Medicine
Internal Medicine. A science or an art?
Every speciality will claim that it is the best. Surgeons will tell you that they are the most skilled. Family physicians will say that they make the most holistic difference to people's lives. Obstetricians will argue that they are responsible for two lives in one. But there is something special about Internal Medicine. It is … Continue reading Internal Medicine. A science or an art?
Bitches we will be
A patient called me a bitch today. To my face. He then told my consultant to go fuck herself. He was a heroin addict in need of his next fix. He was having a bad day. We all have them. Bad days. And needs for next fixes. We don't all go around calling people bitches … Continue reading Bitches we will be
30/10/22
Lately I've been contemplating the privilege of being a doctor. Not for the knowledge or the title. But for the invitation given to me by patients to take a glimpse into the most private aspects of their lives through the stories they have to share. Every time a patient tells me a story, however small … Continue reading 30/10/22
Alone
I made a list of all the things I’ve done alone. Just me. Sola. I travelled across the world for a job because I wanted to know what it was like to live on the ocean. The middle of the Atlantic is a liberatingly lonely place. I climbed the highest peak in Africa. I got … Continue reading Alone
Labels
Doctors spend their days labelling people. Depending on which speciality we work in, we all have slightly different ways of doing so. For example, my mom's physician would label her like this: 62 year old female #kidney donor 2018 with #mild renal impairment Or my sister's gynaecologist would label her this way: 29 year old … Continue reading Labels
Farewell, Brackengate!
Today was my last day at Brackengate Hospital; the tin-can COVID hospital where I have spent the past fifteen months; the Hospital of Hope. I was a part of the Brackengate team from day one. I watched the empty warehouse form into a colourful 300-bed hospital, with a rainbow "it will be ok" drawing above … Continue reading Farewell, Brackengate!
Isolation ramblings
The Rona got me. I evaded her for more than a year but eventually, she broke through my defences and stole my taste and smell. She also left me with this annoying cough that makes me sound like I have a 40 pack-year history even though I have never touched a cigarette in my life … Continue reading Isolation ramblings
There one minute, gone the next.
Things I wonder while waiting for the nurses to bring me the death notification book
Night shift
The rain is falling heavy on this metallic warehouse roof. It's 8pm. We have to raise our voices to be heard above the watery clamour. The rain is falling heavy on this metallic warehouse roof. This roof that keeps the rain out and the virus in. Its 11pm. The machines have to beep louder to … Continue reading Night shift
jessicaaugusta 