Typical Day
Dr. Jess Roberts heads to the office at 7:15AM on a Monday. Most of the patients she'll see this week are annual check-ups, making it one of her favorite working weeks of the year. After running her own oncology practice for almost twelve years, Jess knows first-hand that you have to relish the victories won against cancer. Seeing longtime patients is a reminder of those victories; it provides a mental lift for both doctor and staff.
At 7:35AM she's pulling into the parking lot just behind her head office nurse, Peggy. Jess often thinks Peggy would've made a great doctor, except she's lacking one thing—good bedside manner. Peggy doesn't believe in spin. She tells it like it is, whether you want to hear it or not.
"Good morning, Peggy. Looks like it's going to rain later. We need it. The plants in front of the office look thirsty."
Peggy bypasses the good morning. "I could tell you it's going to rain by the way my joints feel. After a certain age, you don't need a weather forecaster to tell you what's going to happen." She unlocks the door while Jess resists a laugh. Of course, Jess also has a hard time remembering Peggy being wrong about anything.
"Thanks, Peggy. Once you're settled in, can you get the files for the first half of the day patients? I'll need the rest by lunch."
"Already on your desk. I had to come by this weekend, so I pulled them then. I knew you'd ask for them today before I could even get coffee going. You just go get ready for patients and I'll bring you a cup as soon as I get it made."
Jess dives into her files, barely taking notice of Peggy's extra-gruff nature this morning. Honestly, sometimes it feels like she's the boss. Still, she's a big asset to the office—Jess can deal with her lack of tact. Soon, Peggy's back with a steaming cup of coffee, just the way Jess likes it.
"Thanks, Peggy. When you were here over the weekend, did you see the contractors hang my new art work?"
Peggy rolls her eyes. "Why do you think I came up here? Yes, it's all done. There are even a couple in each bathroom."
"That's fine. Of all the hobbies I've tried over the years, this painting thing is the best. I can completely lose myself while painting. What's that called, transcendental?"
Peggy mumbles something then heads up front to open the office. Jess has to laugh. She's guessing her abstract paintings aren't to Peggy's taste. Maybe that's why she enjoys it so much.
Today's first patient is a man whom Dr. Roberts has been treating since she first opened her practice. "Hey, there's my old buddy Frank. How are you doing?" Jess asks, shaking Frank's hand.
"You tell me how I'm doing, Doc. After all these years, don't you know how this goes?"
"Well, let's see. Your x-rays from last week look good and so does your blood work. Let me have a look at you up close and see if everything looks okay."
"You already know I'm fine. You just enjoy seeing me in this paper gown."
"Yes," Jess smiles, "and the black socks are a nice touch, too. Now, take a deep breath and let me listen to your chest."
After Jess sends a healthy Frank off for another year, she sees one of her younger patients, who is two years into remission from Hodgkin's disease. After some tough months, Joe's strength and vitality seem to be coming back. "Good morning, Joe. You're looking good."
"Morning, Dr. R. Yep, I'm getting better every day."
"Well, let's check you out and see." Flipping through Joe's file, Jess sees that the blood work and a few other test results look good. She's looking mostly at the areas where Joe had the most radiation, and also at areas that'll indicate his strength levels. It appears that Joe is following the doctor's orders to eat right, get enough exercise, and stay on a regular sleep schedule.
"Joe, you're making excellent progress. Keep doing what you're doing. It's good to see you really getting your strength back."
"Yeah, and now that my hair is back, it's super-curly."
"Well, that's a problem for your hairdresser. Should I write you a referral?"
Dr. Robert's sees several more patients who are doing well, with no indications that their cancer is back. The afternoon brings a patient though, who has Jess a little concerned. Cheryl isn't an annual check-up, yet. She's a breast cancer survivor, a year and a half out from her initial remission. About ten days ago, she came in with swollen glands in her throat and under her arms.
Jess grabs her file and walks into the exam room. "Cheryl, how are you?"
A worried-looking Cheryl tries to smile. "I'm okay, I guess. Just anxious to find out what's up with these swollen glands."
Dr. Roberts takes a look and notices the swelling isn't as bad as it was a few days ago. Looking over her test results, she gives Cheryl the news. "Your white count was slightly elevated, but there's no evidence to suggest any cancer. Your immune system was just fighting off a normal bug. But I'll see you back in three months, okay? Everything's fine."
She walks Cheryl up front to the door and hears Peggy talking about one of Jess's paintings with a longtime patient. Peggy's back is to the hall door and Jess hears her tell the next patient the abstract painting looks like a tumor. A tumor?
Cheryl stifles a giggle as the doctor gives her a wink. "You know something Peggy, I think you're right. It does look like a tumor."
Peggy stiffens, and turns with a half a smile. "Oh, I didn't hear you coming up behind me. Just a little joke—we need to have some fun around here. Besides, I don't claim to be an art critic. Just an old nurse who needs to get back to work."
Peggy rushes past and Dr. Roberts could swear she sees a bit of a blush on her cheeks. She shrugs and says, "She knows so much about medicine, I wish she would stay a bit longer. I wanted to ask if she thinks the tumor is benign. Oh well."
Two patients later, Jess's work day is done. She gets changed in the break room and heads straight for the yoga studio. It's been a good day, but she still needs to unwind.
An hour later, Jess is feeling a lot better. She drives home to her husband and cats. After a lovely dinner involving steak and potatoes, Jess settles down in front of the TV with some knitting, just to make sure that she's totally, 100% relaxed. As a doctor, she knows the importance of taking time off to recharge—plus, winter is coming, and a half-finished hat won't do her any good.