock with my Dilaudid my itching is unbearable."

"The Taliban on Sunday ordered their first public executions by stoning since their fall from power nine years ago, killing a young couple who had unsuccessfully tried to elope.  The punishment was carried out by hundreds of the victims’ neighbors and even their family members in a village in northern Kunduz Province."
The New York Times August 16, 2010

"What do you mean you can't get my IV?  Why is it you people never seem to be able to get an IV in when I'm here.  When I go get my blood drawn they never have this problem.  I'm going to give you one more chance to get this IV.  Then I want somebody with more experience than you to do it.  If not I'm leaving and never coming back.  This place is a real piece of s***."

"In northwestern Badghis Province on Aug. 8, a 41-year-old widow, who was made pregnant by a man she said promised to marry her, was convicted of fornication by a Taliban court. She was given 200 lashes with a whip and then shot to death."
The New York Times August 16, 2010

"What's wrong with this OR? My cases never start on time. The anesthesiologist is taking forever to see my patient.  The equipment I requested for this case isn't ready yet?  I'm never going to bring any patients here again.  I can get a lot more work done at my surgery center without all the crap I have to deal with here."

"A 12-member team with International Assistance Mission set off from Afghanistan's capital for remote Nuristan province to operate a mobile clinic with eye doctors, a dentist and a general practitioner for people who had little access to medical care. Ten of the team were killed in an ambush Aug. 5 in neighboring Badakhshan province as they made their return trip to Kabul."
The Los Angeles Times August 9, 2010

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but but a parent of all the others." Cicero