Feeling A Little Sore About This Nurse
EMERGENCY ROOM, ILLINOIS, NURSES, SILLY, USA | HEALTHY | APRIL 30, 2020
I’m working on a project at home and slice my thumb pretty bad. Don’t play with Exacto knives, kids! After forty-five minutes, the bleeding still hasn’t stopped, so my husband and I decide to head to the ER to see if I need stitches.
Fortunately, the doctor is able to glue it back together and I don’t need stitches after all, but I do need a Tetanus shot. The doctor leaves the room and the nurse comes in.
Nurse: “Which arm would you like it in, sweetie?”
Me: “Is it going to cause any muscle soreness tomorrow?”
I ask her this because I’m a photographer and need to use my right arm. I know some shots have this side effect but can’t remember for sure. If it’s not going to cause soreness, then I prefer it in my right arm since I cut my left thumb and don’t want to double up on the discomfort, but if it is going to be sore, then I do want it in my left so my right arm can still be functional for work the next day.
I probably should explain all that, but it’s 1:00 am and I’m tired.
Nurse: “Oh, no, you’ll be fine!”
Me: “Okay, right arm, then.”
She gives me the shot and is cleaning up and getting ready to leave when the doctor comes back in with my discharge instructions.
Doctor: “Okay, so, your arm is going to be pretty sore tomorrow from the shot, but don’t worry; that’s completely normal.”
The nurse freezes in the doorway when he says this, and I look at her in shock.
Nurse: *Muttering* “Rats, almost made it.”
Me: *Incredulous* “You dirty liar!”
I say this very jokingly because we’ve been lighthearted all along and in the grand scheme of things this doesn’t really matter much.
Nurse: “If I had told you that you’d be sore, you would have refused the shot!”
I sigh over-dramatically, turning to the doctor.
Me: “I’m gonna need a work note.”
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