Forum Discussion
Zoffiel
9 years agoMember
Snarky Cow
I'm into my second week of radiotherapy and I have a problem. When I say that, I realise it is my problem, but it's giving me the irrits.
One of the technicians is really giving me the shits. I met her on the first day of actual treatment, so I was on the table for a while as they faffed about. The first thing she did was yell instructions into my ear. And called me dear all the time. In the end I quite politely told her I didn't have a hearing problem, thanks for speaking clearly, but normal volume would do. I got an eyeroll and a snarky little reply that it was important I understood what was going on. Dear. BTW she speaks normally to her colleagues.
So, a couple of days later, there she is again. The tiny crosses that the other techs put on are suddenly huge great pen marks. More yelling, dearing and less than gentle repositioning of my increasingly rigid body. Thanks for that, honey.
She's there again yesterday. You know how they are constantly asking your name and DOB. Well, I'm on the table, answer the question and I get, 'Can you repeat that, dear?' The radiographer, who's a really nice guy has just frozen in mid step and looked at her. I've gone 'What?' Shes then launched into a lecture about how they have a responsibility to make sure they are treating the right person, can I repeat my details please. All this at great volume with a slapable smirk on her face. And a photo of my face on the screen in front of her.
Passive aggresives like this drive me mental. I've handled all manner of difficult people in my life but this smirking bitch is getting under my skin. It's the sort of patronising behaviour which is really hard to correct because, technically, they haven't done anything wrong. They are just being arseholes. You can't complain about them, and they know exactly what they are doing. TBH, I've employed the same techniques on occasions, but not to someone who is lying on a trolley naked from the waist up.
So, I've suggested that she come a little closer to me, please, waited until the eyeroll had finished and she was standing next to me then very slowly and deliberately annunciated my name, address and DOB. Can you remember that until you get back to the computer, dear? And promised to speak more clearly to her next time. I thought that rad dude was going to wet himself.
Hopefully I won't come across her again but I've decided that next time she starts yelling and dragging me around on the trolley, I'm going to fall off. That should keep the cow neck deep in paperwork for a while.
One of the technicians is really giving me the shits. I met her on the first day of actual treatment, so I was on the table for a while as they faffed about. The first thing she did was yell instructions into my ear. And called me dear all the time. In the end I quite politely told her I didn't have a hearing problem, thanks for speaking clearly, but normal volume would do. I got an eyeroll and a snarky little reply that it was important I understood what was going on. Dear. BTW she speaks normally to her colleagues.
So, a couple of days later, there she is again. The tiny crosses that the other techs put on are suddenly huge great pen marks. More yelling, dearing and less than gentle repositioning of my increasingly rigid body. Thanks for that, honey.
She's there again yesterday. You know how they are constantly asking your name and DOB. Well, I'm on the table, answer the question and I get, 'Can you repeat that, dear?' The radiographer, who's a really nice guy has just frozen in mid step and looked at her. I've gone 'What?' Shes then launched into a lecture about how they have a responsibility to make sure they are treating the right person, can I repeat my details please. All this at great volume with a slapable smirk on her face. And a photo of my face on the screen in front of her.
Passive aggresives like this drive me mental. I've handled all manner of difficult people in my life but this smirking bitch is getting under my skin. It's the sort of patronising behaviour which is really hard to correct because, technically, they haven't done anything wrong. They are just being arseholes. You can't complain about them, and they know exactly what they are doing. TBH, I've employed the same techniques on occasions, but not to someone who is lying on a trolley naked from the waist up.
So, I've suggested that she come a little closer to me, please, waited until the eyeroll had finished and she was standing next to me then very slowly and deliberately annunciated my name, address and DOB. Can you remember that until you get back to the computer, dear? And promised to speak more clearly to her next time. I thought that rad dude was going to wet himself.
Hopefully I won't come across her again but I've decided that next time she starts yelling and dragging me around on the trolley, I'm going to fall off. That should keep the cow neck deep in paperwork for a while.
52 Replies
- AfraserMemberAll laughter aside, and I think @nikkid's suggestion is perfect, this is appalling training. She's not an old timer who's set in her ways (still bad but more understandable), she's just a patronising upstart with no manners. I have rarely had the problem, but I did have a very young nurse when I was hospitalised with tachycardia, who adopted a similar attitude - poor communication, patronising attitude, bizarre questions. Finally she demanded to know if I was under any stress? I reminded her that I had cancer, was having chemo, had lost my hair, couldn't feel my feet and now apparently had a heart condition, so what did she think. That finally stopped her.
Sheesh! - iserbrownMember
- You've got it in one! She obviously isn't a very happy person to feel the need to wear the superiority cap all the time!
- ZoffielMemberChildish of me, I know. But we've all worked with, or been treated by, this woman. Sucks to be her, I'm sure.
- Ah. but you're onto her @Zoffiel so you now have the advantage!! Just remind yourself that some poor bugger has to live with her 24/7.
Good luck next time! xx - ZoffielMember
Today.
Me: Good morning Lucy
Snarky Cow: My name's ***
Me: Sorry. ***Shrugs and stands in the middle of the room***
SN: Please get on the table
Me: Now?
SN ***Audible eye rolling*** Yes. Now.
Me: OK ***Climbs up and lies in wrong position***
SN ***Sighs and shoves at my hip***
Me: Owww!
Rads Dude: You OK, Marg?
Me: It will be alright, ***pathos***I'll see if I can get a massage this afternoon
SN: I only...
Me: ***Smiles sweetest pirate smile***
- I was asked my name and date of birth before every one of my 30 radiation treatments, no matter who gave it to me and no matter how often they had treated me before. So it must have been a strict rule in the hospital. Good luck with your treatment. It certainly makes a difference if we get pleasant competent respectful professionals looking after us. Karen
- nikkidMemberLet us know how you go @Zoffiel xxxx
- ZoffielMemberGold @nikkid !
Oh my, lying in bed with the sun coming in the window, laughing.
Better get up and get back in the car. I'll be chuckling all the way. Thanks ladies :) - ZoffielMemberShe's only really young @Glemmis which makes the 'dear' thing even more annoying. And yes, I get the impression rad dude isn't too impressed by her. The body language is intriguing when she is in the room particularly since he's really cruisy and it's pleasant enough when the other techs are working.
We all need to know things are being done properly and I appreciate they have patients who are not quite with it. Thing is officious behaviour, apart from being unnecessary, takes up time. In a factory like that, time is money and they are already working to a tight schedule.