[Histonet] Histotechs: born or made?

[Pam Marcum]

Ford,

I don't think we are allowed to tell the new people in the field how much fun we had in the old days.  I have always loved my job however, sometimes I have to watch my sense of humor in non-histologist/medical company as we don't ususally see things the same way they do.  

Heck, I thought Qunicy and now CSI were sit coms at first as it was so far from what we were doing and really funny for mistakes.  All my first boss in histology (and also a city/county coroner) wanted for several years was a Sam like Qunicy had with all the equipment of course.  He figured he could rid of at least 5 people in the lab with one Sam.

Pam Marcum


> When I was a practicing laboratory scientist (27 years ago), we would have
> some of the wildest lab parties and everyone seemed to be on the same page
> as far as having a weird sense of humor.  A work day didn't go by without
> some form of laughter in our lab.  Non-laboratory people often asked me why
> this was.  The only thing that I could come up with is it was how we dealt
> with the profession that we chose.  I won't go into details or give
> examples.  We all know what I am talking about.  It does take a special kind
> of person to this sometimes morbid (some would say hideous) work and I for
> one am glad that there are these types of persons to take it on.  Thank you
> all for your dedication to your profession and the people that you serve -
> mankind.
> 
> ~ Ford
> 
> Ford M. Royer, MT(ASCP)
> Minneapolis, MN
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Morken, Tim
> - Labvision
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 11:11 AM
> To: 'Ingles Claire'; Histonet
> Subject: [Histonet] Histotechs: born or made?
> 
> The first time I walked into a histology lab it was the day after the 4th of
> July and there were 4 blackened fingers sitting on the grossing bench (one
> guess how they got there - and it's nothing to do with anything Cajun!). My
> first thought was : 'this is going to be a strange job.' I've seen much
> stranger things since, so I think histotechs become strange due to exposure
> to unnatural sights (among other things!). And, of course, the pathology
> staff of any hospital is infamous for their "gross" humor.
> 
> 
> Tim Morken
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Ingles
> Claire
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 8:55 AM
> To: Histonet
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: 70% from NBF
> 
> 
> I have wondered the same thing many times myself. Whether it was naturally
> me or the addition of the chemicals that made me a bit strange. I think it
> may be partly both. I usually blame it on the chemical fumes though. :)
> Claire Ingles Mohs Clinic, UW Hosp. Madison WI 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of Bryan Llewellyn
> Sent: Tue 11/29/2005 11:15 AM
> To: Histonet
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: 70% from NBF
> 
> 
> 
> I have often wondered whether I became a histotech because I was born
> strange, or whether I became strange because of the time I spent training in
> a place like that!
> 
> Bryan Llewellyn
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gayle Callis" <gcallis <@t> montana.edu>
> To: <Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 8:23 AM
> Subject: [Histonet] Re: 70% from NBF
> 
> 
> > Joseph made some excellent points here
> >
> > Chloroform is an excellent clearing agent (used it back in the 60's in 
> > open dip and dunk processors - O.K. so I'm old!) but no one warned us 
> > about its carcinogenic nature and there were no safety issue 
> > regulations then.  Take his advice!
> 
> 
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