Monthly Archives: November 2008

Nov30

A Letter to Craig

Posted on by
A Letter to Craig

19 years later…why is it that most perps always feel the necessity to contact the people they have victimized? Well this is what I had to say to my perp:

Craig,
I’m just curious, after all this time, why contact me? It wasn’t like we were exactly “friends” back in high school. What I do remember, for approximately four straight years, is your constant unleashing of anger towards me for no apparent reason. It bewildered me back then, it still does to this day, especially since I knew you since we were in grade school and I don’t remember doing anything to deserve such bad treatment.

After I left high school, I was immensely scarred by you and a few other people. It took me a long time to heal, in fact, it’s something that still affects me to this day. It still takes me a long time trusting white people.

What you probably didn’t know back then, was that I had problems of my own back when we were in school together. It made it even more difficult to deal with my situation with the added prejudice I encountered.

You should know that I overcame a lot of my difficulties. I worked hard to become a physician and I am also a writer. Some of the stories, which I hope to publish, are about you and other people from high school.

It may be possible one day for me to forgive you. But right now, the actions of the past will override any kind of superficial “friend request” unless I receive an actual explanation for why you behaved the way you did.

Also be aware that I have ignored most friend requests from people from high school. I made an exception to the rule just because of our shared history. I am giving you a chance, something you never gave me when we were in school together.

Sincerely, Soma

Nov29

Thanksgiving ponderings

Posted on by
Thanksgiving ponderings

This past week, I’ve been quite sick. A cold that transformed itself into bronchitis and I was then down for the count. Normally, I would have just called out and stayed in, but given that this was going to be a short work week because of Thanksgiving, I forced myself to go to work for two days straight.

On Monday, feeling flushed and dehydrated, with barely a voice to speak with, I greeted my patients. “Sorry I can’t shake your hand today. Just really sick”, I said. Some of them who have known me for a while, looked at me with concern. The first-timers just looked at me with apprehension, probably thinking, “Man, if she can’t take care of herself, how is she going to take care of me?”

I see health in all forms: good and poor. And being sick this Thanksgiving week really reminded me that I should never take my health for granted. It’s a blessing to wake up in the morning, to be able to see the morning light, to breathe without difficulty, to have warm clothes and have a warm shower and a nutritious meal. It’s a blessing to have access to healthcare, to be able to get medications without any delay. Some of these things are like getting milk at the grocery store for me; I don’t really give it too much thought.

It’s a privilege to be able to be a doctor for others; it’s a blessing to have my health.

Nov24

Achooooo!

Posted on by
Achooooo!

It sucks to have a cold. Doesn’t it? I’ve been confined indoors with a bad hacking cough.

Here’s some do’s and do nots when it comes to what physicians call the URI (upper respiratory infection).

1. Don’t use Afrin nasal spray. Sure it works for a few days; but after 3-4 days it can cause rebound nasal congestion (i.e. your stuffy nose is stuffier).
2. Listen to your mom and gulp down that chicken soup. Whatever magic happens between the chicken broth and vegetables reduces interferons in your body (causes fevers, aches, general malaise).
3. Don’t reach for the Tylenol or Ibuprofen right away. Some studies have shown that taking these may make your cold symptoms worse. If you do have a headache or fever, then take it.
4. Gargle with warm salt water for your sore throat.
5. I pop zinc lozenges/tablets the minute my throat starts tickling. To be honest, studies are variable and most docs may think it’s hocus pocus, but I have definitely seen a dramatic reduction in cold symptoms within myself. It has to be taken immediately though. Not so effective once you have a rip roaring cold.
6. Vitamin C probably helps to prevent/fight off a cold but I personally don’t think it does anything once you have a cold.
7. Echinacea? Don’t touch the stuff.
8. Do take Mucinex or Mucinex DM (latter if you have a hacking cough). This will prevent chest congestion. The regular cough syrups are just sugar and don’t have enough guaifenisin/dextromethorphan in them.
9. Sudafed works for that stuffy nose. But can cause palpitations in some. Don’t take it if you have high blood pressure.
10. Drink as many hot fluids you can. Avoid caffeinated beverages while you’re sick.
11. Neti Pots may help with nasal irritation. Saline solution should match your tears saline consistency.
12. The number one way to prevent a cold is to wash your hands frequently.
13. Don’t touch your mucous membranes (nose, eyes and mouth).
14. Use Purell if you don’t have access to soap and water.
15. Use the SIX SECOND RULE. Someone sneezes or coughs, immediately hold your breath for six seconds.
16. I make a concoction of chamomile tea, lemon juice (a squeeze will do), two teaspoons of honey and fresh cut ginger. It soothes the throat and also works for nasal congestion. Try it!
17. Avoid dairy while you’re sick. It just produces more phlegm.

Nov16

X-ing friends from high school

Posted on by
X-ing friends from high school

I couldn’t do it. Ever since I joined Facebook, I’ve gotten numerous requests from high school folks to be my “friend”. I lasted about a month, but it stirred up too many bad (unresolved) memories and I started posting angry thoughts and laying F-bombs in my posts about people. Today I x-ed all my “friends” from high school.

It tells me that there’s so much anger inside me that needs to be processed. Hopefully at some point I can forgive. But not right now.

What prompted this? An e-mail from a high school classmate who found my blog after she googled “white”, “East Meadow” and “1989″ and found my post The Wonder Years: East Meadow High School Class of 1989. She wrote: “Hi Soma, I stumbled across your blog and read your piece on EMHS. It reminded me of what little I knew back then. Would love to catch up!” I understand that it was probably done in good gesture, but I do have some memories of her being a not-so-nice person to me. She’s probably grown into a mature, caring adult (let’s give everyone the benefit of the doubt) but I’m not ready to venture into adolescence again. It was the most unbearable time of my life.

Nov1

Head Over Heels

Posted on by
Head Over Heels

 
   

Colleen McGrath- lead vocals

Colleen and I grew up together and have known each other since we were nine. She’s AMAZING! Check out her band’s video http://www.omnipopbands.com/wed-band.php?BID=41

Little known facts: Colleen and I did a musical production in our senior year of high school (Leader of the Pack). She and I were the only ones that needed extra-special choreography lessons. :P   My mom told me that the only way I could do the play is if I told the director that I couldn’t do any kissing scenes, and like an idiot I told him. Colleen could belt out a song like no one else but had acting lines taken away from her :(   Colleen passed gym because her gym teacher was so impressed that she could do so much rigorous dancing on stage. What memories!