As Charlie’s heart failure worsened, his twig-like fingers searched over his chest and he asked, “Doc, can you show me where my heart is?” Confused, I pointed just left of his sternum and inquired, “Why do you ask?” He explained he feels like he is drowning and uttered “I grew up on a farm Doc and if things get worse a shotgun to the heart is quick, but can be messy!”

Charlie appeared younger than a man in his late 80s, white trimmed beard, crystal blue eyes and a baseball cap. A...

Ever wish you could escape your thoughts? 

I have, especially on days when my mind was fixated on my failures and uncertainty of the future. On all the things I wanted to be - but wasn’t. Wanted to do - but couldn’t. Wanted to have - but didn’t.

Mired in my negativity bias, or “pity committee”, my thoughts used to be like a playlist of songs written by my own worst enemy (me) looping endlessly. It felt like there was a war waging inside my mind. Like I was living on a battleground. 

Bu...

Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii! I am here on vacation and wanted to share the cornerstone principle for well-being. This blog will describe in detail the best gift you can give yourself during this holiday season. Enjoy! In medical school, I was always creating mnemonics to help memorize important medical facts. Some of the most memorable mnemonics that medical students create have an overt sexual connotation. Sex and addictions seem to capture the human imagination. Today, I would like...