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“We’re running low.”
Last week while on service in the hospital, one of the respiratory therapists said: “We are out of High flow nasal cannulas.” This struck fear in my heart. Let me explain what that means and why this is so terrifying. For me, for you, for everyone you know. In the...
“Medicine is not a job, it is a calling.”
The other day, I was interviewed by the U.S. News and World report regarding why someone would make the financial decision to become a physician. My best answer was: “You don’t go into medicine to become rich, or famous, and definitely not to be well-rested. You go...
“I recognized your voice…it’s the voice of the person who saved my life.”
This week in the hospital, I was caring for a 46yo patient with a bowel obstruction; we’ll call him Edward (changed for privacy). He is strong and brave and never complained. On my 3rd day on service, I woke up earlier than usual. My patients were especially sick this...
Respect your body and respect others through self-love and compassion
I saw this book on my patient’s bedside table yesterday. She was recently diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer. She is 41 years old. When I pointed out the book, she said that it is helping her accept her circumstances and calm her anxiety. Two months ago, she...
Who are you? I’m really asking. Who are you, really?
Who are you? I’m really asking. Who are you, really? We all want to believe that we will be cool as cucumbers when crisis hits. We think we’ll keep our heads on straight and gently land the plane, Captain Sully style, on the Hudson river and calmly instruct our...