Earlier it wouldn’t take me so long to recover … …
Wondering about it made me realize that earlier I was on both sides of the scene. I use to practice medicine – the daily interaction with patients children … …
Most satisfying for me was reviving a fresh neonate – Theoretically you have 3 minutes before there is permanent brain damage BUT in reality you are never sure as to how much anoxia the neonate has suffered in his arduous journey thru the birth canal… …
So you learn to work fast your actions are more of a reflex than preemptive… … Call it vanity but I was somewhat of an expert in this, specially intubating (inserting a breathing tube in the trachea) a baby by just the feel.
Believe me it is not like what they show on TV or films – you have to be calm not show panic to the staff – trust everyone else’s skills. There are no curt commands to nurses, no flashes of lights on shiny apparatus.
It usually took around 60 to 80 seconds and no matter how many neonates I had revived the smile of satisfaction always betrayed me. The tears in the mothers eyes always made me feel warm inside. At times I did wonder at the potential of the life just revived.
Oh yes! and at times I was paid Rs50/- for doing this š It was just another working day… ….
I miss it all …. …. very much … …