Category Archives: Memoir

Miku, I slowed down as if something hit me. Fortunately there were no cars behind and I was able to make a safe U-turn just before the entrance to the freeway. The flight was a little over 2 hours away … Continue reading →

“I want to come with you to the hospital, see my stethoscope and mask, mommy got it for me” That was the sweet sound of my soon to be 4 year old daughter waiting for me after a busy hospital … Continue reading →

Solomie Deribessa, MD, MPH After the morning report, patients’ charts had piled up on my desk and the nurse started calling one by one. The first patient came just to refill drugs, the second one had common cold, the third … Continue reading →

I found a surprise note on my desk after the morning clinic. It was a busy clinic with patients of various kidney and electrolyte problems including a challenging case of hypokalemia or low potassium. At first it didn’t click. I … Continue reading →

“Doctor, doctor, doctor,” she said, with a Spanish accent “Look at me doctor,” she said again grinning “Look at my face, I am happy now, I am happy now, my life is back” Her eyes welled up with tears This … Continue reading →

“Her heart is beating at 172 per minutes. Do you have fever?” That question from the obstetrician threw chills in our bones in otherwise a routine visit. My wife quickly turned and looked at me but I wasn’t able to … Continue reading →

I started to be nervous on the final decent of the Ethiopian Air Lines Boeing 777. The last time I was in Addis was the day I left Addis itself. That was 15 years ago although it felt like 150 … Continue reading →

I pushed the door open I don’t remember knocking, nervous He was standing at the door A very important person or VIP, as they called them His wife was sitting by the chair next to the computer “How are you … Continue reading →

Detroit, Michigan,2008 Attention Doctors, Nurses, Specialists, Visitors, We ask you please, Do not talk negative things in front of her or close to her; Smile to her, be kind and positive; Be compassionate, please! I looked at those words on … Continue reading →

I arrived at Milan Central Train station at around 11 am. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. Milano Centrale is one of the oldest and grandest train stations in Europe. It was also my first trip to Italy. Just about … Continue reading →