Author Archives: Heather Thompson Buum

The final chapter of my first book is a tribute to the healing power of music. In it, I describe my ongoing musical activity of singing in the Oratorio Society of Minnesota for almost 25 years. I have found that engaging in choral music has the effect of “recharging my batteries” even during the busyContinue reading “The Healing Power of Music”

We have all heard the saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” Back in April, I gave a presentation to cancer survivors, highlighting a number of coping mechanisms including writing and also humor. Leading up to this talk, I was reviewing the literature and adding updated content to my slides; at the same time, one ofContinue reading “Mirth as Medicine”

Last month, I heard the disappointing news that the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services may end reimbursement for virtual visits by December 31, 2024 for all medical appointments other than in rural locations or for mental health. Ironically, I was attending a meeting virtually when this announcement came through. The proposal was somehow tied to theContinue reading “Virtual Care In Jeopardy?”

A famous physician author once penned, “the best medical student only triples your work.” While this cynical statement does have potential to ring true, I have also experienced the exact opposite–when having a medical student in clinic saves time, spares the patient unnecessary work up, and saves health care dollars.  Recently I had one ofContinue reading “Time Well Spent”

There is a verse from the book of Psalms: “Weeping may tarry through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” This verse (30:5) has been expressed as a phrase in popular culture, as a song lyric, even as a movie title for a 1965 romantic drama starring Richard Chamberlain. The other day, my friendContinue reading “Joy in the Mourning”

Last week, I stayed overnight at my parents’ house in Milaca. The next morning, I woke up, and feeling exhausted from a lack of sleep the night before, went downstairs into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. I turned on the Keurig, and immediately the digital display flashed the message: NOT READY. ToContinue reading “Not Ready”

August should feel relaxed, lush and lazy, heavy with heat and humidity, the dog days of summer as they say. The local farmer’s markets and neighborhood gardens start to bring forth their bounty; ripe juicy tomatoes, plump and shining bell peppers, fragrant basil. The area lakes turn green with algae; a chartreuse slick of foamContinue reading “August, and everything after”

Last fall, I was invited to give a talk to a group of breast cancer survivors known as the Firefly Sisterhood. Prior to the presentation I met with a very nice woman who was organizing it, also a survivor herself; of course, we got to talking about all things breast cancer related, including the currentContinue reading “To B or Not to B”

Most mental health experts will tell you that generating a list of positives can help reframe your response to a situation and lift your mood.  “Count your blessings” is a popular saying, song lyric, and commonly held belief. The other day, I started to contemplate a few positive things that came about during the pandemic;Continue reading “Things I’ll Miss About the Pandemic”

In light of the alarming numbers and news reports regarding the omicron variant, I just had to share highlights of a group conversation in my clinic this morning that I felt would be a welcome note of positivity. In short: we are winning. While cases have spiked to as high as >10,000 per day inContinue reading “We Are Winning”