I once had a patient throw her breakfast tray at me because she was on a cardiac diet and there was no breakfast meat on it. Bacon, sausage, anything not approved by cardiology was all she wanted.
What made it worse was the view from her window. McDonald’s sat down the road in plain sight, making her morning fall apart. She stared at it like it was the only thing that mattered.
She looked at me as if I were personally responsible for every rule in the cardiac handbook. In that moment, I was the one standing between her and an Egg McMuffin, and she was not having it.
Eventually she calmed down. The tray survived, and so did my scrubs. McDonald’s kept doing what McDonald’s does, which is tempt every cardiac patient within a five‑mile radius.
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43 comments
Bacon comes for us all, Kymber. The smell reels you in, the taste ignites the senses. Unfortunately, bacon doesn’t stop there…which is why those of us who enjoy it probably should in moderation…like anything else in life. Happy to hear your scrubs survived the encounter. McDonald’s in plain sight is definitely not for the faint of heart, especially a heart being treated by cardiology!
Yikes. That’s pretty rude. Sorry to hear that some patients take their frustrations out on you. My mom and sister are both nurses and I could never imagine treating a nurse that way!
Thank you. Most patients are wonderful, but every now and then you get a story.
It is not your fault that McDonald’s makes tasty food that cardiology patients all want. Hopefully you don’t have anymore trays thrown at you. Wow!
Thanks, Jesse. I’m hoping the tray‑throwing era is behind me.😊
it IS SO TEM PTING TO EAT UNHEALTHY. Glad you survived the tray incident. I am glad that is over for you
Thank you, Heidi. It really is tempting, especially with that McDonald’s sign glowing like a siren. I survived the tray… barely.😂
Truly, I’m gobsmacked. I cannot imagine throwing a tray of food (or anything else for that matter) at any healthcare worker. I can’t believe it! You deserve a medal, no two ways about it! pp
Thank you, Pam. I was surprised, too. Some mornings take a turn you don’t see coming.
True, but in this case, a turn that should never have happened. I hope she apologised (eventually) fulsomely. xx
She never apologized, but the morning eventually settled down. xo
That certainly was not nice for her to take out her frustration on you. I am glad you were not injured.
Thanks, Mags. Her aim was terrible, but the tray still caught me. Bacon despair wins every time.
That would be a TOUGH sign to see from your hospital window no matter WHAT you were in there for!!
Hugs, Pam
That’s right, Pam. I saw many patients struggle with that view. 🌺
If schools made the Somni 451 chapter of Cloud Atlas required reading for all high school kids, fast food like McDonald’s and Taco Bell would likely cease to exist.
That stuff is nasty. Even as someone who hasn’t eaten meat in almost 12 years, I can understand maybe smelling bacon and wanting crispy slices, but fast food bacon sitting under heat lamps for hours? Nah.
If fast‑food bacon were the last edible thing on earth, I’d still be talking to the houseplants. Heat‑lamp bacon looks like it needs a support group, not a customer.
Wow, she was obviously not a happy camper.
She wasn’t at all. That McDonald’s sign pushed her right over the edge.
Wow Kymber, I am sorry this happened to you! So rude. If these folks knew what is in that stuff they wouldn’t eat it. Hi from Michigan!
Hi, John! So rude indeed! I didn’t know if you’d catch this today because of your travels, but I’m glad you did.
Welcome back to Michigan!
Honestly, sometimes I think such patients just shouldn’t be treated. They don’t appreciate that the doctors and nurses are saving their lives.
Thank you, Robbie. Some patients have rough moments. We just try to keep things steady and get them through the day. 🩷🌺
Oh my… Being told “no” isn’t easy, no matter your age.
Thank you, Lorrie. Being told no can hit hard. That McDonald’s sign didn’t help her mood one bit.
Nope, the McDonald’s didn’t help.
Right? That sign was the final straw for her.
Expressions of privilege like this make my jaw muscles hurt. I’m glad I’m not in the medical field. I would offer to get her a supersized order with extra bacon.
Thank you, John. Her tray toss really was something. A supersized order with extra bacon might have started a whole new riot.
What a memorable story! You told it with just the right balance of humor and compassion. It’s a wonderful reminder of the challenges healthcare professionals face every day and the patience they show in difficult situations. I smiled at the image of McDonald’s becoming the “villain” of the story. Thank you for sharing such an honest and entertaining glimpse into your nursing experience.
Thank you. I’m glad it made you smile. McDonald’s really did play the villain that morning. Nurses just try to stay out of the splash zone.
They should outlaw all fast food in my opinion, healthier lives.
Amen, brother. Truer words were never spoken.
What a childish thing for your patient to do! 🙄 That Mcdonald’s sign must have sent her over the edge. 😆 Good for you, keeping your cool! 😎
Thanks! That McDonald’s sign pushed her right over the edge. I just tried not to become part of the breakfast debris field.
pork barrel did herald
Pork barrel did indeed herald. I’ll let you decide what it heralded. 😀
Shame on McDonald’s for being the unhealthy bane of her existence!
Shame on her family r acting childish.
Kudo’s to you for keeping your cool under pressure.
Thanks for the kudos. Between her tray toss and that McDonald’s view, I figured the universe was running its own comedy sketch.
You made me chuckle. I’ve not been to McDonald’s in years and years. For this very reason.
Have a fabulous day, my sweet friend. Love and hugs. ♥
I’m glad it gave you a laugh. McDonald’s has a way of reminding us why we stopped going. That view alone was enough cardio for the day.
Hope your day’s just as fabulous. Love and hugs right back. 🩷🌺
[Face-palm]….. The McDonalds view is huge irony, but throwing a tray is just childish. Throwing it AT the person who brought it? That’s just wrong. I can’t helping thinking Karma might have had a role in the view. :/ Although, the irony is hugely rich. 😀 Big hugs.
Karma had jokes that morning. Shame the tray didn’t. 😂 Big hugs to you, too.