Thread by @jkwillettmd

Gratitude can be transformative.

Today wasn’t less busy than any other day this week. We were still boarding just as many patients. Acuity hasn’t decreased. But I had an experience this morning that set the tone for my day and in turn, set a gratitude chain in motion.

<thread>

When I took sign out from the night doc this morning, there were lots of familiar names on my list - no surprise since I’ve worked the last few days and most admits haven’t budged. But as we walked past one room, I couldn’t figure out why the name was familiar. (2/x)

I figured it was probably a patient I had seen recently and was re-admitted, although for some reason, the name kept bouncing around in my head. But my shift started busy and there was no time to dwell on it as my day progressed. (3/x)

A couple hours and many traumas later, there was an unexpected break in the storm. I walked past the patients room on the way to my computer, where my coffee sat untouched. As I passed his doorway, he called to me... “Excuse me, Dr Willett?” (4/x)

I approached his bedside, cheery undercaffeinated smile highlighted by dark undereye circles, my now-cold coffee in the back of my mind.

“Good morning, sir, what can I help you with?”

“Do you remember me?” he asked as his eyes searched mine. (5/x)

Oh shit. Not the “Do you remember me?” question!

Countless new faces flood my world each day. I’m lucky I can remember where I put my keys, much less remember each and every patient. I can usually recognize a face though, even if I can’t match it with a name... (6/x)

His face was familiar. His name was familiar. I couldn’t put the pieces together.

Palms upward, I spoke honestly “your name rung a bell for me but I can’t place why...?”

“Two years ago...” he said... (7/x)

The tone of his voice told me to sit down.

“Two years ago, you changed my life. You SAVED my life. You were the only person to speak candidly to me in a scary situation and that one thing made me decide to stay in the hospital when I wanted to leave.”
(8/x)

His face suddenly collided with his name in my brain, sending chills down my spine. I scooched my chair closer to his bed and grabbed the railing.

He continued “They told me later it was the Widowmaker. I’ve googled that. I know how lucky I am.”
(9/x)

“The one thing that stands out to me” he said, “is you walking in the room and telling me ‘You won’t like what I’m going to say to you & you might be angry with me but that’s okay. What’s important is how you react to this and what we choose to do next’.” (10/x)

Although two years had passed, he recited my own words back to me almost verbatim and as he did, I could almost feel myself standing in that room with him again. I remember my frustration that he wanted to leave, my fear that he WOULD leave. (11/x)

I don’t know why my words resonated with him that day but by some grace, they did, and he stayed in the hospital. And he lived.

While the ED stirred outside his door, I sat a while longer with him and we talked about his health, his family, his life. (12/x)

As I got up to leave his room, he grabbed my hand.

“Remember that it’s worth it” he said. Tears filled his eyes, then mine.

“I know you have all been so busy lately and you must be tired & overworked and sometimes it’s thankless but just remember. It’s worth it.”

(13/x)

His words stuck with me the rest of my shift, just like my words had stayed with him for the past two years.

Imagine. The power of words to live even after leaving the safety of our mouths - to stay, dried and rattling around in the heads & hearts of their recipients. (14/x)

For the rest of my day, I carved out my words carefully. I chose joyful words and grateful words and positive, uplifting phrases. I gave them out to everyone around me and I watched how they were received. I imagined them being carried beyond today. (15/x)

It’s a lesson that goes beyond Medicine. We all know words have power. It might sound sappy, but if something so simple can impact a person so positively, shouldn’t we all be doing it? Choose your words as if you know they’ll be carried. (16/x)

And remember that even if you don’t get the thank you - because we most often don’t - that it doesn’t mean you didn’t make a difference. And keep giving thank you’s of your own because your gratitude might just inspire someone else. (17/18)

Thank you all for letting me share.

18/18 ❤️