The old Scottish man seemed to be precariously balanced on some invisible ledge in his hospital bed. He hung onto the bed railing, to prevent himself from lying flat. Not usual behavior for a man with a resolving kidney infection. “Hi Mr. Bagpipes, what’s going on? Why are you lying like that?” I asked. [...]

continue reading.....

“I have this mole on my left hip,” I told the nurse in the dermatology clinic. The last time I was in a derm clinic was during a two week rotation as a resident. I don’t remember much but I do remember the ABC’s of skin cancer and a lot of people getting liquid nitrogen [...]

continue reading.....

In a Chinese restaurant tonight. My dear wife Amy opens up her fortune cookie. AMY: “I’m keeping this one. ‘You should be happy with your lot in life.’ It fits me.” I open mine up. I can’t help but grin. AMY: “What’s it say?” SCOTT: “‘It is time to try new things.‘” AMY (serious face): [...]

continue reading.....

  During the night, he wandered the halls, yelling, hallucinating. Not too unusual in a hospital, except he was in his twenties. So he’s an early starter. Then again, when you’ve got a virus in your brain, and you’re in a strange place, and loaded with dilaudid, you’re allowed a little mental leeway. Viral encephalitis. [...]

continue reading.....

“… Four… five… six…,” I count to myself from my patient’s doorway. I can feel a drop of perspiration actually rolling down my ribcage. Eight. The palliative carebear doc pauses for eight seconds before asking my dying patient another question. Palliative care, the angels of … dying. They help keep the dying patients comfortable. They [...]

continue reading.....