Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

A Family physician, former county coroner and former Idaho State Senator

Coroner Story: Alpha and Omega

                        Alpha and Omega I stood between the woman’s legs. She bore her strength down against The rotund dome of the gravid belly. The nurse looked in from the hall door. “Can you take a call?  ER on line four.” … Continue reading

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Everybody Knows

When a majority can pass a law that says broad and powerful things, then ignore those noble sentiments, everybody knows the deck is stacked. That’s how it goes. Everybody knows. Our Idaho legislature has done such. I ask you to … Continue reading

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Coroner Story: Old Men

It was pretty odd to get a convenient coroner call.  But this one came right at the end of my day in the clinic.  Sheriff’s dispatch called at 4PM requesting me to go out to a home just west of … Continue reading

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Posturing

It was always a question for me when the House would have the guts to actually kill the Medicaid budget. Every year it would sneak though by 5-10 votes. This year, they actually killed it. Lead by their wise Speaker, … Continue reading

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Mountain

                        Mountain There are times when it is very difficult to tell, even with careful investigation the manner of death.  There are only six choices: accidental, natural, homicide, suicide, pending investigation and of course, Could Not Be Determined.  Let’s see … Continue reading

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Certificate of Death

Certificate of Death These forms are a big deal. Just like an agenda, a doctor’s note to miss work, or a W2, they contain information that somebody, somewhere considers crucial. When I first filled them out, I was casual. I … Continue reading

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Getting Started

First Days I hadn’t really wanted to be the coroner. I was appointed to my first service when the elected coroner left town. Then, maybe there was some intent behind this circumstance, since I have found that life can be … Continue reading

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Wisdom

I am struggling with a plumbing problem. No, it’s not my prostate, though you’d be forgiven for assuming such, given my age and decrepitude. It’s a 350# cast iron bathtub. I asked the plumbers if they could install it. They … Continue reading

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Unicorn

Franny was nervous as the ultrasound tech chatted and booted up her machine. The warmed jelly spread over her lower abdomen and the transducer pressed. The screen was facing away, and the technician stopped her friendly chatter. “What is it?” … Continue reading

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Porn Bomb

We needed to make a trip to Boise this last week. It was beautiful driving weather for the trip south. But we needed to wait for the wrecked propane tanker truck to be cleared from the two-lane road that connects … Continue reading

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