ICU
Waiting for a Miracle “You understand that if your father’s heart stops we’re going to be pounding on his chest and shocking him to try to get it started,” I say to the family of Mr. Green, “There...
View ArticlePulmonary Consult
Breathe “I’m a difficult patient,” declaims Mrs. Olafsen proudly around a mouthful of Whopper with cheese. “Nobody knows what’s wrong with me.” “Really? It certainly looks like that from your chart.”...
View ArticleDawn of the Dead
Loaves and Fishes The body of Mr. Dubois recedes into the shadows as the nurse turns down the lights. His family wants some time with him before he is taken wherever it is we take the bodies of those...
View ArticleApropos of Nothing
1100 Bucks a Month Just from the outset, let me say that poor 70-year-old Mr. Neely was definitely being neglected and possibly being abused by his son. The first thing they told me was that his hair...
View ArticleA Few Random Things
Sick as Stink We eye each other warily, Mr. Kelso and I. His remaining leg dangles over the side of the bed as we face each other. “So, Mr. Kelso, what brings you to see us today?” From top to bottom...
View ArticleObels for Charon
Futility On the last day of her life, your mother went on a spending spree. I intubated her at around 9AM and for the rest of the day we threw money at her, successfully keeping her alive until about...
View ArticlePutting Granny Down and Other Health Care Conundrums
(I hesitate to present this article because everything in it is so indisputable to those who work in health care that I might be accused of belaboring the obvious. With this in mind I ask for the...
View ArticleSome Simple Math and other Random Thoughts from a Harmless Asian Bear-Mammal
I’m Better, Thanks Like I said, it’s only in residency training where one could be happy to be sick while on vacation. I am just getting over a bout of what was probably the flu and as there is no...
View Article1001 Ways to Die
1001 Ways to Die There has got to be a better way to die and surely the patient at the center of our frantic activity couldn’t have wanted this one. I arrived at his room with a code in progress...
View ArticleCan’t Touch This…
Actual Patient Conversation: “Man, that Dilaudid didn’t even touch my pain.” “Uh, Okay. Your CT was negative so you’re fine to go home. I’ll ask your nurse to come discharge you. Come back if you...
View ArticleICU
Waiting for a Miracle “You understand that if your father’s heart stops we’re going to be pounding on his chest and shocking him to try to get it started,” I say to the family of Mr. Green, “There...
View ArticlePulmonary Consult
Breathe “I’m a difficult patient,” declaims Mrs. Olafsen proudly around a mouthful of Whopper with cheese. “Nobody knows what’s wrong with me.” “Really? It certainly looks like that from your chart.”...
View ArticleDawn of the Dead
Loaves and Fishes The body of Mr. Dubois recedes into the shadows as the nurse turns down the lights. His family wants some time with him before he is taken wherever it is we take the bodies of those...
View ArticleApropos of Nothing
1100 Bucks a Month Just from the outset, let me say that poor 70-year-old Mr. Neely was definitely being neglected and possibly being abused by his son. The first thing they told me was that his hair...
View ArticleA Few Random Things
Sick as Stink We eye each other warily, Mr. Kelso and I. His remaining leg dangles over the side of the bed as we face each other. “So, Mr. Kelso, what brings you to see us today?” From top to bottom...
View ArticleObels for Charon
Futility On the last day of her life, your mother went on a spending spree. I intubated her at around 9AM and for the rest of the day we threw money at her, successfully keeping her alive until about...
View ArticlePutting Granny Down and Other Health Care Conundrums
(I hesitate to present this article because everything in it is so indisputable to those who work in health care that I might be accused of belaboring the obvious. With this in mind I ask for the...
View ArticleSome Simple Math and other Random Thoughts from a Harmless Asian Bear-Mammal
I’m Better, Thanks Like I said, it’s only in residency training where one could be happy to be sick while on vacation. I am just getting over a bout of what was probably the flu and as there is no...
View Article1001 Ways to Die
1001 Ways to Die There has got to be a better way to die and surely the patient at the center of our frantic activity couldn’t have wanted this one. I arrived at his room with a code in progress...
View ArticleCan’t Touch This…
Actual Patient Conversation: “Man, that Dilaudid didn’t even touch my pain.” “Uh, Okay. Your CT was negative so you’re fine to go home. I’ll ask your nurse to come discharge you. Come back if you...
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