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Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

18 Dec

1/
Grady Hospital, last week

You: “What’s up, Dr. Manning? I been hoping I’d see you.”
Me: “Hey you! Good to see you.”

You paused, gave your arms an exaggerated fold, and huffed.

You: “You know I got a bone to pick with you.”
Me: “With me?”
You: “With y-o-u.”

Hmmm.

2/
Me: “Okay. Talk to me.”
You: “What’s this omicron? Maaaaan you got me thinking if I took them shots I’d be good.”
Me: *listening*
You: “I know 3 people who took three of them shots and all three of ‘em got #COVID!”

I took deep drag of air.

3/
Me: “Yeah. We’re seeing breakthroughs right now. But the good news is that if you’re vaccinated it’s usually mild.”

You scowled.

You: “I’m salty. You know I ain’t even want that shot! But I got it ‘cause it felt like the only way to get back to living.”

I nodded.

Read 15 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

12 Dec

1/
On the airplane

The flight attendant told you two separate times before we took off. Please pull up your mask. And both times you pulled it up. But then, as soon as they walked away, you slid it back down.

Yup.

2/
And real talk? This wouldn’t have been so disconcerting if you hadn’t been sitting on the window seat of my same row.

You reached down and pulled out some headphones. After sliding them over your ears, you gave a tiny cough.

Mask still off your face.

Uggh.

3/
I quickly ran this through my head. Wondered if you seemed like someone who might snap or maybe even cause our entire flight to be interrupted because you refused to wear a mask.

Hmmm.

You cleared your throat. Or coughed. Honestly? I couldn’t tell. But it was something.

Read 15 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

9 Dec

1/
#TodayICried, Day 3 of 7

Grady Wards

Me: "How are you feeling?"
You: "Terrible."
Me: "Terrible?"
You: "Terrible."
Me: "The medicines aren't taking the edge off?"
You: "It helped a little bit, but now I feel sick to my stomach. My bowels are loose, too."

Hmmm.

2/
Your voice is quiet and defeated. This is different. . . and it scares me.

Me: "We put you back on what you were getting at home and--"
You: "I know that. Soon as you said that yesterday I started. But now all I feel is sick and queasy in the stomach."

*silence*

3/
Me: "I'm sorry. . . what do you mean by 'as soon as I said that?'”
You: "What?"
Me: "The medicines. You said you started as soon as I said something? That part confused me. Just wanted to get clear."

You reach under the bed and pull out a plastic Kroger bag full of pills.

Read 17 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

8 Dec

1/
#TodayICried, Day 2 of 7

Grady Wards, 2019

I was visiting with one of my patients in a room that held two patients. Another doctor was on the other side of the curtain making morning rounds on one of his patients, too.

Mmm hmmm.

2/
An exchange between a Grady elder and that other doctor was within earshot—and loud enough—for me to hear.

Him: "Did you have a good night?"
Her: "Mmmm hmmm."
Him: "How was breakfast? Were you able to keep it down?"
Her: “Mmmm hmmm.”

3/
Him: "And tell me . . . did you--"
Her: "Scuse me, doctor. But can you just go on and examine me and stop asking so many questions?"
Him: *chuckling* "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were asleep."

Read 8 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

7 Dec

#TodayICried, Day 1 of 7

My mother does this thing when having her photo taken. She erupts into laughter and does so repeatedly with each snap. It's her way of getting to a natural smile--even if it's through an unnatural chuckle.

It's so awkward. And adorable.

And her.

2/
And so. This little thing that my mom does floated into my mind as I spoke to you on this day. A fleeting thought but one I paused to savor.

Yeah.

Your mother passed away a few months ago. And yes, she'd been ill. But still. She was your mom.

Your mom.

3/
You'd asked me about the holidays. What my family planned to do and such. And I told you. Then I boomeranged the query straight back at you.

Then I remembered.

Me: "Oh wait. This is the first Christmas?"

Your shoulders curled inward and you gave a tiny nod.

Me: "Damn."

Read 11 tweets

Kimberly D. Manning, MD

@gradydoctor

1 Dec

1/
You: "I remember when I told my mama. She started hollering and fell on the floor crying for Jesus."
Me: *raising eyebrows*
You: "I was like, 'Mama! Calm your ass down!'"

*laughter*

You: "But I get it. She was going on stuff she heard about HIV."
Me: *listening*

2/
You: "You woulda thought I was about to die right then and there the way she was carrying on."
Me: "Dang."
You: "She started talking in this somber ass voice like a old spiritual. Talking 'bout 'I'm heeeere for you, baby. Until the end.' I was like, 'The END?'"

*laughter*

3/
Me: "Had your mama seen somebody die from complications of AIDS?"
You: "No. She just got a porch to stand on." *shaking head* "I remember my neighbor sayin, 'That boy a yours gon' get the AIDS!' And my mama saying, 'Don't speak that curse over his life!'"

You sighed.

Read 13 tweets

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