A difficult conversation

My beautiful wife had the occasion to accompany me to work one day.  I asked her to bring her camera along in case she found anything of interest to be her subject.  The result of the experience, however, was a very difficult conversation.  She has given me permission to publish her photos to assist this narrative.

"Do you think she knows she pregnant?"

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

I heard an interview the other day on NPR.  It was an interview with an author, Rebecca Skloot, who had written a book about HeLa cells and the life of the woman from whom these cells were harvested.  The interview was quite intriguing.  I bought the book.  Within the first 30 minutes of reading this book, I was sucked in.  I was so deeply enthralled and amazed that I was unable to put it down or have a conversation where it did not come up.  I read it in two sittings....which is impressive for me...because I am a dreadfully slow reader. 

This book gives the story of the life and death of the black woman behind science's most famous cell line from which came vaccines, medicines, and knowledge that has changed the world in which we live.  All persons living today have received some benefit from these cells, yet her poor and uneducated family received no compensation and, even today, cannot afford the health care that Henrietta's cells have made possible. 

Please read this book!  And let me know your thoughts!

http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/

Reproductive Oddities

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I work at a low cost spay/neuter clinic for the local humane society.  I see a high volume of patients in many stages of reproductive health.   Many of my patients are prepubertal with small underdeveloped organs.  Some are in raging heat with swollen vascular organs.  Sadly, many are pregnant and at various stages thereof.  The picture I will share with you today is of the latter.  However, this was certainly no normal pregnancy.

The Sunday School Lesson My Dog Taught....

A cat bitten once by a snake dreads even rope.  ~Arab Proverb

A month ago I watched a young pup and it's worried owner as they tried to enter the exam room.  The thirty pound pup struggled and pulled.  It was trying to bolt.  The owner gently coaxed and calmed.  When they got to the doorway, the pup put on the brakes and bucked in the air like a bronco.  The owner leaned over to calm the pup and gently slid it through the doorway.  My staff went to get a mop, to clean up the feces and urine that resulted during the effort of resistance.  Once in the room, I saw the pup take cover under a chair.  His eyes were dilated, ears were back, and tail was tucked.  Fear had taken control.  This one would be a challenge.