Another great interview Jane. The part that resonated with me the most is about us all eventually becoming patients. It sounds so simple, but it is true. I've had countless bad experiences with doctors who refused to take the time, belittled me and even laughed at me as a patient. And also an experience with a nurse practitioner who really saw me. I can't tell you the difference it made. I walked out of her office lighter. I made a point of thanking her every time I came to see her. But then she moved back to BC because Quebec wasn't paying nurses enough. It's an absolute heartbreak. To find a good doctor is an absolute gold.
Agree with your assessment Imola - a good doctor can make all the difference. I'm sorry to hear about your experience of being dismissed. I'm not perfect and I know patients who have been upset with me because they felt like I didn't address their concerns. The times in which that has happened is when I'm short on time - that makes the ultimate difference (just speaking for myself here), that doesn't excuse being laughed at or feeling belittled though.
I think you raise an important point! Time. If we paid health practitioners well and valued their time, as well as took the time to really hear the patient, I believe it would look very different. The patient wouldn’t have to come back so many times with the same recurring problem. And health practitioners shouldn’t be burned out either. Is it a wishful thinking on my part? Thank you for your wisdom, care and compassion!
Thank you for this offering, to know there are folks in the world who raise chickens & empathize (not sympathize) with the chronically ill & love MJ as much as I do & recognize hospitality as a way of being, feels necessary right now.
I was so excited to see this in my inbox this morning! Istiaq is a favorite (as are you, Jane, although I imagine you know this by now! 😊). I adore everything he writes. Thank you both for making the internet a warmer and more thoughtful place.
This is fantastic! I haven't been able to keep up with these interviews, and I open this email at random, and there's someone from Madison, where I live! Dr. Mian--where do you practice? What kind of medicine? Are you taking new patients? 😁
Hi Kate! Hello from across town! (or maybe were on the same side of town).
I only work in the hospital, so the only time I'd see you is if you were hospitalized, so I hope I don't see you there and perhaps maybe just at the Farmer's Market :)
Same! I hoped to see the hoodie. And could we come up with a source for another one to recommend? I know what it’s like to have your favorite hoodie come to the end of its usable life.
In hindsight, I regret not sharing a picture of it! I don't think I can post a photo in the replies here but I can be sure it makes a guest appearance somewhere in the future :)
Another fun fowl related tidbit for you, Jane: have you heard Canada Geese referred to as Cobra Chickens? There was some video that went viral a few years ago with, I think, a Mexican guy calling them Cobra Chickens and ever since, that's what my fam says and we love it so much heheheheh...
Waving to you here from Phil Knight’s home town in Oregon👋. Chickens are a great stress reliever. I know several people who like to sit in a chair, just chilling with their chickens. Getting eggs just seems to be a happy side effect.
Another great interview Jane. The part that resonated with me the most is about us all eventually becoming patients. It sounds so simple, but it is true. I've had countless bad experiences with doctors who refused to take the time, belittled me and even laughed at me as a patient. And also an experience with a nurse practitioner who really saw me. I can't tell you the difference it made. I walked out of her office lighter. I made a point of thanking her every time I came to see her. But then she moved back to BC because Quebec wasn't paying nurses enough. It's an absolute heartbreak. To find a good doctor is an absolute gold.
Yes to all of this!! So, so, sooo true! And I'm glad you enjoyed the interview!
Agree with your assessment Imola - a good doctor can make all the difference. I'm sorry to hear about your experience of being dismissed. I'm not perfect and I know patients who have been upset with me because they felt like I didn't address their concerns. The times in which that has happened is when I'm short on time - that makes the ultimate difference (just speaking for myself here), that doesn't excuse being laughed at or feeling belittled though.
Thank you for reading.
I think you raise an important point! Time. If we paid health practitioners well and valued their time, as well as took the time to really hear the patient, I believe it would look very different. The patient wouldn’t have to come back so many times with the same recurring problem. And health practitioners shouldn’t be burned out either. Is it a wishful thinking on my part? Thank you for your wisdom, care and compassion!
Agreed!
Thank you for this offering, to know there are folks in the world who raise chickens & empathize (not sympathize) with the chronically ill & love MJ as much as I do & recognize hospitality as a way of being, feels necessary right now.
Thanks for reading Maheen. I feel a special connection to you because you love MJ as much as I do haha.
I couldn't agree more, Maheen! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
I was so excited to see this in my inbox this morning! Istiaq is a favorite (as are you, Jane, although I imagine you know this by now! 😊). I adore everything he writes. Thank you both for making the internet a warmer and more thoughtful place.
Ooooh, yay! That makes me so happy! And I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🌸
This is so sweet Caroline, thank you!
I love how this ends with empathy. The chickens were fun, too. Thanks Jane and Istiaq!
Yes, I was so moved by Istiaq's final answer. Glad you enjoyed it, Monika!
You're welcome Monika, thanks for reading!
This is fantastic! I haven't been able to keep up with these interviews, and I open this email at random, and there's someone from Madison, where I live! Dr. Mian--where do you practice? What kind of medicine? Are you taking new patients? 😁
Hi Kate! Hello from across town! (or maybe were on the same side of town).
I only work in the hospital, so the only time I'd see you is if you were hospitalized, so I hope I don't see you there and perhaps maybe just at the Farmer's Market :)
Oh, how wonderful, Kate! I hope it works out!
Yay! Loved reading this interview with one of my favorite writers here.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Anna! Istiaq seems to be beloved by many!
Thank you Anna! :)
I love that there is a chicken cameo! Always a delight for me to see people talking about their relationships with their flocks.
I agree! Glad you enjoyed it, Tove!
So glad to see two of my favorite Substackers connecting! And Istiaq, as a Uniqlo fan, I want to see a pic of the hoodie!
I knooooow! We need a photo! Glad you enjoyed it, Natalie!
Same! I hoped to see the hoodie. And could we come up with a source for another one to recommend? I know what it’s like to have your favorite hoodie come to the end of its usable life.
In hindsight, I regret not sharing a picture of it! I don't think I can post a photo in the replies here but I can be sure it makes a guest appearance somewhere in the future :)
If you email me a picture, I can add it in!
This is so great! And now I'm off to read Istiaq's Modern Love piece. Also... I think constantly about Chickens being dinosaur descendants lol.
Haha. And now I shall, too! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Noha!
Another fun fowl related tidbit for you, Jane: have you heard Canada Geese referred to as Cobra Chickens? There was some video that went viral a few years ago with, I think, a Mexican guy calling them Cobra Chickens and ever since, that's what my fam says and we love it so much heheheheh...
I love it! I see Canadian geese pretty much every day of my life,
Anytime I see birds, I think "Wow a dinosaur!" Glad we share that Noha. And thanks for reading that ML piece!
What a nice way to start the week!
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Kate!
Enjoyed and learned much. Reminded of much. Great work!
That's so lovely to hear, Rick! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, both for this beautiful interview
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jana!
Waving to you here from Phil Knight’s home town in Oregon👋. Chickens are a great stress reliever. I know several people who like to sit in a chair, just chilling with their chickens. Getting eggs just seems to be a happy side effect.
Chickens are so lovely, I agree!
YES to always betting on yourself! I love that and these questions are so wholesome and quirky.
So glad you enjoyed it, Grace! Thank you for the kind words!