Cell 2 Soul: The Humane Health Care Blog

Coach Lenox Chombo

A story from Malawi

Coach's son, Hobson

Coach is lying outside of his house on a straw mat. We casually chat about the good times we spent together. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a little boy kicking a ball of plastic bags.  I ask Coach, who is the little boy?  He said this is my son Hobson.  The little boy comes over and sits in my lap.  He is not afraid of strangers, like so many children here.  I look him over very carefully and say, Coach, he has hair looks like mine.  Coach agrees and says, we men always laughed at your hair, but secretly wished we had hair like yours.  Hobson was conceived during the time you and I traveled together and I served as your interpreter. You are my brother and we love each other like brothers.  That is why Hobson has hair likes you.  Coach is very sick and I see that he is tiring and wishes to rest. I know that I must talk with him about going to the hospital...   Download Coach Lennox Chombo

 

Dean Sneed (big hair)

Author Bio:  Stephen Sneed is the Associate Dean of the College at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.  He is passionate about Southeast Africa and Malawi,in particular.  Sneed is the recipient of numerous awards and honors.  Among the awards that he has received is a Senior Fulbright Scholar Fellowship and two Fulbright Senior Specialist awards.  He has consulted at many schools, colleges, youth centers and communities on diversity issues and advocating for children of color.  Email.

 

WTF?

"Stop, pause... go refreshed..."
still life, in the frosty grass
cold morning run

South Street -- The Clark

Every Sky!

After this...It's all clear profit...Every Sky!  Basho

Northwest Hill Rd. 7:00 am 2/20/2012

Kidneys: Pay It Forward

Chain 124 - 30 Transplants!

An amazing article in the Sunday, February 19, 2012 NY Times describes the development and implementation of renal transplant chains that criss-cross America and hold promise for saving lives of persons with end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD).  Imagine...  What if this wer global?  Instead of fighting over ideologies we could all work towards the same goal.

This is a long article, but it is a glimpse into a bright future.

See: 60 Lives, 30 Kidneys:  All Linked.  There is a multimedia video piece as well.

What's the single most Important thing you can do for your health?

Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital.  He answers the old question "What is the single best thing we can do for our health" in a completely new way.

See: 23 and 1/2 Hours

Dr. Mike Evans

Click here for more about Dr. Mike Evans.  Thanks to Bob Swanell of Vancouver, British Columbia for alerting us to this video.

Mary Armstrong's Tribute to a Wonderful Nurse Practitioner

NP with Patient

"Long ago, when I was in college, I received health care from the university's student health clinic. This is not a place where you would expect top of the line care, as it was run much like a health department. You rarely had the opportunity to make an appointment with the same doctor twice, and the majority of your visit involved waiting to see a doctor who would speak with you for two minutes before writing you a prescription or sending you off for lab work."

This time "When the patient room door opened, a smiling lady walked in and introduced herself as “Suzy.” She continued by saying that she was a nurse practitioner. 'Great,' I thought to myself, 'this is going to be a waste of time. There's no way she's going to be able to figure out what is wrong. She's just a nurse practitioner.'”  Read on: Download Nurse-guest post

 

Author Bio: Mary Armstrong is a writer and editor for Medical Assistant Colleges.   She enjoys writing articles for other sites on various topics of interest. For privacy reasons, she has decided to keep the health condition mentioned in her writing unidentified.   You may reach her at: EMAIL.

Marginal Notes: Great performances, poor players

Arthur Fiedler, Conductor, Boston Pops

Years ago I recall watching a television documentary on Arthur Fiedler, the conductor of the Boston Pops orchestra. The camera caught Fiedler backstage, stooped and shuffling slowly about as he struggled with his tux in preparation for the evening performance at Symphony Hall. He looked like the old man he had become—tired, fatigued, worn out. But then, as he stepped out onto the stage, a miracle happened. more»

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for 32 years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Wonder(ful) Dog

Service dogs for disabled kids.  An idea whose time has come.  This is an  important article in the Sunday, NY Times that will give you insight and warm the cockles of your heart.  See: "Wonder Dog."

This article discusss the work of 4 Paws for Ability, an organization that trains dogs for kids with a variety of disabilities.

In Praise of Austin, by Rebecca Walsh

My dog died on Christmas...

He was the greatest companion a person could have. He was ideal company on long walks in the woods, and kept my feet warm at night. When I got scared or lonely, or felt the weight of the world bearing down, he stayed present with me, offering comfort and love in an endless and effortless way. Aussie looked at me as if I were the greatest human on earth.

read on or see: Download Austin's Story
 
If ever there was a true caregiver it was Austin. I think he felt his job in life was to love me. He couldn't have done a better job. A few days before he passed, I had the chance to thank him for the eleven years of love, comfort, and healing that he provided.
 
Here's what I learned from Austin.
1. We all need to seen, truly seen for who we are. We need to know that others are happy to see us.
2. We need to be trusted. Aussie always reminded me of my own inner goodness.
3. Caregivers go the extra mile. They show they care by going out of their way to do the right thing, not to prove anything but because it is a privilege to love.
4. Taking space when we need it is a good thing, it allows us to come back and be present, being present is the main ingredient of true caregiving.
5. Take lots of long walks, there is healing in the woods.
 
Mostly Aussie taught me this. Love is the essence of what we are, by loving him, I became more of who I am. What more is there to say? What more is there to do but pass it on.

Thanks, Aussie, I will never forget you, buddy.

Author Bio: Rebecca Walsh is a therapist and special education teacher living in Lenox, Massachusetts. She is the mother of two grown children and is looking forward to being a foster parent in the near future. Also a professional cook, and budding artist, Rebecca sees her work as an opportunity to pass on to others the abundance of well-being, healing and wisdom others have shown her. Rebecca's Email.