Our neurologist lecturer once told us that the brain was the most important part of the body. It is a priority organ for oxygen and nutrients in the body. It controls bodily function. It is the temple of consciousness that enables human the ability for transcendence. And, despite its small size, some people consider it to be the seat of what it is to be human.
I do not wish to contradict the experts in this, but there are some matters that humans attend to that the brain may not comprehend.
Matter No. 1 Critical Care
One criterion for pronouncing someone dead is the loss of heart beat. In the
We were observing hospital rotation when a 17 yr. old female suffered from complications that came about during childbirth. Complications added insult to injury with an existing cardiac and metabolic condition. During her arrest, a junior intern was administering CPR and other resuscitative procedures to keep her alive but she was slipping away. Twenty minutes had gone by and still they were working on these procedures because the family was not ready to pull the plug despite the consultants’ advice to stop life support.
In this drama we were standing around her body while the junior intern was lecturing about emergency procedures.
I couldn’t help but feel dismay over the attitude towards the passage of a life. As people in the medical practice, most of us see death every day that it becomes a piece of case lifted from our textbooks. We fail to remember that he or she was once a person with family and friends who talked, laughed and cried with her. In this perspective, critical care also becomes a matter of the heart because compassion is a luxury these days that often comes with a certain price rather than handed out freely.
Matter No. 2 Cardiology
On a more personal note, I found myself encouraged to study cardiology. There’s just something in the heart and blood function that’s so fascinating to me.
At first I thought it was because I am a type 4 personality type in the Enneagram. This particular type is inclined into being unique and artistic. However, this type is also emotional in the sense that emotions are elevated beyond natural proportions such that sadness may appear as grief or depression and joy as bliss. In other words, the heart (emotional) portion of this type; my personality type coincides with the interest for cardiology.
But, more than just a confirmation from my personality type. I find cardiology interesting because of the significance of its normal functioning. In the small time that I have listened to our cardio lectures, I was amazed at the scope of effects a simple heart defect can elicit. One very small clog can have systemic effects all over the body. I am thankful to have discovered such things…(let’s leave it here for a while)
Matter No. 3 Love and Faith
One year in a relationship does go by fast. They say academics and relationships do not really mix. I admit I get easily distracted. However, this time for me is special because my academic performance for the first time is improving rather than degrading. Moreover, I am contented with the tension of not knowing (in the brain level) too much and yet knowing (in the heart level) that this is worth while. Where we go from here, from today is only toward one day more. We have one more chance to love and be loved in the midst of difficulties, confusion and uncertainty. What we have is not perfect and yet happiness comes innately.
It is comforting to know that faith always come with love. Nothing is for sure, that’s why its called faith – we can only approach it with the willingness to leap for it.
Ging, thanks and Happy Aniv!:)
