Don Brobst's Blog

Although COVID has been under control (ish) for a while now, those of us in the medical field are just now getting to breathe a little. For that reason, I will be getting back to my blog. I’ll keep everyone informed about up and coming books as well as the state of missions abroad, that have suffered greatly during and after the pandemic.

If you follow me at all you know that this past Sunday, July 21, 2024 was the 16th anniversary of Gwen’s passing. Having my family around me helps quite a bit. Amazingly, none of my grandchildren were born while she was still here, so they don’t know anything about her except what I and my kids have told them. Eventually, as they get older, they can understand a little more about her when they’re able to read Thirteen Months. At this point, I don’t want to introduce them to that struggle. Their parents will make the decision on when the time is right.

I’m excited about my next book that will be available in the very near future, and I will do a separate post about it soon. Even as the medical demand aspects of work get a bit more bearable, my life has not slowed down. In fact, it seems to be just the opposite, especially with those nine grandchildren now!

When she was sixteen and I was seventeen, I fell in love with the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. My heart was quickly hers.

In my mind, Gwen was perfect in every way. I loved her from the moment we met. But she was more than just my soul mate—she was the very best part of me.

I dream of Gwen and remember her constantly, but I live in the present. After she died, my life changed dramatically in many different ways. I sold our home and began traveling to provide medical care to the poor and needy in Africa and the Middle East, a blessing I could never have imagined. It has been an honor for me to be involved with so many incredible people who have the same vision.

My writing reflects Gwen and so does my life, not only because of her, but because marriage is the reflection of Christ and His Church. It’s a symbol of His love for us, and an expression of how deeply we can love each other.

Many trips abroad and nine grandchildren later, my thoughts are drawn to her every single day. She would have loved these little ones and spoiled them rotten. They never got a chance to meet her, but they will one day. I know my kids miss her very much. There is an empty spot that just can’t be filled by anything else. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Today, spend time with your spouse and be sure to tell them how much you love them. Those words never go to waste. There is no saturation point. You can never say them too often.

Gwen went to be with the Lord twelve years ago today. I love her still.

This is Father’s Day weekend and I still miss my Dad after all these years. He lost the love of his life in 1997 and went to be with her and the Lord in 2003. That was a long time for my dad.

It doesn’t take me any time at all to recall the wonderful memories of my father. In fact, all of my memories of him are wonderful. ALL. I have learned over the years how uncommon that is, and what an incredible blessing it was to grow up with loving, Godly parents.

I was taught at an early age, as early as I can recall, that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save me from my sins, giving his own life as payment in full for my trespasses. On top of that, on the third day God raised Jesus from the dead, conquering sin and death, and justifying me (and whoever would receive Him) to inherit righteousness that I (and anyone who accepts the Truth) could never attain otherwise.

For years I took for granted my blessings, thinking that everyone must have a great Dad like mine. A man who made everything okay even when it wasn’t okay. A man who prayed for me day after day even though I was a booger, and a thorn in his flesh.

But when I was still in high school, perhaps middle school, I began to get a glimpse of the amazing father he was. My Dad was far from the norm.

I feared being around some of my friend’s dads because they would get angry and display their frustrations in the harshest of ways. I was even thrown out of a buddy’s house one time by his father who was enraged about . . . something. He probably didn’t even know what he was doing, or later remember he had done it.

But I never worried about my Dad. Even when I deserved it, and there were definitely those times, he never lost his cool. I hoped for many years that I would be like him. That my legacy would be as a peacemaker, like him. That I’d be known for being the voice of reason, like him. That everyone in the room would stop what they were doing and listen when I spoke because if I had something to say, that meant it was important . . . like him.

Unfortunately, I’m not like him. That being said, simply being his son carries a power of its own. It has taught me that it’s worth aspiring to greatness even when one isn’t yet great.

Margaret Mead is attributed with the quote, “All that is needed is a few good men to change the world. Indeed, it’s all that ever has.”

My Dad, Earle Brobst, was one of those few good men. Did he change the world? Ask anyone who ever met him. Yeah . . . he changed the world . . . for good.

Earle Wilson Brobst 1916 – 2003. A Legacy of Good.

At seven years old, Jane’s tears were proof she didn’t want to be in my office, but her mother had insisted. Jane had a long splinter in her hand, which she’d gotten while climbing trees with her five-year-old brother. I assured her that I’ve been taking tree bark from hands for many years and promised to be careful. I soon learned Jane wasn’t crying because of the wood fragment. Her tears were for a different reason—fear of making her little brother sick by carrying the sickness (COVID-19) home to him. As adults, our world is traumatizing. But for kids, it can be worse. They pick up on everything. I promised her that I was wearing a big mask and glasses so she wouldn’t get sick, and if she didn’t get sick, her little brother wouldn’t catch anything from her. She glanced at her mom to make sure I could be trusted, then held out her hand. We got out that big old piece of wood. When it was time to leave, she said she’d hug me some other time because, we aren’t supposed to hug anybody right now. Her kid brother is a lucky little guy.

With COVID-19 demanding most of our attention these days, personal protective equipment (PPE) like N-95 masks for healthcare workers is in short supply.

I’m blessed to work with several physician groups who have been diligent in providing PPE for the providers and staff, but not every practitioner is so fortunate.

Telemedicine has taken over to protect some of our “well” patients. For example, if a patient is high risk for contracting COVID-19, but they need routine medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, we don’t want to expose them to those who are ill. This is especially true since we have been seeing patients experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus and have witnessed a number of positive tests.

This past week I mentioned to one of my elderly, immune suppressed female patients via telemedicine that I had an N-95 mask, protective gowns, gloves and face shield because those with whom I work have been diligent in providing them. I don’t know how, with the shortages and all, but they have. She was very appreciative of the Telemedicine visit to protect her health. Several hours later, I received a call from this patient. She wanted me to step out to the parking lot. I was more than a little curious, so I went out the back door.

This sweet lady stood by my car with a plastic bag in her hand that she placed on my the hood of my car.

“This is for you. My husband is a retired police officer. When I told him that you were seeing patients, we drove to the station and picked up a couple of things. He said that if you’re out here seeing patients, he wanted to make sure you were okay.”

As she placed the bag on the hood of my car. I suggested she keep whatever was in the bag for her and her husband. Her response was amazing. “I’m going to be sitting at home. You’re out here taking care of sick folks. I’ll let you know if we need anything.” She climbed into her car and she and her husband drove off. I walked to my car and picked up a bag of N-95 industrial grade masks.

Along with COVID-19 fears, isolation, and toilet paper hoarding, we’re surrounded by negatives these days. But this week, as uncertainty swirled around us, something else was going on—something that gets very little attention, but it should, because It’s becoming a trend.

I believe strongly in supporting our local businesses when possible especially during these times, so we placed an order for our medical staff for lunch from a local restaurant. They needed a break from seeing patients, even if just a brief one. The restaurant delivered in record time, but they had our order a bit “messed up” from what we’d placed.

Instead of burgers, they delivered steaks and milkshakes for all—instead of a $20 order, it seemed like it should be $150. We called to explain to the owner that there had been a mistake, a little concerned that someone might get in trouble for delivering an expensive meal to the wrong folks. That’s when I realized they hadn’t even charged my card for the burgers.

When I made the call, the owner explained there was no mistake. In his opinion as long as we were out there seeing patients the least he could do was, in his words, “feed us proper.”

I didn’t mention the name of his restaurant because he asked me not to. He said he did it for us, not the publicity.

It’s Easter, but it doesn’t feel like it this year. At least not to me. Everyone is tired of hearing about Coronavirus. Unfortunately, that’s where we are right now. Yes, it may be annoying to think of nothing else, but this is a global problem. I spoke with a patient this week who informed me that she is unable to work because she has been a server in a good restaurant for many years. It’s how she supports her family. I made the comment that she probably can’t even find another place in the city to work right now because all restaurants offering inside dining are closed. She reminded me that all the inside dining restaurants in the world are closed right now.

There hasn’t been another time in modern history that this has been the case. The world is closed for ‘business as usual.’ Planes are grounded, companies are folding, manufacturing plants are shuttering their doors, and there is no end in sight.

As a physician, I’m privileged to work with many incredible, selfless providers. We’re doing our best to stay safe, taking precautions and wearing personal safety gear, but some are still falling ill due to exposure.

As COVID-19 ravages the world and throws international cultures into a state of upheaval, we continue to see many concerned patients suffering with various illnesses, most of which are not due to the Coronavirus.

We all know that it will take time, a long time, for our country and the world in general to recover not only from the virus, but from the effects on society including our overall health, attitudes, emotional stability, political focus, fears, jobs, finances, and the list goes on. Some of the problems we are seeing now are directly related to isolation and fear of the unknown.

I have to reiterate what many of the medical authorities have been saying. The only clear categories we have right now are individuals who are essential workers and those who are non-essential workers.

The essential workers need to be out there doing the jobs they are trained for, even though with the stimulus package many of them could make more by sitting at home. We need essential workers to provide healthcare, but also to be the workforce for pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, power companies and all the things we require to be healthy while remaining home.

The non-essential workers are those who should remain home. Their jobs have been taken, at least temporarily, and they are forced to shelter in place. But that’s an important aspect of fighting this virus. It can’t survive without us, so we don’t give it access to ourselves or to others.

I have seen a number of blogs on news sites where individuals can write in for answers, but many of the questions are not focused on practical issues. For that reason, I decided it may be helpful to open a discussion here regarding concerns, rumors, strategies, etc. as they pertain to COVID-19.

If you post your questions below under the comment section, I will answer them to the best of my ability. It doesn’t matter what your question is, as long as it’s a real concern. This is one of those times when there aren’t any dumb questions. In response I’ll do my best not to give dumb answers.

These are difficult times. No argument there. Whether you’re on lock-down, shelter-in-place, working from home, or going to work in the midst of this viral tsunami, life is difficult and scary.

As a physician on the front lines of this battle, I see more than most, less than some, but what I encounter is real. Let me give you an idea of what we’re confronted with at the leading edge of this storm. Maybe it will answer some questions or clarify the situation.

As we all know, many patients who are elderly or are immunocompromised (have altered immune systems) can’t fight this disease as well as the healthy and younger folks can, and they may die from it. That being said, young people, 20 years and up, can get this disease too. Once infected, their outcomes vary from being contagious without symptoms (they often don’t even know they’ve been exposed) to a full-blown coronavirus infection with all its potential complications.

A 26-year-old man that came to see us for upper respiratory symptoms said, “I’m from the strong generation. I’m not worried about it.” Even though that may be true, many his age are falling ill across the country and around the globe. Don’t count on your age to keep you well, and please think of those around you. If you don’t take this threat seriously, you might be the one who carries it to a more susceptible person. To put it plainly, you might be the one who kills them.

For this reason, we medical providers wear protective gear including gloves, face shields, and N-95 masks. We don’t want to be responsible for carrying this pestilence to our loved ones, and in the event we may have been exposed, we don’t want to give it to any other patients.

One question I’m asked often is, does social distancing really matter? The answer is an emphatic yes. We know that coronavirus is airborne and droplet borne, it is also contracted by picking it up from an infected surface and then touching one’s face, eyes, mouth, etc. We have all been told that hand washing is essential—it is. If you’ve tried not touching your face or eyes, you’ve discovered how impossible that is. Wash your hands.

Although it is airborne, Coronavirus doesn’t remain in the air the way it does on surfaces. Gravity pulls it to the floor. If a person is coughing or sneezing in your direction, clearly your chances of getting the virus are greater than if they’re breathing normally. Still, it’s risky to be around someone infected with the virus, which has proven to be extremely dangerous, and powerful.

Some of the China autopsy data indicate the COVID 19 Coronavirus attacks us by causing very thick mucus secretions to develop and adhere to the walls of the respiratory system, narrowing the airways in a manner in which pulsed steroids and bronchodilators have little or no effect. Coughing doesn’t adequately move those secretions and they slowly diminish the ability to exchange enough oxygen to maintain life. In the early stages of exposure, drinking plenty of hot fluids is expected to wash the early virus secretions into the stomach where the acidity destroys the virus. Indeed, the first sign of this virus may be a vague sore throat. Symptoms should be checked if they persist.

The United States is an amazing country. It is truly the land of the free and home of the brave. Visit some third world countries and you’ll see how much we take for granted. America is also one nation under God, regardless of what some say. From the front lines we have seen time and again when the current administration has done everything in its power to support us and provide what we need so we can go back to caring for the sick and doing what is required to render this menace powerless. Regardless of your political views, no nation on earth can be prepared in advance for something like this to happen at any given time.

I stand behind our President. It doesn’t mean I agree with everything he says and does. It does mean that I pray for him, I respect him, and I am thankful for his leadership in this time under siege.

Pray for America, for your neighbors, for your family, and please pray for the rest of the world.

My new International thriller, Thicker Than Blood, is close to my heart. As fiction, inspired by real events, many are asking how much of the story is true and how much is not. That’s a tricky question. Here is an excerpt from “an interview with Dr. Bailey Pogue,” the book’s protagonist.

Several years into private practice, I became acutely aware of human trafficking and its impact on families in America as well as the rest of the world after discovering that  someone I knew well, or thought I did, was involved in this horrific activity.

As a result of my friendship with the individual, authorities pulled me into the battle against underage abductions from the streets of our cities. I have to admit, I was skeptical that such a heinous problem could actually occur right here in this great nation, but it can—and it does.

Once confronted by the facts, I was unable to turn my back on the battle and my responsibility to do something urged me forward. I found myself up close and personal with those who forced this plague onto innocent, young girls. I had a responsibility to do what I could to stop what I could. It wasn’t easy. Walking down that one-way path came with a very steep price. It cost me in many ways and changed me.

Working undercover is difficult, especially when the scope of the required duties expands as new problems arise or previously undisclosed in formation changes the course and urgency of the investigation. Ask any federal agent.  Before I realized it, I was entrenched in political espionage as well as human trafficking. Over a period of years, as my position placed me at an ever-increasing risk of harm—or worse, it levied a significant strain on my family as well. Then, without warning, their safety was in jeopardy. That had never been part of the plan.

But I had a problem. It wasn’t the fault of the girls, or my kids, or anything I had done. But it was in my power to help them. Proverbs 24 states:

10  If you falter in a time of trouble,

how small is your strength!

11 Rescue those being led away to death;

hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who guards your life know it?

Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

I learned a very real truth in the midst of this war against evil. For most of us, blood is thicker than water, thicker than anything. But for others, money is thicker than blood. And for some, loyalty and honor are thicker than blood. For others still, winning, power, and conquering is all that matters.  

There is much to lose, but there is so very much to gain.

Thicker Than Blood, my newest novel, releases on February 27th and I’ve been asked many questions about it since I released the cover copy. Those who have proofread the advanced version of the book understand why I chose the design I did.

Since the book will soon be on the shelves and available online electronically (Kindle and other E-books) as well as paperback through Amazon and Lamplighter Suspense, this would be a good time to explain how the cover concept originated.

Here is the back-cover copy:

The murder of one old friend and the revelation of a secret life by another leads Dr. Bailey Pogue to risk his life by going undercover for the CIA. But when he exposes a plot by an international crime syndicate that threatens to upset the balance of power in the Middle East, the revelation comes at a price: the syndicate has kidnapped his daughter. Now he must stop the trafficking of young girls and rescue his daughter while remaining undercover. Is saving those you love worth committing treason? God, Family, Country. Will Pogue’s loyalties prove too high a price to pay?

The story begins in Chicago, where Dr. Pogue works as a surgeon raising his family with his wife, Jenny. Drawn into the center of a powerful crime syndicate by forces beyond his control, he finds himself unable to get out.

Pogue’s undercover activities force him to take aggressive action, work with the underground in the Middle East, and expose the trafficking of young girls in order to save his daughter. Hence, the Blackhawk landing in a Middle Eastern community on the book cover.

Inspired by real events, this work came at a high price. It was important to stress the extreme nature of the conflicts Pogue faces both internally and externally. As he is confronted with becoming someone he has never been, he must decide where to draw the line—even when there doesn’t seem to be one. What sacrifices are justified? Is the greater good ever worth sacrificing someone you love? Is it ever wrong to do the right thing?

Life for Pogue will never be the same. But is that for the better?

Check out Amazon’s sale price of $0.99 at https://amzn.to/38Fyznd