How My Nurse (& Work Mom) Became My Patient

[@JoelWende]

I love that Ginny constantly calls Dr Mike ‘Michael’. That shows a genuine and real familiarity.

[@VioletEmerald]

He spells his name Mikhail but yes :)

[@JoelWende]

@@VioletEmerald Ahh yes, you’re totally right! I love that spelling actually!

[@ClairesCreativeFinds]

@@VioletEmeraldso the subtitles are right. 😂 I was wondering why it kept spelling it like that. I guess because that is the Russian way to spell it.

[@AJR-zg2py]

@@VioletEmerald And it's common for people with European versions of names to go by the Anglicized equivalents just to make it easier for their coworkers to pronounce. My first name is Alain... and I tell people they are free to call me Allan because it's easier for them if they're a non-French speaker.

[@lizad8627]

​@@ClairesCreativeFindshe is Russian too

[@fox2mike28]

I love this so much. Ginny is the perfect archetypal veteran nurse. A little salty, a bit of grit, and a no-nonsense attitude from decades of experience, but also a super sweetheart who is relentlessly caring and committed to her job and patients. And she’s such a Mom too; I love how she always calls him “Michael.” Just adorable. Lastly, I could listen to her accent all day. And good on you Dr. Mike for being such a fierce advocate and making a huge difference in her life as she brings her career to a close.

[@ChristoWhat]

This is such an amazing way to put it but it's so perfect

[@njmaryannez]

Ha! I don’t think she has an accent. (I was born in the hospital where she was a candy striper.)

[@oliverer3]

​@@njmaryannezTIL what a candy-striper is.

[@fox2mike28]

That makes sense if you’re from her area that you probably wouldn’t notice the accent as much. I live in the NE but am not from the NE and am always noticing accents that local residents do not. Unless I am seriously mistaken, Ginny’s accent is pretty classic old school North Jersey. And it’s just beautiful.

[@keetrandling4530]

​@@oliverer3 A "Candy Striper" is a volunteer in a hospital. Back in the day (think 1950's) they wore red & white striped (like candy canes) uniforms similar to the nurses' uniforms, hence the name. Usually young women planning to become nurses or other med personnel.

[@LaRussaLand]

Oh. My. God. I love how she said the nurses are there to protect the patients from the doctors. I got treated so horribly by a doctor when I was clinging on to life. She made me cry by blaming ME for not getting any better. All of the nurses treated me like their daughter, so I asked one of her if I could switch doctors. She arranged that for me. The new doctor was wonderful and took me off the medications that lady had given me, which were waaay too strong and were making my condition worse!!

[@leigha2814]

I wish I had good nurses when my life was at risk after major surgery. Instead I got traumatized by nurses in the cardiac ward (the icu nurses were amazing from my few memories) and the only people who stood up for me were the physical therapists. It got to the point where I was drinking bathroom water those women were so unpleasant.

[@Florina_12]

Yes! 🙌

[@VIOThePokemonAddict]

Sue the first for malpractice!!

[@LaRussaLand]

@@VIOThePokemonAddictUnfortunately it's extremely hard to go up against a hospital legally, so we never ended up doing so back in 2018.

[@LaRussaLand]

@@leigha2814 Ugh I am so sorry, it's really scary being mistreated when you are dealing with one of the biggest challenges of your life! You feel so vulnerable.

[@JessBuller]

For Dr Mike to openly admit that a nurse has taught him so much makes me love him even more as a doctor.

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

I worked at Stanford. Believe me when she says nurses are there to teach and protect from doctors. Any young doc who doesn't get it won't be as good a doc and will suffer at the hands of nurses. I have to imagine Dr. Mike gets chased around by nurses plenty, the handsome docs aren't lonely lol

[@fmdj]

48 years as a nurse, this is incredible. The number of people helped... I admire this woman.

[@livgspink]

Thank u for ur service🤗

[@MonkeyJedi99]

My mother and grandmother were nurses. We were well cared for AND malingering and faking it were not tolerated. And if a doctor was (to put it kindly) missing things, they would step in and "nudge" the doctor(s) back on course.

[@Yowzoe]

Yes, me too. She is a hero. Think of all the types we hold up as heroes in our society. She's an *actual* hero.

[@Luna-ml7id]

You save one person you’re a hero. You save 100 you’re a nurse.

[@fmdj]

@@MonkeyJedi99 thank god nurses are there sometimes :) I mean, they're always useful, but I don't think their role as kind of baby-sitters for doctors gets all the recognition it deserves. Reminds me of nurse Carla in the TV series "Scrubs". It seems she's running half of the hospital all by herself. Really cool show btw (not for medical accuracy though, I've heard).

[@whilethevossisaway]

This interview describes many patient disappointing experiences. We want more Doctor Mikes out here to restore our faith in our medical system.

[@wildlizappeared]

Especially in the chronic/invisible illness sphere. Stories like this of medical neglect, abuse, and mistreatment are incredibly common. If more doctors actually took the time to believe patients and actually cared to look a bit deeper than a blood test, that would be so nice. The medical world (or the world in general, tbh) is not set up for the care of those of us with chronic conditions.

[@kkpaine]

Amen! Pushed by pharma, politics docs n nurses are under unnecessary pressure. Patients get short shrift.

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

@@wildlizappeared I am a doctor's daugher and I left western medicine. I know more about functionally healing autoimmune issues, migraines, etc. HEALING, not symptom suppression. It is getting worse but yes, we need more of him

[@littleoneisnotright]

18 seconds in and I already know this woman is a FANTASTIC nurse. One of my favorite nurses of all time told me, "I didn't like you at first. But I don't like anybody at first so..." She was such a boss and just a lovely, hard-working, kind beyond belief person. 🥰

[@barbr100]

As a retired healthcare worker myself, I truly enjoyed this interview. Your care and respect for one another is very evident.

[@maryminsky1782]

A Candy Striper was called such because their uniform was a red and white striped smock. Clara Barton was a nurse who founded the American Red Cross.

[@blondeenotsomuch]

Finally. Clara Barton was a role model for girls of a certain era.

[@RenayOpish]

Came here to say this

[@gelelied]

Thank you.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@blondeenotsomuch Clara Burton's house is a historic site in Charlton MA. There is an attached summer camp as well.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

I would call Clara Barton the Florence Nightingale of the American Civil War.

[@Trixie0026]

her story is incredible. I can't believe no doctor did any physical exam for her pain. When I discussed back and shoulder pain to my doctor the first thing she did was to check my back to try and see where the pain could be coming from. I wish Ginny a happy pain-free retirement. She deserve the best for all of these years of work!

[@sherylwillis3991]

I have complained for years about doctors no longer doing physical exams. Just went to a urogynocoligist for a follow-up, and they didn’t even look! They asked me to tell them If I had improved! I expected a physical. I canceled my next follow-up. My neighbor has been in severe shoulder pain and even looks crippled up, and she just told me the specialist did not touch her!!! She is wanting surgery, too! I’m going to send her this video.

[@TransConBrilliance]

I have a special place in my heart for nurses. There are so many stories I can tell on how nurses heal our spirits even when we think we're going to die. The one story I'll share is this. My doctor had just done a colonoscopy on me. I was sitting in recovery waiting for the doctor. The doctor came and said to me "it looks like cancer". The doctor couldn't tell because I was stunned and silent but I was freaking out inside. As he said this a nurse happened to walk by and heard. She stopped dead in her tracks, walked over to me put her hands on mine and said "cancer is not a death sentence. There is a lot they can do now. Have faith in the doctors". That immediately brought me back from the brink. I still well up thinking of that incident. I only wish I knew that nurse's name. Any warm kind nurse I encounter these days I make sure I tell them how much I appreciate them.

[@meganknotts1991]

I am a physical therapist and her story really shines a light on many of the problems within healthcare. Its amazing how many patients come in to my office without EVER being physically examined by a doctor or other therapists. All patients want to know, is that they feel heard and listened to. When you are able to validate their pain through examination and touch and most importantly education, it makes all the difference in the world. I am grateful to hear she has had a positive experience with physical therapy and hope it continues to help her get back to her end goals!

[@alexandraos2845]

So true! As a PT student, one of the first things we learned was how lower back x-rays and MRIs are almost never beneficial for the patient, especially if they haven't had a proper physical exam first. Most of the time excessive imaging seems to create more stress and frustration in patients, either because the pictures are completely normal, or because of incidental findings. I am SO glad doctors like dr. Mike spread awareness on the importance of being hands on with patients, and the concept of treating a whole human instead of a diagnosis

[@heightsundergod23]

It's always a privilege to learn from the wisdom of older people whom we can feel safe with. It's beautiful to witness a work relationship like this.

[@Chelbsn]

I am a 50 year old nurse and I relate to Gini on so many levels. It took me 20 years to get help for two autoimmune diseases. My entire work life I could save anyone else's life, but I couldn't save my own. I went to see some really horrible doctors through those 20 years. One rheumatologist told me that I didn't want to be sick like her patients and said I didn't need to see her again. What would my life have been like if I had treatment that many years earlier? I'm sure Gini has said this any number of times, but thank you Mike, for caring enough about your nurse to give her her life back.

[@Chelbsn]

@@MacchiatoSwirlGirl I'm so sorry... I hope you are able to find someone that will care enough to give you the quality care you deserve❤️

[@eileenwatt8283]

Did you know you can order your own lab work without referrals. Labcorp and another one did this. I've done it annually.

[@eileenwatt8283]

Dr Mike please stop boxing. It's not good for the brain.

[@yvettejones5323]

I love the relationship between these two. The professional and personal respect and admire are wonderful to see and her. Can I also say how telling it is that she calls him, "My Michael"? She talks to him, in a personal way, like a mother would. It's a really sweet relationship. Congratulations on your retirement, Ginny, and we'd love to see a bit of your retirement party 😊

[@kaiyakershaw1028]

I was thinking the same thing. The glimpse into this intimate multi-layered relationship of care is so beautiful! I’m so glad they were vulnerable and open enough to share like this. “My Michael” made my eyes water!

[@MP-ww9yn]

A similar thing happened to my mom. She went to our family doctor complaining about her sinuses. & I'm so thankful the doctor gave her a hands on physical bc he laid her down to touch her stomach & she screamed in pain. She had a soft ball size tumor on her liver! Thank you Dr. Ackerman & Dr. Lyn for not just treating her sinus infection but giving her a full physical. It saved her life. truly! Thank you for great people that care

[@caseynoller6837]

I’m in nursing school. I hope to be around and learn from seasoned nurses like her! ❤

[@Your_fav_brunette_bestie]

Slay

[@maranathaschraag5757]

Congrats! Nursing school is fun.. You'll get a history of nursing section where they talk about Florence Nightingale. And....Clara Barton. She founded the American Red Cross, btw. It'll probably be on a test! 🎉

[@ertsec]

They’re all gone

[@Yowzoe]

@@ertsec Not all gone, but definitely fewer.

[@retrograde126]

Don't be a nurse. Biggest mistake of your life.

[@lisastoran2519]

Ginni is such a sweetheart. She truly does care about her patients. And as a patient of that office, we will miss her. We miss Dr. Mike being our Dr., because he really understands his patients and how the economics of their lives can dictate how they are cared for at some places.

[@maryking4375]

My Mom retired after 45 years of nursing at John Hopkins Children's hospital in St. Petersburg. She worked in SICU and the stories we grew up with were heartbreaking and inspiratonal. At 80, she is still working for a doctor's office. She is my inspiration! Nurses will always be the backbone of the health industry. I'm so glad your "mom" is feeling better!!

[@Kalvain14]

I have tears in my eyes. This conversation between colleagues is so touching. They have clearly helped each other invaluably over the course of so many years. Amazing.

[@AlienKissy]

I love this woman! Her passion, her humor, her honesty. Dr. Mike is lucky to have had worked with her, she obviously had/has a large impact on him.

[@ColorandChatwithJoanna]

This is the best most moving interview ever! Ginny you deserve a medal of honor! I'm sure you've seen it all, but you raised Dr. Mike in so many ways, keeping him grounded, and teaching him your greatest gift, to listen, and to know when others are not listening. Your a true steel magnolia, I'm truly truly touched to meet you, thank you for a life of service and kindness and empathy.

[@LaurieR-y3r]

Our beloved GinGin! Way to go Doc Mike, she always spoke very highly of you! I’m so glad she’s seeing some relief for her back pain. She is an amazing nurse and friend. PS you wore a uniform with red stripes as opposed to a white starch uniform as a candy striper!

[@angelachouinard4581]

I'm old enough to have been a candy striper. It was when I was in high school. I haven't heard the term in years!

[@spikeybunny6577]

I remember Candy Stripers were volunteers and wore red & white striped adorable uniforms. They were also fairly young, cute, sweet, & bubbly. They were supposed to be a breath of fresh air in the hospital & went around visiting patients to help them feel less lonely, held their hands, brought around a cart of books to read, and things like that. I think they used to check up on how patients were feeling emotionally too. Too bad they don’t really have them anymore. I wonder how they would have changed with HIPPA?

[@andie6666]

I'm in the UK and learned about candy stripers in sweet valley high books😂 Love this conversation, so much respect for her. A true angel 😇 💖 ❤️

[@hattiebrazeley3351]

@@andie6666me too! And Judy Blume books, too! X

[@lubear413]

Me too

[@nursejoub5048]

I loved seeing such a good relationship between a nurse and a physician. Nursing is mostly a challenging and tiring profession that is very misunderstood by the public. It is hard on the body as well. However, there is no other work more fulfilling and ever changing. No regret from me

[@anophoria]

This is such a sweet and tender video. I literally couldn't help but laugh and feel as if I was part of the conversation. As a young nurse, I find it so interesting to listen to an elderly nurse, mainly if she has such a kind vibe and the aura between her and Mike is just awesome. This video literally made it into my comfort videos playlist. Honestly though, hearing her talk about her experiences with him makes me a bit jealous because at the hospital i work at, doctors tend to be a bit rude and put themselves above others and stuff. (Some nurses do too but thank god my team is awesome)

[@Yowzoe]

Don't be afraid to shop around for your next position if your team gets less awesome!

[@simonji2940]

Just hearing Mike being called Michael feels so motherly to me

[@kyrielovesthelord]

As a physical therapist, I LOVE changing nurses minds who think physical therapy won't work! So thankful for good physicians like Dr Mike, redeeming the medical field.

[@TheNurseInvestors]

I absolutely refuse to take drugs for pain relief and will choose physical therapy all day

[@AbiBrown-q9k]

Ginny is an amazing human being and nurse. awesome compliment when Dr. Mike refers to Ginny as work mom

[@donneverae3050]

Props to Ginny for giving such help to so many over such a long career! Two of my aunts were nurses during WWII, so I know something about the essential guts it takes to be a nurse. One of them made a career in the military. Her first tour of duty was WWII and her last was Vietnam. My other aunt became a nurse in what would now be called the neonatal ICU. This battle-hardened woman burnt out so badly she was discovered crying in a supply closet. She said she couldn't stand to see babies so sick and in so much pain. May God bless Ginny with a long and fabulous retirement. I hope you threw her a blowout retirement party.

[@TsvetoslavaPopova-hf8rs]

My grandmother was a nurse. Hats off to these healthcare warriors!

[@srishttig15]

OMG!! This video was so wholesome for so many reasons. We know you, Dr Mike, are really good at what you do, but hearing that from your co-worker or, as you mentioned, "work mom" gives more insight into how caring you are as a doctor. Also, I felt the emotion when you asked her not to retire. Because we spend most of our time at work, having a healthy work environment is essential, especially when co-workers become family. It's sad to see things changing. This was a great interview; she is so sweet and adorable.

[@jenreu]

OMG every time you said Ginny, there is love in your eyes thats amazing she truly is your work mom. And I teared up when Ginny said " Michael my Michael figured out..." she surely is so proud of you and loves you more for helping her out of the pain.😇😇😇🌻🌻🌻😍😍😍 I wish we had more Dr's who did the physical test and not only looked at the computer (talking from my own experience).

[@lucilemcgregor]

Mike - doctors often don’t believe women. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. I’ve had 9 surgeries, and every issue was dismissed until they couldn’t be ignored, including a collapsed fusion from an L-1 burst fracture.

[@ACaliangel91]

The emphasis that the nurse said about touching her back and hip is really poignant. I have chronic back pain and I saw a large number of specialists who never once did a physical exam. When a physical therapist finally looked at my hips and examined me and told me one leg is shorter than the other and recommended a heel lift, it made a dramatic difference. For a while afterwards I was very angry with myself and with the healthcare system. I am very glad that Dr. Mike and the nurse are emphasizing physical exams to such a wide audience.

[@NewNurseOver50]

Thank you for sharing this. I am a new nurse in my 50s (this is my second career). After having survived all my clinical experiences, I can say that this lovely lady is an absolute gem of a nurse. She is an inspiration.

[@cindyj5522]

I wish you the best as you navigate the polarization of medicine and human lives. You are very courageous to take this on.

[@shelbydoughty5116]

How do you feel about being an older nurse? I too am looking at a second career and I would love nursing I'm just afraid of being too old

[@NewNurseOver50]

@@shelbydoughty5116 You are never too old. There are so many options in the field of nursing - more than I realized before starting this. I know I had to study harder than the younglings but it is achievable. I hope you do pursue this. All the best to you.

[@NewNurseOver50]

@@cindyj5522 Thank you.

[@maranathaschraag5757]

I feel her story! I had hip pain to the point i could barely walk. I had to use shooters and canes and it just sucked so much. Crying in pain, unable to walk when i used to go milesm The ortho surgeon said i wasn't a surgical candidate for my hip. It was just.....he was a hammer and i wasn't a nail. PT wasn't helping...very nice people, just not what i needed. One PT friend recommended a physiatrist. Hallelujah! She looked at the mri report and said "you have a labrum" (scratch inside my hip). She gave me an injection of.dextrose and my pain went grom like a 9 to a 4. Second injection a few weeks later and it was gone. She did a full assessment, asked a ton of questions. Hands down the most thorough history and examination I've ever gotten. We need more like her! (And mike, i guess....lol) I hate that this poor nurse had to suffer because doctors refused to do basic assessments . That's not the computer; that's just bad medicine. Ps....dry needling is MAGICAL! I love it! Ok. I hate it...but i love the results. Lol

[@95mudshovel]

I appreciate that Mike fought for the patient to get an EKG. it feels weirdly wholesome.

[@bayoubabe6698]

I miss Nurses and Doctors like this-they obviously care about the patients!! Sounds like they listen and they don’t dismiss the patients. Imagine that!!! Thank you so much 🥰

[@LaSnob711]

She's a medical professional and she couldn't get help, imagine anyone else who doesn't work for someone who cares like Mischa. ❤ from EU. Keep up the good work dr. Mike 😊

[@leesacoles9154]

Yep! It’s almost impossible.

[@jrauck]

I feel her pain, after being to 12+ different doctors, all with different diagnosis and not able to resolve my problems. I’m glad that you were able to help her. She seems like a wonderful person.

[@ALDCBoulevard]

Same here, and then you get accused of doctor shopping which makes new doctors mistrust you and everything gets worse

[@jparrish6360]

She’s just like my mom 🥰 My mom was an LPN for 50 years too! I grew up going from doctor to doctor because if they didn’t do as good of a job as my mom thought they should do, didn’t know as much as she did from all her research, or didn’t treat us with the attention we deserved we would switch doctors. For that reason I was never scared to tell a doctor he’s full of it and find a different doctor.

[@MutterallerDrachen2087]

As someone who has been a CNA since I was 18 and now works in the administration, thank you. Thank you for showing the doctor-nurse relationship. And just the love that both nurses and doctors have for each other AND the love razzing that goes on. She is amazing!

[@genuinely_lina]

Ginny!!! Honestly I’d want her to be my work mom too. She’s sounds like she’s not only sweet but fun to work with. ☺️

[@essie-j8420]

An incredible career she has had. What a wonderful angel disguised as a human. (Dr Mike not knowing what a candy striper was, is kinda adorable)

[@Until-When]

It's an American thing and it's an old tyme thing.

[@lindajones4849]

And not knowing who Clara Barton is. I'm betraying my age but are there no. Andy stripers anymore?? The uniform has pink stripes ( lol ke a candy cane).

[@buschhuhn9197]

I completely understand her reluctance to see Dr. Mike. The closer you are to colleagues the more difficult it is.

[@tahudack7785]

Dr. Mike as a descendent of Clara Barton, I just wanted to give you a little back story. Clara was born Christmas day 1821 and passed away April 12, 1912. She was first a school teacher for over a decade before becoming the principal of the growing school. She was sadly replaced with a man because the school board did not think a woman could handle that position. When the American Civil War started she was delivering supplies and recognized many of the soldiers hurt because she either grew up with them or taught them. She eventually became a battlefield aid to the surgeons and doctors and was a one point appointed to assist at the front lines. After the war Clara ran the Office of Missing Soldiers, helping families learn about what happened to their servicemen. Clara later traveled the country and world lecturing on what she saw and learned. At one of those lectures in Switzerland learned of the Red Cross and met Dr. Appia. Dr. Appia invited her to start the American branch of the Red Cross which she did. She worked on the board until she was 83 years old. She died at 90 of pneumonia. Just a little history lesson for you! Tracy Barton Hudack

[@jacaslovania]

It must have been heavy for Dr. Mike to see her 'work mom' age and retire. All the cherished moments coming to an end. This video was wholesome ❤ Thank you Dr.Mike

[@Kbenhamu]

I loooved and it melted my heart every time she called him “Michael” or “my Michael” I loved this podcast. Thank you!!

[@tiakolovos575]

I'm an LMT here in Jersey and when I hear low back pain I immediately think hips. SI joint is often missed especially among the non soft tissue specialists. So happy to hear she finally "found" a compenent doctor.

[@karynstouffer3562]

I can attest. My SI joints are a little hyper mobile, and I have scoliosis, so it's complicated. I know my pain originates in my hip, but damn, it sure does hit the low back hard.

[@lenoreandreas4000]

Yes! I knew it was her SI Joint as soon as he said hip! Misdiagnosed as sciatica all the time, too, as in my case. :)

[@vilmarysantiago3276]

The sweetest interview. 47 yrs of nursing God Bless her ❤ you can tell she advocated for her patients.

[@trick351]

Firstly, if cloning were legal, Miss Jenny should be the first. Everyone deserves a Jenny their doctor’s office. Secondly, the importance of nurses/candy stripers should be addressed at every med school. And lastly, when she addresses you as “Michael” says exactly how she feels about you!! Truly warms my heart.

[@janemiettinen5176]

You gathered all my thoughts better than I ever could, even the “Michael”-thing, which is so adorable!

[@SugiVernyik]

Such a great conversation. I wish doctors would be in less of a rush and take the time to examine patients and listen to them, the patient outcomes would significantly improve as a result. And what a sweetheart this lady is! I totally understand why patients loved her so much.

[@user-rx1ky7xy3k]

You can tell she is the purest soul, loved this episode ❤

[@kadambariprasad208]

“It’s the computer” you know that’s such a profound and important observation given her experience and wisdom of nearly 50 years. It might sound like just a rant but she has some very amazing insights for anyone willing to listen. She’s not just blaming technology and unwilling to adapt. It can be easy to miss.

[@BeebleBean]

She is the nurse you want looking after you and your family! What an inspiration! I love her! ❤😊

[@habiyakaretheodore6087]

The best interview ever. She is a real nurse I can tell. Thank you for your service. I am a PCA and I can testify how hard nurses work. I like my nurses.

[@kengineer12]

Dr. Mike, this video resonates with me big time right now. I am 18, and I currently have a stress fracture in my hip and a large herniated disc. Like Ginny, I’ve been in debilitating pain since July and up to now. I’ve been misdiagnosed and still am on the road to figuring out how to solve this problem. I’m so young, and I feel like health professionals are not taking me seriously because of my age, yet I can’t sit, stand, or drive without screaming. Thank you for shedding light on this major issue!! I almost teared up watching this since I’m currently dealing with it myself. I went from being so healthy last year to being “crippled.”❤

[@KJellyBeanut]

I feel you, different pain but going on two and a half years now.

[@muskanrathore6952]

I hope you get better and find a good doctor who takes good care of you, no one deserves this, get well soon 😢😢

[@kengineer12]

@@muskanrathore6952 thanks!!! I think I’ve found a place, but it’s definitely been slow going, unfortunately!

[@cindyj5522]

I'm so sorry you are struggling. I hope you can find someone to help you ASAP. Don't let anyone diss you or ignore you or reduce you and your symptoms. GWS!

[@TiredMomma]

I was a young teen when my hips started having issues I didn't understand why, I just had to say my hip was going out. I knew something was wrong and a physical therapist did an xray and checked me out to say it's the sacroilliac joints having problems. Oh, before that my primary did a type of test by having me step up on a book, bend my knees a bit, and as she began to press down on my shoulders I was to try to straighten my legs. I failed each time, and she was shorter than me, so I had a weak back and hips. Then I saw the physical therapist after that. Years later, a chiropractor noticed the same issue with me, and we found out something new during a basic nerve test, as in tapping on the knees and elbows. When he tapped on my right elbow, my left leg kicked up, thankfully he was standing in front of my right leg. He was suprised and confused, never saw that happen before. What might have caused that is 2 nerves overlapping or joined at one point in my upper to mid spine. What started all this for me was while I was having swim lessons (maybe at age 17) with a swim instructor at the YMCA. She noticed I wasn't progressing anymore and something was wrong with my legs. I'd get halfway across the pool and my legs would just stop, or one leg would stop. Now age 36, I know what stretches to do, and when my back has hit its limit. I'm thankful I can still do some chores and walk around, but sometimes my hips want 3-5 days of rest. I had more good days last year after going strict on my low sodium/low fat diet, tho that's not a cure for my issues, I just had more energy and more alert when I eat healthy. Sadly I can't do dairy it seems, so having less calcium is possibly causing dental issues and my back is starting to crack or grind more. I began asking for a wheelchair 2yrs ago, I could barely get out of bed. I need to, I want to, last 1 more year before that happens.

[@cytavares]

What a sweet wise lady, I wonder how many people she's helped. I loved Mike's attitude towards her and the conversation as well, so polite and respectful. ❤

[@kendramandisa]

Her getting choked up about the doctor who passed had me teary-eyed. What a sweet lady, I have no doubt that she's always been a wonderful nurse and person!! ❤ I hope she enjoys her retirement when the day comes! ❤

[@mandydurham6043]

I’m a CMA (medical assistant), and when I triage patients for the doctor, I make it a point to look patients in the eye while talking to them, making lots of eye contact, and nodding my head when I understand something. Or if they seem uptight or nervous, I try to compliment them in some way or make them chuckle at a light joke. It’s little things like that that make a person feel seen and heard. Starting at the computer the ENTIRE time makes me feel like I’m a robot, and I’m sure the patient feels that way too. I hope to become a nurse one day ❤

[@ciaracorreia2180]

I work as a medical coding specialist for UW Health and our doctors also don't enjoy us messaging them to finish up things however, the organization as a whole is pushing for efficiency and quickness. It's hard and frustrating sometimes. I'm happy she was willing to share her story and life. Thank you to both of you for all that you do!

[@Gurix96]

I love her, she is the mom we all need in our bad times.

[@maryroseleivas8236]

What an actual GEM of a human. She’s so humble and kind. I can see why so many patients ask for her! We would only be so lucky.

[@DNAConsultingDetectives]

I'm a huge proponent of PT. I've had to PUSH with my docs for PT MANY times. I get the "Well, it won't help, but if you want to, fine." I've been going to the same (hospital based) PT clinic off and on for years as I have multiple neurological conditions. PT has helped every time. They have helped with many different issues and I couldn't be more grateful to get back mobility and my life!

[@DrHoangCuongMedical]

As a Oncologist, I always have a good ralationship with nurses cause I know they're trying their best to prevent patients from standing worry. ❤

[@zme2712]

She's from the era that my old family doctor was from. Dr Rose was amazing, a true hands on family doctor, he knew me from the womb and took everything i said seriously even as a teen. He would draw diagrams and explain everything, he passed away in 2017 and i doubt i will ever find a doctor like him again.

[@lineprestkvrn9014]

This is true; we, as Nurses, are always the advocate of our patient. We take care of their health, their rights, their care, their safety and overall well being. And as such, there will be discussions, objections, taking actions and involving other professions. Even going up in chain to get what You need for Your patient. Oh, I was a warrior. I respectfully disagreed and made my reasons clear. One of the doctors actually started asking me what I thought and would suggest before making a decision of care or medication of any of my patients if I was on duty that day. I suppose I made him a bit fearful. 😂 Now I am disabled, but I remember my job as fulfilling, demanding and filled with love and laughter.

[@cindyj5522]

Thank you for your service because what you did for others was as great a thing as any soldier did in my view. Decades long with lives in your hands. Saving, comforting, caring for and loving people through difficult times as well as joyous ones.

[@rwilli26rw]

Thank you, Ginny, for saying you love your CMAs. I worked as a CMA for 15 years as I finished my Bachelors and Masters Degrees. I worked with many nurses (and doctors), and I learned a ton, so much so that I could actually teach the new NURSES things. I knew the diagnosises that the MD would give or the treatment that would be described. When everyone knows their role and respects each other, the environment is AMAZING.

[@perennialgypsy6491]

She’s is an absolute Angel😭💗she’s such a wonderful human being😭❤️💖

[@christinesteadman7939]

What a fantastic, loving, respectful interview. Such wisdom she shared with him. So thankful she allowed him to treat her & it was successful. I also am a retired nurse from her generation & have witnessed these changes. Dr Mike you have a big heart

[@thisisme1999]

My brother suffered for years with leg pain problems, lots of tests and they could not find anything wrong until one doctor finally ordered tests on his hip and they discovered that his hip joint had worn right down and he ended up with hip surgery. Doing much better now and many fewer pain pills are needed and he is able to do so many more of his old activities. He was lucky he got a doctor who cared enough to look a little further.

[@AlvarezSandra03]

I love this interview. I am a new grad nurse. I started exactly a week ago at my hospital… hearing the foundations and what makes a good nurse from someone with so much experience and also hear her input to new grand nurses… I promise I will NOT take this lightly and I hope to be even a quarter of the nurse you are Miss Jenny. And Dr. Mike, thank you for being an incredible doctor. Most importantly and I know my little old self means nothing as validation… but these videos are so impactful. Thank you for an incredible episode to the both of you.

[@katiestarns300]

Congratulations! good luck& thank you cause i could never :)

[@Victorias_piano]

How is it going now?

[@erinkavelak8953]

I have so much love for nurses. My mother is a retired ICU nurse. My sister and her husband both registered nurses....they were emergency room nurses, are now traveling nurses. Both my sister in laws are maternity nurses. My niece is a nurse in the cardiovascular unit. She wants to be on a code team....bless her heart because that takes a really special person to do that. My Aunt is a retired Family Practitioner Nurse. A whole family full of nurses. We also have doctor's but this is about the nurses. So much love to the nurses. Much love to you Ginny

[@Amanda-zn7ox]

I was hoping for a little story about when Mike's mom passed because I imagine Ginny was there for that. Especially with her referred to as his "work mom." Either way, what a delightful relationship these two have. We need more medical professionals like them in the world. And I will try to emulate their demeanor once I step into the pharmacy technician field.

[@udntknomeXX]

He has a vid talking about when his mom passed. He was still young (ish).

[@ms.inspiration385]

This was the BEST interview. It's very inspiring. She is a helluva lady & nurse. God Bless her in her retirement. ❤️

[@prossywanyana9553]

She talks with love and compassion. We need more of her in hospitals. ❤

[@tilim349]

I was just hired to an ER nurse residency program for my first job as an RN. Your nurse is really a beacon of inspiration as she embodies what nursing is at its' core. This conversation really gives me hope for what my future can look like!

[@erinm1995]

This warmed my heart. My dad was a cardiologist and he talks the same way she does. He cared so much for his patients, he finally retired 3 years ago 💕 you guys are amazing, what a great team

[@kamikaze_22]

I have never met Ginny, and I am going to miss her when she retires. Good luck with your future endeavours, you are what we need in a nurse. Thank you for your service ma'am

[@dawn-xc9sk]

Ginni is the most caring, genuine soul I have ever had the privilege of working with …❤

[@ineedvyvanse3493]

Shout out to all my nursing staff out there. YOU’RE AMAZING. Thank you for all you do 🙏🏻 I know these last few years have been rough for us My clinic went corporate. I’m trying to hang in there. There’s just no compassion for people, it’s all about encounter numbers, changing policies that make it so we charge insurance more. There’s no empathy anymore.

[@ZannePeace42]

Your regard for each other is evident in this episode. ❤ What a wonderful nurse and a lovely person. Thank you for sharing her with us Dr. Mike.

[@amandamayfilms]

She definitely is his work mom, calling him Michael 😂

[@AbstractOddity]

I’m so proud to have doctors and nurses like you two at overlooking which is our local hospital. It’s where I was born and my sister and her children. Thank you for all you do.

[@magdalenam5767]

This was such a warm and inspiring episode doctor Mike... The way life goes and now you helped your nurse to live a pain free life 😍

[@thenursescott]

Virginia, have a fantastic retirement. I was an ER nurse for 25 years when MY back pain took me out of the game I loved so much. I'm "only" 56 so I'm back in school to become a nurse practitioner. (I graduate in May.) I'm hoping the physical demands will be much less than bedside nursing. Thanks for sharing more about what it's like to be a nurse. It is certainly a different world from when you and I started (the '70s and '90s, respectively), but becoming a nurse is still a great decision. And, Dr. Mike: I have a theory I'm sure you'll agree with. All patients want four things: 1.) To be LISTENED TO. They all have a story to tell. Give them time to tell it. 2.) To be TOUCHED. Even if you can diagnose by history alone, TOUCH the part that hurts or at least pat the patient on the shoulder and empathize with their situation. 3.) A NAME for what's wrong with them. "I don't know" might be an honest answer, but give it a label of some sort. 4.) Something tangible IN THEIR HAND when they leave--physical proof they are actually sick and not making it all up. This used to be a paper prescription, now it might be printed aftercare instructions. I talk about this more in my video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jl64fqWarsaEb6s Keep up the good work, Dr. Mike.

[@leesacoles9154]

Yeah. They never touch u. Not anymore.

[@sarahmoellenberg]

We all need a Ginny! You can feel her warmth, care, and spunk through the screen. Thank you, Ginny, for being that person for so many and for being willing to share your story with others. I appreciate your candor about changes in care and reminding us all of the need to advocate for ourselves and the individuals we serve when things don’t feel right. Have an amazing retirement! Thank you, Dr. Mike, for sharing Ginny with us!

[@cosmo1505]

My grandmother who was a nurse felt the same way about doctors, she did not trust them.

[@jparrish6360]

I think that’s true of most nurses. My mom was the same

[@oki__]

Then they’d know to not trust nurses either, they’re the most known for being bullies to both patients & colleagues

[@oki__]

Don’t start fear mongering like a lot of jaded nurses like to do. You should trust one doctors opinion as much as you trust a quote. The same way no one’s trusting one nurse to necessarily be as good @ injections as the next - their job criteria is to do the procedure, you’ll get varying results depending on each person

[@cosmo1505]

Nobody is fearmongering. Apparently there are a lot of nurses feel that way about doctors, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, there are doctors out there that give bad advice.@@oki__

[@AIHumanEquality]

My mother was a nurse and stood up to a few doctors who were wrong but she never felt distrusting of all doctors. I would never want to live in a country where health care providers fight with each other regularly.

[@CJSmallz41]

I love her!!! She reminds me of my mom. I'll be 42 next week and my mom has been, first a CNA and in 94 she became an RN. She's an ER nurse and she'll be 65 this year. People that she helped deliver, she's watched die.

[@baileycarter1335]

This was such a breath of fresh air ❤️ The respect you have for nurses is so appreciated and very evident by the relationship the two of you have. I’m in nursing school now and hope to have relationships with my patients just as she did during her career.

[@martyspencer1]

Good nurses are simply cut from a different cloth! I have been blessed to know a lot of nurses and they are just the best people around!!

[@Lazychick83]

Wow that many drs and no exams, that’s so awful! I’m glad u helped her. We need more doctors like you!

[@melissagallagherr]

I’ve spent many years as a patient in neuro here in Scotland and met many nurses like her, they’re always kind, caring, kinda scary and highly committed to their job! I love that she calls him Mikhail like a proper mother 🥺❤️

[@talking8877]

I absolutely enjoyed this! What a beautiful lady she is inside & out!🥰 She has so much love in her & she cares so much!❤ Also well done Micheal for taking action & for helping her! It shocked me nobody helped her the right way! So happy she is doing better! You guys made my heart warm!!❤

[@kendallbeckloff3110]

I didn't grow up going to the doctor. I started going to a family doctor after a medical emergency. He's older, maybe late 60's. A few years of check-ups and I just could not connect. I kept forgetting to share information. When I remembered later, I didn't care. I started subscribing to Dr. Mike's channel in late 2020. I've really started taking charge of my health ever since. I was so nervous at first, but I gathered up those guts and finally got me another doctor. It's a journey. Thank you, Dr. Mike. Ginny, you're such an amazing and brave woman. Thank you. I hope you have a wonderful retirement. :)

[@brendadeclercq5797]

this is the sweetest podcast I have heard, so cute. she is right, the nurses catch the bumps of the doctors and the patients. I do think that Dr. Varshavski is a very pleasant doctor to work with. Glad you are feeling better again and now enjoy your retirement to the fullest, you have more than earned it! regards Brenda 👍💋❤️

[@hstar2946]

This woman is a Saint!!! Almost 50 years of service as a nurse! Absolutely astounding. What a special lady! ❤️

[@estelerundil4497]

Her honesty. Thank God for nurses who have the courage to speak up and say what they think. Doctors and patients need the truth they can tell us.

[@TheNurseInvestors]

agreed!

[@Absaalookemensch]

She is so honest and accurate. I retired a few months ago. Back, shoulder, knee, hip pains from decades of frequently lifting patients. Retirement is the best thing for my physical and mental health.

[@suse592]

I appreciate this video bringing attention to the fact that some doctors aren’t doing physical exams of patients and relying on testing to diagnose. My husband had a 20 lb abdominal tumor that was missed by multiple doctors and specialist because they were “too busy to see him about more than one issue at a time” or they would only concentrate on the specific symptom and never just did on overall physical exam.

[@Non-binarybee]

Mike, you are my favourite KZbinr ever. You have helped me get over my fear of going to the doctor. Tysm. Keep up the amazing work.

[@babs_babs]

this doctor is nice but pls stay smart about it. anti-trans and anti-queer discrimination has always been a problem in medicine. most medical staff try to be cool towards the lgbt but that’s not a universal

[@AltuveLJ]

There’s also help available to help individuals that have gender related delusions. I hope you reach out and find a good therapist that can help you

[@babs_babs]

@@AltuveLJ you’re promoting conversion therapy…. is this really the place for that?

[@Your_fav_brunette_bestie]

@@AltuveLJthere is no need to talk about conversion therapy! It’s not a “delusion.” They are clearly happy as is! People can identify however they want to and you know what, it’s not your place to judge. It is your place to LOVE. Don’t forget your words have an impact and hurt :( Hopefully you can now understand and be more kind in the future! 😊

[@Non-binarybee]

@@AltuveLJi don’t need help with my gender “delusion” because it’s not a delusion at all. If I am comfortable identifying as Non-Binary then what’s the harm? I’m not hurting anyone. Would you rather have me be gender dysphoric or be comfortable in my gender identity?

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

She is such a gem. And what a lovely relationship. To teach someone like him and see it used so well.