26- The fifth anniversary of J62021

Groucho Marks has been credited with the line “Who are you going to believe? Me, or your lying eyes?” to his wife. Of course this was after she caught him in bed with another woman.

Evening shift on January 6, 2021 started like they all did.

It was the 1st pandemic winter. There was good news. The vaccines were flowing into peoples’ arms. Schools in North Carolina were still mostly remote.

We were all masked. Even in the operating room core and the hallways.

Children under 14 were still not permitted to visit family members in the hospital.

However things were looking up. Most of the hospital had had at least 1 covid vaccine with a lucky few having both shots. There was talk of the expansion of the vaccines to those who were most vulnerable. The operating rooms had opened and were operating at a full capacity.

This means we were busy, busy, busy. As the fall into winter rush showed no signs of abatement.

The first Cookie Thursday is a Thing was set to happen the next day on January 7th. I was very proud of that month’s theme. The theme was Boozy Cookies. To celebrate us and the crap year we had just gone through.

Just an ordinary Wednesday.

A new president of the United States had been elected on November 3, 2020.

With the attendant denials and bluster from the current to the time president.

Rumblings of refusal to leave were being heard and drum beats filled the media and news stories. The far right was gathering their forces (the people who stormed the capital) by filling their heads with more lies.

January 6, 2021 was supposed to be the vote to certify the election. The best thing that Vice President Pence ever did was to stand by the Constitution and refuse to bow the knee.

Instead it was chaos as the supporters of the current to the time president stormed the capital.

They were high on the idea, carefully fed to them, that the election outcome had been a mistake, that their man could never be voted out. That there was a election theft happening right under their noses.

And they marched and rushed the capital. At least 2000 of them

It was chaos.

Around the same time I clocked in for my shift rioters were breaking the windows of the Capital and helping themselves to the inside.

More chaos.

They were stopped.

In the aftermath there was a protestor dead. A United States Capitol Police officer died later that day after being attacked and sprayed. There were four suicides of other USCP officers within the next year.

It happened.

No matter what the current White House and the current President would have you believe it happened.

There was violence at the capital.

Five years later the same President is back in office through a series of unfortunate events. And pardoned the nearly 1600 people who had been convicted of crimes related to January 6, 2021 on his first day back at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

And still causing chaos.

The most recent scapegoat on the White House’s newest sham website are the police. The violent protestors who broke windows and assaulted officers and smeared shit on the walls of the capital were “peaceful protestors”.

This is not correct. This is a LIE and we all know it.

Well, most of us are aware of the white washing of history going on in our very own White House.

The horrible events of this horrible day happened.

No matter what they are trying to cram down your throat.

We remember and do not fall for their lies.

Up the rebels.

Tuesday Top of Mind 12/2/25- Kant have it both ways

Forgive the pun.

Immanuel Kant is a central figure in modern philosophy. One of the key tenets of his writings is the pursuit of enlightenment. Enlightenment is defined by him in his 1784 essay What is Enlightenment as the “Thinking for oneself rather than letting others think for you.” He was for individual human reason above all else.

He doesn’t really have a lot to do with this post. I just thought it was interesting.

Yeah, right.

It is interesting and a lesson that more of us need to take to heart.

Don’t let others think for you. You never know what kind of trouble that will lead you to.

For those who are not following the train wreck around the sinking of a “drug boat” off the coast of Venezuela on September 2, 2025, there are lies aplenty.

And an illegal order. That someone who should’ve known better followed.

There were survivors from the first attack on the “drug boat” and a second strike was ordered by the secretary of “war” and these survivors were killed.

This is against the Law of War Manual from our very own Department of Defense.

In Chapter 7, which is titled Wounded, Sick, Shipwrecked, Dead, and the Medical Services, what should have happened is that the survivors should have been taken into custody. This could have been done by our own military or a relief society, or the inhabitants.

But it wasn’t was it?

What’s the matter? Kant keep the lies straight.

Okay, I’ll stop.

What’s the matter? Can’t keep the lies straight anymore? Letting someone else do your thinking?

There are two stories that the secretoy of war bandied about. That the secretoy of war gave the order for the second strike.

Oh, wait, there was no second strike.

Okay there was a second strike but it was in self defense of the US. (hard to square this one)

Okay there was a second strike but it happened when the secretary was out of the room. And it was the admiral (who the secretary has complete faith in) ordered the strike.

Well.

Which is it?

Or do you not remember/care? Those who serve under the secretary of war will remember this kerfluffle. And the lies. And the admiral that was scapegoated for it.

That’s what happens when you can’t keep track of your lies. Lies are never a good foundation of truth. Americans deserve the truth. As do the families of the survivors you had killed.

By the way, the secretoy typos 8 sections ago? Was no typo. Deliberate typos, deliberate philosophy puns.

Because I think for myself.

FFS Friday 11/21/25- Fidelity

As I am sure you are aware, a group of 6 Democratic lawmakers, both Senators and Representatives alike, released a video on Tuesday (November 18, 2025) advising military and intelligence communities to defy illegal orders they are given. 2 Senators and 4 Representatives made up the group. All of them had served either in the military or in intelligence work. There were 2 Navy (Senator Mark Kelly, Representative Chris Deluzio), 1 Air Force (Representative Chrissy Houlahan), 1 Army Ranger (Congressman Jason Crow), and 2 intelligence officers (Senator Elissa Slotkin, CIA, Congresswomen Maggie Goodlander).

The message is brief and stark. It is a reminder to the intelligence officers and military members of all services that their first duty is to the American citizens, not the current president.

Illegal orders must be disobeyed.

Their fidelity is owed to the constitution, not the current administration. Not the current Secretary of Defense, now named the SECRETARY OF WAR.

The CONSTITUTION that they have all sworn to uphold.

Not the self styled monarch that is drenching OUR house, the White House, in tacky spray painted shit.

Not the foreign leaders that hold their leashes.

Not the billionaires who bought the election for them. Because their loyalty is not to the Constitution.

The current members of the military and intelligence community owe their loyalty to the CONSTITUTION.

Their fidelity.

As the Marine Corps saying goes “Semper Fidelis”.

Always Faithful to the ideals of America, not the wanna be strong man ruler and his cronies.

The fight will be hard. Hell, it already has been hard. I cannot imagine the pressure that all current members of these institutions are facing.

I’ve written about the Officer Oath that I took at 19 to the Air Force.

I did not swear to Bill Clinton, who was the president at the time. I swore to uphold the Constitution. Against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

And neither did the current and past members of the military and intelligence community. Including the 6 that gave this powerful and timely message.

The current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue reacted, of course. Badly, like they always do. Like the big blowhard they are. And of course he reacted with the threat of treason. And death threats. Because that is the only play that they know.

His current press secretary came out with “All the president’s orders are legal.” Excuse me? The fuck they are.

And of course the members of the “right wing” media reacted as if they’d been scalded. Instead of sitting and thinking what the message of the 6 truly was.

Get the military off American streets. Stop threatening United States Citizens. Remember your oath to the Constitution.

And, for the love of America, put that back in your pants before you hurt yourself!

FFS Friday 11/14/25- Frilly, ice is coming to town and all I can think about is sparkling ice capades costumes

The F word for the day is frilly.

As in rebranding immigration and customs enforcement as the ICE CAPADES!

Picture it. Loads of government goons, festooned in frilly ice (frozen water) dancing costumes.

This may be the rebrand that the department is needing. I mean, you can’t fear what you are laughing at.

The newest blue city to come under the frosty gaze of ice (do you see what I did there?) is Charlotte. This isn’t my city but I live nearby.

Why are they coming? No one knows.

There was the killing of an immigrant on the train by a under medicated and under watched individual with mental problems. But that was in August, practically last year in the fast pace of news.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, in the third quarter violent crimes were down 20%. A violent crime is defined as homicide, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault. In fact, since January, overall crime has decreased 8%.

Kind of like Chicago. Who had a 28% drop in violent crime. BEFORE ice came calling. This is according to a mayoral report.

So, what gives?

Charlotte is blue.

And the administration DOES NOT LIKE THAT.

I mean, they can try to actually help the average American with a net worth under 1 billion. But where is the fun in that?

It is much easier to rule with fear. This dovetails nicely in the Authoritarian plans.

What if we laugh instead?

Kind of deflating, isn’t it?

For them, I mean.

I will continue to consider this ice incursion into our blue city as the latest stop on their nationwide ice capades tour.

Think of the frilly costumes.

And resist.

On a more practical note, preparation is key.

Make sure your phone is fully charged. The better to take their pictures with or to stream video with.

My husband has reported that several of his coworkers will be working from home because of the color of their skin. Which led him to wonder if he should do the same. No matter that his mother’s family has been here for 200 years. The family originally came from Spain but, according to ice, they are the wrong color.

For the undocumented persons in Charlotte, it has been advised by a lawyer to carry all documentation of time in country, rent and utilities information, taxes (anything that has your name and address on it), green card application, signed G-28 form from your attorney, your attorney’s information, work permit if applicable, any sort of status such as DACA, and asylum proof.

Remain silent immediately upon detention. And copy the packet to the cloud.

Stay calm.

But also picture them in a frilly ice dancing dress.

If only for the smile it gives you. On the inside.

Think of the frilly costumes. Especially the sparkles.

Tuesday Top of Mind 11/4/25- Did you vote?

Every election is important.

Every opportunity to flex your constitutionally given powers* is important.

I used an asterisk because in the constitution only white, male, Protestant land owners could vote.

Of course.

By 1830 most states had dropped the religious and land owning components.

In 1868, the 14th Amendment recognized African Americans as citizens, giving the males the right to vote.

Of course, this led to some states denial of this right.

In 1870, the 15th Amendment gave African Americans the right to vote. This amendment prohibited any state or local government from stopping them from voting.

But they still tried.

In 1890, Wyoming recognized a women’s right to vote. And they did so in the state constitution.

Go, Wyoming!

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was added to the constitution. This gave women the right to vote.

In 1947, all states granted Native Americans the right to vote.

And then some of states, outraged by being outnumbered, instituted a poll tax in the 1880s and 90s. This meant that people, mostly black men, had to pay a tax in order to vote. Naughty naughty. Some people will cheat to win, won’t they.

In 1964, the 24th Amendment stated unequivocally that no-one should be denied the right to vote because of bullshit, made up “tax”.

The 1960s were hot because in 1965 there was an amendment to the Voting Rights Act, the very same one the 2020s Supreme Court has been chipping away at, that banned the use of literacy tests.

In 1971, the voting age was lowered to 18. I am not sure if this was because of the Vietnam War. Because of the draft teenagers and 20 year old were old enough to die in a senseless war, but not old enough to vote.

Today your mission was to have voted.

It is the only way to send a message that some people will understand.

Beyond the economic blackout that is being planned for the end of the month.

Someone else said it best. Perhaps we should have a non-corporation holiday season and focus on the small companies.

Tuesday Top of Mind 10/7/2025- Scammy Scamerton called Trump Rx

Let me get this straight:
The president shakes down the pharmaceutical companies, like a mob boss.
The president simultaneously hikes tariffs on medications brought in to the country to triple digits.
The president then announces Eurka! Drug prices will now be falling, no one has ever seen drug prices fall four digits before!
The president then announces that one of the pharmaceutical companies has bit and will be lowering THEIR drug prices.
The president then delays the triple-digit tariffs to allow for “bargaining” time. This is another name for a shakedown.
The president announces a Trump Rx. This is where you give him all of your very personal information, including diagnoses, and current medications, and upcoming prescriptions. This is so your prescriptions, from this one company, are cheaper.

but think what it will cost you in the future.

You are denied a promotion because you are deemed too fat. At least the president thinks so.

The prescription that you need is only $2 less. But hey, the government can have your privileged information. And it use it to line their own pockets.

The prescription that you need now has you on a governmental list. What is the list for? Shh, spoilers.

The prescription that you need is available at the “most favored nation price”. You see little difference between the the price on Good Rx, and that on Trump Rx.

This is so fucking dangerous. I want to see how the website is built to make sure that any information I give up, willingly remember, is protected. If the information is protected this might be adequate. But that is a very high bar.

I am not sure that I am willing to trust the government, this current iteration of the government, to hold my handbag while I am changing clothes.

Perhaps this announcement was rushed out too soon. Before the website is built as a distraction.

Distraction from what, Kate?

Any number of things. The Republican caused government shut down because they won’t protect American’s medical insurance prices. Perhaps it is the Epstein files that they are death gripping. The rising inflation rate. The rising jobless rate. The lowering opinion of the world about America.

I’m stumped as to the reason.

To be clear, this is SARCASM.

Not the very real fear you should have over handing your personal information to the government to be exploited for cash money. That will go to line billionaires’ pockets. Billionaires like the president who has made over a billion after taking office.

Because you know that there is money to be made somewhere. And not by us, the American public.

FFS Friday 9/5/25- Finally

Vaccine news has been exhausting this week. Good and terrible.

But first something I learned today. States manage their own vaccine programs and their programs are more powerful than the federal wants and wishes.

This is a Gordian knot of anti-vaccine bullshit. Of RFK Jr.’s making. He’s the one driving this train straight to widespread illness and death. Do not pass go, and, by the way, covid vaccines will be going up in price.

RFK Jr. testified before the Senate on Thursday. In part to answer for the CDC chaos that he fomented and lit a fire under, and in part to address his egregious anti-vaccine stance.

Some of the senators, especially Sen. Bill Cassidy (a doctor and a republican who voted RFK Jr. into his position), and Sen. John Barrasso (a doctor and a republican who voted RFK Jr. into his position) reminded RFK Jr. that he promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines.

It was a contentious hearing and RFK Jr. was misrepresenting what was going on. Misrepresenting is another word for lying. We deserve better. We, as a society and as health care workers, are not surprised.

As an aside, we all know that he is shitting on the standards for vaccines. From his Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) firings and subsequent hiring and appointment of anti-vaccine bros and sycophants onto that same committee (an lying about it to the public that this unprecedented action would restore public trust in vaccine, a trust he’s violated for years), his canceling of mRNA vaccine grants, and his pressure on the directors to follow his tyrannic drivel on vaccines. Some of the directors have resigned in protest. There was even a letter from 1000 current and former HHS employees that called for RFK Jr.’s resignation on Wednesday (9/3) morning.

As an other aside, we all have heard stories, some first hand, of people being denied the covid vaccine. Including doctors and nurses and other front line staff. Even a grade 4 cancer patient who was under the 65 year age limit, the wife of conservative commentator Erick Erickson, was denied. Correct me if I am wrong but stage 4 cancer is the very definition of high risk.

By the way this is why I recommended a booster for EVERYONE that I know back in April when the shit started to roll downhill. Because this writing was on the wall.

In positive vaccine news, Washington, California, and Oregon have launched the West Coast Health Alliance. Its aim is to use scientific integrity in public health and the use of evidence based guidance for their states’ citizens. This was Wednesday (9/3/) as well. They cited the politicization of the CDC and HHS as primary drivers of this new alliance.

I believe that other blue states will join them. I wish them all the best of luck.

Somewhere a states’ rights believer’s (who also believes in federal mandates on abortion and vaccines head) is exploding. My body, my choice for me, not for thee.

You cannot pick and choose when states’ rights are allowed and when they are not.

FFS Friday 8/29/25- Free the CDC

Additional furor over the CDC.

This time it’s personal.

The CDC director was asked to step down after refusing to support the administration’s agenda. Newly confirmed Susan Monarez refused. So they fired her for refusing to toe their line of bullshit and refusing to listen to RFK Jr.’s nonsense.

Basically they fired her for choosing public health over politics.

Good for her.

Also good for the wave of resignations that followed of an additional four high level department heads including the head of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious diseases. The others who resigned in protest were the deputy director and the heads of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and the head of the office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology. Like that’s not going to shoot us in the foot. Or, rather, in the public health.

For those who are not aware of what public health is, the definition that the American Public Health Association goes by is that “Public health promotes and protects the health of all people and their communities.” The association goes further to explain that their solutions are science-based, and evidence-backed that strives to give everyone a safe environment to live, work and play in.

For those who are not aware what science-based means broadly that there has been use of “rigorous, systematic, and objective methodologies to obtain reliable and valid knowledge.” This definition is by the American Education Research Association and is used as a framework to members of Congress. As someone who has spent the last three years learning how to do research I can assure it is not “vibes” only.

For those who are not aware what evidence backed means it is another way to phrase evidence-based. This means that the information used to back up the care or the data as been found through credible, reliable science. It is important to understand that there is a hierarchy of evidence that is used to rank research. The strongest is systematic reviews. This is a systematic investigation of the meta- analyses of research. There are nine steps to the pyramid of hierarchy of evidence pyramid with the last, lowest step being expert opinion. There are many hierarchy of evidence lists from the NIH, from the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination’s Level of Evidence, and many other. Not one of the progenitors say “vibes” only.

Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra was understandably concerned with this development. He said, “Politicians don’t do science well. It is dangerous to put politics over public health.”

It is my opinion that is also costly to put politics over public health. Not just in lives of the people that will die but also fiscally. It is expensive to care for those who are caught up in the web of deceit that now descends on the agency.

Unless of course you don’t care about scientific inquiry and base your entire secretary-ship on the lies you tell yourself. And other people. That is cold comfort to those who have to bury the dead from the misinformation.

Don’t forget that over 80 people died when RFK Jr’s lies led them not to trust the Mumps, Measles, Rubella vaccination. They decided that he knew what he was talking about and didn’t vaccinate and a cluster soon followed. A deadly choice on their part. This information is in part from Senator Brian Schatz (D, HI) at the circus of confirmation of RFK.

This information is also widely known and you’d think it would be enough to sink his ego.

But that’s not a bad enough vibe for these people.

Tuesday Top of Mind 8/19/25- RIP United States Women’s Research, 1990-2025

RIP to women’s research, 1990-2025.

Although you were only active for a handful of years, compared to all the research that has been done on men (cough, cough, erectile dysfunction), you will be missed.

I realize that it wasn’t until the early 2020s that period products such as tampons and pads were even tested using human blood, but you taught us so much.

I realize that it was until 2013 that the first woman crash test dummy was made and used in crash tests, but for a brief moment the world realized that women are not just small men.

Some other things you’ve given the people with the female parts were life changing and life saving. I am writing about the BRCA and BRCA1 gene research that showed that some breast cancers are linked to uterine and ovarian cancers. This was in 1998. This led to identifying possible antibody treatments for those cancers.

I put 1990 as your birthday because that is when it became law that women and minorities are to be included in all clinical research. Before that, the NIH guidelines for inclusion of women were not included in research, although the policy had been changed in 1989. The inclusion of women and minorities in research allows the analysis of if the variables being studied affect women and minorities in a different way than other (male) participants. Programs were initiated to recruit and retain women for clinical trials.

I further realize that in 2001 the Institute of Medicine published “Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter”. In this paper, the researchers examined biology from the cellular level up and concluded that the different hormones of the different genders DID impact medication response. We, as women, knew that of course there was a difference but the pharmacology companies didn’t even bother to research that until the late 1990s.

Say it with me, women are not just small men.

I realize that women are mysterious and “icky” to those in power. And worth only the output of our uterus. Why should they bother to test medications and tests and everything else with the lens that female and male are not the same? You taught them differently.

I put 2025 as your ending date because, well, we all know what is happening on the U.S. Federal level. With their pushback of all things gender and race that are not white and male.

Why? Hell if I know. Female are icky.

But research into gender disparities and racial disparities have been under attack since January 20, 2025. We all know what happened that day.

Since January, according to an article in the Atlantic, hundreds of research studies into health disparities and transgender health had their granted grant money yanked away from them. The agency officials who supported these research studies have suddenly lost their jobs.

With the new NIH Director the phrase of the day, the phrase that will guide research is “scientifically justified”.

What the hell does that mean?

Again, hell if I know. But I think it means whatever the hell will allow them to change focus on research. No longer will females and racial issue apply to their new male centered, white centered research focus.

Because after all, men are the most important gender/sex there is. Except if it was assigned female at birth. And white men are the most extra special of all.

With a cherry on top! And topless women to bathe them.

eye roll

RIP to the U.S. research focus on women’s body and racial disparities.

We hardly knew you.

May the future be bright. May the other half of this country wake up from the spell it is under and realize that this is stupid.

May other countries fly your flag proudly.

If you need me, I’m going to be listening to the No Cure For Cancer comedy album by Dr. Denis Leary.

And considering if this new hellscape of research has room for me. I know, probably not because I am a female and I have ideas.

Medical non-fiction book review 8/17/25- Beyond Limits: Stories of Third Trimester Abortion Care

Beyond Limits: Stories of Third Trimester Abortion Care by Shelley Sella, MD. Published 2025.

Do I have any idea how this book got on my radar? Nope, none.

But I am not surprised I had it to read. I believe I was perusing the new and notable section of the library. You know, the section where they put all the recently returned and the new and shiny books? Yeah, there.

I am very interested in feminine medical care, especially in these fraught times. Especially when females are under attack by those who should care for us in the governments. Yes, plural. State governments are as complicit as the federal.

But this cannot have escaped Dispatch readers’ attention. Nor the side I am on.

The woman’s.

Always.

This was a quick read. That is not saying it was an easy read. It was definitely not an easy read.

However, I believe it to be an important one.

In these stories, families cared for regardless of their feeling on abortion. That is, until they need one.

In this book, the author is careful to tell all the stories but focuses on the maternal indication, meaning that to be denied an abortion would have substantial negative effects on their life, or the fetal indication, meaning that there is something deathly wrong with the baby. One woman is anti-abortion until she needs one. Another is anti-abortion but understands that this is in the child’s best interest. Unsurprisingly, the second family have the support of their pastor and that of their community.

Dr. Sella points out when the mother has religious beliefs that conflict with abortion, pain, distress, and anxiety are heightened. And she takes steps to lessen all of these. She gives each couple a book about others who have to make the decision of peace for their baby, wanted as they are, loved as they are. It is “A Time to Decide, a Time to Heal: For Parents Making Difficult Decisions about the Babies They Love”. This book is written by Molly A, Minnick, MSW, Kathleen J. Delp, ACSW, and Mary C. Ciotti, MD.

For me this is take away from the entire book. Yes, the baby is dying, but not because of anything the mother did, and not because they aren’t loved and it sucks but the parents will get through this and by undergoing a late 2nd and 3rd trimester abortion, they are giving babies peace and not a life of struggle and pain and death. Or the mother faces certain hardships or death to carry the baby to term.

This doctor and clinic take steps to decrease the mother’s anxiety, with lowered lights, soothing music, and medication as needed to keep the patient less anxious and to decrease the pain. A counselor is also present. This is about supporting the mother who has chosen a better end for their wanted baby. Every person is there for support of the mother.

This book is part history lesson about the abortion care in the U.S. From the 1970s, all the way through the current Dobbs decision. Dr. Sella takes us along on her personal journey and history. Interspersed with the real time four days it takes to complete a third trimester abortion. These chapters focus on four mothers who are at the clinic in search of care.

The author was adamant that she not go to medical school, that she could provide care and counseling away from the bedside. But the doctors were still in charge and she realized that she wanted to support at bedside and give her patients back the power.

She gives the patients scripts to use when talking about why they are no longer pregnant. “The baby was sick and we went for testing. The baby didn’t make it. It’s hard for me to talk about right now.

What struck me as especially compassionate was the discussion she led with the families of what would happen after the now still birthed baby. All of it to make sure the families were as supported as they wanted.

Pictures, both medical of anomalies and commemorative are taken after the stillbirth. These pictures are always taken and kept in the chart, even if the woman says they aren’t wanted. That way they can give them to the family if they change their mind.

Taking pictures of a deceased infant has come a long way in the 25 years I’ve been a nurse. Now there can be photo shoots, and keeping the body in the room on a cold cot for as long as necessary. I have had many conversations with women, patients and friends alike, who have told me they would have like a picture. Or a remembrance of some kind so that others know that this baby was here, and was loved, and died. Because they haven’t forgotten.

Footprints and handprints can be taken. She counsels the families that if the pregnancy is ended closer to term, there will be a birth certificate and a death certificate. The mothers will have the option to view the baby the next day, after they’ve rested and recovered a little. But there is no pressure to do so. Of the four mothers the book is about, only one does so.

In the beginning and through the process, she counsels the families in a group, so that they have support and can feel comfortable sharing their stories.

She leads them through the expected question of will the baby feel any pain. She explains that is why the heart is stopped, through medication, before the delivery can take place. If there is no heartbeat, there can be no pain. Fetal pain is a subject that I have heard a lot about, probably because of the anti-abortion insistence that there is pain for a fetus during an abortion. There is no studies backing that up.

Through the entire book, the author is open to ongoing changes in American law and what these challenges mean to abortion care. And the unceasing anti-abortion backlash, up to an including the release of her personal home address leading to protests in her neighborhood.

Up to and including the murder of her mentor at the hands of an anti-abortion zealot. Inside of his personal church, where he was an usher. What these zealots fail to comprehend is that these are human beings they are calling murderers, and pigs, and more, This is a human being that they killed to satisfy their hate. As if by killing the head of the serpent they would kill the clinic and the need for this level of abortion care.

I think the best way to end was with what one of the fathers said when it was over and they were preparing to leave “Quite frankly, my religion has let me down.”

There are reasons listed in the book as to why these four women are seeking third trimester abortion care. Their babies are ill or the procedure is done to support the mother or the procedure is done to protect the life of the mother and she can now undergo additional cancer care. Dr. Sella ends each procedure four day period with a final meeting with the families.

There are several reasons to have a third trimester abortion. Some are fetal abnormalities incompatible with life. Some are maternal cancers or heart problems. Some are dealt blows by life such as rape or abuse. The reasons are the woman’s alone.

I am a firm believer that personal stories can change mountains and make the explaining of third term abortion need impactful. The personal stories and names, changed though I am sure they are, humanize the patients and give voice to the circumstances that led them to make the decisions they do.

This was one of the best medical non-fiction books that I’ve read. I will be recommending it to all the OB and Labor and Delivery nurses I know.