My life as a musical

A couple nights ago, I was listening to the Glee rendition of a classic ‘Annie’ song.  For those of you who are not familiar with this fabulous musical, one of the well known songs is ‘You’re never fully dressed without a smile.’  [I remember many an afternoon as a young child, my favorite thing to do was get a large cardboard box from Sam’s club, and sit in it in the family room as I watched great classics like ‘Annie’ and ‘The Little Mermaid.’] 

During residency, I worked with a great group of L&D nurses . . . one in particular who loved musicals just as much as I do.  I always loved when we worked together as it would end up being a very theatrical evening (one which tended to drive everyone else crazy).  [Nicole, I miss working with you.]  Life is so much more enjoyable when it is made up of songs . . . 

In my short time here, I have also become quite accustomed to many non-verbal forms of communication as a means to enhance any relationship I have with the people here.  Hugs, pats on the shoulder, holding the hand of a patient when I give them bad news . . . but the best (and easiest) non-verbal form has got to be a smile.

Throughout my time here, many of the employees have come to see me for various gynecologic concerns, including cancer screening.  It seems that after I have seen them as a patient, our relationship has somehow changed.  I’m no longer that odd white doctor who gets anxious when we have really sick patients, and does Zumba in her room alone . . . I am now someone they have an established connection with. 

Yesterday morning, I was sitting at the breakfast table, when one of the lab techs (whom I had just seen in clinic the previous day) walked by.  All I did was smile, and her eyes brightened up, she smiled back and said bonjour Vonde.  Then, I started singing in my head ‘Hey, hobo man; Hey, Dapper Dan’ You’ve both got your style, but brother you’re never fully dressed without a smile!’ . . . which only made me smile more.

In the afternoon, as I was seeing yet another patient who came with the false impression that the white doctor could cure every ailment in one clinic visit, I felt like I was in the temple scene of Jesus Christ Superstar . . . [see my eyes I can hardly see, see me stand, I can hardly walk, I believe you can make me whole . . . will you touch, will you mend me, Christ?]  (I am not comparing myself to Jesus by any means, but there are times where I want to scream/sing ‘There’s too many of you, don’t push me, there’s too little of me, don’t crowd me!)

So . . . I’ll admit, there are many of times that I have seemed to randomly break out into song, but I assure you that 1) I’ve probably been singing that song in my head for a while and 2) it actually does have relevance to what’s going on in life.  I also can not recall a single time where that was happened and the response of my surrounding peers was anything less than a smile.  As Buddy the elf said, ‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singling loud for all to hear, ‘ . . . in my opinion, it’s the best way to spread any kind of cheer.  Musicals just make life more fun.