Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Catherine Lanser

  • Familial food

    Catherine LanserMadison, Wisconsin, USA My brother Rick’s house was warm with the scent of food. He had made huge pans of lasagna to comfort my family a few weeks after my dad’s stroke. My mom, eight siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews sat in groups around the house wherever we could fit. Rick stood hunched against…

  • Discovering migraines

    Catherine LanserMadison, Wisconsin, United States My headaches started after my first period when I was a freshman in high school. They were dull, daily, aching headaches that were manageable. I usually just took some acetaminophen and they went away. But none had been as bad as the one gripping me on one memorable day. I…