Month: May 2020

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This is still happening…

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***So, I wrote this back when the Ahmaud Arbery case first became widespread. This week, two more cases that highlight the abysmal condition of race relations in this country made me feel it was time to publish it.***

Dead in the middle of one of the worst public health emergencies of my lifetime, I’m smacked in the face by the reality that America continues to ignore a different glaring public health problem. The one where unarmed black men keep getting shot and killed for doing absolutely nothing besides living their lives while being black. ***Or having the cops called on them for daring to ask someone to leash their dog. Or being suffocated for alleged forgery.***

I’m not even sure how to emote anymore. I’ve cried. I’ve yelled and screamed. This time—I stare. I stare. Oh, I’m angry. I’m sad. I’m not unbelieving. No, this is completely expected. Completely expected that two men believed that the color of their skin somehow made them authority figures over another human, enough so that he had to follow their commands or lose his life—IF that really even happened. Completely expected that no one saw fit to arrest them until enough decent people around the world found out about it.

We’ve BEEN living this. And my faith in the system died with Trayvon Martin’s case when I cried for the conversations I was going to have to have with my then one year-old son, and has continued to be trampled with every subsequent black man that has suffered this fate. I remember getting on an elevator with him once when he was 3 or 4 with some nice people who thought he was just “the cutest,” and wondering when it would be they would begin to see him as a threat.

So, these men go to jail—if they do. So what? When do we see a system that says enough is enough. That black and brown people matter in this country? That it doesn’t take protests and outrage for their murderers to be arrested, because, their lives actually DO matter.

Boy, would we LOVE not to need a hashtag. Make us not need a hashtag.

I can find articles back to 2016 calling for physicians to treat this as a public health problem, and screen for the effects of this in appointments. Do you think I’ve heard about this in a single academic meeting? That should change. Period.

This is a public health problem. Because the health and lives of black men and women matter. They should—to everyone.

But what do we do with it?

What we don’t do, is die under the weight of it all. For some, it may mean that we disengage a while. For others, prayer and meditation. Absolutely, the support of the collective community, coming together to #runwithahmaud was beautiful, therapeutic, and cathartic. Hug your babies tighter. Teach them to love everything about themselves, and to love others despite how others may treat them, because love is commanded. Do what feels right and healthy for you, and give yourself grace to do it.

And decide you’re going to do something about it. If nothing else—VOTE. Vote in your local elections, because this is where it matters, folks. I’ve seen people ask how voting matters. Well, it’s District Attorney’s who decide who to prosecute, and that, my friends, is an elected position. Those officers who weren’t prosecuted until the public knew about–DA decision. Those police officers who are or are not prosecuted? DA decision. Charges brought before the grand jury? … Judges matter. The vote matters. AND vote in the national level, because this sets a whole mood. There may be other things you can do, but please, VOTE.

Further reading on this issue as a public health issue:

There’s one epidemic we may never find a vaccine for: fear of black men in public spaces

Racial Profiling Is a Public Health and Health Disparities Issue | SpringerLink

Police killings and their spillover effects on the mental health of black Americans: a population-based, quasi-experimental study – The Lancet

Racism as a Determinant of Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – PubMed

Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: evidence and interventions – The Lancet

The Relationship Between Structural Racism and Black-White Disparities in Fatal Police Shootings at the State Level – PubMed

Addressing Law Enforcement Violence as a Public Health Issue

Police Shootings of Black Males: A Public Health Problem?

http://www.bu.edu/articles/2018/police-killings-of-unarmed-black-men-affect-mental-health-of-black-community/

With so much written on this topic as a public health issue, I have to ask myself when I will start to see the medical community at large begin to see it as such.

*Not my image

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“Prescriptions for the Pandemic” Week 5

This week’s installment was just after the govenor’s announcement of more reopenings, so of course we talked about our personal responsibilities as it relates to having more freedoms.

Points I really wanted to drive home:

  1. If it’s an emergency, go to the ER. They have systems in place to keep those not infected with COVID, not infected, and are prepared to take care of you. Please don’t die at home.
  2. Continue to take care of your chronic health issues. Your primary care doctors are waiting on you, and it’s important to continue to take care of yourselves.
  3. Just because they have opened things doesn’t mean the virus has changed. It is still just as contagious as it has always been. When we closed things it was because we worried we wouldn’t have any room in the hospitals for the seriously ill. Now, we are pretty sure we have a bed for you if you do get seriously ill. The question is, do YOU want that bed?
  4. Continue to support business in ways that keep you safe; don’t put yourself in danger to support a business.

See the episode below:

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Misinformation

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A couple of weeks ago, I responded on the wall of some Facebook acquaintances when they shared something really offensive about how to decline a vaccine. I hardly ever do that. Truthfully, the barrage of misinformation and healthcare hatred hits a little differently when you are literally in the middle of a pandemic, scared for your patients, your family, your colleagues, and yourself. And I honestly feel that part of what you sign up for when you take the oath is to educate, and fight misinformation. It has just become so hard.

For some reason, some people are convinced that I *meaning physicians/healthcare workers* put my health and my family’s health in danger, that I sacrifice precious time with my little ones, for some malicious plot to keep the public in line. Or they’ve convinced themselves that thousands of people who are the in the top 1% in academic intelligence and are extremely hard working and trained in the art of scientific skepticism have all been brainwashed and can’t possibly know as much as they do about *insert topic* and that this rogue scientist that the thousands discount must be right because they confirm their suspicions.

My question is why aren’t these rogue scientists treated to the same level of skepticism as the actual, scientifically based theories? Why is it that some are so ready to accept these half-baked stories at first glance?

It actually breaks my heart that there are people on my timeline—it means you know me—who feel that I and my colleagues would knowingly harm them in the name of a dollar. Who feel they need to play games to hold me to an oath I actually take very seriously. Some may be surprised to read it.

A Modern Version of the Hippocratic Oath

“I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.

I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.”

The modern version of the Hippocratic Oath was written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University.

I fight misinformation because I love my patients—because when they hurt, I hurt. Because when something goes wrong, I spend hours making sure I did everything I could to prevent it from happening.

I give and get vaccines because they save lives and uphold my oath to PREVENT disease rather than cure it. I also wholeheartedly believe in supporting healthy immune systems through diet, exercise, and meditation. These are not mutually exclusive.

COVID-19 is real. It’s really killing some people. You should really wash your hands frequently, stay home when you can, and wear a mask and stay distant from those not in your immediate family for a while. When/if there is a safe and effective vaccine, you should get it. You should also eat a diet that is well balanced and full of plants of all colors and exercise.

These things aren’t mutually exclusive. No one is saying they are. Ignoring science is not the way to go, though. Ask your questions. Let’s have a dialogue.

See a blog full of immune boosting nutrients and their food sources here.

See a great, well-researched rebuttal to Plandemic here:

***Not my image

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Checking in with me…part 3

May 16, 2020

It has been one of those weeks where the entirety of the past 9 months of being patient and controlled in adversity felt like it was going to fall on me. It drove home some important lessons home:

  1. You’ve got to stand up for yourself. If you don’t, no one else will. You’ve got to have your boundaries in place, and speak up when those boundaries are being walked all over. Yes, have grace with others, but also, you deserve better. Make sure you get it!
  2. You’ve got to make time to check in with you. A couple of weeks ago, I realized I was ignoring myself and my feelings, and promised to change that. I truly believe the intensity of the frustration I felt in this week was the culmination of forgetting to check-in, and handle small problems while they were small. We can prevent build up by checking in. The other thing is that it works guys. I am queen of compartmentalizing. So on Sunday morning, when I just felt off, and realized I needed to meditate, and cleared my mind, and tears just came. Tears. It was so surprising, and not surprising at the same time. I needed to cry, but I never would have let myself in all the busyness. Then, I could start fixing it.
  3. God is an amazing God: In the midst of this, I have had amazing support from the most unexpected places—some of them people that weren’t in my life 9 months ago. I also managed to bless others through blessings from others. It’s amazing how God works—how things come together. I’m constantly awestruck.
SMILE!!

I’m waking up this Saturday in much better shape than last week…or even the last 2 or 3 from a mental and spiritual perspective. And I attribute that to checking in with myself and realizing I wasn’t taking care of me, then committing to doing just that. So I challenge anyone reading this to do the same. You deserve it! 

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Checking in with me…part 2

May 9, 2020

Last week, I wrote a post I haven’t posted to date, that shook me. When I started my blog, it was because I was going through one of the darkest trials I’ve encountered in my life, and it was a part of my journey towards personal wellness.

Professionally, wellness is my passion. I’m an internist who’d rather stop your medication because you changed your lifestyle than write you a prescription, who enjoys coaching her patients through lifestyle change, and issues keeping you from being your healthiest self. I once had a patient ask me, “Are you sure you’re just a doctor—are you sure you aren’t also a life coach?” I just laughed. Being great at my job sometimes require I be that and more. I want my patients to want to be healthy, to be partners with me in their health.

Personally, until the last 2 years, I probably focused more on my physical health than anything. I mean, I of course read my Bible. I went to church. But I didn’t feed me or stop long enough to really hear God. I was in a situation where someone asked me my hobbies, and…I couldn’t remember what I liked to do for fun besides sleep and read. It was a low moment for me. It was then that I realized I had to do something different, but it wasn’t until the migraines threatened my physical health that things really came together.

I did a great deal of work on myself. I started to understand I needed to create some boundaries, start saying no to those closest to me, and ask for help where I needed it. I realized I had a major problem with perfectionism (it will likely be a lifelong struggle, y’all) that I needed to address. I started to do some intense spiritual and self reflective work. And in the midst of that I realized that while I was working out 5 days weekly and putting healthy foods in, I had been ignoring myself so much that I wasn’t doing basic things like, eating when I felt hunger cues, or going to the restroom when I felt the urge but instead hours later. I was ignoring basic needs…because I had trained myself to for others. No wonder my body was in revolt.

I started the blog, at the time not really knowing why. Honestly, it just felt right and therapeutic. When I was young, I wrote—fictional stories, poetry, songs, journaled. You name it, I was always writing. Now it’s my accountability.

With this quarantine—-boy have I backslid. I’m such a servant. I am so blessed, and this is MY lane. But not just that, my children are young, and there’s added stress there now. My support system, which included a cleaning lady…on hold. Last week, I looked up, and I realized, I was doing a pretty shabby job taking care of me. Morning routine in a shambles. What meditation time? Only exercising two days weekly. And I felt it.

So forgiveness and grace with myself, and baby steps back. I decided I was using my patio. I love my patio. It’s my happy place. So the family went outside, and I sat on my patio. I committed to my quiet/meditation time, because the busyness is going nowhere soon. I started listening to my audio books again. And I got in 5 work outs this week—more like my previous normal.

What does it look like for you? Not sure. But it’s time. COVID-19 surprised us all, knocked us off our game a bit. But we got this. Doesn’t have to be forever. It changes today.

May 16, 2020

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Checking in with me…

May 2, 2020

This is hard. Because right now, I’ve realized that the me piece of me is being a little…ignored. The only alone time I get is if my migraine is bad enough I can’t take it. What 15 minutes of reflection? Notice how Soulful Sundays have all but vanished? It’s a little sad. How does one protect herself from vanishing in the midst of the hustle and bustle of service and more service. This is my perpetual struggle. And as I write this out, I’m smiling a little, and tearing up a little as I realize it’s yet another “test” of the skills I learned…am learning.

Old habits die hard.

But I also think that during this time, this past 6 weeks, it was going to look different. The thing is that moving forward, I will need to be intentional about making sure to feed the me that isn’t a role. And I need to pray very hard for the health to afford my husband the same opportunity.

This spoke to me today.

Sometimes, we just need a little rest.

May 9, 2020

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Happy Mother’s Day

Photo of my mom and I when we went to see Michelle Obama

I was nominated for Mother’s Day “Brownch” by one of my favorite people, and an amazing chef, Julia “Chef JuJu” McNeil. When I tell you God has a blessing for you when you least expect it!

I did not realize the awesomeness that was about to take place–but I should have when two of my favorite people, Chef Dee Dee and Chef Juju were going to be a part of this. The day opened with scripture and testimony by powerhouse Kim Roxie herself, followed by a song.

We then were blessed with sprinkling after sprinkling of awesome women who are successful and fabulous and have so much to give this world. They gave tips on cooking, mock-tails and cocktails, decor, brows (of course), and given a virtual tour of the most awesome event space.

The keynote speaker was Kine Corder. She was absolutely dynamic, and spoke to us about “The Art of Starting Over.” She wrote a book about it y’all–you can get it on Amazon, and I can’t wait to get my copy!

One thing she said that stuck–“On the other side of adversity is prosperity.” In this season of adversity, we have to remember that there is ANOTHER SIDE!! And if we work it right, we will see prosperity.

This was such an uplifting experience. I love when we come together and just lift one another up! Please make sure you support Kim Roxie–her spirit is beautiful.

I missed some of the links from the event, but these were some of the amazing business highlighted:

Lamik Beauty: Vegan Makeup

Chef Dee Dee: owner of Cooking with a Twist; she also caters, and is currently doing pick up and delivery on Friday and Saturday.

Chef JuJu: She does vegan food, immune boosting juices, non-vegan meals–she’s got you covered with good food.

Morgan Falls: Beautiful event space in Alvin, Texas.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!!

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#ThankfulThursdays

I started this page/blog as a part of my personal journey towards mind/body/spiritual wellness. After having migraines completely turn my life upside down, I needed to be re-centered. Within two weeks of one another, I posted an article on the touting the health benefits of gratitude and had a spiritual week that brought me to a personal need to practice more gratitude

Since then, I have implemented #ThankfulThursdays. Once a week, I commit to take some time to stop and list in public things I have to be grateful for, no matter what kind of day I’m having–what kind of week I’ve had. And you know what, it has been amazing. Honestly, I try to practice this attitude daily, remembering to be thankful in moments that seem darkest has been the thing that keeps me from losing myself at times.

You see, the troubles didn’t stop with the migraines, and they won’t go away after this patch of troubles goes away either. But I as long as I’m breathing, I’ll have something for which to give thanks, and it’s important to remember that!

See some of my posts in these compilations:

#ThankfulThursdays: A Compilation, Part 1

#ThankfulThursdays: A Compilation, Part 2

#ThankfulThursdays 8/18/2022 – Kim Sims, MD

#ThankfulThursdays: 8/31-9/8/2022

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