Kristy Williams
If someone were to ask me.
If someone were to ask me how I’m doing right now. I’d have to pause. I’d have to take a moment to go looking for phone books. The old school ones with white and yellow, and maybe pink? – It’s been so long. I don’t even know if they still make them anymore. Or maybe […]
It is.
“It is stage 4” is too difficult to say. His blue eyes look yearningly into those of his patient. “I can’t really help you”, he is trying to say. But not; his words speak of probability, outcomes, options. Indirect, vague. Struggle. The pelvic MRI: mashed potatoes. The cancer in our patient’s rectum reaching into bladder, […]
Thoughts on my surgery rotation
Surgery. We talk about livers, gallbladders, IV fluids and PE’s. What ever happened to that acronym FIFE*? I wonder. Is it purposeful, This lack of reference to life? I’ve gotten good at rounding. Vitals. The 5 essentials: Pain, pooping, farting, eating, walking? Good. A poke here, poke there. Next. I’ve become not a bad assist. […]
February’s Inspiration Injection
Greetings colleagues, Happy February! Please find February’s Inspiration Injection below and see the attached pdf for more information about this arts-infused project. 1. January has flown by – medicine is a real whirlwind, eh? 2. Family Day is a new holiday this year. Besides being a great excuse for a day off, what are your […]
The Inspiration behind AAA: Blue Bloater
Here’s the poem which injected my life with an interest in reflecting through art to cope with some of the intensity of clerkship… They’ve told us about blue bloaters before. They are managed with SABAs, anticholinergics, steroids and antimicrobials. Other prescriptions include nutrition, exercise and chest physiotherapy. Oxygen? Well, let’s give ‘er a try. But […]
January’s Inspiration Injection
Greetings colleagues, Happy New Year! Please find January’s Inspiration Injection below and see the attached pdf for more information about this arts-infused project. 1. New year. What does that mean for you? 2. Thinking over the past year, are there any experiences that particularly jump out as being meaningful, and worth reflecting? 3. Choose your […]
Toe Nails
Elephantitis of the legs, Lymphostatic ballooning. Your protein filled, fluid logged limbs Are too heavy for your frame, Too massive for a guy. Early 30’s. The pain in those legs, Doppler’s don’t begin to explain. Rule out DVT, sure. But to cancel the shame, the guilt, A therapeutic dose would be nice. Revealing your feet, […]
November’s Inspiration Injection
Here is your Inspiration Injection for the month of November to inspire some creativity and reflection: 1. What is the role of art in my life, and as a medical student/ clerk/ future physician? 2. The most memorable moment of October was… 3. Choose your own source of artistic inspiration! Happy arts-ing!
Our ISUMS
They say medicine is politics on a grand scale. They say medicine is science seeped in the social. It’s about humanity, say the voices. But I wonder where the voices have gone. When you little ones sleep at night, Bundled tighter than the other babies cuddled next door, Sniffling, sneezing, sleeping. We call you the […]
October’s Inspiration Injection
Boost your creativity and reflection with the AAA Project’s Inspiration Injection for the month of October: 1. It’s the month of Thanksgiving. I feel thankful to be a medical student/clerk and learn/see/participate in … 2. Wow, I can’t believe what happened last month … 3. Choose your own source of artistic inspiration! There are lots […]
Day 1
“Shit, bang and away we go.” Would be Papa’s words. If he were still here, of course. Beyond spirit, wool sweaters, handkerchiefs. Which is the bell, and which is the diaphragm, again? Castell, Ortolani, Babinski: remind me please. Again, again. It’s time to put to practice years of book-ness. Be responsible, stand up straight, know […]
September’s Inspiration Injection
Welcome to the 1st month of the Art As Adjuvant Project. Use one of these prompts as a springboard or “inspiration injection” for your art submission. Upload your submission to this site when you are finished. Have fun! 1. “Health” to me is… 2. 3rd year clerk 3. Anything you choose based on your 1st […]
Welcome to Art As Adjuvant!
Greetings fellow UBC medical students, Introducing… the Art As Adjuvant Project. And YOU are invited to participate! What is it? This is your chance to be creative in medicine! The AAA Project is a peer to peer (ie. all of us are potential contributors), extra-curricular and arts-based project that uses art to enhance/reflect on the full experience of […]