Her pupils dilate. She whips her head side to side, searching for the impending danger. Her chest heaves with each shallow, rapid breath. Her heart suddenly feels too heavy for her body. “I need more air. I can’t breathe.” She told herself. She pushes her chair back, looks around at all of the blurred faces,Continue reading “Anxiety”
Author Archives: Kristina Polley
Who Am I?
My bones ache. I sweat at night. I’m steadily losing weight. Who am I? A breast cancer patient. Pins and needles stab my feet. I can’t quench my thirst. I gain weight for no reason. Who am I? A diabetes patient. Electric shock travels down my leg. I can’t sit. I can’t stand. I can’tContinue reading “Who Am I?”
The Voice Inside
I order and review a lot of labs. A lot. Every day. Basic labs include a blood count, kidney function, liver function, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc), cholesterol, and an A1C (if you’re diabetic). These labs will typically help us monitor how meds may be affecting patients, how controlled or uncontrolled their medical conditions, and ifContinue reading “The Voice Inside”
The Missing Piece
When I say that I practice Family Medicine, what do you think of? Most people say, “Diabetes, high blood pressure, runny noses, and families.” Yep, all of that is true haha! But I think of Family Medicine as “finding the missing piece”. When you go to the hospital, what do they tell you when youContinue reading “The Missing Piece”
The Sad Man
“Sir, do you mind if I mention something that I’ve noticed about you?” He simply nodded. “You don’t say much when you come in. Your diabetes is uncontrolled. Your blood pressure is always elevated. You don’t take your medicines. You only nod whenever I make suggestions. You’re very quiet and you don’t seem interested inContinue reading “The Sad Man”
The Callous Workplace
“I’m suprised at how much you don’t know.” “Clearly, you don’t know what you’re doing.” “How old are you anyway? Like 19?” “Well, I read an article about it and you’re wrong.” “There is a culture here and you need to get with the program and understand that.” “Perspective is reality. Accept it.” “You’re notContinue reading “The Callous Workplace”
The Angry Man
Angry patients can be difficult. They’re angry because they have financial difficulties, because their diabetes is very uncontrolled and they feel miserable, because they suffer from depression (a lot of men hide their depression with anger), or for a number of other reasons. But angry patients don’t really bother me because it’s hardly ever directedContinue reading “The Angry Man”
COVID Vaccine Part 2
I’ve been asked a few times why I’ve gotten the COVID vaccine. I can give you the proper answers about efficacy and how we’re in a pandemic and we’re all trying to survive. But…those aren’t my real answers. Those are just my professional answers. First and foremost, I decided to get vaccinated because I’m exposedContinue reading “COVID Vaccine Part 2”
The Good Listener
“It’s back.” Tears rolled down her cheeks and she sobbed. “Oh, no.” I grabbed her hand and held it tight. She could only feel the rubbery material of my gloves and she could only see my eyes above my mask but despite the physical barriers, she knew my comfort was there. “You’ve gotten through itContinue reading “The Good Listener”
The COVID vaccine
I got my first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine 12/30/2020. I like to say that I ended 2020 on a high note and entered 2021 with the hope that this vaccine will keep me and my family safe during the pandemic. I’ve been asked a few questions about the vaccine so I thought I’dContinue reading “The COVID vaccine”
