Dr. Brown, First of all, thanks for getting me in early today for my check-up. Much appreciated. I promise I'll try not to be so high maintenance in the future. When your nurse roomed me, she asked if I had any specific issues I wanted to talk to you about. I told her 'no' and … Continue reading Dear PCP, post visit summary
Public service announcement for July 25th, 2019
For immediate release: #1 When rounding in hoop and/or loop earrings, one must exert extreme caution so as not to entangle one's stethoscope in said earrings. The result could involve significant pain and potentially disfigurement. #2 When referring to the palliative care team in a progress note, refrain from using the word "impending." That conjures … Continue reading Public service announcement for July 25th, 2019
The great cake debacle of 2019
On Sunday, Danny and I had the rare opportunity to go to dinner. Together. Without kids (thanks mom and dad). We initially planned to go to Café Europa but when they called to confirm our reservation, they mentioned that they wouldn't be serving alcohol that night. Um.... I asked if it was Southern Baptist night, … Continue reading The great cake debacle of 2019
Dear PCP
Hey there, Dr. Brown. Just wanted to send a little note to warn you that I'm coming to see you soon for my "check up." You and I both know that this will be my yearly opportunity to spew all of my worries on you and for you to reassure me that I'm not dying. … Continue reading Dear PCP
The parable of the nine year old and the finger nail
Today Louisa and Luke commissioned me to paint their fingernails red, white and blue for the Fourth of July. Luke wanted four toes painted burgundy with his big toe striped with red, white and blue...which Louisa accurately pointed out looked like the French flag. Louisa, on the other hand (har har har), had much more … Continue reading The parable of the nine year old and the finger nail
How to prolong death and maximize suffering
I'm super excited that this essay was just published on KevinMD.com. Not quite NEJM or JAMA, but I'll take it! Due to word count restrictions on KevinMD, I had to modify the original version quite a bit. Here is the link to the KevinMD post with my unabridged essay below. Enjoy! https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2019/06/how-to-have-an-exciting-death-5-tips-from-a-palliative-care-physician.html https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2019/06/how-to-have-an-exciting-death-5-tips-from-a-palliative-care-physician.html We’re all … Continue reading How to prolong death and maximize suffering
My Pretties
I like peonies. Especially when they are from my yard. Quick life hack, if you've purchased a towel ring but you don't like the way it looks holding your towels (and you can't find your receipt), you can use it to hold your necklaces. Boom. Hello there, little nubbin... I don't like it when my … Continue reading My Pretties
Accomplishment
Regardless how big or how small, an accomplishment is an accomplishment. Today, I celebrate and share with you one of my most unexpected and strangely gratifying accomplishments. It was a normal day, sometime last year, when I grabbed a cup of grapes in the staff lounge. In that moment, I had no way of knowing … Continue reading Accomplishment
Take Me Out To The Ballgame
If there is one good thing about dance competitions, it's the lack of middle aged men reliving their glory days, screaming at your kid if she doesn't point her toe quite right. I mean, can you imagine? Coaches and parents lurking around the stage yelling things like "Dangit Suzy...pop your hip to the LEFT...TO THE … Continue reading Take Me Out To The Ballgame
Pilgrimage
My grandma Virgie was born on a farm in Clyde, KS in 1931, one of 11 siblings. Legend has it that she had a bit of an ornery streak when she was a kid, easily finding or creating mischief. I would imagine that to survive on a farm in the middle of 1930's Kansas, with … Continue reading Pilgrimage
