I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for taking a moment to read my latest update.
Bevel
Earlier this year I learned about a company called Bevel through their ads on Facebook. I was impressed with their product design, advertising, photography, and also liked the interesting articles on their website. In September I started using their unique shaving system. I wrote an article about Bevel and was surprised to get a nice response from the company CEO minutes after posting the article. [Read Article]
Career
As I mentioned in last month’s update, I’ve been very busy with my work at the University of Iowa — which has required putting in some extra time beyond normal hours to cover some expanded duties and additional responsibilities this semester. My expanded worked included an additional 20 to 30 hours a week of work supporting several departments (for someone who took a job elsewhere). It’s been an enjoyable challenge to take on an additional workload because it gives me an opportunity to figure out more efficient ways to do things. After 8-weeks into the Fall semester, the work load has tapered off and I’ve been able to have some evenings and weekends again — which is good since we don’t get paid for overtime work.
Email Efficiency
Like everyone, I receive hundreds of emails every week, and it doesn’t take long for thousands of emails to pile up in the inbox. Over the past two months I’ve been trying to keep my inbox empty by responding to every email. Some requests that come by email may take more than one day to accomplish. For such requests, I have a task list to prioritize various requests that come in by email, phone, Facebook, and other means. The system has helped me keep my inbox empty (a great feeling) and prioritize my day-to-day work.
Technology
As a consultant and small business owner, I’ve had to take care of all aspects of the business, and the wide variety of requests that come in. I like this diversity. My work at the University of Iowa also involves various areas of responsibility. In a larger institution or enterprise, usually there are separate positions for these roles because for most people it can be challenging to attend important meetings, keep up with administrative paperwork, respond to urgent support requests, and keep up with the repair or setup of computers. This month I wrote an article about the four quadrants of technology service and support and how larger organizations provide technology services and support. [Read Article]
Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 15 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and activism. This is based on the life map presented on the Resources For Life website.
Growing up, my stepdad Paul was a positive influence in my life. In August he passed away. A celebration of life event was held on October 4, but I wasn’t able to attend so I wrote the following message to share at the event.
Paul Carter Celebration of Life
I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you today for Paul’s Celebration of Life. Whenever I meet someone who knew Paul, I learn something new about Paul, and I grow to respect, appreciate, and love him more. So, I really wanted to be there today.
Paul was in my life at an important time during my pre-teen and teen years as I was growing into who I would be as an adult. Because we had a family business, with the dog kennel, Paul wasn’t just a parent who I’d see in passing. We worked together at the business after school and on the weekends, and he was there in the evenings at the dinner table. That’s a rare experience for a kid to have these days unless you’re Amish.
The lessons I learned about hard work and genuinely caring about people and their animal companions have stuck with me and continue to shape my own business that I began in my early 20s and still have today.
As a parent, Paul wasn’t one to lecture. The most important lessons he taught me weren’t spoken, but lived out, and those are the things that have stuck with me through my entire life. His daily examples of kindness and caring had an impact on me.
Paul was concerned that I be brought up right. I remember at the dinner table, if I was resting my elbows on the table Paul would gently correct me. Sometimes with just a thoughtful glance. He wanted to make sure I was becoming a young gentleman with proper manners. It was a little bit like being in finishing school, but I appreciated it. He instilled in me the little things that shape who I am today.
In my adult years, after going to college and starting a career, it was nice to continue to have Paul in my life whenever I’d go home to Maryland for a visit, and to keep in touch with the occasional phone call.
As is typical in families that are spread out, we’d often hear news second hand. I was thankful that my brother Sherman stayed in Maryland to be close and keep that connection and give us news of how everyone was doing.
I was awake in the early hours of the morning the day Paul passed away. When I heard the news, I wasn’t sure what to say or share with others. I posted a photo online from my last trip to Maryland with these words:
Looking back, we also look forward. Then we know what really matters. Sincerity. Laughter. Smiles. Kindness. Caring.
Today as we celebrate Paul’s life, I’m reminded of so many things to be grateful for.
Personal Update 201509 | 30 September 2015 | Wednesday
Greetings,
I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for taking a moment to read my latest update.
Career
Since sometime in August, I’ve been working about 50-60 hours per week for my job at the University of Iowa. When one of my colleagues took a new job in Des Moines, I was asked to take over his position, while continuing with my existing full-time job duties. At the same time, we had someone in my office retire. So we’ve been very short handed.
It’s been a challenge to keep up, yet, by creating support documentation, refining workflows, and implementing some efficient procedures I’ve been able to make it all work out.
Some people take a vacation from work, to enjoy life. I’ve been taking an extended vacation from live to catch up on work. Working 7 days-a-week, I’ve done little to no writing, photography, Facebook postings, or socializing. Now into week 6 of the semester, things are starting to slow down a little bit. So, it will be good to get back into a more balanced work-life schedule.
Writing
As you may know, I really enjoy writing articles. Some are commentary, others are product reviews or how-to guides to technology.
After almost two months of overworking, I’m looking forward to returning to writing more. The Bevel article was an important one for me because their products and company integrate a lot of areas I’m interested in.
Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 15 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and activism. This is based on the life map presented on the Resources For Life website.
I first learned about Bevel in early 2015 from their advertising on Facebook. My initial experience with the company was as an enthusiastic follower of their BevelCode.com blog — reposting and promoting their stories. Their website, articles, and photography are exceptional. I especially like the Bevel interviews. I’d not used their shaving system, but found the design of the razor and products visually exquisite.
Last week, on Monday, I ordered their shaving kit. They were having a special offer that included the kit with one month of supplies for free. You can get the same offer here:
Within two days, my shaving kit arrived. I was really surprised by the fast delivery. The quality of the kit is something you’d expect to see in a luxury department store or in-flight-magazine for $150. So, for the initial cost of about $7 in shipping, I was really impressed. It was in a premium gift box wrapped in Walker & Co. gift tissue paper. There was a card with a note from Tristan Walker that seemed to have been signed by him with pen — at least the ink strokes didn’t look printed. (See below where Tristan Tweeted a response to this article and confirmed the cards are signed by him.)
Tristan Walker, the founder of Bevel, is the inspiring young entrepreneur behind Walker & Company Brands. Two days ago, in an interview with USA Today, Tristan talked about how he was recently able to raise $24 million in venture capital from angel investors, and he also got Target to agree to start selling his product line in their stores. For a 2-year-old company and young business man, this is quite an accomplishment.
Impressions
Here are some initial impressions about the product and company.
Customer Rewards. Bevel recently launched a customer rewards program. It’s based on customers telling customers. When you signup with Bevel, you’ll get a website link to share with friends. When they signup, they will get a month of products free, and you’ll get rewarded as well.
Customer Service. I’ve contacted Bevel customer service and promptly received very helpful and supportive responses. They use Zendesk.com as the platform for their customer service. This is another example of how they are doing everything with excellence and following best practices.
Disposable Culture. We live in a culture where just about everything is meant to be thrown away. It’s assumed that products will break or wear out and be replaced by new ones. Perhaps a new product design makes the old one obsolete. The Bevel shaver disrupts this trend. It’s an exceptionally designed heirloom-quality product that could easily be handed down from one generation to the next. This is an aspect of using their products that causes a person to take pause and reflect. Should our things (and our life experiences) be of solid, durable, and enduring quality? It’s hard not to begin thinking that this is the way life is supposed to be — of enduring quality.
New Experience. I’ve never really looked forward to shaving. I never gave it much thought. It’s something I would do quickly in the morning so I can get on with my day. The Bevel shaving system creates an experience that’s meant to be enjoyed. Now I look forward to shaving, and take my time. With Bevel, it’s a relaxing and grounding part of my morning routine.
Priming Oil. The priming oil feels soothing on the skin and has a subtle fragrance that reminds me of the oil used in barber shops 50 years ago. You can feel your skin and stubble soften when applying the oil.
Shaving Brush. When you wet the badger bristle brush, it smells like a wet badger — very wild and outdoorsy. The smell isn’t so strong after the first week.
Shaving Cream. Mixed with the shaving cream, the brush does an excellent job of preparing for a close shave. A small amount of the shaving cream makes a very nice lather.
Shaver Safety Razor. I was nervous about scraping a sharp blade against my skin, but amazingly it felt better than any other razor I’d ever used.
Restoring Balm. After shaving, the restoring balm (lotion) helps sooth the skin. It has a faint menthol fragrance.
Of the Future – From the Past. The shaver is one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. It has a futuristic high-tech design and feel, yet it’s drawing from an old tradition of razor design. In the old design of safety razor, the metal handles are typically cross hatched and rough which is supposed to make them easier to grip when wet. The Bevel somehow manages to have reassuring gripability while at the same time being smooth. You’ll be impressed with how water beads up and flows off the handle and razor head. It reminds me of the super-hydrophobic laser developed metals developed at Rochester University.
Patent Wars. I was fascinating to learn that Bevel was founded in part as a response to patent issues that were creating poorer and poorer shaving products over time. After the traditional safety razor patent expired, the market became saturated. Companies looked for greater profits by making new patented razor designs. Marketing helped promote these new designs, even though they don’t necessarily work as well. You can read more on the GetBevel.com website.
Photography. As a photographer, I’ve been really impressed with the product photos, portraits, and other photography used on the Bevel websites (product site and magazine site).
Positive Portrayals for People of Color. Popular media and news networks propagate an inaccurate and derogatory portrayal of black men through images that are disproportionately negative. The marketing done by Bevel reinforces positive portrayals of black men that help counteract the negativity in the media. I think this is really important.
Product Design. The Bevel product packaging has a texture/touch that comes from a unique matt finish. The colors are soothing, soft, strong, clarifying, and grounding. The fonts used are elegant and precise. Overall — impressive.
Sustainable. By using a permanent metal shaver with steel recyclable blades, the Bevel system is one of the most sustainable shavers available today.
Practical Inspiration
Bevel is doing some really inspiring and innovative work with product design, customer service, marketing, social media, photography, content writing, website design, promotions, and community engagement.
If you’re involved in any of these areas, you should checkout their products and company. Every facet of their products and service is exceptional. By interacting with the company, and using the products, one learns to internalize best practices.
The Walker & Co. values are an encouraging departure from business as usual:
COURAGE. Our vision requires the courage and conviction to believe that we will build a great company that changes the world.
INSPIRATION. Inspiration is in the soul of everything we make and sell. A laser focus and attention to craft, to detail, to colors, to ingredients, to experience. Our success requires it.
RESPECT. Our community requires and deserves our respect. They’re the reason we can be inspired and excited to come to work every single day.
JUDGMENT. We are our brands. We are responsible for every single action we take, everything we deliver to consumers’ homes and every single interaction they have with us.
WELLNESS. We eat well, we sleep well, we keep fit and we care to help and support each other and our families.
LOYALTY. We are loyal to a great workplace and team. We are committed to building a great, lasting company for the long term. We’re playing to win and will give it the effort and focus it deserves.
Nice Note from Tristan Walker
Minutes after this article was posted, I got a nice note on Twitter from Tristan Walker (see below) in which he confirmed that those cards in the gift boxes are actually signed by him.
Page Visits
Thanks to everyone who has read and shared this article. The map below shows recent page visitors.
I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for taking a moment to read my latest update. This month from my Life Map I’ll be covering Health, Career, Activism, and Effectiveness.
Health
Over the past month I’ve lost about 8 pounds and overall from my heigh weight I’m down about 15 pounds. I’ve been trying to get to the gym more frequently for strength training. I have a program I developed about 10 years about that I’m returning to. I’m also riding my bicycle more often, and eating nutritious foods prepared at home. I’ve written previously about the health drink I’ve been making in the morning. It’s a combination of protein-rich nutrient-dense ingredients that seem to satisfy hunger for many hours. All these things seem to be working together for some success.
Career
I’ve been very busy at work due to taking on the workload of another full-time person who took a job elsewhere. As a result, I’ve been working a few extra hours to keep up, and I’m developing some systems to make the work more efficient. You can read the full list of responsibilities on my bio page at the University of Iowa.
Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 15 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and activism. This is based on the life map presented on the Resources For Life website.
I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for taking a moment to read my latest update. This month from my Life Map I’ll be covering Health, Career, Activism, and Effectiveness.
Health
My two biggest health highlights are the juicer I recently bought and my new bicycle trailer. The juicer is helping me to eat more fruits and veggies, along with wheat germ, flax seed, and more. The bike trailer is making it possible to ride my bike even when it’s raining or when I need to haul something. So, it’s increasing my exercise and activity through the week.
I had a couple of exciting visits to the hospital this past month — a regularly scheduled colonoscopy and two weeks before that, an unscheduled trip to the emergency room for a sharp abdominal pain. The story I wrote about the ER visit received many comments and thousands of people read it. So, that was fun.
Efficiency
The right technology can really make life more efficient. This past week I purchased an HP Officejet Pro 8630 e-All-in-One Printer, Scanner, Fax, Copier machine. It’s been a while since I got excited about a new piece of equipment, but this is a truly amazing system. What I enjoy most is the seemingly instantaneous scanning capabilities. It takes about 3 seconds to scan a legal size page at a color resolution of 300 dpi. In the past I was reluctant to take on big scanning projects with scanners taking 10 seconds or more per page to scan. Now, I’m looking forward to clearing out many boxes and files of papers that I didn’t quite want to part with, but have been taking up a lot of space. Professional HP systems come with ReadIRIS OCR software which reads text on pages and makes them into PDF files that are text searchable. So, later you can search through thousands of scanned pages for keywords, and find the scanned documents with those keywords on them. The paperless office promised in the 1980s is becoming more possible.
I’ve upgraded one of my computers to Windows 10 and so far I really like what I see. As you know, I use Linux, Windows, and Apple. For the Windows work, I think Windows 10 will be a great improvement and I’m happy that Microsoft is giving it away as a free update for Microsoft Windows 7 users.
Activism
An area of activism I enjoy is Consumer Advocacy. Last week I was excited to discover a misleading advertising campaign that nobody else had identified yet. It relates to an automatic ink subscription service offered by HP. The marketing materials promise 50% savings on ink. In reality, the cost can be 100% higher than if you purchase your own ink cartridges at the store. I wrote an article about the misleading advertising, and contacted HP about the issue. Their case management team has promised changes to their advertising in response to what I discovered.
Career
This month I expanded my responsibilities at the University of Iowa. In addition to my previous duties, I’m now supporting an entire Division of departments. It’s an opportunity to work with more people and create an efficient system of excellent service delivery. You can read the full list of responsibilities on my bio page at the University of Iowa.
Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 15 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and activism. This is based on the life map presented on the Resources For Life website.
I like to write and share stories, but I’ve been shy about sharing my healthcare experiences. I guess in part because it seems ‘personal’ and also because I can’t imagine that anyone other than family and close friends would really be interested.
Two weeks ago I went to the emergency room with a sever abdominal pain, which eventually turned out not to be life threatening. I apparently pulled an abdominal muscle. Yet, I thought the experience was worth sharing. The ER team was really exceptional, and they deserved a word of thanks.
A few days later, that story had over 5,000 readers around the world and was shared over 1,000 times on Facebook. It was then I realized that people apparently do have an interest in such stories. So, for those who are interested, here’s another amazing tale from the world of healthcare. 🙂
Regarding the photo at the top of this page… It was not the result of a request, “Hey doc, can you help me get a selfie posted to Instagram? Take a dozen photos so I can pick the best one. Also, can we adjust the lighting in here?” None of that. Instead, it’s a photo from the U.S. Navy depicting the procedure.
A Nurse with 57 Years Experience
This past week I went to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a routine colonoscopy at the Colonoscopy Clinic in the Center for Digestive Diseases Gastroenterology. The clinic seemed very organized and well staffed. As a result, the entire process went as scheduled, despite having many patients in the clinic who were there for various reasons. The nursing staff and doctors with were cheerful and friendly which made the experience more relaxing and pleasant.
I typically don’t like needles. Who does, right? What makes things worse is that my veins are very uncooperative. Even if I drink lots of fluids the night before, most nurses and even trained phlebotomists have a very difficult time finding a good vein. There’s usually lots of tapping on the arm. Then they inevitably say, “Let’s take a look at the other arm,” which ends up being just as bad. On one occasion, it took five different people trying various poking strategies before one was able to get a semi-cooperative vein. That’s a lot of poking.
The night before the colonoscopy procedure, the preparation requires no intake of any food or fluid, even water. So, midway through the following morning, I was super thirsty and very dehydrated.
My primary concern at that point was wondering how they would find a vein for the IV given how dehydrated I was.
Fortunately, I ended up with a nurse who had over 57 years of experience. She was 77 years old, but looked decades younger. We had a pleasant and calming conversation that alleviated my fears. Then when it came time for the needle, I was so relaxed I barely felt it. Amazingly, she got a vein on the first poke, in the inside bend of the elbow where everyone else usually gives up.
We went through the rest of the basic preparations before the procedure which didn’t take long. The IV initially has saline solution to rehydrate the body. Later on prior to the procedure, a pain killer and twilight anesthesia (for conscious sedation) are administered through the IV.
Benefits of a Colonoscopy
Sometime after turning 50-years-old, most people will get a colonoscopy — a fairly simple, quick, and usually painless procedure that can save your life.
Each year in the United States, approximately 50,000 people die of colon cancer, which is ample motivation for getting this procedure that usually eliminates at-risk tissue before any cancer can form.
The most difficult part is the preparation which typically begins two days before the procedure. Your doctor will provide detailed instructions unique for your test situation. There are food restrictions as much as four days before the procedure.
The Colonoscopy Preparation – Four Milestones
There are four significant milestones during the two-day colonoscopy preparation. These instructions may change depending on the procedure and clinic, but here’s what I followed.
Magnesium Citrate. Two days before the procedure, the guidelines state, “drink one bottle of Magnesium Citrate after your evening meal.” It’s a carbonated beverage that comes in a few different flavors. Taken with ice it’s actually not too bad. Before too long, it takes effect in a very noticeable way — and after a few trips to the bathroom you’ll feel totally emptied out. By nighttime you’ll probably be tired and very ready to sleep.
Fasting from Food. After drinking the Magnesium Citrate, there is to be no food. So, a liquid fast begins and lasts about 36 hours. You might want to stay home the day before the procedure because being on a clear liquid diet can make you feel drained of energy and you may have trouble focusing.
Colon Lavage Solution. The night before the colonoscopy procedure, you’ll be instructed to drink a gallon of salty tasting laxative solution that’s created by shaking a powder mix with water. This is probably the most difficult part of the entire experience. The guidelines request that you drink a cup of this solution every 10 minutes over several hours between 4 PM and 7 PM. At first you’ll be able to keep up.
Fasting from Liquid. By evening you will have been without any food for 24 hours, and your body will have no food reserves remaining to be digested or processed. So, it’s an intense fasting experience. I use a sleep tracker, and noticed in the report the next morning some significant improvements with sleep quality, duration, and reduced restlessness. It’s believed that going to sleep on a full stomach with intestines full can result in restless sleep. So, having the stomach and intestines empty may help with sleep. It also helps to be thoroughly exhausted.
The Colonoscopy Procedure
In the preparation area there were about a dozen hospital beds, each with a privacy curtain all in one big open room. I’d not been in a situation like that before where many people were receiving care simultaneously. In retrospect, I think it helped reduce anxiety to have a dozen other people getting prepped for similar procedures. There’s something about a bit unnerving about going through an experience alone. Being with others reinforces the sense that it’s just a typical every-day procedure.
Once I was prepped for the procedure, I was wheeled (in the hospital bed) to the procedure room. As I recall there were three people including the doctor. An oxygen tube was provided (to the nose) probably because the sedation causes shallow breathing. There was also a blood pressure cuff and finger pulse/oxygen monitor.
Depending on how heavily sedated you are, the last thing you remember might be the nurse administering the anesthesia through the IV.
When I woke, I was in the hospital bed in same location as where I’d been prepped. I was a little groggy at first, and then woke slowly. The anesthesia continues to have a calming influence throughout the day. It’s recommended that you not drive or even take public transit for 24 hours after the procedure.
All the Benefits of a Juice Fast Cleanse
Something I’d not anticipated was the energy boost that followed during the days after the colonoscopy. This may be the result of higher nutrient absorption into the body (due to a cleaned out intestine). it’s true that the body is regularly drained of energy from being filled with food most of the time that requires processing. So, emptying it out occasionally is a nice respite.
I’ve done various intense fasts in the past, but that was many years ago. So, I’d forgotten about how the body can have so much more energy during and after a fast.
I was glad I took a day before and a day after the procedure to stay home and rest. It helped make the entire process less stressful.
Overall I’m really glad I had the procedure, and pleased with the care provided by everyone in the clinic. I’m really grateful for the amazing nurse I had helping me before the procedure. I definitely won’t be as anxious when it comes time for the next exam.
Follow-Up
I got a follow-up call this evening (24 Jul 2015) from the doctor who performed the colonoscopy. It was nice to learn that there’s nothing to be concerned about. For some healthcare clinics, there’s no follow-up phone call. Instead a letter goes out, or there’s an update in the online medical service portal (MyChart for UIHC). Having a phone call was a nice personal touch.
Document History
9 Jul 2022. Document converted to WordPress block layout from the Classic WordPress editor block. A mention in the introductory section was added to clarify the source of the featured photo.
When I was a teenager, I worked at McDonalds. I took the job to earn a little extra money, but over the years I’ve realized that I got much more out of that job than some extra spending money. At least in my case, I really learned, internalize, and honed a valuable work ethic. I was at an age where I was receptive, so it wasn’t a chore I resisted. I also learned that something as simple as a small bag of French Fries is important. Each customer — each person — is important.
We’d use stopwatches to time how long it took for a customer to wait in line, have their order taken, and get their food. My manager told me it was critical to provide prompt attentive service. I was told my work was important. We’d all compete with each other to see how quickly we could provide exceptional service. There was a comprehensive video training program, and we’d get credit for continuing education.
As I continued in life, I held on to the idea that even a simple task such as providing someone with an order of fries was very important and should be done thoughtfully. When I began my career as a computer support specialist, I felt my work was even more important than giving a person french fries. So, I determined that computer work deserved an equal or greater level of attention, responsiveness, and care.
Mysterious Abdominal Pain
Last week I had a sharp pain in my abdomen. It persisted over a few days, so I went to one of the exceptional satellite care centers we have in our area. These are the offices you go to as a first point of contact. They are limited in what they can provide, but they are convenient, fast, and a good way to see a doctor quickly for an assessment of what to do next.
The doctor I saw told me to go to the emergency room immediately. The concern with abdominal pain is that it could be just about anything from intestinal gas to a life-threatening appendicitis or other serious condition.
The ‘Other’ Hospital
I went to the emergency room of a local hospital.* Upon arriving and beginning the check-in process, my first question, was how long it might be — considering the pain I was in. My wife asked and got the response, “I don’t know,” from the person at the check-in window. My wife persisted, “Will it be an hour? Two hours? Four hours?” The answer came back again, this time a little more rudely, “I really don’t know.”
I looked around the waiting room, and seeing that almost all the seats were empty, and only a few people were there comfortably reading magazines, I couldn’t imagine why we wouldn’t be seen right away, and couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t be given at least a general estimate of when we might be seen. From the person’s expression at the check-in window, it was clear our presence there was an unwanted inconvenience. While DMV offices are known for a long wait and sometimes poor service, at least you get to take a number and know where you are in the queue.
Just getting to that ER was challenging. The narrow winding road with multiple unexpected sharp turns, and painful potholes, arrives at a confined dead-end entrance area where you’d imagine a loading dock to be. The few parking spots close to the door were already taken. Then there was the entrance. Sliding doors. Enter the first set of doors on the right. Then the next door requires you enter on the left. Trying to move in a serpentine motion isn’t so easy when you’re not feeling well. Then there were obstructions to reaching the check-in window. It was like an obstacle course. They certainly weren’t making it easy or convenient for people.
After some time went by, with nobody in the waiting room getting called, it was clear that things weren’t just moving slowly. They weren’t moving at all. We decided to cancel the check-in, but by then there was nobody at the check-in window and no hospital employees in sight. Hmmm… “How do we even get out of this?” I didn’t want to get an emergency room visit fee. Finally the grumpy person returned, and we told them we’d be going to a different hospital. They gave no response. Just a smirk.
Emergency Room Experience at Mercy Hospital
We went as fast as we could to Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. The hospital was easy to find. The emergency room entrance was easy to get to. There was abundant parking close by.
We entered and were immediately attended to by a cheerful person at one of the many check-in windows.
After my previous experience, I thought I should ask how long it might be before I could see a doctor.
“It’s an emergency room, so right away,” she responded smiling, but also looking a little perplexed.
I explained, “It’s just that the last emergency room we visited was very unfriendly and they wouldn’t tell us when I’d be seen by a doctor. They said it might be four hours.”
She smiled and said at Mercy they try to have people with a doctor in triage within 5 minutes of their arrival. “Would you like a warm blanket?” she asked. “Not right now, thanks,” I replied.
I felt like I was flying first class or checking in at some kind of fancy resort.
I asked where the restroom was.
She responded, “It’s right over there. Here, take this,” and handed me a urine sample cup. In most doctor’s offices you sit in the waiting room, and then after a while see a nurse who gives you the sample cup, but only if its deemed necessary, and usually after you’ve already gone to the bathroom.
The moment I stepped out of the restroom the doctor was ready to see me.
So, I was being seen and cared for in minutes after my arrival.
A few more minutes later, there was a team of nurses and doctors surrounding me working on diagnosing what might be causing my abdominal pain — asking me various questions to rule out bladder infection, pancreatitis, bowl obstruction, appendicitis, hernia, and various other possible causes. “You may need to go into surgery,” one of them told me.
Comprehensive lab work was done with blood and urine samples. A full CT scan was performed by two technicians.
In all, I think there were about 12 medical professionals attending to me, including the doctors, nurses, CT technicians, lab technicians, and other staff.
It was the kind of care you’d imagine a dignitary or celebrity getting — but that’s just apparently how they treat everyone.
Well, the good news is that the sharp pain was apparently caused by a pulled abdominal muscle. I just needed to rest up and get better. After knowing it wasn’t something more serious, my worries subsided and the pain subsided (with the help of the pain medication they gave me in my IV line).
I was home in time for lunch — rather than still writhing in pain at the other hospital.
The prompt and caring service at Mercy reminded me of when I was younger, working at McDonalds, learning that if bag of fries is important, then certainly something like caring for a person’s medical needs should be more important and deserving of fast, professional, compassionate care. It helped me to set a standard of excellence in the most menial of tasks, so I’d always excel beyond that in other areas.
Painful experiences are always difficult, but I can say I’m glad I had the opportunity to visit Mercy Hospital that day.
P.S. Thanks! To those who’ve asked… Yes, I’m feeling much better now. Thanks! 🙂
P.P.S. Comparison Data. I didn’t discover it until later, but ProPublica has an online ER wait time comparison guide based on data collected between April 2013 and March 2014. I’m not sure how representative that data is a year later, and don’t know how accurate the data collection was. It would be nice to have a national map showing real-time data collected live from hospitals across the country.
P.P.P.S. Praise & Criticism. It’s always a good idea to offer praise publicly, and criticism privately. So, I didn’t mention the name of the ‘other’ hospital in my writing. Additionally, while personal experiences are helpful to encourage and coach teams, overall assessments of an institution should be made with longitudinal data from the experiences of many people over time.
P.P.P.P.S Comments. Okay, so it’s been about a week since I shared my story online, and I didn’t realize that people had been posting comments below awaiting approval. Sorry about that! I’ve approved them all, and replied to each one. To those of you who felt I was too harsh on the ‘other’ hospital. I have another story to share from this week about a very positive experience with the other hospital. No, I don’t plan to start a weekly journal about hospital visits. 😉
Impact: The Rest of the Story
When we make an extra effort to go above and beyond in our workplace, or perhaps maybe outside of work we do something nice through a special act of kindness, one often wonders what the impact is. Today, with social media, we can actually see the impact visually. The maps below show people who have read this story, and then were moved to share it with others, who shared it with others, and so on. Exceptional acts of excellence and kindness are inspiring. They encourage others to raise the bar, to do more, to do better, to be better.
For the nurse who is tired after many long shifts, who has had a difficult week, but chooses to set those things aside and give one more smile while focusing on someone in need or in pain… That nurse wonders what impact their kindness has in the world. Here’s the impact.
In the few hours after posting this story, 230 people had shared it, reaching 1,200 readers. After two days, there were 890 who shared it reaching 4,800 people – and the story spread to Europe. After three days, the story had reached Australia, Iceland, Romania, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.
The maps below shows the 200 most recent visitors. Click any map for a larger gallery view.
What we do in life, for good or for bad, has an impact in the world. Live your life for good.
Global Visits – Day 3
Page Visits – Global
Page Visits – United States
Page Visits – US East
Page Visits – Midwest
Page Visits – Iowa / Illinois
Page Visits – Iowa
Page Visits – Eastern Iowa
Page Visits – CR/IC Corridor
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* I didn’t name the ‘other’ local hospital because I really didn’t intend this article to be a criticism of that hospital, but instead a word of thanks to the team at Mercy and a general commentary about the importance of quality customer / patient care. I subsequently received comments from people who are very pleased with their own experiences at the ‘other’ hospital. I’ve also had some very positive experiences with various departments within the ‘other’ hospital. It’s just that their emergency room process and procedures could use some improving.
I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for taking a moment to read my latest update.
Health
We all have general wellness goals like “I’m going to ride my bike more” or “I’m going to eat more raw fruits and veggies.” Yet, making those goals happen takes some specific tools and steps. So, this month I’ve been working on some of the ‘nuts and bolts’ of my wellness program.
MegaFitness Program. From about 1995 to 2005, I’d started developing something I call the MegaFitness Program. This month I went back to review some of my early writings about the program and return to following some of the principles I’d not been following recently. At the core of the MegaFitness program are an inventory of superfoods and nutritional supplements with powerful essential nutrients. The MegaFitness Program became a core foundational component of the Universal Wellness Program that’s been my focus in recent years. My hope is to continue developing the program and applying it to measure its beneficial results and outcomes.
Blender Juicer. Last week I purchased a Nutri Ninja blender juicer and I’ve begun to create some juice recipes specifically for that type of blender. My previous juice recipes were for a masticating cold press juicer. Extractor juicers blend the entire fruit and vegetable ingredients so no pulp is left over. By adding ice, the enzymes are kept from exposure to extreme heat. My latest juice recipe is a strawberry apple carrot protein drink that combines everything I’ve learned up to this point about making superfood drinks. The drinks I make are inspired by a breakfast drink my dad created back in the 1970s that was a modified version of the 1954 Adelle Davis pep-up recipe.
Bicycle Trailer. In May I started riding my bicycle more and saw some great results in my overall wellness. However, on rainy days I’d been taking the bus or driving. So, this month, I purchased a bicycle cart to protect my gear and backpack from inclement weather. Now I’ll be able to ride the bike when it’s raining or when I need to haul something. If you’re interested in getting a bicycle trailer, let me know. I can show you the cart I haveas well as a full line of bicycle carts that I offer with fast free shipping.
Politics
Last month I had a chance to make a video of Bernie Sanders. Since then, the video has maintained a top position. It’s now on page 3 (in the top 30 out of 160,000 results) on YouTube for anyone searching for Bernie Sanders videos. It’s had as many views as some of the top ten videos produced by ABC News, PBS News Hour, and MSNBC. So, that’s exciting.
Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 15 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and activism. This is based on the life map presented on the Resources For Life website.
I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for taking a moment to read my latest update.
Health
This past month I’ve started riding my bike more. I’ve been seeing more success with weight loss and overall wellness. As we head into the summer, with the longer days, I hope to do more riding. We have some great trails in the Iowa City area. I’m also hoping to get back to the gym. Hopefully in my next update I’ll have more good news.
Politics
As you may know, over the years I’ve had an interest in politics. I recently updated the Political Resource Group web page. A few years ago, I launched AGovernmentOfThePeople.com civics website, which continues to grow. Today I had the opportunity to go hear Bernie Sanders speak in Iowa City. Fortunately I was able to get an ideal seat for making a video recording of the event. I’ve shared the video on YouTube and Vimeo. You can watch the Vimeo version below.
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/129315899]
Music
It’s nice to get a chance to connect with musicians and to somehow be a help to them. Music empowers people to live more joyfully and effectively. It soothes, entertains, brings healing, inspires, and energizes. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed working with people in the music industry on promoting their work. In 2011, I was contacted by an agent working with Sardar Khan on his latest music video “Show ’em All” and then later that year, was asked to help promote a project Sardar developed with Snoop Dogg, “High off the Fame,” which now has over 600,000 views. In 2012, I was contacted by the producer for Kage Sparks and asked to assist with promoting his latest works. My favorite videos from Kage Sparks are “African Dream” and “Shaka Zulu.” In recent years, I’ve been working with Marq Divine on promoting his work.
Many thanks to all of you who keep in touch and provide support for the work I do.
~ Greg
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Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 15 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and activism. This is based on the life map presented on the Resources For Life website.
