Thursday, April 26, 2007

Bountiful Harvest ( Grey's Anatomy)

Mr. Davidson came in the hospital brain dead. His brain got "scrambled" after a bunch of idiot bike riders ran him off the street.

Two surgical interns took charge of him. One of them, Dr. YAng, was not disturbed with the situation at all. The other, Dr. Stevens, was so concerned that she even considered having a "miracle" that can keep Mr. Davidson's neurons get going.

The resident physician instructed them to have the EKG taken and if there are no significant changes within 6 hours, they have to declare him legally dead. It is not something unusual in the medical field but yes, it's a very odd situation to deal with.

The two interns couldn't let their tired asses wait 6 hours without doing anything and so they brainstormed on what to do. Dr. Stevens still dwelled on her "miracle" possibility and Dr. Yang still remained firm that they can do nothing except take the EKG and perhaps do a CT scan. They probed even deeper and finally came up with the idea that since the patient is only brain dead, his organs might as well be healthy. Being the "hungry-for-operation" surgical interns, they make as much possibility just to scrub in an operation. Yes, they though of having a "harvest surgery". It's a surgery that will make Mr. Davidson a possible donor of many organs.....his organs!

Dr. Yang sought the approval of Mrs. Davidson for the said procedure. She gave her permission for the major organs understanding that her husband's organs may save other people's lives. But when Dr. Yang asked if Mr. Davidson can donate his skin as well, Mrs. Davidson finally broke down. It was something beyond the human dignity's capacity to take in. Dr. Yang understood that and she also understood that she never had the empathy when it comes to her patients.

Everything was set and the team was ready for well, the harvest! Dr. Burke cut in, through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, the fascia, the peritoneum and finally exposed Mr. Davidson's inner cavity. They took the pancreas first and stored inside a cooler. The liver was taken next, then the kidneys, the lungs and finally Mr. Davidson's heart.
A deafening flat line dominated the operating room. The harvest was finally

over!

It is a bit difficult to accept that it is legally right to do such operation. Considering the fact that it crosses the line of the human person as a whole being. Looking at the brighter side, the organs can save many more lives. It's just a pity to see a brain dead man with nothing spared but his stomach and intestines.

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