Memories, Medicine & Moods
Blogs
- 5/26/2026
A preferred death
The Jacksons lived in a veteran's apartment building not far from my office. Mr. Jackson sat in his big armchair where he was tied by his oxygen tank and nasal prongs. His skin was abnormally smooth because of his disease. - 5/26/2026
A question of pressure
Sometimes knowing a patient for years and years can gum up the works when figuring out a puzzling diagnosis. - 5/15/2026
Going through withdrawal
I honestly never want to do clinical medicine again. If I never have to read a new guideline it will be too soon, but I do miss the rush medicine used to give me. - 4/14/2026
People knew I was going to medical school before I did
This, my long and fulfilling career, was not an inevitability—but really the result of a chance meeting, a mentoring relationship and luck. - 3/16/2026
Cultural differences in the ER
Working in the small-town atmosphere of the Jewish community in Montreal. - 2/26/2026
Why are we so hooked on storytelling now?
Many organizations and governments are invested in the idea of physicians as commodi-ties, as interchangeable parts of a plug-and-play medical machine. - 1/23/2026
A real head case
‘I’m worried Dr. Perle,’ my patient said gravely. This was unlike her; she was usually a very tough and stoic customer. ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked. - 1/9/2026
Locker-room talk
After 40 years of giving advice professionally it has become something that I cannot turn off. - 12/9/2025
A Christmas story in L&D
Being Jewish I have always worked on Christmas. Having no family obligations, I always have fun at the parties people put on in the hospital. When I worked emergency, I always preferred the people suffering from indigestion and loneliness who showed up at Christmastime to the obnoxious drunks and driving disasters of New Years Eve. - 11/19/2025
Being seen in the worst of times
Sometimes toughing it out is a terrible idea—and it takes things truly falling apart before we admit we need help. - 10/6/2025
One day of sunshine
With her class reunion coming up, Dr. Perle Feldman reflects on a study session she remembers from her medical school days which as held particular significance ever since. - 9/3/2025
The fat lady speaks: Obesity has almost killed me several times but not how you might think
The stigma attached to being a fat doctor is huge. As a resident, supervisors would comment disparagingly about my weight. Once when I was seven months pregnant, the chief of the department commented that I was letting myself go.