Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Why don’t patients do what they’re told?
I don’t mean to be difficult. Really.
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An environment for waiting
When I was sick—a generic term I now use for feeling crappy, fatigued, and disconnected—I could barely note the beauty of this place. I couldn’t feel it.
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Phebe Jewell – fiction
Originally posted on Bindweed Anthologies: In Line Fourth in the express lane at Safeway, you scan the rows of gossip and gum displayed at eye level. The old man in front of you keeps taking the same piece of paper out of his pocket, reads it aloud, then puts it back in his pocket. A…
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The long way
I remember so many days, weeks, months when I dreaded walking the long distances within MD Anderson Cancer Center. Of course, “long” is relative. Weakened by hospitalizations, anemic and breathless, fatigued beyond belief–anything more than a few steps was tiring. A long walkway like this I would avoid like the plague. Now I stop and…
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Pancakes
I made pancakes. And they were good. I love the gluten-free pancake mix from Bob’s Red Mill. Their recipe calls for milk, and I usually substitute almond milk. I was out of almond milk, so I used Bulgarian plain yogurt instead, and a little honey to compensate for the bitterness. The recipe calls for two…
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No joke
Listen up, boys and girls. Skin cancer is real. Your parents weren’t just trying to control you when they told you to apply sunscreen. A few days ago, I had basal cell carcinoma removed from my nose. (I’ve had BCC removed from my face before, just a few bumps, and I’d have to point out…
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The road to compassion
Buddhism isn’t about being calm and peaceful all the time. It’s about being open to reality, not rejecting the present moment. I took the Metro rail this morning to my appointment in the Texas Medical Center. I had ambitiously bought a day pass a couple of years ago and never used it. I idealize…
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Social Media Mind
One of my personal mantras has been, “Small screen, small mind.” When I wake up a bit sleep-deprived, as I did yesterday, I’m vulnerable to spending too much time on social media. My windhorse is low, my mind is dull, and I can’t think of anything I actually want to do. So, I can…
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Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia
I want to provide an information hub for patients diagnosed with primary plasma cell leukemia. I was diagnosed with this rare form of cancer in October, 2015. Long story short, I had an allogeneic stem cell transplant at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in March, 2016, and lots of side effects and medical adventures. Two…
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Impermanence and Complaint
Feeling bad is a clear message that feeling good doesn’t last, but in the medical rush to make it better, we’d rather not think about that.
Got any book recommendations?
A Few Thoughts 