1988, the Rapture and the dangers of masking Like most children of the 80s, I endured and survived the quirkiest of decades. I wanted to be cool like Punky Brewster, longed to have an alien friend like Alf, turned my nose up at the kids who traded Garbage Pail Kids, owned an excessive amount of … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #18
Tag: covid-19
Covid-19 Series, Entry #12
Sigh... We find ourselves, still, in the midst of this piece of crap Covid pandemic. When people ask me how much longer I think this may go on, my canned answer is "oh, probably another year or so." I've been saying this since the pandemic began, and I think this is probably, unfortunately, still as … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #12
Covid-19 Series, Entry #11
Death certificates...ahem. I love Sunday mornings. Things move at a slower pace. Danny and I enjoy coffee together on the deck. The kids generally sleep in a bit and eventually roll out of bed to help me make cinnamon rolls before we watch church online. So when my alarm clock went off this morning, I … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #11
Covid-19 Series, Entry #10
Of facts and opinions, lies and truth. The other day I "engaged" in a social media "conversation" because apparently I still think that I can save the world from a global pandemic....and maybe more importantly, ignorance. I stumbled upon a post about how Covid isn't really all that bad, blah blah blah. And then I … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #10
Covid-19 Series, Entry #8
I don't know why I am even having to write this post. File this under 'common sense 101' or 'how to not be an asshole' or even 'how to be a decent human, for dummies.' For those of you with halfway evolved frontal lobes, don't feel like you have to read any further. Since the … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #8
Covid-19 Series, Entry #7 with Special Guest Author, Dr. Emily Riegel.
Dr. Riegel was a senior resident when I was in medical school, then a palliative care fellow when I was a resident. During my fellowship, she was one of my most treasured attendings, and now I am honored to call her a dear friend. She is an extraordinarily talented writer and I am so excited … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #7 with Special Guest Author, Dr. Emily Riegel.
Covid-19 Series, Entry #6
Anger - the stage of grief I have apparently landed in today. As I was perusing social media last night, I came across a post that questioned why pleas for others to stay at home and continue social distancing are often accompanied by anger, name calling and "venom." I slept on that question. Then I … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #6
Covid-19 Series, Entry #5
Hyperalgesia: An abnormal and enhanced sensitivity to pain. For the past several weeks, my team and our entire health system have been preparing for the Covid-19 surge. Our team started to see our first Covid-19 consults last week. Of the patients I've seen so far, some have died, one recovered. I have several patients who, … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #5
Covid-19 Series, Entry #4
Today I wrote up a protocol for how to allow someone dying of Covid-19 to die comfortably on life support machines because the act of actually removing the life support machine poses an increased risk of transmission to the providers present at the bedside. So, there's that. In other news, I'm learning a lot from … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #4
Covid-19 Series, Entry #3
Okay, I was going to try to lighten the mood and talk about all of the shenanigans happening in my house right now, but there are some serious things I need to tell you. I promise I'll post something lighter soon-ish. A quick update on my job. I am a Palliative Care physician in a … Continue reading Covid-19 Series, Entry #3
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