Kindness in medicine

Some thoughts on kindness in medicine I’ve recently received a proper steer about what to call the rare disease that has for the last few years so affected my health. It’s called BCGosis. Although BCG is usually well tolerated as part of the treatment for superficial bladder cancer, in about 1% of cases it can… Continue reading Kindness in medicine

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What we tell ourselves – and why doctors should listen

“I never realised how much I wanted to live until I thought I was going to die,” artist Tracey Emin. Medical doctors could and should try to engage at a reasonably deep level with patients’ storylines or internal narratives about their health. Doing so should open up possibilities for practitioners and lead to better patient… Continue reading What we tell ourselves – and why doctors should listen

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Onwards and Upwards?

  Here we go again, this time into more uncharted territory.  The big difference is that this posting is made at a time when I finally know what on earth has gone wrong with my health over the past two and a half years! So it’s rather more personal than some other postings. It was… Continue reading Onwards and Upwards?

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Grass can sing but concrete mainly swears

  Here we are, the concrete, brick and steel jumble that’s the latest iteration of our district hospital; twelve floors high in places. Now here’s the little forest of architects’ and builders’ self-trumpeting advertising hoardings as you approach. Here too the tarmac and metal railings that protect the consultants-only parking areas, and the slightly-more-distant parking… Continue reading Grass can sing but concrete mainly swears

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Nerves, brain and mind

I had a serious physical illness which, together with the treatments affected my nerves, nervous system, my brain and mind.   Obviously I’m not the only one. I found myself travelling in a rather nice train through northern Italy with delightful new friends, one of whom kindly offered to give me a good shave.  Unfortunately he… Continue reading Nerves, brain and mind

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From Sickness to Recovery?

Leaving hospital: how was I going to get better? I still remember when I was let out of hospital.  As I was wheeled to the ambulance I revelled in the fresh air and feel of light rain.  I was then delighted as we drove through ordinary streets, past people walking on pavements.  We moved on… Continue reading From Sickness to Recovery?

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Hospitals can make you ill

Unfortunately, hospitals can make you unwell In these Covid times we’re seeing a lot more people than usual having to receive hospital treatment and care for a while, and in some cases for a long while. There are also likely to be an increasing number of patients discharged into the community with, often complicated, long… Continue reading Hospitals can make you ill

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