July 27, 2014

intuition

July 27, 2014

When my son Avery was 5 years old, I moved out to suburbia for the “great public schools.” Mistake. Doesn’t quite make my “top ten worst decisions” list—I’ve made some doozies. It wasn't all bad because it let me know for sure just how into me Robert was when we started dating.

Vanessa Grubbs

July 20, 2014

dialysis

jekyll and hyde

Vanessa Grubbs

July 20, 2014

dialysis

“OK, I’ll see you next week,” I say to Mr. V smiling genuinely and push my cart stacked with medical charts to the next dialysis recliner. I see Ms. H and my smile dissolves as I concentrate on not rolling my eyes. My entire being is transforming like some sort of Jekyll and Hyde for all to see.

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 29, 2014

chronic kidney disease, dialysis, ethics in healthcare

what's in a name

Vanessa Grubbs

June 29, 2014

chronic kidney disease, dialysis, ethics in healthcare

Maybe it’s just a manifestation of my southern roots, but I always introduce myself to patients as Dr. Grubbs and I always refer to them as Mr. Such-and-such or Ms. Whomever. Admittedly, this felt a bit strange with 20-something year old Karl Washington.