Category: Narrative

Creative Non-fiction, GHHS, Narrative

A Home for Baby

by medintima1 Comment on A Home for Baby

Taylor Knowles, M3, Class of 2025

Do you hear crying?
Demanded to move, she
Swallows belongings
And cradles her womb.
”This property is private, or didn’t you see?
You don’t belong near people like me.”

Without help, she scrambles alone
Packing the items that make up her home.
An ache finds her spine like the ache in her heart
For a place to exist and create a new start
But the feet in her womb push her on
Down this path.

Two miles pass and she drops to her knees, crying
In pain as she falls on the street.
Without any medicine, what can you do for a pain so engulfing it hurts just to move?
And yet, in the stillness, the baby won’t rest.

Do you hear crying?
As she’s helped from the ground, the pain overcomes her
But, also, this sound is the cadence and chorus of
Something so sweet—the sound of a battered soul
Finding relief.

I enter her room, my notebook in hand, noting the
Name on her hospital band.
She shares how painful recounting can be, and as
She details her past miseries
I remember we all are just human.

Blood tests and images unfold the truth:
Infections are sprouting in scars from her youth.
Bacteria runs from her heart to her bones and, just
As she does, continues to roam
In search of someplace a new life can survive.

GHHS, Narrative

More Than A Patient

by medintimaLeave a Comment on More Than A Patient

Caroline St. Peter, MS3, Class of 2025

I am more than a patient.

I am more than a 90-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. I am more than a widow. I am more than a man without his high school degree. I am more than a recovering alcoholic, and I am more than a helpless patient in the hospital.

I am a father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. I have 3 kids, 2 of which are still living and involved in my life. I am a veteran who spent 30 months in Panama during the Korean war. I am a writer and a reader of fiction. I am a lover and a joker. I am survivor of alcohol misuse disorder who turned my life around, and I am a man with a story to share with the world.

During his admission, this patient had deterioration of his mental cognition and physical strength, which was impacting his nutritional status. His barrier to being discharged was ensuring he had enough nutrition and strength to go to a rehab facility. Attempts at medical interventions, such as a G-tube and appetite stimulants were unsuccessful, and the ultimate treatment ended up being personal engagement. We found out he had trouble concentrating and remembering to eat, and this is why he wasn’t doing so. Therefore, we shaped his care to focus on motivating him to eat with company and verbal encouragement. When I cared for him, I brought food from the floor to share with him in his hospital room, providing him with cues and companionship to enhance his care. As we sat and ate together, I asked him about his life, and he shared vast stories and immense wisdom I will always remember.

As an author, he encouraged me to write something down every day, even if it’s “boring or smart” so that I can have an account of my own story and how I see the world through my perspective. During our conversations, there were many instances where he found himself reflecting on previous experiences, such as his time in war and receiving help for his alcohol use disorder. Through this he showed me that no matter what stage of life or mental state you are in, to be grateful for what you have been through in life and reflect on that often. The past shapes who you are but does not define you. He also emphasized the importance of finding the joy in each day, no matter what the circumstances. He was vulnerable in the hospital and still focused on finding positives and continuously thanked us for our work. My time with this patient truly showed the impact that we as physicians have on our patients when we treat them as humans and the everlasting impact that patients have on us.

Narrative

A 24 y/o F

by medintimaLeave a Comment on A 24 y/o F
A 24 y/o F

Angela Gutierrez, M2, Class of 2026

I envision this as the captivating genesis of any HPI, or like the opening scene of a

standard case presentation, or when preparing ourselves for the narrative of a vignette leading to

a thought-provoking question. Fictional patients based on real people. However, unlike these

fictional patients, this is real. This is mine.

Continue reading “A 24 y/o F” →

Narrative, Uncategorized, V5 I2

Diamonds in the Rough: Working as a Track Coach at an Inner-City High School while in Medical School

by je4mesLeave a Comment on Diamonds in the Rough: Working as a Track Coach at an Inner-City High School while in Medical School
Diamonds in the Rough: Working as a Track Coach at an Inner-City High School while in Medical School

Liam Lynch, M2, Class of 2026

“Going to track practice every day was my escape from the monotony of medical school.
Going to track practice was their escape from things much worse.”

If you’ve met me, you know that running has been and will always be one of the most
pivotal parts of my life. It’s the reason I went to college, the reason for my drive and fortitude in
life, and an integral part of my daily routine. My yearly vacations center around where I’ll be
racing next and even my med school research revolves around running. In short, running is
intimate and intertwined with who I am.


Thus to me, nothing would be more worthwhile than giving back to the sport that has
gotten me to where I am today: Track & Field. We’ve all heard that volunteering in medical
school is one of the most crucial extracurriculars. Residencies will want to see a physician who
cares about their community and someone who gives without expecting anything in return. The
conclusion seemed natural; I was going to volunteer as an assistant track coach somewhere.


I reached out to many nearby Kansas City high schools: Shawnee Mission East, North,
and Bishop Meige. Bluntly put, these were the rich schools; they had the infrastructure and
funding to allow me to volunteer on a come-and-go basis. They didn’t need me at these rich
suburban schools but would take me and let me pad my resume.


Wyandotte was different though. Despite the strong, caring, and capable leaders I
encountered, decades of gentrification, rezoning, and defunding had led to its steady decline.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Wyandotte High School consistently ranks in the
bottom 20th percentile in all metrics for Kansas, ranking in the 2%, 3%, and 7% in math,
reading, and science proficiency, respectively. Freshmen make up 42% of their enrollment while
graduating seniors make up only 15%. The total minority enrollment is 98%, and 90% of
students are economically disadvantaged. Suffice to say, this school was very different from the
ones I grew up with and the other schools I was looking to volunteer at.


Wyandotte’s process was different, too. Head Coach Richie Bryant invited me for an
interview, which was something none of the other schools asked for. I figured that being an ex-
collegiate athlete turned medical student was qualification enough to volunteer—all the other
schools thought so too—but I agreed to an interview nonetheless. At the very least, it would
make my decision of where to volunteer easier.


I arrived at Wyandotte, passing the police officers and metal detectors stationed at the
entrance; it was already a stark difference from my own high school days. We went through
hallways displaying the trophies and banners of the school’s glory days that only those old
historic schools have. Then, after meeting Coach Keegan and Mr. Black, we sat down in the
bleachers of their basketball gym.

Continue reading “Diamonds in the Rough: Working as a Track Coach at an Inner-City High School while in Medical School” →
Narrative, V5 I1

Community: then, now, and there

by ejcasteenLeave a Comment on Community: then, now, and there

Emily Casteen, MD Class of 2026

As a Narrative Editor of Med Intima, I have the privilege of sharing the experiences and stories of members of the KUMC community. I’m so grateful for my classmates in Group 23 who sat down with me to reflect on their own journeys finding community during M1 year. Their vulnerability and courage are an inspiration to me! Above all, this piece seeks to remind us that we are not alone. 

Continue reading “Community: then, now, and there” →
Narrative, V5 I1

My Interventional Radiology Shadowing Experience

by adamwilson31Leave a Comment on My Interventional Radiology Shadowing Experience

Samira Shorey, MD Class of 2026

“Honestly, it’s just a fun little blog post! I like keeping track of my experiences, perspective on medicine and specialties on my blog. I wanted to share it with others.”

This Monday, I jumped out of bed with unbridled excitement. I turned on some funky music and started getting ready to shadow an interventional radiologist.

Why was I so excited? Well, I had it in my mind that IR was the perfect specialty for me. It’s radiology + hands on procedures – two things I loved. You could not go wrong with that, I thought.

Continue reading “My Interventional Radiology Shadowing Experience” →
Narrative, V5 I1

A Little Death

by ejcasteenLeave a Comment on A Little Death

Lindsey Glass, M.A. Speech Pathology, Class of 2024

I remember it clearly; the realization of what death was. Every living being dies. That meant the most important person in my life, my mom. I was around the age of four and realized my mom would die someday. The absolute disbelief and devastation. I threw myself on the kitchen floor, completely inconsolable. My mom comforted me. I do not remember what lead me to this realization, perhaps our pet hamster had recently passed. But my mom? She would die someday. This could not be. I refused to accept this fact. Eventually, after much of her kind and soothing words, she comforted me, and I moved on. This was part of life and I had to accept it. Now at the age of 32, honestly, I do not think I really accepted it, especially my mom dying someday.

Continue reading “A Little Death” →
Narrative, V5 I1

The Way We Remember

by adamwilson31Leave a Comment on The Way We Remember

Cecile Hermanns, M1, MD Class of 2026

I met RM in September of last year. We were paired together as part of a yearlong program where medical students meet with dementia patients and learn from their experience. We ended up meeting in her kitchen on Saturday mornings, sitting at the kitchen table and drinking coffee.

RM has early-stage dementia. She was able to tell me about her life and remember details about mine. I received some phone calls about our plans – what cookies had we decided to bake? When was I out of town? – but overall, our conversations were like any others. Except I was surprised by the depth of familiarity we reached with one another in such a short time, the way she felt comfortable sharing anything and everything with me. As a medical student I could tell that I was perceived as someone confidential, a person to confide in and trust. 

Continue reading “The Way We Remember” →
Creative Non-fiction, Creative writing, Narrative, Uncategorized, V4 I2

Scripted

by adamwilson31Leave a Comment on Scripted

Adam Wilson, M1, Class of 2026

            I love theater. I participated in my high school’s drama club, and each year I go see a few plays and musicals in KC. There is something magical that happens on stage—human ingenuity creates dazzling sets, talented actors and actresses draw me into their worlds with wonderful performances, and beautiful music ferries me through the show. And when I was asked to come back to my high school to teach the tech crew how to operate the sound and light boards, of course I had to help.

            Returning to theater gives me a chance to reflect on what lessons and parallels I can draw. Most salient to me is the process by which characters are made legible (made comprehensible) on stage, and how I make myself legible to others by playing a script that others can understand based on notions of familiarity and acceptability. For example, in the case of many members of my former high school’s drama club, they must make themselves and their lives legible in a limited range of forms to access scholarships and better education on their college essays. I play the part of a medical student; therefore, I must play it adequately by exuding confidence and competence. If I were to falter at playing this part, I would expect some derision from my peers based on previous experiences of failing at playing my roles appropriately.

 “What have I done to myself to make myself more legible?” I often ask myself.

Adam Wilson, M1, CLass of 2026
Continue reading “Scripted” →
Creative Non-fiction, Creative writing, Narrative, Uncategorized, V4 I2

Finding a Friend, Finding a Home

by ejcasteenLeave a Comment on Finding a Friend, Finding a Home

Emily Casteen, M1, Class of 2026

The blizzard smothered the squeaky old subway as it slowly pressed toward the station. Nighttime had arrived, and the darkness was brightened only by a bit of shimmer from the ice and snow that stubbornly prevailed against any shovel. I rested against my cold, hardened seat, ready to enter this frosty wonderland with a new sense of excitement; I was going somewhere new. Comfortable in my alone-ness, I was quickly awakened from this slumber as I exited the station. I was lost in the city with every street sign covered in a white blanket that chilled me to my core. 

Not long later, a shadow made itself out to be a friendly face, a fellow lost traveler. “Where’s the door?!” she shouted, her voice rising above the gusts. Traversing together, we found not only the door but also a piping hot pizza waiting for us inside; we had finally arrived. Thawed by the pepperoni and the conversations of those around me, I warmed up to folks who would become close friends—the kind that have you over for dinner and make their home your home—and experienced the deepest joy as I opened my life up to these new people. 

Continue reading “Finding a Friend, Finding a Home” →