For Nick Some things are just so damned hard to write about. People often ask me, “Why do you have so many animals?” The current count is 4 dogs, two horses and a cat. I used to say, “Because it’s good for my children to learn responsibility. Having a dog, whose life is so much… Continue reading Why I Don’t Go to Funerals
Month: September 2012
Why I Am Not A Psychiatrist, #1
I love psychiatrists. Besides the fact that several of my family members have availed themselves of psychiatric services, I have always admired the intellect and insight required to truly “see” into another person’s mind, combined with the patience to listen, even when one is bored or otherwise preoccupied—these are skills I do not have. When… Continue reading Why I Am Not A Psychiatrist, #1
Blame it on the radiation!
“Blame It On The Bossa Nova” (Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) I was at a dance when he caught my eye Standin’ all alone lookin’ sad and shy We began to dance, swaying’ to and fro And soon I knew I’d never let him go Blame it on the bossa nova with its magic… Continue reading Blame it on the radiation!
Miracles Do Happen
Sometimes miracles do happen. In 1999, I was called for an emergency consultation on a young man in his early 40’s who had come into the emergency room. He had been involved in an automobile accident, and the police were trying to arrest him for drunk driving since he could not “walk the line”. His… Continue reading Miracles Do Happen
“The Bucket List”, or Why I Hate Cancer Movies
In another life, I would have been a film maker. Not an actor, or a set designer or even a cinematographer. I would have been The Director. It’s obvious isn’t it? It’s all about being The Person In Charge. So even though I hate cancer movies, I have to confess to a little bit of… Continue reading “The Bucket List”, or Why I Hate Cancer Movies
FIFTY/FIFTY
When I was 30 years old, I learned the true meaning of optimism. During my residency, I was fortunate enough to have as a mentor one of the world’s greatest radiation oncologists for head and neck cancer. This man was born in China to two Chinese Christian missionary parents. He and his twin brother were… Continue reading FIFTY/FIFTY
Antioxidants
Patients often come to me with the idea that they need to take antioxidants to either “prevent cancer” (Sorry Bud, you already have it!), or to “repair the damage from radiation”. Here’s the thing. We don’t WANT to repair the damage from radiation. We want to KILL those suckers! Here’s the syllogism: Radiation causes… Continue reading Antioxidants
The Chiropractor
In 2007 I was asked to consult on a patient with prostate cancer. He was a chiropractor. I respect those guys—I’ve got a great one who practices only on horses and dogs. I was a sceptic. I put chiropracty right up there with divination and dowsing. That is, I did until I found my doggy… Continue reading The Chiropractor