Reality Programming...

There's no need to turn on the television, if you spend more than a few hours in your local Emergency Department's waiting area you'll have all the reality drama you can imagine... and then some! We've spent our share of time hanging out there lately, and witnessed an array of situations; it makes me truly wonder, after experiencing this, why reality programming is so popular. I don't get it, but what I do understand is the skillful patience practiced at all times by the ED's professionals; they see, and handle, it all.

*There was the irate father who ranted and raved (to anyone and everyone) at full volume because his daughter's wrecked automobile was towed from the accident scene before he had a chance to remove personal belongings from her car. He accused his wife of being overly emotional for crying over their daughter's injury; and yet, they both were happy to show photos of the accident scene to family members, as they arrived, from each of their phones!
*There was the carpenter who had shot himself in the calf of his leg with a nail gun. He didn't seem to be in much pain while he waited in a wheelchair to receive treatment. A fellow "patient" who was waiting her turn in line to be treated for random abdominal pain informed him that although he wasn't in pain now, he would be. She knew this due to the fact that when her mother was stabbed it hurt when the knife came out, not when it went in!
*There was the young couple, obviously very pregnant, who learned as the result of an ultrasound why she was so large at only ten weeks into her pregnancy... there were five, or six, babies in there!
*There was the woman who careened into the drive-through, kicked her car door open, and yelled out that her water had broken! She was packed, with towels, into a wheelchair by the door attendant who quickly and efficiently whisked her away and came back later with her keys to park her car for her!
*There was the very large family who all arrived together with "Mama". Mama was informed of her need for immediate, emergency surgery; which, apparently, she flatly refused. An older woman, from the same family, the self-appointed matriarch; called the clan together and informed them that they all needed to "go, one at a time, and tell their Mama good-bye because she was going to die" (Exact quote!). The family members did as they were directed, one at a time, without any emotion whatsoever. That is, until their over-the-top, theatrical, Pastor arrived an hour later... that's when the wailing and carrying-on began, it was if someone had flipped on the crying switch. Unreal.
* There was the young man who hangs out there (we saw him on two separate occasions) on a regular basis, supposedly receiving treatment for a rare blood disorder. He spent an inordinate amount of time on his phone, trying to procure transportation home for himself; he was turned down by his own father and girlfriend, he then took to soliciting rides from total strangers... he even used "pick up" lines (over and over): "I believe you used to be my schoolteacher" and "aren't you a neighbor of my grandparents?" on unsuspecting visitors to the waiting room. Sad.
*There was the teenager who was waiting to be seen and asked the ED nurse at the desk if she had enough time to leave and to go out to lunch without losing her place in line. I'm still shaking my head over that one.
*The same type of question was posed by another young lady who needed to get to class and was tired of waiting and fearful she'd be late for a final exam. She explained that all she needed was a pregnancy test, and they took her right back to a treatment area! Really? Really??
*Then there were the loud screamers (groaners/moaners). Problems unknown, except for screaming, (groaning and moaning) there were a few of those; I guess it was contagious.

This was reality programming at it's best, or worst,

depending on your perspective; no television needed.

I know, for a fact, I couldn't work there; no way.

I am grateful that there are those who can, and do.

Life is Good!