Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #loveisthewhat
Most recents (8)
1/
I had imagined what this day would be like. Played it out in my head and saw various iterations of me exploding in celebration.
In some versions, I was doing the running man or, quite literally, running in triumphant circles, #MatchDay envelope in hand.
"Wooo hooo!"
I had imagined what this day would be like. Played it out in my head and saw various iterations of me exploding in celebration.
In some versions, I was doing the running man or, quite literally, running in triumphant circles, #MatchDay envelope in hand.
"Wooo hooo!"
2/
I also saw these visions of me quietly weeping, one hand extended to the heavens in gratitude. My lips quietly murmuring prayers of thanksgiving.
See, I was my ancestors' wildest dreams. And not even just my enslaved ancestors but the Jim Crow survivors who raised me, too.
I also saw these visions of me quietly weeping, one hand extended to the heavens in gratitude. My lips quietly murmuring prayers of thanksgiving.
See, I was my ancestors' wildest dreams. And not even just my enslaved ancestors but the Jim Crow survivors who raised me, too.
3/
So, yeah. This was about to be big.
I was even on the #MatchDay party committee. And since we were broke, that meant soliciting donations from faculty & parents & anybody who felt proud enough of us to shell out a few coins.
Which, fortunately for us, was a lot of folks.
So, yeah. This was about to be big.
I was even on the #MatchDay party committee. And since we were broke, that meant soliciting donations from faculty & parents & anybody who felt proud enough of us to shell out a few coins.
Which, fortunately for us, was a lot of folks.
1/
Grady Hospital Wards
It was a Sunday. The students and interns had the day off so it was just the senior resident and me. This Grady elder was our last patient.
Yup.
Me: "What questions do you have for us?"
Her: "I don't have any questions. Y'all answered them. Thank you."
Grady Hospital Wards
It was a Sunday. The students and interns had the day off so it was just the senior resident and me. This Grady elder was our last patient.
Yup.
Me: "What questions do you have for us?"
Her: "I don't have any questions. Y'all answered them. Thank you."
2/
Me: "Okay. Is there anything else you need before we go?"
Her: "May I have one minute of your time?"
Us: *looking at each other*
Resident: "Sure. Tell us what you need."
She extended both of her hands out toward us, gesturing for each of us to take one of them.
We did.
Me: "Okay. Is there anything else you need before we go?"
Her: "May I have one minute of your time?"
Us: *looking at each other*
Resident: "Sure. Tell us what you need."
She extended both of her hands out toward us, gesturing for each of us to take one of them.
We did.
3/
She held our gaze and then spoke.
Her: "I'd like to pray for y’all. Is that okay?"
Shoot.
My breath hitched. I didn't want my resident to feel pressured or uncomfortable.
Shoot.
Had I been alone? This would’ve been a no brainer. But I was not.
Shoot.
Resident: “Okay.”
She held our gaze and then spoke.
Her: "I'd like to pray for y’all. Is that okay?"
Shoot.
My breath hitched. I didn't want my resident to feel pressured or uncomfortable.
Shoot.
Had I been alone? This would’ve been a no brainer. But I was not.
Shoot.
Resident: “Okay.”
1/
Every year I prepare a Christmas scavenger hunt quiz for my kids. 1 clue to find a question which, when answered correctly allows opening of 1 gift. Then they get another clue.
Yup.
The theme changes every year. And slows the whole process down in the most wonderful way.
Every year I prepare a Christmas scavenger hunt quiz for my kids. 1 clue to find a question which, when answered correctly allows opening of 1 gift. Then they get another clue.
Yup.
The theme changes every year. And slows the whole process down in the most wonderful way.
2/
One of my fave years was “Books We’ve Read.” They’re such great sports about it, too. Even now that they’re on high school!
And shout out to award-winning author @JasonReynolds83 whose books have blessed our family and my Black sons beyond measure.
Mmm hmmm.
One of my fave years was “Books We’ve Read.” They’re such great sports about it, too. Even now that they’re on high school!
And shout out to award-winning author @JasonReynolds83 whose books have blessed our family and my Black sons beyond measure.
Mmm hmmm.
3/
This year we did “It’s a Family Affair.” Questions about our family and our origin story. Best part? Answers can’t be found on Google. Only by phoning a friend (aka a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin!)
As a true nerd, I know the cognitive effort slows them down.
Ha!
This year we did “It’s a Family Affair.” Questions about our family and our origin story. Best part? Answers can’t be found on Google. Only by phoning a friend (aka a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin!)
As a true nerd, I know the cognitive effort slows them down.
Ha!
1/
At @EmoryMedicine, our curriculum includes a 4-year longitudinal connection of 8-9 classmates assigned to one faculty advisor in “small groups.”
I’ve been an SG advisor since 2007 and it has been—hands down—one of the most rewarding things of my career.
Like, for real.
At @EmoryMedicine, our curriculum includes a 4-year longitudinal connection of 8-9 classmates assigned to one faculty advisor in “small groups.”
I’ve been an SG advisor since 2007 and it has been—hands down—one of the most rewarding things of my career.
Like, for real.
2/
Every other year since ‘07, I’ve been assigned a new small group.
Yup.
It’s sooo cool to meet them on their first day of Med school and then get to hood them on their last day! (My commencement tears have become legendary.)
Ha.
Every other year since ‘07, I’ve been assigned a new small group.
Yup.
It’s sooo cool to meet them on their first day of Med school and then get to hood them on their last day! (My commencement tears have become legendary.)
Ha.
3/
Yesterday, I got to welcome my 8TH small group to our SG fam. And I swear, y’all. It’s like anticipating a new baby coming.
Here’s why:
Because now I know what can unfold over these years. Not just in medical school but beyond. It’s sooo magical.
Yesterday, I got to welcome my 8TH small group to our SG fam. And I swear, y’all. It’s like anticipating a new baby coming.
Here’s why:
Because now I know what can unfold over these years. Not just in medical school but beyond. It’s sooo magical.
1/
#AmazingGrady
I placed my stethoscope upon a quiet chest recently. Flashed a penlight into eyes where pupils did not respond.
My fingertips rolled over the curve in the neck where a carotid pulse would normally offer up a reassuring thump--but felt nothing.
Nothing.
#AmazingGrady
I placed my stethoscope upon a quiet chest recently. Flashed a penlight into eyes where pupils did not respond.
My fingertips rolled over the curve in the neck where a carotid pulse would normally offer up a reassuring thump--but felt nothing.
Nothing.
2/
Just cool, quiet skin.
This patient was severely ill. The family and patient had chosen a "Do Not Resuscitate" order to allow a natural transition. So, once it became imminent, no one fought it.
No code sirens.
No cacophony of ACLS.
Just a peaceful acknowledgment.
Just cool, quiet skin.
This patient was severely ill. The family and patient had chosen a "Do Not Resuscitate" order to allow a natural transition. So, once it became imminent, no one fought it.
No code sirens.
No cacophony of ACLS.
Just a peaceful acknowledgment.
3/
The illness was far too mighty and swift to allow a transfer to hospice after leaving the ICU.
The family stood vigil for those first few hours. Then exhaustion set in. When it happened, no family was in the room.
But it was peaceful still. And with dignity.
It was.
The illness was far too mighty and swift to allow a transfer to hospice after leaving the ICU.
The family stood vigil for those first few hours. Then exhaustion set in. When it happened, no family was in the room.
But it was peaceful still. And with dignity.
It was.
1/
You: “Hello! Will this be your first dose today?”
Me: “No. Second.”
You nodded and then entered something into the tablet in your hands. Suddenly your head flung up as if you’d forgotten something.
You: “I’m sorry. How y’all doing this evening?”
I offered a thumbs up.
You: “Hello! Will this be your first dose today?”
Me: “No. Second.”
You nodded and then entered something into the tablet in your hands. Suddenly your head flung up as if you’d forgotten something.
You: “I’m sorry. How y’all doing this evening?”
I offered a thumbs up.
2/
Me: “Especially glad to get here before y’all closed.”
Son: “Not me!”
*laughter*
Me: “What about you, friend?”
You: “Ma’am?”
Me: “How're you doing?”
You: “Oh! Me? I’m good!”
Me: "Yeah?"
*laughter*
You: “You’re the first person to ask me that all day!”
Me: “Awww dang.”
Me: “Especially glad to get here before y’all closed.”
Son: “Not me!”
*laughter*
Me: “What about you, friend?”
You: “Ma’am?”
Me: “How're you doing?”
You: “Oh! Me? I’m good!”
Me: "Yeah?"
*laughter*
You: “You’re the first person to ask me that all day!”
Me: “Awww dang.”
3/
You handed me two forms to fill out and gestured for us to roll forward.
Son: “Do you think this one will hurt more?”
Me: “Mine didn’t.”
When I finished filling out the forms, you were back beside my window.
You: “Perfect. Y’all should be next.”
Son: *groan*
*laughter*
You handed me two forms to fill out and gestured for us to roll forward.
Son: “Do you think this one will hurt more?”
Me: “Mine didn’t.”
When I finished filling out the forms, you were back beside my window.
You: “Perfect. Y’all should be next.”
Son: *groan*
*laughter*
1/
My patient died the other day. One often described as “cantankerous" and known for his legendary cuss-outs and kick-outs from his room.
And one who was sick.
"Cantankerous" by definition is:
bad-tempered
argumentative
uncooperative
A bad rap if you're a patient.
Yup.
My patient died the other day. One often described as “cantankerous" and known for his legendary cuss-outs and kick-outs from his room.
And one who was sick.
"Cantankerous" by definition is:
bad-tempered
argumentative
uncooperative
A bad rap if you're a patient.
Yup.
2/
On my first day meeting him he told me to go away. Let me know he didn’t give a damn about me “needing to take a look” or “just give a quick listen.”
I explained that I was the senior doctor and he sucked his teeth hard. Then sighed and quickly had a comeback.
Mmm hmm.
On my first day meeting him he told me to go away. Let me know he didn’t give a damn about me “needing to take a look” or “just give a quick listen.”
I explained that I was the senior doctor and he sucked his teeth hard. Then sighed and quickly had a comeback.
Mmm hmm.
3/
Him: “Well, how ‘bout you carry your 'senior doctor' self down to the cafeteria and talk to them 'bout my food!”
Me: “What’s wrong with your food?”
Him: *glaring* “What’s not?” He lifted the top on the plate and slammed it back down.
Then he told me to beat it. Verbatim.
Him: “Well, how ‘bout you carry your 'senior doctor' self down to the cafeteria and talk to them 'bout my food!”
Me: “What’s wrong with your food?”
Him: *glaring* “What’s not?” He lifted the top on the plate and slammed it back down.
Then he told me to beat it. Verbatim.
1/
A late afternoon at Grady
Her: "Do you know the words to the national anthem?"
That's what my last patient, a Grady elder, asked just before I got ready to leave her room on rounds one day. I’d just asked her if she had any questions for me.
This was not what I meant.
A late afternoon at Grady
Her: "Do you know the words to the national anthem?"
That's what my last patient, a Grady elder, asked just before I got ready to leave her room on rounds one day. I’d just asked her if she had any questions for me.
This was not what I meant.
2/
Uggh.
Were we about to unpack the NFL controversy? I was already tired. I had a lot on my plate and had had some pretty fitful sleep the night before.
A discussion about the anthem? Now?
*internal face wipe*
I took a drag of air and sat back down.
Uggh.
Were we about to unpack the NFL controversy? I was already tired. I had a lot on my plate and had had some pretty fitful sleep the night before.
A discussion about the anthem? Now?
*internal face wipe*
I took a drag of air and sat back down.
3/
She must’ve read my face.
Her: “I ain’t talking ‘bout no spangled one, neither. I'm talking 'bout the negro national anthem.”
I smiled at how she annunciated the word “negro.” Then came a breath of relief when it registered.
Oh. That.
I sat a little taller and nodded.
She must’ve read my face.
Her: “I ain’t talking ‘bout no spangled one, neither. I'm talking 'bout the negro national anthem.”
I smiled at how she annunciated the word “negro.” Then came a breath of relief when it registered.
Oh. That.
I sat a little taller and nodded.
