#51 Is There a Doctor in the House?

Happy New Year to all who observe and to everyone who would like to observe a time of renewal and reflection. Our synagogue held services on-line and in person once again this year. The Rabbi commented about how wonderful it was to hear the music and voices of the people blended together once again.  I whole-heartedly agree. I would like to share a quick reflection.

At the Yom Kippur service of 2019, the last time the sanctuary and the annex were crowded with worshippers, we had a situation. The Rabbi came to the microphone on the Bimah (dais) and asked,

“Is there a doctor in the house?”

In a synagogue filled with Jews, I thought at first that he might be cracking a joke. A dozen or more people stood up. I heard the commotion in the rear and of course, I responded. One of the worshippers was on the ground, having a seizure. Several other me people I recognized responded including an OB-GYN I know. The lady’s grown son told us that she had a seizure disorder and she had been lowered to the ground. This meant to me that having a seizure, for this lady, was not new and she likely suffered no trauma when she went to the ground.

I went to her head and tried to prevent her from striking her head on the floor during her tonic-clonic movements.  A little of her foamy saliva was bloody and I used tissue to sop that up. The rooms, which had at least 400 people in it, fell completely silent. All eyes were upon us. Needless to say, the conditions for privacy went out the window. I was talking quietly to the son and to the other physicians there. This was one of the most unusual emergency situations I had ever attended.

Within a very short period of time, the lady relaxed into a post-ictal state.  Someone else had called the paramedics.  The synagogue is located less than a mile from the fire station and even closer to the hospital where I worked. While we were waiting for the EMS squad, the Cantor led the congregation into a chorus of the prayer of Mi Sheberach.  This is a beautiful prayer for healing.

At least under the cover of the congregation singing, I could tease the OB-GYN about not having to check for toxemia. To add to the “other-worldly” nature of the situation, at one point I saw my mother-in-law’s retired internist trying to get onto the flood to help.  This gentleman was well over 90!! I assured him that we youngsters had the situation well in hand. (I was the youngest doc there by at least ten years and I am not young.)

Shortly thereafter, I gave report to the paramedics, and they were able to move the lady out of the sanctuary.  She was starting to come around and was eventually discharged later that day after her trip to the emergency department.  I suggested to her son that she didn’t even need to go but there was nowhere private for her to rest and to collect herself. I was overruled by the internist on scene who I have to believe, hadn’t seen anyone seize in more than 25 years.  He thought the time of the seizure seemed too long.

I washed my hands and rejoined the service, already in progress.  i took my seat next to my husband, a gastroenterologist, who never responds to help requests when I am around. It’s become a little bit of a family joke.  When our pals, the endocrinologist, pulmonologist and another gastroenterologist saw me, they also retreated.  Joan is there.

I am happy report that there were no medical emergencies today.  There was a modest and partly masked crowd present.  The doors of the sanctuary were opened on either side to promote the circulation of air throughout the cavernous room. The two Rabbis were leading prayers with their backs to the congregation as they faced the area where the torah scrolls are kept. A rumble of commotion suddenly swept through the front of the sanctuary. A stray bird had flown in through one of the open doors.  The poor fellow didn’t know what to do and after flying around a little, landed on the ledge of one of the high skylight windows.

Rabbi David Spinrad did not miss a beat and immediately said a little blessing for our guest.  The bird perched there quietly through the rest of the morning service.  Later, animal control of Alexandria, VA, came and helped return the bird back to nature, unharmed. Our feathered guest provided a little comic relief to the morning’s prayer service.  Rabbi Spinrad had suggested just the evening before that we add more humor to our daily routine and processing of many different problems on our minds.

The holiday message of teshuvah, tefillah and tzedakah resonated in the morning service. These are commonly translated as repentance, return to spirituality and charity. I remembered, with gratitude, the lives of several dear friends who died over the last year. Rabbi Romano reminded us to make the best of the life we are living now.  I am going back to writing, teaching, and mentoring physicians, students, and anyone who will listen. I sat down at the computer and wrote this reflection.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!