Mine and Mark's Valentine weekend get away to Raleigh, North Carolina, proved interesting to say the least. Mark was struck with appendicitis and had to have an appendectomy. So, Valentines was spent with him in Raleigh Community Hospital.

Now, I can honestly say having a wife,husband and/or partner who works in the medical field can be another physician's and nurse's WORST nightmare. We watch everything. We know how things work "behind the scene's" and we can be intolerable,nasty, evil bitches not to mention extremely demanding.

The ER attempted to pull the "You only have the FLU" routine with Mark and anyone could clearly see that a man doubled over c/o quad pain,vomiting and spiking a fever does NOT simply have "The Flu". I was not going to settle for that medical diagnosis. Mark, I know wouldn't had either had he had the energy to put up an argument. So, I was the advocate. Eventually labeled, "Satan's Spawn" by the medical staff on duty later I am sure.

"The FLU"???? I said....."You have GOT to be kidding me".

The ER Physician: "Well North Carollina has been dealing with an epidemic of it lately"

Me: "Look, I am a nurse and he is a physician so we do have knowledge of S/S of the flu....and I have to disagree with you on this. I want a CBC W/ Diff performed on him STAT and I want to see if his WBC is elevated and if they are I am sure that it will confirm that he is having appendicitis as I suspect."

The ER Physician: "Well, that is your choice sir....but I think when the results return you will see that they are not and he does have the flu."

15 minutes later:

The ER Physician: "Umm.... Sir.....your partner here will have to be prepped for surgery, his WBC's are extremely elevated and he will need to have an emergency appendectomy."

Me: "Hmm.... You don't say"

The Er Physician: "I do apologize for wasting time in this diagnosis".

Me: "Well, I accept your apology, we all make mistakes....but we all have voices as well......I'm just glad that I know how to use mine when need be........oh and.......keep him medicated.


Mark is doing fine right now, he wont be returning to work until next week and how lucky can he get?????? He has his own Private Duty Nurse.......ME.