“I am a surgeon. It is what I do.” It is early Sunday morning, traditionally a day of rest for everyone. I am up and about, soon to head to the hospital to amputate a gangrenous finger on the hand of an unfortunate individual with end-stage kidney failure due to diabetes that is poorly controlled. …
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Why nurse practitioners and physicians assitants aren’t the same as medical doctors.
Medical practice is not simply caring for simple, common problems. There has been a strong and largely successful push by advanced practice nurse practitioners (NPs) and physicians assistant (PAs) to practice autonomously as primary care providers. The Florida legislature recently granted advance practice nurse practitioners license to practice independently https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2020-03-11/florida-oks-independent-practice-for-nurse-practitioners. That term, “provider”, has replaced …
Musings on the Wuhan virus
“Absent an effective treatment or vaccine, and knowing that we cannot stay locked down indefinitely, our only hope for dealing with this virus is to turn to the most effective anti-virus agent known to man: a healthy immune system.” I have no illusions about the Wuhan Virus, aka SARS-CoV-2. It is a dangerous beast to …
The unreported heartbreak of the Wuhan virus*
A transplant patient enters the hospital for a problem unrelated to the Wuhan virus. While there, he develops a complication and is wisked to the transplant unit. Because of Covid-19, his wife and family are not permitted to visit him even though none of them is ill. All encounters are electronic. They never see, touch, …
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Musings on masks
At my office and going around town, I see a lot of people wearing masks. A lot of confusion exists about whether and how to wear a mask. As someone who has worn surgical masks for over 40 years, I guess I have some authority to comment on this “new normal” (I hate that term!). …
Corona virus follies- the 30% solution
Coming soon to a medical office near you……. Dr. Mayo: “Mr. Smith, I am afraid I have some bad news.” Smith: “Oh, no, doc. Is it about my blood tests?” Dr. Mayo: “’Fraid so. Your blood test shows you have colon cancer.” Smith (with trembling lips): “Doc, are you sure?” Dr. Mayo: “Well, there is …
Why social distancing and shelter-in-place must end now
“Social distancing and shelter-in-place must end immediately, not tomorrow or next week.. Now. Not phased in. Fully and immediately.” The discussion is endless and contentious. The questions are many, and and so are the answers. Has social distancing helped the cause in fighting SARS-Cov-19, hereafter referred to as CV-19 for simplicity? Does shelter-in-place work? When …
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A Ray of Hope
This is a long post and I don’t want to make it longer than necessary. Dr. Williams is a family practitioner in Bessemer, AL. Below is his follow to his original post. You can find that post at: https://coronavirustruths.godaddysites.com/ . I encourage you to read this through. Do your own research. Make up your own …
Covid-19: The end is near. Or is it?
This is my imperfect attempt to put into words my current thoughts and feelings regarding this entire Covid-19 situation. Today, after more than five weeks of sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and being prohibited by the powers-that-be from practicing my profession, I thought I would be delighted at the welcome news that the governor has given the …
Virology 101- You are not defenseless against SARS-CoV-2
It is stating the obvious to describe that many, if not most, of the population of the US are in a state of anxiety, some in fear, and a few even panicked regarding Covid-19. I think that much of this is due to a misunderstanding that we are defenseless against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes …
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Musings on Medicine and Life 