Vision Loss Redux Part IV - TEE

I'm getting used to this fasting thing...whenever hunger pangs strike, you pray. Pretty simple and a good reminder. I had two tests today, didn't study at all and I got perfect scores! Not sure why things didn't work that way when I was in college algebra...

The first test was an echocardiogram -- ultrasound. Exactly what Kate had done during her pregnancy, except that heart valves are much easier identify than tiny fetal unmentionables. The technician was knowledgeable and garrulous so that made for an interesting learning experience. He was talking about mitro valves and atriums and all sort of words that I may have heard before.

There's something about the movement of the heart that is compelling. Contrasted with the precise, rigid movement of a machine, the heart has a fluidity and unpredictability to it that reflects the essence of life.

Talking with some friends today about this unpredictability, I recalled teaching my Psych 101 class at Strayer, and my attempt to show the students that Psychology is not a science, no matter how rigorous the method, because of the human subject. Although humans are generally predictable (look at our marketing and popular movie scripts), there is always the element of spontaneity inherent in the soul that can send an explosion of creativity or boldness or courage out of the most mundane, seemingly predictable being. We are not machines.

Anyway, the most interesting scene, I think, was watching the Mercedes-Benz valve (otherwise known as aortic valve) open and close to the thumping rhythm.

The next and final test was the TEE. I wrote a letter to my new best friends and thought I'd let you read it.

Dear Helena, Linda, Michelle, Chris and Steve,

Thanks for the care that you gave me today as I came down for my transesophageal echocardiogram. You were very nice, but you seemed to become even nicer as that thick, white fluid began flowing into my hand. You asked me questions, and I sure enjoyed answering them! I didn't mean to ignore you, but I had to check the backs of my eyelids for a bit just to make sure they were ok.

Then I heard everyone laughing and wanted to get in on the fun. I had something very witty to say, but for some reason there was a garden hose down my throat. I hope you are not offended that I didn't join in the repartee but I sure did try! What I was trying to say was, "I'm back!" (which upon reflection doesn't seem terribly witty), but it came out as "uuuggg uh uungg." I hope you understand that was not intentional.

So, thanks for being such good friends and brightening my day. Let's do it again sometime...just without the garden hose.

Sincerely,
Dan