Me: Thank you for calling Generic Nurse Advice Hotline, I’m an RN, how can I help you?

Caller: I had a baby a week ago, and I’m having some symptoms I’m worried about.

Me: I’d be happy to go over your symptoms with you. By the way, congratulations on your new baby!

Caller: It was stillborn.

:(

And you know what that means. I’m going to get flooded with calls from people who have had shoulder pain for 2 months and want something done about it NOW, people who have been on oxygen for years but didn’t have the foresight to call their O2 company to refill their canisters, and (a call I’ve already taken) the diabetic on an insulin pump, living in a rural area that doesn’t have 24 hour pharmacies, who now suddenly needs a refill.

I can understand an occasional bout of forgetfulness, but I don’t understand why minor allergy symptoms or a “catch in my knee” that has been going on for three months ALWAYS becomes a medical emergency during a holiday weekend for some people. These people are also the ones who complain the loudest about the wait in the emergency room.

Honey, if you waited for 6 weeks to SEEK medical attention, you can wait a couple of hours more while people who are really sick are taken care of.

And for everyone else who need prescriptions, oxygen, etc. — please plan ahead before holiday weekends.