Profoundly moving. There is a rare kind of bravery in admitting to that 'familiar pulse of shame' when exhaustion makes us resent the extra bodies in a room, only to be completely broken open by the depth of what those bodies carry.
Your reflection on Helen Garner’s quote is so beautifully realized here. By resisting the urge to offer your own redemptive story—by not tying theirs up in a neat bow of shared trauma—you allowed their grief to just be. It’s a masterclass in clinical humility.
That final realization—that a messy narrative is the only one with breath still in it—sent chills down my spine. The heartbeat of this piece isn't in a polished, three-act structure; it’s in that urgent, beautifully repetitive mantra of gratitude at the end: He is alive now. Thank you for leaving the story unfinished, and for letting us feel the weight of that breath.
I always find it humbling that strangers choose to share their most intimate hurt and joy with us in the brief twenty minutes, during which our lives intersect. It's such a privilege and an unexpected gift somedays. Their stories often offer me more healing than the medicine I prescribe them.
Thank you. I think what you’re doing, reframing what we so often think of as individuality and free choice, within context/systems is very important. I’m grateful for your support.
A beautiful reminder that in medicine, the roles often blur. You begin thinking you’re there to treat, but sometimes you leave having been taught. And that line stays with you: a story only becomes neat when it’s over. I'm guessing that most of the ones that matter are still unfolding.
Thank you so much for engaging with my piece. It often happens to me, this role reversal, where I feel like i’m the one that’s done the learning. With my kids too…
I posted earlier this year about writing as an art form, reaching beyond the formulas we’re nudged into when we approach writing as craft. It was to confront AI… to argue that AI can never give us art… And this piece of yours made me think about how a ‘messy’ story is, perhaps, a human one and vice versa.
How interesting. I think AI is the latest in a long line of story conventions which have their uses but shouldn’t be followed slavishly. Thanks for reading and for this comment.
Beautiful writing. I love the way you blend the clinical with the personal in Alive and am enjoying your pieces here. I never was able to leave myself outside the hospital - very much a feature of my training in the early 90s. Only much later in my working life as a sonographer did I understand that as a strength, not a failing.
I am so grateful to you, thank you. I am a published author of 3 books, so there's plenty of my writing out there should you want something in print. Thanks once again, Gabriel
This made me cry. Have you considered publishing your work somewhere? You deserve acclaim.
But really, thank you for writing this.
Profoundly moving. There is a rare kind of bravery in admitting to that 'familiar pulse of shame' when exhaustion makes us resent the extra bodies in a room, only to be completely broken open by the depth of what those bodies carry.
Your reflection on Helen Garner’s quote is so beautifully realized here. By resisting the urge to offer your own redemptive story—by not tying theirs up in a neat bow of shared trauma—you allowed their grief to just be. It’s a masterclass in clinical humility.
That final realization—that a messy narrative is the only one with breath still in it—sent chills down my spine. The heartbeat of this piece isn't in a polished, three-act structure; it’s in that urgent, beautifully repetitive mantra of gratitude at the end: He is alive now. Thank you for leaving the story unfinished, and for letting us feel the weight of that breath.
Such a beautiful vignette Gabriel ❤️
Thanks Hannah. Super grateful for that comment.
Such a vibe piece of writing, Gabriel. I can picture everything so clearly, and your exquisite relief that goes on and on.
Thank you so so much.
Love love love the presence in your story. I love these moments with patients.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please do share if you feel able to. Have a great day.
Beautifully written. Such deep emotion in those words. Success and survival interlinked
I’m touched, thank you.
I also love Helen Garners writing
Beautiful prose and even more beautiful story.
I always find it humbling that strangers choose to share their most intimate hurt and joy with us in the brief twenty minutes, during which our lives intersect. It's such a privilege and an unexpected gift somedays. Their stories often offer me more healing than the medicine I prescribe them.
Yes, quite. Thank you for your generous support of my writing too.
Hey — I came across your writing and really liked how you think.
I’m exploring something similar from a different angle — writing about human behavior through a system design lens (like debugging internal patterns).
Just started publishing on Substack. If you ever get a moment to read, I’d genuinely value your perspective.
Also happy to support your work — feels like there’s an interesting overlap here.
Thank you. I think what you’re doing, reframing what we so often think of as individuality and free choice, within context/systems is very important. I’m grateful for your support.
A beautiful reminder that in medicine, the roles often blur. You begin thinking you’re there to treat, but sometimes you leave having been taught. And that line stays with you: a story only becomes neat when it’s over. I'm guessing that most of the ones that matter are still unfolding.
Thank you so much for engaging with my piece. It often happens to me, this role reversal, where I feel like i’m the one that’s done the learning. With my kids too…
Such a memorable and perfect little tale. Lifted my day. So moving! Thank you
Thank you
Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.
I posted earlier this year about writing as an art form, reaching beyond the formulas we’re nudged into when we approach writing as craft. It was to confront AI… to argue that AI can never give us art… And this piece of yours made me think about how a ‘messy’ story is, perhaps, a human one and vice versa.
How interesting. I think AI is the latest in a long line of story conventions which have their uses but shouldn’t be followed slavishly. Thanks for reading and for this comment.
Thank you Gabriel. I really enjoyed this
Thanks for your interest. I’m happy you liked it.
Beautiful writing. I love the way you blend the clinical with the personal in Alive and am enjoying your pieces here. I never was able to leave myself outside the hospital - very much a feature of my training in the early 90s. Only much later in my working life as a sonographer did I understand that as a strength, not a failing.
Thanks for your generosity
What a beautiful little piece. Exactly what I hope to read when I read articles on Substack. Thank you for it.
And your comment is exactly what I hope for too. Thank you so much for your kind words, which mean a lot to this newbie substacker.
I am so grateful to you, thank you. I am a published author of 3 books, so there's plenty of my writing out there should you want something in print. Thanks once again, Gabriel