Pop and Circumstance: My second stroke of med school.

I burst into tears. I had come to and come to the realization that I had not passed Step 2. I couldn’t graduate just yet. Why do I keep going? How am I still here? I had survived…TWICE. I apparently did it wrong the first time and didn’t…

A Remix with Black skin in a White Coat.

A Shakeup. Hold on

“I WANT MY LAWYER!!!!”My neighbor, a delusional man howled at 2 am. He began his delirium usually around dinner. Tonight it had gotten prolonged. The beeping of the vitals machine echoed down the…

Pop and Circumstance: Baby death

“Hey, Ashley!” NOOOOOOOOO I had been here too long. didn’t need to know other physical and occupational therapists but my own. They know my Dad. I need to be home. They want to get me back to 95%, but can I even do that? Is my neuroplasticity that good? Is it that…

A Personal Pandemic

Pop

We. All have our journey. Mine popped up during a pivotal time in my life. It made my…

Build Back Better: Re-building a nervous system

As I read another account of an AVM stroke, I feel seen. The confusion, pain, and readiness to die were not unique to me. I related to her experience first hand. She felt trapped. She, the author, a neuroanatomist, had her stroke young and during…

The First Time

There was that one scary time I realized I was stroking…the first time

Pop and Circumstance: The First Time

“CAN’T SEE THE NET OF NETFLIX, BABE. I’M HAVING A STROKE. WE NEED TO GO TO THE ER.” I yelled to…

Marbles

I have increasing doubt. Ever since my 2nd stroke, during my recovery, everyone has told me that I may have cognitive deficits considering my brain bled and swelled. My cognition is constantly checked and verified through questions, quizzing, and active recall exercises. I have grown a fondness for puzzles and…

Pop and Circumstance: Burden and Transparency

I think my family values my life more than I do, and I think I know why. I’m not idealistic and constantly ask myself what all this living is for. I used to live for my education….I used to live for medical school….The stroke killed all that. The…

Body Positivity

Body Positivity

I drove to the celebration of the match not sure of my visceral reaction. I had withdrawn from the match because I had neuro-physical complications that affected my graduation. I watched in jealousy as my classmates celebrated their much-deserved…

Virgil and Chadwick: I can relate

Two young, black men passed away due to cancer they were getting in silence. They chose to silently suffer.