They say a man's body decreases in mass by 21 grams when he dies... "proof" the soul exists... "proof" it departs when he dies.
Tonight, I witnessed something new. The soul leaving the body.
A man coded on the floor and we were called to respond. ET tube slides down past his vocal cords. CPR resumes. Epi and atropine given, we got him back! Robbing him from the grave, but for a moment in time.
Initially, he seemed to have only brainstem reflexes intact. He would not respond. Pupils fixed and dilated. Blood pressure dropped. Dopamine was started. Family, now, gathered 'round the bed. Pressures too low, dopamine was titrated hoping to sustain a pulse. As pressures improved, he began to move. Then, from nowhere... OPENED his eyes! Looking around, but agitated now! moving extremities... thrashing! Panic stricken! Fear in his eyes. He tries to get out of bed... then, suddenly... collapsing back, peace overcoming him. His heart rate dwindled, pressures dropped and dropped, no pulse... heart slowed more... and stopped. Respirations ceased.
I pronounced him dead at 2321. The wife crying, the daughter consoling, the soul drifting towards the heavens.
I was happy for the family, that they got to be with him at the final moment of the human journey before eternity. I was glad that I saw it, this is part of the human existence. God doesn't call us to live in comfort, he calls us to experience life, and to love while we do it. I got a chance to peer thru the window of God's creation, its dramatic terrible beauty.
David MD
2005, Intern year.
Tonight, I witnessed something new. The soul leaving the body.
A man coded on the floor and we were called to respond. ET tube slides down past his vocal cords. CPR resumes. Epi and atropine given, we got him back! Robbing him from the grave, but for a moment in time.
Initially, he seemed to have only brainstem reflexes intact. He would not respond. Pupils fixed and dilated. Blood pressure dropped. Dopamine was started. Family, now, gathered 'round the bed. Pressures too low, dopamine was titrated hoping to sustain a pulse. As pressures improved, he began to move. Then, from nowhere... OPENED his eyes! Looking around, but agitated now! moving extremities... thrashing! Panic stricken! Fear in his eyes. He tries to get out of bed... then, suddenly... collapsing back, peace overcoming him. His heart rate dwindled, pressures dropped and dropped, no pulse... heart slowed more... and stopped. Respirations ceased.
I pronounced him dead at 2321. The wife crying, the daughter consoling, the soul drifting towards the heavens.
I was happy for the family, that they got to be with him at the final moment of the human journey before eternity. I was glad that I saw it, this is part of the human existence. God doesn't call us to live in comfort, he calls us to experience life, and to love while we do it. I got a chance to peer thru the window of God's creation, its dramatic terrible beauty.
David MD
2005, Intern year.
Dave
ReplyDeleteI like this blog stuff. This is my first time to see your blogging. I must say you are an interesting writer and if you truly get burned out in residency, you could probably do just fine in writing or photography. You have many talents so if you feel you need a slower paced route there are a couple I could see you doing. Or, for a little adventure, wake boarding professionally. It's good to hear from ya or about ya.
How old was he?
ReplyDeleteV
i don't know exactly how old he was, but i was told that he was "older" 50's or older is what i gathered them to mean. still... geez.
ReplyDeletedngilb md
David-Ive read thru a bunch of dates. I am impressed with your words and thoughts. Keep writing. Even old guys like me get help and encouragement, along with some needed thought provoking. Keep moving forward. Johnny
ReplyDelete