August 3, 2014

if he was my father

August 3, 2014

Mr. Navarro is 79 years old and shakes my hand with his left because rheumatoid arthritis has twisted the right like a pretzel. But even with the left, the shake is not the firm palm-to-palm fingers wrapped around my hand kind of shake.

Vanessa Grubbs

July 12, 2014

no dialysis, end of life, palliative care

way to go

Vanessa Grubbs

July 12, 2014

no dialysis, end of life, palliative care

In England people believe death is imminent, in Canada people believe death is inevitable, but in America people believe death is optional.

-- Ian Morrison, health care futurist

Vanessa Grubbs

June 21, 2014

chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant, no dialysis, shared decision-making

bitch, i don't know you

Vanessa Grubbs

June 21, 2014

chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant, no dialysis, shared decision-making

Some years ago, the San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) ER staff printed up really cool T and sweatshirts that read: San Francisco General Hospital—As Real As It Gets.

Vanessa Grubbs

May 25, 2014

dialysis, no dialysis

first ever

Vanessa Grubbs

May 25, 2014

dialysis, no dialysis

“Acid-base abnormalities and electrolytes.” “Pathophysiology.”

These were the words the group of ten fellows repeated over and over again when I asked the question, “Why did you go into nephrology?”