Today. Finally, a day off. I could oversleep, roll out of bed, then make a pot of coffee — and prepare for a “do nothing” day. But today is the day. After dealing with more electrical problems on this 160,000-mile-plus car, I will say goodb…
Category: Conditions
When air hurts and becomes the harshest invader
Wood art When Air Hurts When the Lung Repulses Air When Air Becomes the Harshest Invader When Air Is Heavier Than Mountains This work was inspired by my father and many other patients who were struggling to breathe. The soft, unnoticeable air suddenly …
A case for changing the way we talk about obesity
You are finger. No, I have fingers. You are leg. No, I have legs. You are pancreas. No, I have a pancreas. You are fat. Hmm … Now let’s try this with disease processes: You are diabetes. No, I have diabetes. You are cancer. No, I have cancer. You are a…
Tips to help you overcome your pandemic bad habits
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S., and states issued stay-at-home orders, many people vowed to use their time at home positively, learning new skills, virtually volunteering, and getting into shape. Now, more than a year into the pandemic, m…
A resignation letter to my patients: How do I leave you well?
Before I walk into clinic, I already know their response if I submitted my resignation letter today. I hear it monthly from multiple patients who have no reason to believe I’m leaving: “You aren’t going to leave too, are you?” &…
Pay attention to the mental health of medical trainees during COVID-19
In recent years, the medical community has recognized that burnout — a sense of exhaustion, loss of motivation, and growing cynicism — is prevalent among physicians and other medical providers. We’ve also learned that stress and burnout are exper…
Stop the spread of vaccine disinformation: a story in pictures
Emily Watters is a physician who explains vaccine disinformation and how it spreads (click to enlarge): Emily Watters is a psychiatrist and can be reached at The Cartoon Shrink. Image credits: Emily Watters
Stop the spread of vaccine disinformation: a …
After COVID, now my soul can rest a little easier
I had been searching for a year. Because of the pandemic, despite the pandemic and to heal from the pandemic. Finally in May this year, I was gifted what seemed to have become an impossible task. I messaged the hospital manager: “The trees have arrived…
We need to do better: Caring for patients after cancer treatment
The number of cancer survivors currently in the U.S. is around 15 million. With the rapid advancement of improved treatments and early detection, this number is expected to increase to over 20 million by 2026. I am lucky enough to be one of the survivo…
Nothing prepared me for telehealth’s nightmare
The orders from the state seemed to come suddenly, although we all knew we would have to adjust our methods of treating our clients, the news wasn’t good, and seeing anyone in person was treacherous since many still thought it was a hoax and they didn’…
