A Surgeons Reflections on Mortality

I was sent the book Final Exam: A Surgeon’s Reflections on Mortality (Vintage) by Pauline Chen, which I have just started to read and will write more about it later. However I was struck by a phrase early in the book

“Twenty years ago when I was applying to medical school, I believed I was going to save lives. Like the heroic doctors of my imagination. I would spend my days in triumphant face-offs with death and watch the parade of saved patients return to my office full of life, smiles, and back-slapping gratitude. What I did not count on was how much death would be a part of my work”

Until I read that, I had imagined – no idea why, when I look back! – that the Doctors who greet us with news are immune to death, that they see it as part of their job. I remember the Doctor replying to me saying that I was going to sit with him until he was taken away to the morgue…”Don’t be daft, it will be hours yet. He’s dead. We need to get through the night rush before he goes”

I remember thinking they don’t say that on the TV! The doctors always take time with the grieving relatives, where is George Clooney when you need him…..

But reading this book has made me realise that despite my bad experience, no one ever really comes to terms with death. Doctors and nurses are there for life….

Will let you know more about the book which is a fascinating insight into the mind of a surgeon and her ideas on mortality.