Editor’s Note:
This is not a post about Pelikan, pricing, or distribution changes out of Hannover. It is something more personal. For those wondering about the recent silence here, this piece is offered as explanation, and perhaps context.
Regular readers of The Perch have long been accustomed to regular updates, particularly when it comes to news out of Hannover and developments surrounding the Pelikan brand. I have always prided myself on bringing that to you in a timely and thoughtful way.
Since October, however, The Perch has gone dark. I owe you an explanation.
It is not an easy one, so I ask you to bear with me.
No one in my family had gone to college before I did. I grew up in a low-middle-class household with a stern father for whom a “B” was not acceptable. Excellence was not encouraged, it was expected. My formative years were the 1980s, a different era. A work ethic was figuratively and, at times literally, beaten into me. Right or wrong, it shaped me. It has served me well.
I grew up watching two parents who were unhappy with their occupations and their lot in life. I resolved that would not be my story.
In eighth grade, during dissections in science class, I became fascinated with anatomy and decided I would become a physician. Every decision from that point forward was made with that goal in mind.
By 2009, I had earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and ultimately a doctorate. I had made it, or so I thought. Internship followed, then residency. My work ethic carried me forward. I was first in and last out. I made certain I learned what I needed to provide the best care possible. The hours were long and the work was hard, but there was always a horizon, a point when it would be better, when I would have truly “made it.”
After residency, I pursued fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine. Around that time, The Perch began. It was an outlet, a small corner of the world that was entirely my own.
Three years later, fellowship ended. In 2015, at 35 years old, I began work as an attending physician. Since then, my days have been a combination of intensivist work in the ICU, pulmonary consultation on the wards, and outpatient pulmonary practice. In 2018, I became the medical director of my ICU.
Throughout all of that training and advancement, I struggled with work-life balance. That overdeveloped work ethic, the one that propelled me forward, slowly began to work against me.
The work is serious. I care for the sickest patients in the hospital. I treat every patient and family as I would want my own to be treated. That principle has guided me and served me well. But it comes at a cost.
Even so, I continued to write. Often late at night after a shift, sometimes exhausted, but grateful. This blog became my decompression valve, a place to think, to analyze, to connect with all of you over something deliberate and enduring in contrast to the chaos of the ICU.
Then came the pandemic.
We endured it. We emerged on the other side, though “other side” feels imprecise. The patients are sicker now. The strain is heavier. The system feels stretched.
More recently, our region faced the closure of a major hospital system, a casualty of venture capital excess. The consequences have been immediate and profound. Workloads have increased. Resources have tightened. The margin for error has narrowed.
Balancing that weight with being present for my wife and children has been difficult. Being present for my patients requires everything I have.
And somewhere along the way, I reached the edge of what I can reasonably sustain.
They speak of five stages of burnout. I am fairly certain I have discovered a sixth.
Something had to give.
Unfortunately, that something has been The Perch.
I have not had the time, energy, or clarity required to create the kind of content I have always expected of myself. The level of exhaustion I carry daily is difficult to adequately describe. I do not share this to seek sympathy, nor am I looking for advice on how to fix it. This is a path I must navigate on my own.
I still love medicine. I still believe I am good at what I do. But I am operating at the limits of my capacity.
What does this mean for The Perch?
Honestly, I do not know.
It is not the end. Not yet. I hope to regroup, recalibrate, and return with the consistency you have come to expect. Whether that comes quickly or slowly remains to be seen.
In the meantime, I ask for your grace. If weeks pass before I respond to a comment or correspondence, know that you are not forgotten. You are valued.
I am simply doing my best to hold the line where it matters most.
All the best to you and your fam Joshua.
Philip
February 14, 2026. I am a retired obs gyn in Canada. I read this pulmonary doctor’s email with great interest and insight. I only had to read a few lines to know that this doctor either had BURNOUT or was approaching BURNOUT. —I believe that hard work in Medicine and especially Hospital Medicine is practically a guarantee of BURNOUT. It can occur even before a doctor recognizes it. It is an awful experience. RS. MD, FRCS. Canada
You have made the right choices. I’m sure all your readers wish you the best, as well as your family and patients appreciate what you do. Good luck finding the best way through.
I’ve often wondered how you balanced it all and completely understand how things constantly weigh on a person. The Perch has been a major and very beneficial resource for me. My very first Pelikan was an M800 and I’m in love with the ones I own. If I ever had a question, this is where I came first. Your contribution to the “Peli-verse” will continue to be invaluable. Thank you for that. Be well, take care, and may all of your words… oral and written…. Be memorable.
I hope in recalibrating your life, you manage to insert that critically important time for yourself, doing what you love because without it, none of us lasts very long.
i speak as a former, long term, full-time carer.
I wish you peace.
I know we are all so passionate about the fine writing tools that come our way, but we all have to remember that it’s a a hobby and not let it consume us. I enjoy reading your articles and have no ‘expectations’ as to a posting schedule. It’s always a little bonus to find one up. They are so insightful & very much appreciated.
Hi Joshua, I’ve read a lot of your articles over time but never commented before. This one made me feel like I really needed to speak up and say something. You’ve helped more people with your work and writing than you’ll ever hear about, and that doesn’t vanish just because you’ve got less bandwidth right now.
Please slow down, post less, and guard what matters most. The folks who appreciate you aren’t going anywhere. Wishing you grace and breathing room in the months or years ahead.
As a fellow hospital worker, your post really resonated—particularly after an especially difficult week in the ER. I, along with so many here, really appreciate you as a person and for your shared passion for all things Pelikan. But we also appreciate the fact that it is only one aspect of your life, one filled with incredible responsibilities and many demands on your time. Thank you for your candor and communication with this community during this time of reflection and discernment. All the best, Joe
Ah gee, we’re not in any rush. When you have time, we’ll be around to read whatever you write. What you have written is appreciated. Thanks for saving lives, which is more important than pretty pens
We owe you a debt of gratitude for your monumental contribution to the pen community!
Take care of yourself and your family, Joshua.
He who has health,has hope and he who has hope, has everything.
Thank you.
Thank you for your open words. And thank you for all the effort you put into this helpful, informative, and entertaining project. I wish you all the best, and actually for your family, too! Take care!
Best regards,
Oliver (from Dortmund, Germany)
You are not forgotten, Joshua. You are valued. As you do what you need to do to take care of yourself, know that we are on your side, and grateful for all you have done and are doing.
Don’t apologise, mate, caregivers have to look after themselves first, or they can’t function. Try and get some peace and get back to us if and when you feel like it. Lives, including yours, outweigh pens any day.
Joshua, as a retired nurse, I can appreciate your situation. Obviously, my responsibilities were much less than yours but I watched many of the best (often my favorite) physicans burn out. Take care to replenish yourself and continue to forge the best path for yourself. Good fortune to you. Kathy
2/15/2026
Thank you for confiding in us, for trusting you would find acceptance and encouragement offered to you. I hope with all of my heart and mind that medicine as we know it today will be rerouted to its beginning, and away from the petroleum-based template given to it by Rockefeller. I am a retired registered nurse, and relieved to be retired. Now I spend time learning the art of healing, of caring for others and for myself with tools our Creator made for us. I am studying about grounding, about herbs and plants that heal; and, about the poisons introduced purposely by those intent on worshiping the almighty dollar.
You asked for grace. Please treat yourself with grace. Be so kind to yourself, nourish and nurture your body, soul, and spirit. Bring yourself back to peak personhood. Rest. Walk. Eat and drink clean. Sleep. Rest. Allow silence. Meditate. Choose your boundaries. Keep them. No guilt. No fear. Peace. Blessed peace. Thank you for sharing with us. Shar
Sono anch’io medico, ora in pensione, mi limito ad “aiutare” i miei colleghi, che sono sempre più sottonumero, con piccole presenze nel mio reparto dove ho lavorato per più di 40 anni.
Grazie per quanto hai fatto per le persone che hai amorevolmente curato!
Grazie anche per il lavoro svolto con thepelikansperch.
Un abbraccio a te ed ai tuoi cari.
I genuinely love the Perch. It has been my go to site for news and reviews. I’m sending you good thoughts and positive energy. Be well and thank you for all you’ve done for the pen community. I hope to read you again when you’re ready.
Oh Joshua, you must take care of yourself to be able to take such great care of others. I truly admire what you do and there was no need to explain your absence. We are here and if you / when you manage to come back to The Perch we will gladly see you back. All the very best to you and your family
I am a psychologist and psychology professor. I feel your response in my bones. Self-care is the best care, and allows you to be there for others when you can. As first-generation professionals, we do not always learn how to put ourselves first.
Take as much time as you need. You don’t owe us anything. To have read your blog and share in your joy of writing it and sharing information is a gift. I’m a nurse and my hospital is downsizing due to the recent changes in reimbursement in Medicare and Medicaid. I’m purchasing less pens and just enjoying the community. Thank you for all that you do and when you’re ready to write again, we will be right here. Thank you for the update.
Take care of yourself and your family. That is the key. We are all grateful for all that you do.
With love from heart to heart!
Dear Joshua
First, all best wishes to you and your family. Recovery- and I am sure a good period of rest will bring it- must be the top priority. Your medical work is also a priority but that obviously depends on you getting fit and well- so make your healing the focus of your efforts. We are all thinking of you.
The Pelikan Perch website can surely wait- and may even benefit from a new surge of articles once you have recovered your energy and write about new models that have come out of Hanover! I have been reading your Pelikan reviews for many years and the articles you provide are a wonderful resource to those of us who share your hobby: I trust the website will be kept ‘live’ so that we can continue to benefit from your amazing research and insights.
With best wishes
Philip
Hello! I am new to your blog but have enjoyed it so far. As a neonatal nurse practitioner I understand your challenges. I am now in academia, so have moved away from the bedside which has saved me in many ways. Self-care is so important. We teach our doctoral students this and even have them complete a self-care quality improvement so they have the tools. Take care of yourself first so you can continue giving your best to your family and patients. We will happily read some lines when you get around to writing more.
Penmanship is about free time and pleasure. Your work ethics are seen here at the Perch, with the accuracy of the information and the curated posts. Life is about priorities and care dear Joshua and you have to put yours where it means more to yourself. The Perch will be in my favorites folder to hear that you are doing well and your patients get better and better.
Josh, as a fellow Philadelphian, I’ve always enjoyed our regular interactions at all the various hubs and shows. Especially since the pandemic, though, as I’ve listened to your descriptions of your clinical life in the MICU, I’ve registered the inevitable toll it’s taken on your physical and psychological health. As a former educator in medical ethics and professionalism, I saw and sympathized with your understandable, advanced fatigue and concern—notably for others.
I hope for your sake—and your readers’—that enough time, space and ease will arrive such that your singular voice in the Pelikan realm won’t stay silent. I for one feel that disquiet and wish you every solace in 2026.
Dear Joshua:
The first obligation is to you. Congratulations for making the right choice.
Is there a way we can help? For example writing a draft on the new products from Pelikan and then the work load will be significant less.
The very best
Santiago
Joshua: We often hear about how the health system is strained, but your honesty puts a face and a human price on it. As someone who has burned the professional candle at both ends, I appreciate your situation and you have made the right decision based on personal priorities. All of us Perch viewers owe you both a thanks for your efforts and best wishes for you and your family. Time to take the physician’s advice and look after yourself.
Frank
I’ve enjoyed your Pelikan postings for a long time, and hope they return. But in the meantime, please take care of yourself and feel better. And thank you for all you do as a physician!
Take care of yourself, the patients and your family. Pens are the icing on the cake. The others ARE the cake. Offered by one who did 35+ years of Family Medicine.
From reading your articles, it’s clear that they are meticulously crafted and that you always give them your all. I imagine you approach your own work with the same strict discipline and refusal to compromise.
From now on, please take your time and prioritize what matters most to you.
Thanks to you, I was able to submit to FPN and compile the articles on my own website. I am truly grateful. However, my website doesn’t show up in Google searches, so hardly anyone visits it. I write it as a personal record of my knowledge of Pelikan, so I don’t mind if no one sees it.
It might not be any of my business, but if you ever restart Pelikan’s Perch, don’t try to do it to the same level of perfection as before. Instead, treat it as a form of rehabilitation — even a one- or two-line post would be fine at first?
The pressure in my life isn’t nearly the same as yours, yet I still feel the same burnout in an attempt to fulfill everything I want to accomplish as well. I have appreciated all of your work for the pen community, and maybe I’ll get a chance to attend the Hub again someday and see you once more. In the meantime, do what you can, and don’t berate yourself for not being able to do more. I enjoy the Perch, whenever it arrives. God bless you.
I totally get it. I’m an internist. Burnout is real and I still love medicine too but it’s not what it was when I was when I finished residency 30 years ago.
Take a break, take care of yourself and yours. We all appreciate all you do for the pen community. If you decide to resume, we will all be waiting and all the better for your return. Be well!
Dear Joshua,
take care of yourself and take all the time in the world you need to recover. It does take a while!
Been there myself, done that. Too much work with a very stressful supervisor and at home my partner being terminally ill. After he passed, I was out for half a year. Luckily our health system provided me with the funds I needed to live on and a wonderful psycholgist I could talk to regularly. – After half a year I went back to work, but changed my outlook on life, a bit more laid back than before.
So whatever you need to do to get well again – do it.
All the best to you and your family.
Greetings from Germany,
Claudia 🙂
Take the advice of flight attendants……put your mask on first before helping others. You can’t continue to do all things for all people without first taking care of yourself.
I enjoy The Perch but don’t think you should run yourself ragged for my enjoyment. Take care of yourself.
Retired cardiologist here. Been there, done that. When you said “first in, last out”, I knew what you were getting to. Plus, there’s little need for a fountain pen in today’s digital medicine! Hug your family, fight the good fight, and take care of yourself. The Pelikans will wait until you have time for them. Thank you for your body of knowledge!
As a long time reader, but infrequent commenter, I treasure every time a new Perch post goes up. As a former ICU worker (with not nearly as much responsibility!), I understand why not (I was very amazed you kept it up throughout the worst of the pandemic). I thank you for every post you have done, and urge you to put yourself first. I would just about bet that the vast majority of your readers will still be here if/when you decide to come back. I will. Take care of yourself, your family, and do what you need to do. I hope you still get some chances to enjoy your Pelikans, even if the Perch goes silent. Best wishes
Joshua, thank you for making and taking the time to share these many years of passion for our common interest. Clearly, you are very much appreciated by this group and rightfully so.
I can only reiterate what others have posted before me. Take care of yourself and know that you’re valued within many spheres. We’re fortunate to be included in this one with you. With best wishes for you and your family and with hope that our acquaintance may be fortunate enough to continue, if and when you are ready.
Gary
I am a longtime reader and have never commented. Your words ring very true with me as well after 35 years of general surgery practice and taking call and surgeries in the middle of the night and on weekends holidays and having to miss family life experiences. Fortunately my pen hobby keeps me going and particularly your commentary and the Pelicans Perch and my love of Pelican pens and fountain pens in general.. As others have echoed keep going do not give up and keep doing what you do. Thanks for sharing.
May God pour out his Grace out upon you and sustain you during this difficult time. As a physician you give everything you have for the betterment of others. Perhaps now it is time to focus a little bit on yourself and find a little more balance in your life. I’ve enjoyed reading the articles on The Pelikan Perch. Take as much time as you need for yourself, your family, and your profession. We’ll all be here when the time is right to return. God Bless and Keep You!
— John
Best wishes for regaining the kind of balance you seek and deserve. Know that the info you provide on the website is a lasting resource, and while you might not have time to be as active as you would like, the information is of great value to all of us who love the Pelikan brand.
Oh, dear Joshua, I am a palliative medicine nurse practitioner who retired about a year ago. The last 9 years of my practice occurred in a large Chicago hospital (owned by a humongous health system) , including every day through the pandemic. Over those final 5 years there were times I just hoped to LIVE to retirement, and not just due to the stresses of COVID, but due to the stresses and policies put in place by the corporate overlords. On the family / background front : There are relatives in my extended family who could’ve written the first part of your letter to us “Perch-niks.” You all received a “gift” that doesn’t stop “giving.” The perpetrators were trying to fill voids in themselves by the way they parented. I’m so glad you have found ways to recognize and receive love from others. Now the hard part: Please find a way to take care of yourself. Easy words on my part, the hardest job for you. We Perchniks love and value you, whatever you decide to do with Pelikan’s Perch. May you always go from strength to strength.
Joshua, I believe that you have contributed incalculably to our knowledge of Pelikans and stand as the definitive voice on all things Pelikan. It is a formidable accomplishment. That said, work/life balance is critical and it seems that some sort of recalibration is essential to your well-being and the continuation of your work, here, in patient care, and personally. If there is anything that I can do to be of help, let me know backchannel. And, above all, take care of your family, yourself and your patients. As important as The Perch is, it is a definite fourth. Let me know if I can help. Rick
Joshua, You have spoken and written from the heart, something not everyone can do. Your frank honesty will, I hope, be appreciated by everyone who reads your statement. Your professional and family life must come first. Those are sacred areas of life, whereas the Perch is a pleasurable release. Despite its importance to you and to all who read it as an informational, historical site, it is not medicine or family relations. We are on your side, sir. Thank you for giving all that you have given. Be kind to yourself. Best wishes, Barry Gabay bbgabay@yahoo.com
Please take care of yourself, your family, and patients first. We, your readers, appreciate all you have done to update, inform, and educate us about Pelikan pens.
Joshua
Thank you for a wonderful story of your life and thanks for the Pelikan Perch which by very hard work & persistence you produced and sustained over the years.
I think I remember you as a young man coming to me desk at the DD Pen Show circa 2012 ? and looking at my Pelikan 200. Since then I think we have met at almost all the DC Shows & I have watched you evolve at a Pelikan expert & preacher.
Work & Family comes first.
Do the Pelikan Perch at your leisure ……..& our pleasure.
Francis
Dear Joshua, the snow will eventually melt and that tree will be green again! As you know, our lives are not an exception to this cycle. Whatever you decide to do will be the best for all, even though some of us might not like it. Wish you the best for you and your family! Thank you Joshua.
Hi Joshua,
I have been a Pelikan fan, collector and user for 30+ years now. I’ve become even more involved recently as I’ve joined forces with Rick Propas in his Penguin Fine Pens venture.
I’ve always checked in at The Perch for reliable and entertaining information as I’ve studied the subtleties of Pelikan pens but I only just now finally subscribed. The first edition I received was Operating At Capacity. It’s a warm and unusually personal introduction to you as more than just The Author. Thank you for writing it and having the courage to post it.
I can only offer my best wishes through your challenging stretch. Take care of yourself and your family first however you see fit. The pens and your audience, will still be here when things readjust. I will continue to appreciate the expertise and insights of your occasional posts and I’ll still be here as your psyche and schedule allow you to comfortably return to your Pelikan passion.
Best regards,
-DAA
Hello Joshua
You are making the right decision in stepping away from The Perch for a time. Please focus your time on your family, yourself, and your work, they are more important. Thank you for sharing your Pelikan passion with us, you produce an excellent blog. Take care, and all the best to you Joshua!
I wuld like to thank you for all that you have done, it has been much appreciated and I wish you and your family well wishes.
Thank you Joshua for your courage. Restoration of the soul is the route to peace and calm, and then comes creativity. I have greatly appreciated your Pelikan-love, but you come first.
Hi, Vic here from Portugal. A dedicated life is always a hard life. THAT is a fact, not an assumption. You, at least, don’t sound to me as one of those “full-of-it” DOCTORS who constantly praise themselves for their public work and complain about burnout over that same work, but always maintain their PRIVATE PRACTICE where they spend most of their time and where they get increasingly WEALTHY, being the public service they provide the least of their worries. Take it easy, and keep it (as much as possible) up. We will (try to) hang around till you resurface here. Cheers!!! Vic
You are much more important than your content. I love the Perch but never at the cost of your well-being. Breathe deeply, rest, and be well. And let us know how you are doing.
Everyone here is pulling for you during this difficult time. You will emerge stronger because of it. I myself am a physician and understand. Take as much time as you need to do what is best for you and your family. Pens can wait. I send my thoughts and prayers for your peace and tranquillity.
Thank you for your trust in us. I am moved reading the comments: much love and understanding. Come back when you are ready. And if not, that’s ok.
🤗❤️🤗
Dear Joshua,
Your sincerity, clarity, and intellectual honesty are unmatched: you’ve given so much, and everything that comes afterward will be a further gift.
Thank you!
Alessandro Bellocchi
Joshua, thank you for your courage in telling your story. I hold you in my heart as you walk this road–a road I am walking with you.
Hello Dr Danley,
I just wanted to let you know how not alone you are in these sentiments. I’m the same age as you, and in a very similar spot. I’ve heard it referred to as “the messy middle”, which doesn’t quite do it justice and minimizes the toll it takes. I also come from a strong work ethic family (midwestern/protestant background) and have burned out.
We are at a place in life where our career responsibilities are the highest, the middle of raising kids and supporting their many demands and needs, taking care of aging parents at the same time, and it’s unrelentingly demanding. Add to that the external stresses of looming global political and economic instability, massive inflation , and the toll that the last five years took on all of us, and we are overwhelmed.
Like you, I’m trying to find my path through it, and removing “obligatory” hobby tasks has been one part of it. I don’t attend pen shows or meetups any longer because my emotional energy is drained.
Take care of yourself and your family, and know that you’re not alone. The body of work you’ve created here already is a huge contribution to the hobby. Take care,
Jay
Do not stress too much about not being able to inform us about what is happening in the world of Pelikan.
I think keeping your family close, doing the best for your patients and keeping relatively sane in these trying times has to be top of mind.
We will still be here when you get back to updating us.
Thank you for sharing something so personal. It takes real courage to open up about experiences like these, especially as a physician. I sincerely hope you’re able to recover, recharge, and find a work‑life balance that sustains you.
Your writing on The Perch has always been thoughtful, carefully crafted, and clearly the product of real effort. It has been a pleasure to read, and it’s appreciated more than you know.
Please take the time you need.
You are valued, Joshua. Thank you. Take care & God bless.
Joshua, thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into your blog posts; it’s obvious they took a good amount of your time to create because they are all so well-researched and cover all the bases when it comes to all things Pelikan 🙂 Time and mental health are precious, though, so I commend you for prioritizing the things that are most important in life. Down the road, if you do find the time and energy to continue adding to your excellent website, I’ll be here 🙂 In the meantime, I wish you good health and much happiness 🙂
Estimado Joshua, siento mucho tu sentir.
Cuando en el 2,006 un asaltante me partió la cabeza con una pistola,
y apunto de morir, mi familia me reconfortó; luego se aburrieron de ello.
Al tardar ocho meses en poder hablar y dos años y medio en caminar
me refugié en la escritura, y, aunque siempre me gustaron las plumas fuente,
lo comencé a tomar en serio, bueno, también fué un escape.
Ahora aprecio mucho el poder caminar y el compartir.
Apoyo lo que todos tus fans opinan, date una tregua, pero no claudiques.
Y aprovechando el inicio del nuevo año chino “Caballo de Fuego”,
que inicia hoy, 17 de febrero, y según el horóscopo chino, será un año
de gran intensidad.
“Si en la lucha el destino te derriba,
Si todo en tu camino es cuesta arriba,
Si tu sonrisa es ansia insatisfecha,
Si hay faena excesiva y vil cosecha,
Si a tu caudal se contraponen diques,
Date una tregua, ¡pero no claudiques!”
Extracto de “No Claudiques” de Arturo Benavides.
Te mando un fuerte y fraternal abrazo.
Pablo.
Write when it seems the right thing to do. We will be here whenever and however sporadically that happens. As you already know, you must take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of others. You’re a treasure.
With love, gratitude, and humility, I thank you for sharing your passion and bringing so much to us and others, and I truly wish you find what’s best for you and your peace of mind, Joshua.
Edgar E. Mendoza
Hey, Josh:
I join the others who have commented here in sending you restful, healing vibes. I appreciate all the Pelikan things I have learned from you; I enjoy my own collection all the more because of your contribution to my education. I was not in the medical field, but I did work for almost 40 years (gratefully retired now) and understand burnout. I hope you will do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. You deserve it. Even if you are never able to return to us through the Perch (although I hope that will not be the case), I will still think of you with gratitude and goodwill. What you do is WAY more important than me getting to read about the next Pelikan. Wishing you nothing but the best.
I’m coming late to this — I guess a comment on my own time challenges!
I totally understand your prioritization and, in some sense, the burnout you’re coping with. My own job was exceptionally intense and the limited time I was able to devote to my hobbies were a golden refuge. Still, I was not trying to keep up with the developments of one of those loves and write about it on a regular basis.
When I retired in 2020, it was following the peak of Covid. Having made it through the transition of higher education classes to online (and having to coordinate remote access for all of the people I supported and tutor and hand-hold many technophobes through suddenly having to rely on their laptops to teach on a daily basis) was one of the final acts of my career. I was ready to relax and enjoy retired life with my wife.
I followed with admiration and concern the updates I got from one of my goddaughters, who served as an ICU nurse during the height of Covid. It was clear that she was burning out, so I can only imagine how hard that was for you.
About two years after our retirements, I got to experience health care in a new and terrifying way. My wife was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer. The loving care and respect that we experienced from the doctors, nurses, technicians, and therapists at the two hospitals that regularly supported her was truly breath-taking. I was especially inspired by the way that the doctors — who I know are under increasing pressure to be as time efficient as possible — would go out of their way to spend as much time as each patient needed. Sure, it meant that my wife’s appointments were frequently late, but it also meant that that extra time was there for use when we needed it.
I’m am willing to bet that the love and care that you have lavished on this website and community are a shadow of the devotion you put into your patients. I pray and hope that you are able to get the time you need to recover from the burnout. Having been there in my career, I know that is going to not be easy and it will take time.
I hope that this isn’t farewell, but, even if it is, thank you for all that you do — what you have done here and the care that you provide to your patients. Take care of yourself.
👍🤐
Dear Joshua,
slow down a bit and prioritize your health.
Your website has brought me so much joy; it is a true reference work that you have made available to us here.
For this, I can only express my respect and gratitude. Please stay healthy!
Best regards,
Udo