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Blimi Marcus

@MarcusBlimi

28 Jul

Me: Hi can I get approval for a MUGA scan please?

Insurance agent: Y tho

Me: My patient had reduced EF 6 weeks ago and we need a short interval repeat.

I.A.: When was the last echo?

Me: … 6 weeks ago

I.A: What was her EF?

Me: 50-55%

I.A: That’s within normal range

Me: Not really. It dropped from 77%

I.A: Still within the normal range.

Me: She is 42 with metastatic breast cancer on hormonal therapy with a significant decrease in heart function CAN I GET APPROVAL PLEASE

I.A. (Testily): Please give me dates and results for last 6 ECHOS.

Me: [provides information]

I.A: I’ll submit it but it’ll have to go to clinical review.

Me: 🤦🏽‍♀️ ok. Please make sure it’s a MUGA, not an ECHO.

I.A: Y tho

Me: She had a mastectomy and reexcisions and alot of scar tissue. It’s painful and provides bad images.

Read 4 tweets

Blimi Marcus

@MarcusBlimi

28 Jul

This is an insane week for the pandemic.

Cases are raging and vaccinated people are getting sick too.

The vaccine was created for the Wuhan strain, and it worked against several strains since - but it’s less effective against the delta variant.

So far US and UK data shows it’s still in the 80% effective range, and Israel is still crunching their numbers.

Masking is recommended again, and hospitals are filling up again.

If you feel sick and think you have a cold - get tested.

And if you’re positive, isolate and consider whether you should get monoclonal antibodies.

Be safe, but more important, be patient as we learn more about what this strain can and will do to all of us - vaccinated, unvaccinated, recovered.

Read 5 tweets

Blimi Marcus

@MarcusBlimi

27 Jul

I know this is purely anecdotal and observational but maybe it’ll help some folks feel better about getting vaccinated.

I care for several hundred cancer patients at my clinic and i got them all vaccinated with the help of some volunteers who secured them appointments.

Cancer patients know what’s up: they possess none of the arrogance and disregard for disease shown by so many others. They understand immune systems and susceptibility. And they have long, close relationships with me, which helped in forging trust and discussing the vaccine.

So, close to 99% of my cancer patients got vaccinated.

And, as happens in cancer care, they continued to see me - weekly, biweekly, monthly. Some come several times a week (for chemo and close follow up).

Many suffered the expected side effects. They felt sick, tired, achy.

Read 7 tweets

Blimi Marcus

@MarcusBlimi

19 Jul

My inbox today, after I closed a thread and blocked 2 people for calling me fundamentalist and assuring me that I am oppressed even if I think I’m not:

“I thought you were more open minded. I thought you were different. But really how are you different than every other

religious fundamentalist? Your words said you have choice yet your actions proved otherwise when you decided to shut down the conversation and block all of us. You get to walk from this entire conversation on social media with zero repercussions yet those who have been shunned

by the community have to start from zero. I hope that one day you recognize the truth of what myself and so many others are telling you. Just a few months ago, you came clean on social media about how just a few years ago you were opposed to vaccines.

Read 4 tweets

Blimi Marcus

@MarcusBlimi

19 Jul

Orthodox Judaism is magnificent for many people.

But it is primarily meaningful if you are part of a nuclear family and fit into a mold. This is where some of the the benefits and strengths of Orthodoxy shine in the form of communal acceptance, kinship, loving-kindness.

Where you break an arm & Hatzalah shows up, calls an orthopedist and segues you into the ED. Where you are hospitalized & receive package of hot meals. Where your nephew doesn’t have a father but 3 uncles show up to his siyum. Where your community holds you up when you’re broken.

But, it’s not always magnificent if you are divorced, single, childless, widowed, gay, irreligious, rebellious, struggling with mental illness.

This is where we abandon you. Where we don’t know what to make of you. Where you don’t fit our mold and now we’re confused & worried.

Read 5 tweets

Blimi Marcus

@MarcusBlimi

16 Jul

Orthodox Jewish women (even the ultra-Orthodox like myself) have a richer life and more opportunities than you’d think.

A pictorial thread 🧵

We get degrees.