Right vs Left

After posting the last post, I realized that my time spent reading X-rays may have created some confusion in the last post. When reading an X-ray, you describe findings based on the side of the findings in the patient. Therefore, a right pneumothorax is on the patient's right side, even though it is on the left side of the image displayed in front of you.

When I mentioned that Dr Cofer was on the right side of the picture, I meant that he was actually on the right side of the stage. He is actually on the left side of the picture. One of the invaders is on the left side of the stage, but on the right side of the picture. I didn't figure that you all would have difficulties differentiating the two, but just wanted to make sure that you knew that I didn't.

Actually, the more that I think about, the more I think that I am incorrect in describing Dr Cofer as being on the left side of the picture. If you are ascribing sidedness to a picture, you are giving it a human attribute. If you are therefore talking about a picture as though it possessed sidedness just as a person does, then Dr Cofer is on the picture's right side while the visiting invader is on the left side of the picture.

To make things clearer, perhaps I should say that Dr Cofer is on your left side as you look at the picture. However, that might lead you to believe that he wasn't in the picture, but actually stood by your side. It would also be incorrect if you happen to be reading this blog while standing on your head or while reading the reflection of your computer screen off of a mirror.

Ahhh the joy of making complexity out of what appears simple.

An Invasion

The other day our hospital was taken over by a large number of armed men. Elevators that normally take you to any floor in the hospital suddenly refused to stop on certain floors. The roof that is immediately above our lounge and call rooms, and is a favorite place for the smokers to do their thing, was taken over by snipers. We were given stern instructions not to go there. When men in dark suits with big guns tell you that, you tend to believe that obedience is in your best interest.

Here are a few pictures documenting the beginning of the invasion after the men with guns had cleared the path.

The leader of the free world, whose very presence resulted in a severe decrease in freedom for all in the same building, met with the leading hospital people. Dr Cofer, a liver transplant surgeon who is the surgery program director, is on the right side of the picture below. Although I knew he played a key role in whether or not I advance to the next level of my training, I think I'll try even harder to behave knowing that he has the ear of the man leading the men with guns.

Fortunately, plenty of cameramen were there to record the invasion. The presidenct remains popular in Tennessee. It is the only state to have elected a freshman Republican senator who just happened to have been the mayor of Chattanooga at one point. Local newspapers reported that the visit was a reward to the area for having elected a Republican.

For a full record of this occupation of Erlanger hospital by men with guns, visit either of these links from which the above pictures were borrowed. . .

http://www.erlanger.org/bushvisit/Bush001_199.pdf
http://www.erlanger.org/bushvisit/Bush200_319.pdf