Writings
For years I have been attempting to “translate” medical complexities into understandable and helpful concepts for my patients and my students. That translation work has often extended outward to nonmedical people, as well. Now I want to extend this teaching to you.
Note: the patients in these accounts are intentionally de-identified. Specific details have been changed to obscure identities, and some persons are composites. These patients presented in the stories are not intended to represent actual individuals and should not be construed as such.
I’ll Have a Zoom Christmas Without You – Part 2
The pandemic has not so much unfolded, as it has undulated, waging a war on our morale and our health with surges, retreats, and counterattacks. Don’t stick your head out of the fox hole on the eve of a cease-fire if you don’t have to.
I’ll Have A ZOOM Christmas Without You – Part 1
I believe that this worldwide convulsion has taken a major turn, and the end of the war is in sight. But what happens now? What do we do in the meantime?
COVID Vaccines: How Speed Kills, But Warp Speed Saves Lives
In the end, it is all of us citizens holding open the gates and clearing the roads for those who are developing these vaccines.
A Silver Lining in the Storm
Challenges always present opportunities. As detrimental as cytokine storm is, it may also open up possible avenues for treatment of severe COVID-19 infections.
Give Thanks a Chance – Part 2
All ten lepers were healed of their terrible skin affliction. But only one entered into the even more vital soul health offered by Jesus. Let us strive to enter that health by faith. It is good to give thanks.
Give Thanks a Chance – Part 1
If we are grateful, we will give thanks. But giving thanks can cause us to be grateful.
Herd Immunity and the End of the COVID Pandemic
We have been counting immunity to COVID by measuring antibody levels. Maybe that is not the full story. There is evidence that some people may be resistant to COVID infection, even though they have not been previously exposed to the novel coronavirus. How could that be?
Battles Within and Without
Our own cells no longer seem to acknowledge their role as protectors and healers or recognize their fellow cells as friends. As a society we are destroying ourselves as surely as a patient with cytokine storm is war torn from within. Our culture is slipping into a delirium of hatred and division. Will we survive?
The Eye of the Storm
In the sickest COVID-19 patients we are battling not only a novel virus, but also an over-activated immune system that seems to run rampant and actually contributes to the overall illness. Sometimes the enemy is not just the virus. It is us.