When does it end?This bleeding, hemorrhaging;all bleeding stops eventually,not all patients live. When is it too far?These signs are incompatible with life,the patient is on the vent.Do we pull out the pink juice?Do we start a transfusion?We are treating the symptomsand pretending the disease will go away Hoping against clinical judgementThat it will cure itselfA … More Not one more
We talk about compassion a lot in our profession. We need to have compassion for our patients, to want to give them the best care possible because, even if they’re scared and lashing out or poorly trained or covered in fleas, they deserve to be treated with compassion and care. We need to have compassion … More Compassion in unexpected places
We are burned out It’s almost the end I don’t even have the energy to shout So whisper until you can Or with a helping hand to reach out You are not alone I can’t take away your pain Just be there, it’ll be okay When most days, I don’t feel sane We’re all mad … More This will pass
While studying cardiology, I became increasingly frustrated that I could never remember the components of the Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital defect that occurs in dogs, cats, people, and other species. I came up with a mnemonic following the acronym OPVR (over-riding, dextropositioned aorta, pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy). This mnemonic … More The Tetralogy Corollary
To those who say, “But they seemed to be so happy!” When I’m with you, the sun is shining Friends are my eternal silver lining Good food, good wine, good times Laughs roll through like rhymes But when I’m alone and tired Driving in the silence of music The silence of my mind … More To those who say
Late at night and I’m up reading Peer reviewed articles I’m heeding Night owls gon’ to bed hours past This long, my caffeine won’t last But I gotta fill the medical record With doctor’s thoughts, and word I’m SOAPing all night long My cat is pacing, frantic for pets My cases are confusing, all … More SOAPs at Night
This letter was written by one of my classmates to all our clients who graciously allow us to practice being doctors with their beloved pets. Thank you for trusting me with your pet’s care, even when you noticed my wide fearful eyes as you described to me all the clinical signs associated with a complicated … More An Open Letter of Gratitude to the Clients of My Fourth Year
The ocean is a cat The tide comes in The tide goes out And never decides Where it wants to be at It stretches long and lean In bright sunlight And spits and claws When caught in a fight It hisses over sands And purrs over reefs It chatters on rocky beaches And stretches it … More The ocean is a cat
Grief is a sinkhole It hides beneath the karst topography of my skin Undermining, excavating, depleting Until the foundation of my functional self Loses stability One hundred little raindrops One hundred little reminders One hundred little things I forgot to say One hundred little poems One hundred Sunday noons One hundred little ways To say … More Sinkholes
This poem was written by a wonderful friend, inspiring woman, and brilliant doctor-to-be, Tracy Swanson. Today was a good day. I woke up early, brewed the coffee just right, read up on my cases. Today, my client accidentally called me “doctor” and I secretly cheered. She asked me what I would do. I taught … More Today Was a Good Day
All that bites, claws, kicks, and clucks 