A mi mala suerte la escribo yo: José Playo at TEDxCordoba

Summary

The speaker shares a deeply personal journey of facing a spinal tumor diagnosis and the subsequent physical challenges. They recount the loss of bodily control, particularly concerning their hands, which are vital for their work and daily activities. The narrative explores the impact on their dignity during hospitalization, the support from family and friends, and the importance of passion, specifically writing, in coping with the ordeal. The speaker emphasizes the role of their blog as a therapeutic outlet and the unwavering support from anonymous online followers, concluding with the message to hold onto one's passions during life's most trying times.

Takeaways

• 😷 The speaker began with a humorous admission of fear towards the audience, setting a candid tone for the talk.
• 🏥 Last year, the speaker was diagnosed with a significant health issue - a tumor in the spinal cord, which threatened their physical stability.
• 🌟 Faced with a daunting choice between becoming immobile or risking severe bodily compromise, the speaker opted for surgery to address the tumor.
• 📝 Despite the fear, the speaker found solace and purpose in writing, using their blog to channel their experience and emotions.
• 🤝 The speaker highlighted the importance of support from friends and family, particularly in assisting with daily tasks during recovery.
• 🚽 The loss of dignity and autonomy in hospital settings was a significant struggle, especially during intimate care situations.
• 👨‍⚕️ There was a critique of certain hospital practices, such as the routine handling of patients, which the speaker found dehumanizing.
• 💊 The speaker humorously described their experience with strong pain medications, likening it to a 'party' and reflecting on the intensity of the pain they endured.
• 💔 A poignant moment was the fear of not surviving an additional surgery, leading the speaker to contemplate their legacy and epitaph.
• 🌈 The speaker emphasized the therapeutic power of passion, particularly writing, in helping them cope with and process their health crisis.
• 👏 The talk concluded with applause, reflecting the audience's appreciation for the speaker's candid and inspiring story.

Q & A

What health issue did the speaker discover in their spine?

The speaker discovered a tumor in their spinal cord, specifically at the level of the cervical vertebrae.

What were the two options the speaker felt they faced due to their health condition?

The speaker felt they had two options: either become a 'talking geranium' or spend the rest of their life with significant physical impairments.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the fear of losing parts of their body?

The speaker initially panicked, especially at the thought of losing their hands, which they use extensively for work and other activities.

How did the speaker cope with the fear and the situation they were in?

The speaker decided to see the situation as an opportunity and used their blog to write about their experiences, channeling their fear and focusing on what they could still do.

What did the speaker feel was the first thing lost when entering a hospital?

The speaker felt that the first thing lost when entering a hospital was dignity, which they felt was left at the door.

Why did the speaker feel uncomfortable with the medical staff's curiosity after waking up from intensive therapy?

The speaker felt uncomfortable because they were surrounded by a crowd of faces eager to examine them without any introduction or personal connection, treating them more like a case than a person.

What was the most concerning physical effect the speaker experienced post-surgery?

The most concerning physical effect was the loss of control and sensation in the right side of their body, particularly their hand, which affected their ability to perform daily tasks.

How did the speaker's family members assist them during their hospital stay?

The speaker's family members assisted by helping with personal care tasks, such as bathing and going to the bathroom, which the speaker found difficult due to their physical limitations.

What was the significance of the 'anonymous hands' mentioned by the speaker?

The 'anonymous hands' referred to the supportive comments and well-wishes from strangers on the internet, which provided emotional support and encouragement to the speaker during their recovery.

What was the additional health complication the speaker experienced after being discharged from the hospital?

After being discharged, the speaker experienced a ruptured gallbladder, which required urgent surgery and added a new level of pain and complexity to their recovery.

What was the speaker's greatest fear before going into the second surgery?

The speaker's greatest fear was not being able to continue writing their blog and not knowing what their epitaph would be, reflecting on the permanence and legacy of their story.

What advice does the speaker give regarding passion and its role in coping with difficult times?

The speaker advises that everyone should hold onto their passions, as it was their passion for writing that helped them maintain their sanity and cope with the challenges they faced.