The other day, a 57 year old man with a temperature of 39.9 accompanied by severe breathing difficulties, coughing and sputum was brought into the resuscitation room. His saturation in the ambient air was 69%. His heart rate was 137. His blood pressure was 88/55. Diagnosis: sepsis on pneumonia. After a bolus, a good doseContinue reading “The pill pusher”
Author Archives: martinphamdinh
A child’s fear…
I went to the pool today with my son. It’s a weekly thing between me, my son and often my wife. We are swimmers and taught our son very early to swim. Liam loves water. If he could live in a pool, he would. Anyway, today was different. We went to a pool in Orleans.Continue reading “A child’s fear…”
The great migration…
All the members of our family have embarked on an unexpected journey. The call was predictable but this kind of invitation always surprises us a little. We crossed Quebec from west to east to go to the bedside of an ancestor. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all going to say goodbye to Brigitte who, atContinue reading “The great migration…”
On the other side of the fence….
I look at him from afar, a little man we created together with his bag on his back, almost as big as he is. He is sitting on the other side of the fence, under the play structure in the schoolyard and he is watching these children, strangers, playing around him. There is no oneContinue reading “On the other side of the fence….”
A voyage at the end of life….
Somewhere between Baie-des-sables and Mont-Joli, sitting on the beach, contemplating the sea and it’s magnificent stillness, i had to stop here and take the time because I felt inspired to write these words. I have traveled here to visit my 94 year old grand-mother. I felt a certain urgency to come here. Recently, she saidContinue reading “A voyage at the end of life….”
Where resilience is found
Do not fear the hardship of life, it is where you’ll find your resilience. I’ll repeat this over and over. Another beautiful story of a man who really understood this.
On cooking a bird…
Guy’s cooking tips. Friends I decided to share with you some tips to please your wife and children.A good BBQ chicken or a grilled duck is super easy to prepare and everyone loves it. First of all, you need a bird. Here I have a duck but it’s the same recipe for a chicken. RinseContinue reading “On cooking a bird…”
On incoherence..
I met a patient who tells me he is into natural medicine. He takes a dozen different pills from his naturopath from echinacea to garlic with an added homeopathic drop. He thinks the pharmaceutical drugs are toxic. Big pharma are evil. Doctors are just pill prescribers. Those with long hair, 70’s hippie look who don’tContinue reading “On incoherence..”
On conflict resolution and how to build bridges…
Let me tell you a story. We bought a pure bred dog last year. A nice and presumably healthy Vizla from reputable breeder. It was our first dog. We fell in love with her. She is so sweet. Our main reasons to have a dog was to provide companionship and balance to our only child.Continue reading “On conflict resolution and how to build bridges…”
This life…
Is not about the nice things we own, Is not about the cools places we “selfied”Is not about how strong we are or how good we look. This life is about how much we share, how much we love, how many friends we have. Look around at the people close to you, this is yourContinue reading “This life…”
The big Christmas Covid-19 lottery…
Are you too asking the question to family members: « are we getting together for Christmas this year? » Here is a story to illustrate my reflection on the subject … Each member and household in a group represents one chance or one ticket to win. The bigger the group, the better the odds. MoreContinue reading “The big Christmas Covid-19 lottery…”
Happiness is love.
Man’s search for meaning by Viktor FranklI read this book 20 years ago. I was a teenager then and i still remember the profound effect it had on my life. The name Viktor Frankl came back to me when i recently talked to a friend that seemed to be captive of life events. You seeContinue reading “Happiness is love.”
Pedagogy or expertise?
I have been teaching medical students and residents for over 10 years. I love passing on my knowledge and sharing my expertise. I am an expert in my field. I have not received any training in pedagogy but I often think about the qualities needed to be a good teacher. An important question in thisContinue reading “Pedagogy or expertise?”
One thing my son taught me…
Kids have more fun. Kids are not afraid of falling. Kids are not afraid of getting dirty. Kids are not afraid of getting wet. Kids have more fun because they are not afraid. Here is me trying to be a kid, going some place most adults would not go and having fun, feeling like aContinue reading “One thing my son taught me…”
At the intersection of arts and science…
I am a man at the intersection of arts and science. An intellectual man can be great at passing tests and get through diplomation and become a doctor but he will never be a good doctor if he does not put care, warmth and empathy in his bedside manners and human relations. A good doctorContinue reading “At the intersection of arts and science…”
Roosevelt on victory and defeat…
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; whoContinue reading “Roosevelt on victory and defeat…”
Wisdom of Laozi
“I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become aContinue reading “Wisdom of Laozi”
On building bridges and why we need science…
I need to build a bridge at the cottage. It will allow the ambulance to get to us in case of a medical emergency. I am hesitating between a vaulted, arched or cable-stayed bridge. For the materials, I don’t know if I should use reinforced concrete or steel. What do you think about? Please giveContinue reading “On building bridges and why we need science…”
About religions…
I believe that there is a place for religion in the hearts of men. They will be able to turn to the divine to give meaning to the miracles of life and moments of grace. They will draw strength and courage from it when tested by the inevitable dramas of their existence. On the otherContinue reading “About religions…”
My measure of success…
is how much passion, how much love i put in what i do every day, in my work and in my relationships. I’m grateful for my family, my friends and my work. I love what i do and i’m surrounded by awesome people. Money and beautiful things are nothing if our lives are meaningless.
On being happy and gratitude
Be grateful for what you have. Open your heart and appreciate the many gifts in your life. Stop and look… then smile. Happiness is right here, in front of us. It is not there on the hedonic treadmill. It is too easy to forget and get caught up in the little frustrations of daily life.Continue reading “On being happy and gratitude”
An original way to enjoy radish
Crispy salty spicy radish oven baked chips. Served with fresh tomatoes and iron cast pan seared rib steak strips.
When caring means burning out…
A story about the sacrifice health care workers make every day. Here is a powerful excerpt. I encourage you to read the entire article here. « For many health-care workers, the toll of the pandemic goes beyond physical exhaustion. COVID-19 has eaten away at the emotional core of their work. “To be a nurse, youContinue reading “When caring means burning out…”
On fear and courage …
(Nov 6th 2013) I faced death today. The death of a small baby. He was in respiratory distress. I’m an emergency physician and currently working in a very very remote area of Northern Quebec. We had to resuscitate him, intubate and ventilate, do CPR, give him resuscitation meds.I was in an hostile environment, without myContinue reading “On fear and courage …”
A unique word of attachment and love in Korean
jeong (정). Korean term without equivalent. Deep affinity. Lasting and loyal attachment. A notion stronger and greater than the love that grows with time, that takes root and withstands the tests. A form of resilience that enriches life together and life with our human network. Involves taking care of oneself and the other. A commitmentContinue reading “A unique word of attachment and love in Korean”
Martin Pham Dinh 