I finally got my car back yesterday. Borrowed a hospital pickup to get home Monday night. Of course, I did my gym thing en route to the house. My neighbor gave me a ride on Monday morning. That pickup must have no suspension. I bounced like a basketball and was worn out when I got home. It had no radio. One of the two stations here plays "Pave paradise, put up a parking lot" several times a day. They repeat a lot of songs. I just got to the library after stopping at the National Park headquarters in downtown Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango). I stopped at one store looking for Earl Grey tea and Listerine total mouthwash without any luck. I got earthquake and fire insurance for my stuff. There are enough trembles here to make me nervous and I have it planned that I will immediately go out to the hill that connects the house if I get scared by one. I do not believe that any homes here are ready for earthquakes.
Had two good feedbacks besides the thanks of my patients when they leave. One friend of my new friend, Colleen, told her on a phone call how nice the new doctor was to her son and how much comfort he had from her (me) when he woke in the middle of the night with an earache. The other feedback was when a patient recognized me on the bus that I took to get my car yesterday and how obviously he connected with me. Of course, I could not remember his exact problem but it was good to find out how important I am to him. Had a rough day with Nurse Nasty yesterday. I will enclose a memo that I wrote to my boss about HER (HIM). After I sent the note, when we were talking, she told me to "shut up". I cannot believe her temerity. So here it is. I enjoy hearing from you but no pictures please. My email was tied up when I got here so that I didn't get some of my mail. I use my email as a file system too much, but there it is.
I miss you and Mensa and dancing.
Love, Genie
(Names changed to "ABC" and "DEF" but you get the idea. Editor)
To: ABC:
From: Eugenia McGarry MD: Subject: unprofessional conduct by a nurse.
DEF has demonstrated a very poor attitude on many occasions since I began work here 9 weeks ago. To name a few: On June 12, she remarked to another paramedical person that the recommendations that I provided casually to that person (upon the persons inquiry) were "ridiculous" and could not help her swollen knee. On June 16, Miss DEF commented within a patients hearing that I should have called the pharmacy regarding their formulary and when I snapped back that the pharmacy was closed, she loudly stated that I shouldnt yell at her. On June 16, Miss DEF called me an ugly old ----- from a distance of 10 feet. I missed the last word. Miss DEF has repeatedly barred my access to the printer and to x-ray forms by not moving when I asked her to do so. She has kept the computer room door locked so that physicians are denied access even on their hours off-duty. On June 16, I waited until the supply persons were going into the room before my duty hours and she refused them admittance because I was standing there. I walked down the hall out of sight and came back in the other direction and was able to get access to the computer room for a few minutes. Miss DEF has made comments (in Samoan, which I do not understand) to other medical personnel immediately after I made a statement and then the whole group laughed. I may not understand the words but I do understand the gist of the insult. I have been very hurt by her actions and loath to discuss the problem. I know that other physicians can verify her rudeness and unprofessional conduct which on more than one occasion has interfered with patient care and certainly has undermined my authority. I do not understand why Miss DEF has gone into nursing since her sensitivity to others needs is so deficient. I do not know how she feels offended by me but I certainly feel offended by her behavior. I feel that physicians, who are trusted to take care of the citizens of American Samoa, should certainly be trusted enough to be provided with computer room keys which can be duplicated within one day and that all personnel should treat each other with respect(at least in the presence of patients).
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