Author Alexandra Retana blogs about her book, medicine, kids, life, and whatever else comes to mind
As physicians, we have to become relatively hardened to the misfortunes of others because if we don't, we will fall apart. There is a Ray Bradbury story about the being who would morph into whoever the person next to him lost in order to make them happy and restore what they've lost; eventually, too many … Continue reading Human to human: when doctoring hurts
10 years ago, I was finally--FINALLY!--about to be finished with training, and was looking for a job. By the way, I would just like to note, as I already have to my friends and family, how it's absolutely amazing that a person can make it to age 32, and not know how to look for … Continue reading Pump it up: pumping at a job interview
I decided to start a pinterest group board for pinning articles and images about empowerment of female physicians, the facts of mom doc life, and inspiration for women in medicine. I created the thing and then went on to search for applicable pins, and would you believe it (she says sarcastically, because YES you would … Continue reading The NEJM letter to the young female physician, and some thoughts of my own
A patient came into the office a few weeks ago, and tearfully thanked me for saving his life. I am not bragging. It's just that a patient thanking you happens really rarely; much more rarely than "you are doing nothing for me," and "I waited too long to see you," and other complaints. So when … Continue reading How to save a life
Today, I feel like crap. No pun intended - but I think I'm getting the GI bug. You know, the GI bug?? Otherwise known as hell on Earth? Where I am known to descend every few years due to no fault of my own? Last time I had this bitch, I puked up my grilled … Continue reading What you need to know about the GI bug (and other stories)
It's world mental health day! So, let's discuss depression. Anywhere from 3 to 17% of the world's population suffers from it, with US being one of the highest. That is a lot of people! It leads me to wonder a) why the difference in prevalence and b) why did we not hear about depression as … Continue reading Advice for friends and family of people with depression: 5 things to consider
Okay, so, when I first started this shindig, I had this ambitious goal of writing a medical GI-themed post every Friday, something important but funny for the public. I even had a cute name for the endeavor: "Farting Fridays." You know, because GI, and because there is an alliteration, and people love alliterations on the … Continue reading Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Barrett’s esophagus
When it was time to decide which fellowship to do, I agonized for a bit; so much so, that I took a year off, actually, because I really don't believe in agonizing over decisions - I think important decisions should be easy. The right choice feels right! I even wrote my residency personal statement on … Continue reading When one person dies so another can live
Every doctor has had this patient. You know the type? The type that has an actual illness, or had one in the past, and now there is no evidence of anything active, but the patient shows up at the ER every other week, and knows the system enough to use the perfect buzzwords to … Continue reading Step back and start over
As if right on cue, a day after I wrote my little ditty about fighting micro-aggression at the hospital, I was fed a big old dose of MACRO-aggression. No that I was particularly surprised by it, but it was just timely. So, this here goes out to all those folks who don't believe there is … Continue reading Is it ok to sew your colleague’s vagina shut so she doesn’t have more babies?
And Why Not! 