10 Favorite Patient Quotes

These all hit 1000% better when you know the context and the patients. But obviously, this will have to do!

Truly, if I don’t laugh during the day, the other option is to absolutely bawl my eyes out (sometimes). People are incredible. Medicine is wild. If you don’t laugh, it will swallow you up. I’m grateful to work with coworkers and patients who bring levity and humor to most situations. It makes the hard days better and the good days great.

“You ready for me to unload yet?”- a patient of mine actively waiting until I’m in a comfortable sitting position to spill the tea.

“God sent”- a review of mine from one of my most reserved patients

“Can I take a tequila shot to celebrate?”- a patient after I revealed her A1c was at goal

“I named my two dogs Scooby and Doo but Scooby died so now it’s just Doo.”

“Do you want to dance? Let me show you a few new moves I’m working on.”- we proceeded to dance

“I don’t smoke weed anymore.”- patient

“That’s great!”- me

“… but I’m not gonna lie… I definitely take edibles.”

“Do you want to see a picture of my doodoo?”

“We don’t have any heat in our house, but others don’t even have a house so I’d say we are lucky.”- an elderly patient of mine during the snowstorm

“I love me some Dr. Marisa!”- a patient review of mine that I just can’t help but read in a sassy happy tone (yes, we’ve gone over that I’m not a doctor)

“What do you do for fun?”- me

“I knit sweaters… for my entire neighborhood… every year.”- the kindest soul

I’m just here to remind you that sometimes working in medicine can be really really heavy and painful and hard. And other times, you are salsa dancing in the room and tearing up over a shockingly kind patient review.

There are hundreds of other quotes and patients and moments that I could write about. To me, it’s what this whole thing is all about.

I encourage anyone working in medicine to simply jot down the moments that left you in awe, broke your heart, made you belly laugh, or were simply memorable. People are such a gift and we have the unique opportunity to meet with so many people day in and day out year after year.

My patients are my greatest teachers. They humble me. Keep me grounded. Make me laugh. Leave me in awe. Show me what faith is. Exemplify goodness. They are the whole picture.

Go ask your favorite healthcare worker their favorite work story. It’ll probably be really really good.

As always, I’m rooting for you!

xoxo