Henry Marsh, a famend British neurosurgeon, turns 73 in a month however stays in form. He confesses that he not cares a lot that different runners move him (one thing tragic for many runners). He would not miss his youth: a wild, irrational age, filled with uncontrolled feelings. He believes that he has had a very good life and his solely objective is to proceed having fun with it till he dies.
And you possibly can die quickly.
Just a few years in the past he was recognized with prostate most cancers. He tells it in his final ebook, At the top issues of life or demise (Salamander, translation by Eduardo Hojman). There is nothing worse than a health care provider turned affected person, he reveals. Before the prognosis, the physician downplays the signs: he rationalizes them. Afterwards, he does nothing however examine his ailment and turns into obsessive about it. At a sure level, Henry Marsh stops studying about most cancers and decides to dwell life: he enjoys his spouse, his granddaughters, his mates and his walks by means of Oxford.
Marsh would not imagine in God. He doesn’t imagine that he’s invited to any “heavenly banquet.” But he is aware of that faith comforts within the face of demise. And he’s fearful of dying. He repeats to himself that of Hume on his deathbed: if I didn’t really feel concern earlier than start, why undergo it after my demise. But the argument isn’t sufficient. At most, he believes with Einstein that maybe we dwell in a “time block” the place previous, current and future are confused.
Henry MarshRoser Ninot
His reflections on life and demise solely lead him to 1 conclusion: probably the most valuable factor he has is his household. Her first marriage failed, however along with her second she has been very blissful. She additionally has good mates and the pleasure of 40 years working brains. When she appears again, she will solely give one piece of recommendation: “We have an obligation to dwell in such a manner that we go away good recollections.”
And he concludes: “I usually suppose that true happiness consists in making others blissful.”
Henry MarshRoser Ninot
Therefore, he regrets having been little compassionate or empathetic along with his sufferers, excessively bold in his work and along with his colleagues, and impatient or careless along with his household. He acknowledges that the nice life is extra a matter of luck than success. Luck is to have been born right into a affluent nation, time and household. Success has extra to do with this luck than with effort (“though it’s essential to make an effort”).
On his option to the most cancers hospital – now on foot – Henry Marsh solely feels a deep compassion for the youthful individuals he comes throughout. He simply desires them to have the nice life he is had.