the many faces of penis
You know, going into this nursing thing, I knew, in my heart of hearts, that I would be faced with many tests during the ongoing course. My intelligence, my emotions, my stomach ( directly correlated with the nose and many wonderful scents in the hospital). I also knew that I would have to learn to callus myself to be able to do my job efficiently. I have been able to harden myself to pretty much most of the things that I was worried about. My heart goes out only a little bit now when I see suffering, or sadness. My stomach does not do cartwheels when these is a foot long wound that has to be debreaved, or homeless person who has sat in their own waste for 6 days... I'm pretty damn proud of myself! As you all know, I am a pretty damn sensitive person, and I knew that these things would be my greatest challenges.
Now, the one thing that I haven't really thought about or been faced with are dealing with patients who are around my age. Especially men. Mostly it's older patients, and I have no problem with cleaning an older man up, or catheterizing him. My point- (yes, there is one in this rambling mess) I was not prepared to have a guy as my pt. that was young and cute. Just NOT expecting it, or caught off guard. Yes, this is a "new to the game" feeling, and I knew it would have to happen sooner or later and that I would deal. Well, I went about my business in my usual nursey- nurse manner until the Doctor ordered a catheter. ( did I mention young and cute?) So here I am, bedside manner and all- trying to be very clinical about the whole procedure. It was when I was cleaning him up with beta dyne that I had my ground breaking moment. I was completely able to grab hold of him and ignore a little semi (it is NOT true what they say about all african- american men and endowment, btw) and separate the sexual from the anatomical. Somehow this sexual object transformed into just another part of a person I needed to help. It was a big moment for me. I now can imagine those OB/GYN doctors and nurses. Does that part of our anatomy completely lose the allure and mystery when we look it in this way? I certainly hope that very distinct line stays that distinct. So there you have it. Big moment for me...
Now, the one thing that I haven't really thought about or been faced with are dealing with patients who are around my age. Especially men. Mostly it's older patients, and I have no problem with cleaning an older man up, or catheterizing him. My point- (yes, there is one in this rambling mess) I was not prepared to have a guy as my pt. that was young and cute. Just NOT expecting it, or caught off guard. Yes, this is a "new to the game" feeling, and I knew it would have to happen sooner or later and that I would deal. Well, I went about my business in my usual nursey- nurse manner until the Doctor ordered a catheter. ( did I mention young and cute?) So here I am, bedside manner and all- trying to be very clinical about the whole procedure. It was when I was cleaning him up with beta dyne that I had my ground breaking moment. I was completely able to grab hold of him and ignore a little semi (it is NOT true what they say about all african- american men and endowment, btw) and separate the sexual from the anatomical. Somehow this sexual object transformed into just another part of a person I needed to help. It was a big moment for me. I now can imagine those OB/GYN doctors and nurses. Does that part of our anatomy completely lose the allure and mystery when we look it in this way? I certainly hope that very distinct line stays that distinct. So there you have it. Big moment for me...