Practicing “self-care” when the world seems to be falling apart may feel like a luxury. Nevertheless we must all find a way to tend to our own needs while we continue to navigate our broken systems. Join the MedHumChat community as we discuss the important work of Seizing Diatole.
Colleen Farrell: Systole and Diastole, Strength and Openness
“Though it might sound strange, the physiology of diastolic heart failure helped me make sense of my own story. On the wards as a medical student, I faced a high-pressure system: the long hours, the suppression of my bodily needs, the rigid hierarchy. Attendings asked pimping questions, and I felt like I was constantly being evaluated. I witnessed patients’ suffering and saw death for the first time. I adapted as necessary, like the left ventricle does in the face of high pressure. I got strong and tough. I learned to not cry, and eventually, to not feel.”
Matthew Tyler: How Spiritfarer Helped Me Through the Pandemic
“At that moment, I was flooded with memories of conversations where I had to tell someone that their loved one was dying from COVID. Since our hospital restricted visitors I never knew the faces of these family members, just their tortured voices as I broke the terrible news by phone. I did this over and over again every day for what felt like an eternity. There were no proper goodbyes for these families. There was no closure, because how could there be? The breakneck pace someone could go from healthy to dying was impossible to wrap their heads around. It was impossible to wrap my head around it too.”