I want her to do it

I've been seeing the same patient on the wards for almost 4 weeks now... and today he finally got to go home. He seems to have gotten pretty attached to me... and I to him. He tells me things he won't admit to the other doctors, and he always asks me to "translate" what the attendings say after they leave. He says he "loves" me (in a "thank you for not letting me die" kind of way) everyday, and offers me lunch and brings me candy. So we have a bond. And... I forgot to mention... he has MASSIVE white coat anxiety. So he literally turns to a nervous wreck whenever any docs enter the room but me.

So on the day of his discharge... (finally!)... he needs to have his central line taken out. The whole team goes into the room and my attending tells him he's good to go as soon as we take out his line. Well, he freaks out and asks the attending who is going to take out his line... and the attending says he'll do it himself.

Well my patient throws a fit and says he only wants me to do it. I was certain my attending would respond with a "Oh no you don't! She doesn't know WHAT the hell she's doing" ... but instead he smiles and agrees. For god's sake I didn't want to tell him I'd never really pulled one before... since he was so nervous anyway. But alas, I pulled it without issue, and managed to act like I totally knew what I was doing. Not sure if I'm a better actress or physician... but overall it was all a success.