Forum Discussion
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
- Hi Zoffiel, you know you have every right to request another technician. Just ask to see the manager of the department and request you don't ever have HER. You don't have to put up with that crap. However,if you want to persevere then perhaps write your name on your forehead as a helpful gesture!! She's young and newly graduated and full of her own importance by the sounds of it.
- Its @Zoffiel fault!!!! as usual stirring the pot hahahaha!!!
- Hahaha... seriously ladies, I shouldn't be laughing this hard mid chemo. My bladder can't cope!!!
- Lol....but it would be so fun
- Bwahaha Kath. I'd rather bellow 'Arrrrghhh' and throw myself to the floor every time I see her.
- I make a point if being so sickly sweet to those people its nauseating. Oh yes...thankyou sweetie or better still nursie) ...back. ...oh is that right am I in the right spot ...oh thankyou sweetie for shoving me over there, silly me....all tbe while dripping a nauseating smile. And when she says her name is not nursie...just ever so sweetly remibd her that yours isn't dear. Oooh...and when she eye rolls...ask concerningly if she is okay...and just say ...oooh...thought your eyes must be sore as tbey seem to be sticking upwards. ...lol. Bring on the end of the darn treatment .
- LOL I say that because I think her head would spin off...because she'll be expecting you to treat her like you are now...plus you end it on a note that is actually you :) too funny!!! xx
- That's how I treat the overwhelming majority of people, Mel. Except for the ones that attract the evil eye. You're right though, it's worth a shot. On the last day.
- @Zoffiel hmmm you know Id really vamp it up a little, after you finished playing with her maybe next week...I'd be the complete opposite, she'd be stunned WTF!!!! get her name right, thank her for her help blah blah, give a reaction she wouldnt see coming actually wait til the end haha!!! I dont think she'd be used to anyone treating her nicely...always great to surprise people....it might snap her into reality and show her how she's been treating people. :) M xx
Nikki's suggestion is next. I'm thinking I can stretch that out over a couple of sessions...
Those with great communication and people skills may not necessarily be attracted to a job that involves measuring patients then charging into a bunker and staring at a screen while everyone gets irradiated. I get it.
You know, sometimes someone comes along who just condenses all the stuff that is festering in your brain into focus. I can get a fairly benign passive resistance program happening and have something to distract myself while I'm lying in the machine.
Hey, any of you rads vets ever lay in the machine, looked at the weird little grill thing that opens and shuts in the ....umm, no idea what it's called...as it moves around you and thought "Wow, it looks like the thing that was going to eat Sigorny Weaver in Aliens"
