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Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

14 Jan

1/
She's a Delta.🔺

Grady wards, 2016

On my rounds one day, I was with a med student talking to these two women about their seriously ill father. They were worried, tired, and understandably nervous. They asked a lot of questions.

A whole lot.

Damn, they were scared.

2/
Then, in the middle of an explanation, I was making hand gestures and one sister interrupted me suddenly.

Her: "Wait. Can I see your hand?"

She slowly turned over my right hand, gasped and then looked over at her sister.

Her: *whispering to sister* "You see that?"

3/
The other sister closed her eyes. Then she smiled and then nodded slowly.

Sister: "You're our soror."

She shook her head and released a big relieved sigh.

Then we embraced in a tight three-way Delta hug as tears rolled down their cheeks.

Damn, it was beautiful.

Read 16 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

13 Jan

1/
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 2 of 7

Cashier

Them: *ringing up items* “You find everything okay?”
Me: “Yup.”
Them: “I like your hair.”
Me: “Hey—thanks.”
Them: *nods while continuing to swipe items*

*beep-beep-beep*

Them: “Is that highlights? Or . . . .“
Me: “Grey?”

*laughter*

2/
Me: “Yup. I’m openly grey.”

*laughter*

Them: “Well, it’s working for you.”
Me: “’Preciate that.”

*beep-beep-beep*

Me: “Can I ask you a question since you got all up in my grey-hair business?”

*laughter*

Me: “You getting the #COVIDVaccine when it’s offered to you?”

3/
Them: *raises eyebrows*
Me: “Ha ha ha that’s not a answer.”

*laughter*

Them: “Wait--you a doctor or something?”
Me: *patting my head* “One with grey hair, yes.”
Them: *laughing* “You funny. But nah, doc. I’m cool on that vaccine.”

“Cool on” the vaccine. Hmmm.

Read 13 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

30 Dec 20

1/
This car pulled up to a 4 way stop just after me the other morning. On my left. As I pulled out, they did, too.

We nearly collided.

After a brief pause, I continued. Moments later, the driver swooped alongside me, extended an arm over the passenger seat, & flipped me off.

2/
Then, they sped off. But got stuck at the red light just ahead.

2 lanes. An empty street. On an early morning.

And this person in a car now beside me who, after not having the right of way, decided to greet me with a middle finger.

Mmm hmmm.

3/
Did I mention that this was on December 26? And that I'd worked not only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day--but 12 consecutive days before?

And where I come from? Flipping folks off is not compatible with life.

Or at least compatible with not having it threatened.

Read 21 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

18 Dec 20

1/
You: “They crazy as hell if they think I’m doing that shit.”

We stared at the wall-mounted TV showing the news. Health care workers gleefully rolled up sleeves and smiled for cameras as they received the first batches of the #COVIDVaccine.

You shook your head hard.

2/
I’d swung by to check on you after missing you on rounds earlier that morning. Even though the television was muted, what was happening was clear.

Me: “What makes you say that?”

You cocked your head and raised your eyebrows at me.

Then threw back your head and laughed.

3/
Me: “I’m serious!”
You: “Shiiit, I am, too!”

*laughter*

Me: “But real talk, though. What makes you say that?”
You: “Say what? Say I ain’t taking that half-cooked shot they peddling?”

Your reply was telling.

I sat on the bedside chair and waited to see what you’d say next.

Read 18 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

15 Dec 20

1/
Tonight

Me: “Sis! I got your text. Damn.”
Her: *coughs* “Yeah. I feel like I got run over by a truck.”
Me: “How's your breathing?”
Her: “Bad cough. But OK, I guess.”

*coughing paroxysm*

Me: “Do you feel short-winded?”
Her: “No. Just worn down.”
Me: "Okay."

*silence*

2/
Her: “Dang. I would be the one to test positive for #COVID on the same damn day they start giving the vaccine.” *chuckles then coughs*

I wasn’t sure what to say to that. So, I let out a weak laugh, too.

Her: "Damn. This is kinda scary."
Me: *thinking* "Yeah."

It is.

3/
Her: “What should I do?”
Me: “Well, you’re already isolated. So that’s good.”

After that, I told her about supportive care, red flags and reasons to go to the hospital. As I was talking, she started coughing again. Super hard.

Me: “You okay, sis?”
Her: *coughing* “Yeah.”

Read 12 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

11 Dec 20

1/
PM rounds at Grady

Him: "You alright, doc?"
Me: "Me?"
Him: "Yeah you. You seem outta sorts."

*silence*

Me: *smiles* "I'm in sorts I promise. Now tell me--you alright?"
Him: "Me? Feeling a little better."
Me: "How's your wind?"
Him: "Waaay better."
Me: "Yay."

2/
I sit him up and carefully untie the back of his gown. On cue, he takes breaths in and out as I listen intently.

Me: "Lungs sound good." *moves around to front of chest* "I'm listening to your heart now. You can just breathe regular now."
Him: "Okay."

3/
After pressing my palm to his chest to feel his heart, I search his chest with stethoscope. Although it's not normal, it hasn't changed. Still he keeps making big gasps, forcing breaths in and out the whole time exaggeratedly.

Me: "Just breath regular, okay?"

Read 9 tweets

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