Four Prompts On Death

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on the passage of time and the sensation that it is accelerating. Events in life and the clinic demand processing and learning, but they keep coming and I am doing my best to keep up. I don't reckon they'll slow down for my sake, so I guess I'll just buckle up.

I hope you enjoy!

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on a patient that I really didn't like. And she really didn't like me, either. Through this encounter, I picked up a new tool for loosening up tough patients as well as a newfound respect for the physical exam.

I hope you enjoy!

M. Singh! Manny is a 29yo fourth year medical student, powerlifter, and rational thinker. In this cerebral conversation, we discuss the tenets of the Sikh faith, the great waste of human potential through procrastination, and the benefits of competition toward the next steps for humanity.

I hope you enjoy!

Manny is…
hopeful,
and searching for an answer.

Before Manny dies, he wants…
to get the ball rolling,
and to see humanity advance to the next step.

When Manny dies, he wants…
nothing,
to be the kind of person who doesn’t care about how he dies.

After Manny dies, he wants…
to see humanity spread to the stars,
to see us fundamentally rewrite the laws of physics,
and for us to know everything that can be known.

In conclusion, Manny says…
“As far as my parting words, I think I’ll take a moment just to describe what my personal philosophy is and what I think the purpose of life is.”

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on change through two stories: one slam dunk and one missed opportunity. Sometimes, a shock to the system is the best medicine to stimulate change and new behaviors.

Perhaps this was mine.

I hope you enjoy!

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on a long week. I held one family meeting, an end of life discussion, and received some heartening feedback. Then, I look forward to the change back to outpatient medicine, rotating first with the Emergency Department.

I hope you enjoy!

Dave Del Negro! Dave is a 26yo third year medical student, athlete, and teacher. Dave has rotated with me through Internal Medicine and teaches wrestling at our informal fight club. During this conversation, we discuss his early diagnosis of ADHD, the value of competitive American Wrestling, and the subject of suicide.

I hope you enjoy!

Dave is…
just as odd as most of them,
a student,
someone who has fleeting ideas of grandiosity,
just a competitor,
and too gritty to be bougie.

Before Dave dies, he wants…
to let Mother Earth know he’s been here,
and to accomplish a whole bunch of fun things.

When Dave dies, he wants…
to see the seventies and eighties.

After Dave dies, he wants…
an afterlife that is individualized.

In conclusion, Dave says...
“I hope someone looks back on this as a time capsule: a very interesting era of human history. We lose the ability to analyze things that happen before us. We’re so stubborn to not listen to history.”

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on my limitations as I grow older and less bold. I consider what 20yo Eugene would have done after bouldering on Tuesday while planning to Spartan Race on Saturday. In the end, I accept the shoulda, woulda, couldas and sleep for twelve hours.

I hope you enjoy!

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on two stories. First, how a series of hellos left a good impression. Second, how syrup on a short stack of pancakes reminds me of an aged son caring for a sick mother. In the end, I wrap up with some guidelines for my future.

I hope you enjoy!

Katrina Wachter! Katrina is a 24yo third year medical student, a musician, a second Lieutenant in the US Army, and a Christian. I’ve known her since the very first days of med school as she is my peer pair partner for the SELECT program. She’s an outstanding example of a human and I am so glad to finally bring her to you. During this conversation, we discuss the value of deep breathing and journaling, her encounters with death, and her desires for a family.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Katrina is…
a ball of anxiety wrapped up in good intentions,
a musician,
a Christian,
and someone who sometimes cares too much.

Before Katrina dies, she wants...
to be married,
children,
grandchildren,
and to feel fulfilled in whatever she does.

When Katrina dies, she wants…
to be old,
and to die peacefully around loved ones.

After Katrina dies, she wants…
to be with those that passed before her in the Glory of God.

In conclusion, she says…
“Don't be afraid to ask questions. About anything: about your faith, about how something works, about life in general, about the future.

Don't be afraid to ask those questions because you're never going to learn something unless you put yourself through it. And the best way to do that is through questions.”

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on the grind of Step One with the help of a few data points. Scores were finally released this past Wednesday and now that I know I passed, I can look back with some perspective on my path to a 209.

I hope you enjoy!