Roach, Crack Pipe, and Other Party Favors

Working in an inner city that has been labeled one of the worst cities in America, is always challenging and interesting.  It reminds of that  Forrest Gump line, work "...is like a box of chocolates, you never now what you're gunna get", or what you might find, or what might be given to you.  And in the spirit of giving, sometimes our patients give us the things we least expect.

Like the lovely gent who graciously gave up his well used crack pipe to one of our interns... The look on the interns face was priceless as he looked at me shocked, "what do I say?"  My response, "Thank him."

Then there was the time I was restocking one of our OB exam rooms and found a blunt (for those of you not use to the hood terms, it like a joint made with a cheep cigar .  Maybe it was a medical marijuana blunt they had intended for later use? Or maybe they felt bad for the staff. 

There have also been the offers of half eaten food, thank you, but no.  

Nationally our city gets a bad rap.  Sure there is a ton of gang violence, but the spirit of giving is all around.