“He had an intuitive gift as a physician in diagnosing and managing breast cancer. His expertise helped countless patients, and he was deeply appreciated by those he cared for. He felt an enormous sense of gratitude to be able to help his patient…
Category: Conditions
Breaking the silence on pelvic congestion syndrome: Diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain with interventional radiology
One in six women in the U.S. suffers from chronic pelvic pain (CPP), yet many receive improper treatment for the condition, or no care at all. They’re frustrated – and rightfully so. Their health care providers are frustrated too because what the…
Awaken your brain for a happier, more connected life: the key to combating depression and isolation
With the coming end of the public health emergency, our three-year pandemic will be officially (if not completely) over, and we will be left to contemplate what’s next. As much as we’d all appreciate a return to normal, we may be better off…
It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure
Adapted from The Right to Pain Relief and Other Deep Roots of the Opioid Epidemic. Published by Oxford University Press in January 2023. The 0-to-10 pain intensity scale that has become a familiar feature of clinical care had its origin in experimental…
Evidence-based medicine and bias: the truth about common therapies and clinical trials
Evidence-based medicine is a term that attendings like to pepper into their teaching rounds, and medical students like to conspicuously incorporate into their assessment and plan. There is so much clinical trial data out there that it is impossible to …
The miracle cure: the world’s first successful bone marrow transplant for aplastic anemia
An excerpt from Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution. Late in the summer of 1960, Dr. Clem Finch invited Dr. Don Thomas to Seattle to give a talk about his early experience with transplantation. Clem, who…
Unwavering faith: a woman’s journey through cancer and beyond
Her back was mottled, and she could barely sit up. She was weak from her invasive cancer. I visited her on Easter Sunday. Perhaps it was God’s will that I didn’t have an elaborate Easter dinner with ham, rolls, pies, and house decor filled with d…
Against all odds: 17-month-old defies death and improves neurologically after craniospinal irradiation
Three months ago, a case was discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor board. A 17-month-old child was admitted through the ER with a posterior fossa tumor (brain tumor) and multi-level spinal cord compression due to tumor deposits. The tumor was so ext…
Surviving monkeypox: a story of compassionate care and an emerging disease outbreak
Mr. Sanchez had been feeling unwell for days before he decided to visit the emergency room. When I walked into his room, I immediately noticed that he was scared and anxious. His sore throat had been persistent for five days and was now so severe that …
A glimmer of hope for a child with suicidal ideations
Eleven-year-old Abby sat nervously in the emergency department, her eyes darting around the room as she clutched Patches, her beloved stuffed sheep. Her guardian sat beside her, anxiety etched on her face as she explained the situation to me. Abby had …
