tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post1286275638649375573..comments2023-10-26T05:49:59.824-04:00Comments on Reflections of a Grady Doctor: It's all about you.gradydoctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10639816377218206777noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-61800863779792968712011-06-13T11:50:53.299-04:002011-06-13T11:50:53.299-04:00I think Anonymous needs to review the definitions ...I think Anonymous needs to review the definitions of "degrade", "snide", and "rude"... I'm jes saying!!Deannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13576428751831231409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-74207703263178049282011-06-10T18:37:07.997-04:002011-06-10T18:37:07.997-04:00... one more thing...
Until I met your blog I cou...... one more thing...<br /><br />Until I met your blog I could not imagine myself being happy in Internal Medicine (no way!). Not only am I beginning to think that Internal Medicine might be the greatest specialty out there, but I am really wondering if there is any other place that could be as great as Grady Hospital. All because of your writing... <br /><br />Your love, your medical nerdiness, your kindness, your caring, your everything is infectious in a very good way.Anushnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-12669878828973109122011-06-10T18:02:58.639-04:002011-06-10T18:02:58.639-04:00I am knee-deep in Step 1 studying, but had to wade...I am knee-deep in Step 1 studying, but had to wade out for a quick comment today.<br /><br />The commenter may be a bit too sensitive because of whatever journey they have been on to arrive where they are today. <br /><br />My husband is from the South and whenever we visit family I feel like I (and even he himself, since he's been away for so long) need an interpreter during particularly excited portions of conversations.<br /><br />Yes, people do not always speak grammatically correct English in the South - many factors (historical, cultural, social, etc.) have contributed to this. The fact that you are neither ignoring nor sanitizing the language only enhances the authenticity of your stories. Whether or not the anonymous commenter realizes, "correcting" people's language on your blog is what would be truly demeaning and disrespectful.<br /><br />I would write more, but I have to get back to studying.<br /><br />Sending you a mental hug and a heartfelt thank you for being who you are and doing what you do.Anushnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-32853579617166856942011-06-10T14:57:36.985-04:002011-06-10T14:57:36.985-04:00*I have never commented on your blog but feel that...*I have never commented on your blog but feel that I have to in light of this comment.*<br /><br />I discovered your blog a few weeks ago and read through every single post you have written since then. Your writing is amazing, and I am so impressed with the level of care that you give all of your patients. You treat your patients like - human beings, something that seems lost on many doctors today. The experiences that you share make readers like me rethink how we treat those who are not in our socio-economic sphere. You exemplify the fundamental characteristics of "humanity", a concept that is emphasized in every morally based text in the world. <br /><br />As far as your use of vernacular, I liken your style to my favorite author, Zora Neale Hurston, and the criticism she got for writing in "Southern" language when she wrote "There Eyes Were Watching God" and her short stories. She, like you in a lot of ways, was an anthropologist using her skill to record the history and culture of a people who were oft forgotten. You are chronicling your experience and giving a "voice" to the patients that you serve. In order to accomplish this and make the patients more relatable to your audience, you use detail to make your patients real to those who will never have the pleasure of meeting them, but learn from them just the same. We know them as our granny or great-uncle or cousin. You give us non-medical professionals hope that our family, regardless of economic status will receive the care from a passionate doctor they deserve. <br /><br />Sorry that this is so long, but thank you for the inspiration. This English-degree holding attorney aspires to be as eloquent as you.BMoreEsqnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-18279746683881529002011-06-10T14:30:52.009-04:002011-06-10T14:30:52.009-04:00Too choked up and proud of my daughter to comment!...Too choked up and proud of my daughter to comment!!<br />PoopdeckTony Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10933409391437441492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-6255825870757403692011-06-10T14:09:25.951-04:002011-06-10T14:09:25.951-04:00Dear Grady doc, really, I had the opposite respons...Dear Grady doc, really, I had the opposite response when I found you. I felt that here, here finally was the voice of a doctor who loves what she does, who loves and respects and fights for her patients, who might literally heal my own fear of going to the doctor. There is so much love and heart and humor here, so much honesty and truth. I appreciate it all. As for the dialect, I see that as you trying to share the experience in its most authentic voice, the way you heard it, and always, always I feel the love coming through. You are a person of character, that is clear in the way you responded to the troubling comment. But I would like to say, keep right on doing what you do, writing what you write, because most of us get it, we really do. And we are grateful. Love, Angella37paddingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12400464105403622384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-12373901881756354232011-06-10T11:35:36.381-04:002011-06-10T11:35:36.381-04:00I think Anonymous must not understand who southern...I think Anonymous must not understand who southerners are. This is the way we talk to each other. It doesn't mean that someone is unintelligent because they talk in a dialect. And copying the dialect isn't a form of ridicule. Needing a public clinic for health care isn't a character flaw, it means the person has had a hard life. Many good and wise people have lived in poverty. You write about people as they are and I never have felt that you were being overly judgmental.Lisa https://www.blogger.com/profile/09324961653370110887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-15626628232851678382011-06-10T10:41:11.976-04:002011-06-10T10:41:11.976-04:00I love your writing, ESPECIALLY when you document ...I love your writing, ESPECIALLY when you document the way your patients speak. It really makes them come alive for me. I almost feel like I'm there as a fly on the wall when you write. Don't change a thing, Dr. Manning. That would ruin the magic that is your blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-33856415901388511862011-06-10T10:23:43.135-04:002011-06-10T10:23:43.135-04:00All - Thank you so much for your kind words of aff...All - Thank you so much for your kind words of affirmation. Really. Blogging is weird in that way--you put things out there and sometimes wonder how it affects someone. Thanks for removing some of that mystery. <br /><br />Specifically to Jen in Newfoundland- Thank you. I worried that this would seem like a shameless attempt at getting "YOU GO, GIRL! TO HELL WITH THE CRITICS!" comments for feel-good purposes.You're right--it wasn't. I feel so relieved that you recognized this--it was really about Grady and my biggest concern was that I was clueless about several others sharing that commenter's point-of-view. <br /><br />That said, the feedback that everyone provided about using the actual jargon of my patients was valuable and reassuring. Thanks for that.<br /><br />I also agree that the critic was very respectful. I really do. Thanks y'all. 'Preciate you.gradydoctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10639816377218206777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-1796148803174736482011-06-10T09:14:17.297-04:002011-06-10T09:14:17.297-04:00Dear Dr. M:
I know, having read your blog long eno...Dear Dr. M:<br />I know, having read your blog long enough (came over from Smacksy - she rocks too) that this was not a post aimed at grabbing supportive, "you go girl, to hell with the critics" kind of response. I am still sniffling a little over your love letter to Grady. <br />But, and I've been meaning to do this for quite a while, I do want to make a general comment about your blog. I'm currently going through the most difficult time in my life right now, and while I have read many blogs over the years, I've recently winnowed these down to only the ones that make me think, make me smile, that I feel connected with. No more negative, self-absorbed downers. And yours, well, it's at the top of the list. You make me cry at least twice a week (the good kind, not the ugly cry), always make me think and smile and feel uplifted. So thanks, and please keep on writing. You write Grady so real that I feel like I know it, even though I'm about as far away from it as you could get and still be in North America. And through you, I kinda love Grady too, you know?<br />Jen<br />ps: to the critic - kudos for expressing yourself politely and succinctly, and for moving on. I think any blogger would prefer this type of disagreement, and would recognize that not everyone is going to agree with everything they write.<br />pss: as to writing in dialect being degrading - I'm from Newfoundland. We have accents so thick that the national news has to caption them sometimes. And I'd bet all the way down there in the southern US you've heard Newfie jokes. So, chill, really.Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-24857393000869028282011-06-10T08:31:05.804-04:002011-06-10T08:31:05.804-04:00Thank you for your blog.
By using the vernacular...Thank you for your blog. <br /><br />By using the vernacular of the south in your posts I feel I am there and I get a clearer glimpse of southern life. <br /><br />I have always felt you tell it like it is with passion, compassion and insight to the soul.<br /><br />Please disregard that ill conceived comment. Just that fact that they posted as "anonymous" shows that they do not have "the right stuff."<br /><br />Keep on telling us about Grady and your life, I visit every day and come away with hope and joy in my heart. Thank you.Sharron T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07784703374854179792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-80414526215997097642011-06-10T02:30:20.731-04:002011-06-10T02:30:20.731-04:00I know so well what you're about, so I don'...I know so well what you're about, so I don't really feel the need to rush to your defense---but I couldn't resist. <br /><br />Ever give a lecture that you think is the bomb and when you get your evaluation back, 99% of the group gave 4s or 5s (out of a possible 5), but someone in the audience gives you a 2? This is just what this is. Chalk it up to you can't make everyone happy. <br /><br />Look on the bright side. The person was complimentary to your writing! However, "anonymous" should know that any gifted writer has a way of taking their readers along with them for the journey. In your case it's often to the bedside. No example does that better than by giving your patients their own voice. As one comment said, it's no better, no worse, just their voice. <br /><br />You honor your patients and all those who read your blog by being so introspective. Comments like the one from "anonymous" allow us to confirm as a community just how wonderful you are and how much richer Grady has been for your 10 years of faithful service (and counting).Neil Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04233606735125469086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-87187830871657953802011-06-10T00:28:18.870-04:002011-06-10T00:28:18.870-04:00Dr. Manning,
I started reading your blog just a fe...Dr. Manning,<br />I started reading your blog just a few months ago, and it is one of my favorites. Thank you for these stories, for your open heart and open mind. I think the way you represent the speech of your patients and people whose stories you tell makes the text so much more lively - I feel as if I'm right there, listening beside you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-67085910092294469052011-06-09T22:29:17.839-04:002011-06-09T22:29:17.839-04:00So, I just had to come out of lurkdom to comment o...So, I just had to come out of lurkdom to comment on this post. I can be the same way when it comes to the sensitive thing so I understand why you scrutinized yourself. But, you absolutely MUST continue writing just like you have been. When you use their vernacular (which is mine too as I'm from the deep south) it makes the conversation so much more alive and realistic. It's no different from reading novels where the speech is written exactly as it may have been said to give the reader a better picture.Bridgette's Odysseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16842364475598101498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-28669430154718191992011-06-09T21:48:58.050-04:002011-06-09T21:48:58.050-04:00Wow. I'm glad that you posted this. I definite...Wow. I'm glad that you posted this. I definitely wouldn't read if I thought that what you were writing was offensive or intended to be offensive. People talk the way that they talk. That's it. There's no accent that's 'better' than any other. I talk differently to you, and you talk differently to a lot of your patients. It's just from where we've all been raised. You're by far my favourite blogger. <br /><br />And I may not be the typical grown GRITS that reads you blog, but you've taught me so much about the world. You are my role model; a little beam of sunlight and hope everyday. My favourites are when you write about your patients and you when you were my age. I hope that one day I can be half as amazing as you. :)Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02306290080896203929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-11629133253571578412011-06-09T21:48:06.886-04:002011-06-09T21:48:06.886-04:00I haven't been reading long. However, in the s...I haven't been reading long. However, in the short time that I've been here and from what I've read I can't imagine you degrading anyone, least of all your patients. On the contrary, you seem to have immense regard/respect for them. <br /><br />Let me also say that part of what keeps me coming back is your ability to convey the voices of your patients. They ring both true and familiar (and I'm from/in the north). <br /><br />If that commenter chooses not to return (honestly, I seriously doubt s/he will stay away) then it will be his/her loss. I hope s/he takes a moment to consider their reaction to someone else's truth.Mianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-72300258393765839422011-06-09T20:21:59.881-04:002011-06-09T20:21:59.881-04:00lets not get started on wack comments! (you know ...lets not get started on wack comments! (you know what i'm taking about) <br />you know you- i know you- most of us know you-<br />and if someone is missing it- their loss-<br />you can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.<br />xoxo<br />kKris Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05739879318467500815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-84258919355736672892011-06-09T19:47:08.945-04:002011-06-09T19:47:08.945-04:00I think it is wonderful that you considered the co...I think it is wonderful that you considered the comments from your reader, but since when is southern talk or vernacular less than the "Kings English?" We all speak the way we do because others around us speak that way and reinforce that speech pattern. Yes we can choose to speak casually or more formally if we have been educated about grammar and such, but those that speak in a way that is different than the way I speak are not LESS THAN, merely DIFFERENT FROM. Perhaps the problem is education, but perhaps the person likes that speech pattern and chooses to speak in a way that his neighbors and friends speak. I think your use of dialect is way to make your patients real to us who don't know them. Keep up the great writing and "keep calm and carry on" as the British say.Mary Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04358080186261021703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-47640849847301232702011-06-09T19:41:28.330-04:002011-06-09T19:41:28.330-04:00Your blog allows your readers insight and provides...Your blog allows your readers insight and provides a different perspective to patients/people. Your use of a southern dialict makes you feel as if you are right there. You write with compassion, love & empathy! It speaks volumes that the comment evoked such emotion!!Lisa Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-17196221792032062932011-06-09T18:25:26.628-04:002011-06-09T18:25:26.628-04:00Dr.Manning,
The very fact that you took pause ...Dr.Manning,<br /> The very fact that you took pause to consider the implications of your writing on those whom you care for and their loved ones speaks volumes about your character as a physician, a human being and a child of GOD. When it is all said and done, only you and HE know what is truly in your heart-I have no doubt that HE is pleased with you: no doubt at all. You are hands down my favorite blog ; You are part of my daily readings and I consider myself fortunate to have stumbled upon you. <br /> As you well know, there will always be those people who want to put forth negativity to your positive efforts: keep doing what you do-you are an amazing individual.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />Dr. ShindlerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-24573886875709792382011-06-09T18:16:42.607-04:002011-06-09T18:16:42.607-04:00Look- people talk the way they talk. To those of u...Look- people talk the way they talk. To those of us who live in the South, or to me, at least, my ear hears the truth of the speech as you write it. There is a lyricism to it, there is a beauty. <br />And I think you are being honest and respectful. <br />So that's my two cents.Ms. Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09776404747858099919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-88596623411358718262011-06-09T17:57:06.357-04:002011-06-09T17:57:06.357-04:00Forget the critic! Your post today was so heartwa...Forget the critic! Your post today was so heartwarming, so human, so real...don't ever stop your openness!<br /><br />Part of the charm of your writing is the language you use in your posts of some of your patients. What you write about them is sooooo loving, so heart rending, and so very real. I love your word pictures, in fact, I love your patients, each so special when described by you.<br /><br />Your post on the lady's celebration of life was a marvelous tribute to her specialness. I felt like I would have given anything to have known her and had her in my life. You radiate love in your writings and I have never sensed one shade of putting yourself above others. In fact, I am so impressed with the humbleness you portray as you write of these precious patients of yours!<br /><br />Fifty Five years ago, I was a medical social worker at the U of O med school. Since it was a teaching hospital, we treated many of the state's poor. I fell in love with every patient to whom I was assigned. Each had their own story, their own heart aches, and their own triumphs. It was a wonderful two year experience for a young girl right out of school.<br /><br />Your blog is warming my heart because, through you, I am meeting your family, your patients, your precious students, and your many friends.<br /><br />Thank you for this blog. my dear. Your offerings bring much pleasure to this old granny's heart!a portland grannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13675027205217905283noreply@blogger.com