Next Time You're Stressed, Remember This Story
By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD
February 15, 2026 | #76
Forwarded this email? Sign up here
Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice.
Medical Trivia of the Week
W? (the correct answer is at the end of this email)
- A) 100 mL
- B) 500 mL
- C) 300 mL
- D) 700 mL
A Stressful Week
Life can be stressful, and yet it all comes down to perspective.
We just moved into our new house this past week. The long days and evenings of packing up your old life and then moving to a new home is both physically and mentally draining.
Then add being on trauma call as a neurosurgeon this entire past week during the actual move. And top it off with ongoing work with my son on our podcast, social medias, and other commitments.
That was my stressful week summed up in a few sentences, and I'm sure all of you could add your own chapter of stress to this newsletter.
But Here's the Deal
My little bit of stress pales in comparison to what I'm about to describe to you. And as you read along, remember that for someone else, your terrible day might be a pleasant stroll in the park compared to theirs.
Recently, I was consulted on a patient as an emergency. The events unfolded as follows.
The middle-aged man woke up in the morning with a mild headache. By noon he was vomiting and the headache had worsened. At 3 PM he was unarousable. His wife called 911.
An ambulance arrived and took the man to the hospital. He underwent a CAT scan of the head which showed excessive fluid buildup causing extreme pressure on his brain. I was contacted as a STAT consult.
When I examined the patient, he was in a deep coma, but more specifically, as I tested his reflexes, he had none. He had no brain activity to my exam.
At the bedside, I quickly placed a tube into his brain to drain the fluid. The fluid was under an immense amount of pressure and was very cloudy in appearance. Normal fluid should look perfectly clear, like tap water.
I drained the fluid off and lowered his pressure back to normal. Immediately after the procedure, I again checked his exam, and there still was no brain activity.
The Hardest Conversation
I had briefly spoken to the patient's wife and his parents immediately prior to placing the draining tube to get their consent for the procedure. I explained that he had no brain activity to my exam.
I needed to be honest with them. I painted a very grim picture right from the get-go.
The patient's wife was hysterical with disbelief, pain, and anguish. She was screaming for someone to be lying to her.
"How can this be happening? He was fine this morning with a slight headache and now 12 hours later you're telling me that he is essentially dead."
She asked me, "What am I supposed to do without my husband, and what do I tell our two young children?"
Questions that have no easy answers.
The patient was admitted to the ICU. The cloudy brain fluid showed infection. The man had bacterial meningitis. He was started on antibiotics.
When I re-examined him in the morning, there was no change. The patient was brain dead.
I spoke further with the wife and family. They were still in shock and disbelief. Later that morning, they removed the patient from life support and he died.
What I Realized
Now let's readdress my complaining of being stressed.
Yes, I have been busy and stressed, but I am alive and so is my family. We are healthy and together.
Life is all about perspective. My worst day this past week would have been a dream come true for this young family compared to what they were dealt.
I tell you this story as a reminder to enjoy life more and try to let go of the little things that stress you out. Things could always be much worse, as they are for some people.
Stress is always going to be part of life, but do not let it ruin your everyday. Be thankful for all the little things that are good in your life, especially your family, because as you can see, life can change very quickly and without warning.
Impactful Quote of the Week
"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."
- William James
My New Podcast Episode
I had a great conversation this week with Dr. Paul Tran, a pediatric gastroenterologist and one of the most creative medical educators out there. You might recognize him from his Alimentary School content where he uses humor and storytelling to shake up how we teach and train future doctors. We talked about what's broken in medical education, the power of mentorship, and how social media is changing the game in medicine. This one is worth a listen. Watch or listen to the full podcast episode at the links below.
YouTube: Click here
Apple Podcasts: Click here
Spotify: Click here
All my best,
Brian Hoeflinger
P.S. - if you enjoyed this newsletter, you may enjoy my book that details my life as a neurosurgeon and the loss of my oldest son, Brian (see below a synopsis) and/or my podcast where I explain topics in further detail.
If you enjoyed this newsletter or previous editions, please share it with a friend. You can use this link: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/posts
Check out My Book
Life and Death . . . Two words with such opposite meaning and which inflict such contradictory emotions and yet are so closely intertwined in our lives. As parents, we bring meaning and life into this world through our children. Our lives become defined as a result. We learn the joy, hardship, and responsibility of shaping an innocent life. But a day will come when that life will be taken. For some, death will come too soon. This is the story of my son, Brian Nicholas Hoeflinger, who died unexpectedly at age 18.
https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking
Check out My Podcast
The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast is about more than medicine, it’s about living a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life. My son, Kevin, and I discuss medicine, health, fitness, lessons learned from personal tragedy, family, and purpose. Along the way, we invite inspiring guests to bring fresh insights and perspectives. Watch or listen to the podcast below.
YouTube: Click here
Apple Podcasts: Click here
Spotify: Click here
Please reply with any questions you may have or future topics that you want me to write about.
Interested in Sponsoring the Newsletter?
Medical Trivia Answer:
The correct answer is B) 500 mL
*Disclaimer: This newsletter and blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this newsletter and blog or materials linked from this newsletter and blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this newsletter and blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should consult their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
