Welcome to Our Tenth Issue!
We’re excited to welcome our newest editorial board member, Dr. Nancy Rusch. Dr. Rusch, Chairperson of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UAMS, is Co-Editor of the Creative Nonfiction section. She joins Mr. Eric Moorehead, who recently retired from UAMS but remains involved with the journal. Welcome aboard, Dr. Rusch!
In this issue, we explore powerful stories from around the globe, touching on all aspects of life—medicine, meaning, death and dying, health and healing, wellness and illness, and everything in between.
In the Fiction section, we feature “Dr. Panther,” a poignant story about a young man grappling with the recent violent death of his daughter while processing layers of past trauma. We present “Bad Medicine,” which dives into the intersection of medicine and medical marijuana and offers a thoughtful exploration of the pros and cons of its use in various diseases and treatments. Finally, we have “Just Another Day in the ICU,” a touching story about a nurse reflecting on his journey from patient to caregiver, inspired by his own time in the ICU.
The Creative Nonfiction section includes “Her,” a compelling narrative about a woman’s brain surgery and the complex relationship she develops with her surgeon, who holds her future in her hands. In the following story, “Life in the In-Between,” we see a young woman’s experience with cancer and chemotherapy, while managing family, marriage, and work. It captures the trauma, stress, and surprising gratitude she finds along the way. In “Rachel Triages,” we show the life of a young woman with insomnia who regularly visits the ER, where her interactions with other patients take on a life of their own. Finally in “The Man Pays,” we showcase a heartfelt reflection on becoming a father or not, filled with bittersweet memories of choices made and the emotions tied to them.
In the Poetry section, we feature 10 poems which portray life in and out of the hospital setting. In the hospital setting, we have poems of nurses and medical residents, while outside our authors sing of piezoelectric bones, deaf water, soothsayers and more.
Our Images section features a half dozen striking visuals, including a silhouette of a woman bowling, a captivating view of the state capitol and gorgeous landmarks in Arkansas and Montreal.
In the 55-Word Story section, we feature “Seizures of Nothing Much,” where we hear and see simultaneously the cut-off, soared-away, words and feelings during a seizure. In “Lost in Time,” we witness a patient who has no context of time and who relies on his wife to contextualize his words. In “Unforgettable Words,” a patient with AIDS on the verge of dying whispers unforgettable, admiring words to his health care provider. Finally, “Weekend Torment” relates the situation of getting bad news on a Friday when there’s nothing you can do until the following Monday.
The Conversations section includes an engaging dialogue with Dr. Jessica Coker, Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Ob/Gyn and Chief of Staff-elect at UAMS. Lastly, in our History of Medicine series, we continue with another fascinating installment, this time focusing on the first incoming medical school class of UAMS.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Medicine and Meaning and that you will send us your thoughts and comments. Also, please send us your stories, poems, and images and if you’re interested in being a reviewer, please let us know.
Paulette Mehta, M.D., MPH
Professor Emerita
Editor-in-Chief, Medicine and Meaning