Lady Docs Corner Cafe Blog

This blog probably will be among the longest ones you have seen from me.  I often warn my women friends whenever I write a long email, to tell them what I think about the week, from political news to social issues to all the “interesting” events happening to me that week.  I advise them to empty their bladder, make a cup of coffee or tea and some snacks, and sit somewhere ...

In the past, Lady Docs has volunteered as a group at DC Central Kitchen. Yesterday, I’m proud to say, we had the most volunteers they remember seeing there. During the week, graduates of their Culinary Job Training Program, who are now paid employees, prepare the food. On the weekends, generous donors, like Dr. Chitra Rajagopal, sponsor the day, and can then bring in 35 volunteers ...

Psychiatry, like retail, has busy seasons. Unlike retail, psychiatry’s hectic periods occur secondary to fluctuations in seasonal light exposure, rather than during major holidays. For years, I treated patients for worsening, or new onset depression, around Halloween, October 31.  Some of this was Seasonal Affective Disorder, some simply the effects of diminishing light ...

Although my book was published almost exactly one year ago, I’ve been surprisingly reluctant to publicize it since. The overlap of writing the book with my postpartum months after the birth of my second child amazes me. Ethan was born in June, I finished writing in December, and the book was in print by the following March. I used to tell people, “Well, I’m already up ...

I often heard the expression “We are what we eat,” which turned me immediately off from certain foods.  Who would like to be a cow? Chicken? Pig? Should I be a turnip or donut? An apple or brownie? There is some truth in this statement, however, I secretly agreed. Studies on obesity have shed some light on why some people have struggled with their weight.  Many reasons ...

/“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing you the way. A mentor./”   Denzel Washington A mentor can be defined as “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.” In Greek mythology ...

  This morning I went to the funeral of a little boy I delivered two and a half years ago.  I have taken care of his mother for quite a few years as I also delivered his older sister.  He died after a brave and ferocious battle against rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children.  The cancer, however, was much more ferocious than his treatment. ...

So, how's that New Year's resolution to lose weight going? As a physician specializing in weight management, you would think I would be a big fan of New Year's resolutions to lose weight. I'm not. Call me cynical, but I find New Year's resolutions to be well-intentioned, but short lived, attempts to change ourselves dramatically for the better. With new energy January 1, ...

Are you alone at this time of the year, or do you plan to spend time with your family and friends? Do you know of the loners in your neighborhood or your work places?  If you have, like me, many holiday gatherings to go to, count yourself very lucky.  You might complain how you do not have enough time to “relax,” with all the running around getting gifts for family members ...

I love Thanksgiving as it marks the beginning of the holiday season.  It also reminds me of all the important relationships I have in my life.  It’s a “home coming” kind of holiday and one of kindness, where many of us look out for those who don’t have too many social ties, who yearn to feel “belonged, and invite them to join our feast. It’s interesting to learn ...