Have Heart

The last time I laid eyes on my brother, the doctors had ripped open his chest and could not get it closed again. The implanted heart did not tolerate its new home well and would only function if my brother’s chest cavity remained open. I remember being surprised at the number of machines and tubes connected to his body. The war nature waged against him had presented him with the final battle for his life.

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When Ferrar assigned the Linear Systems individual project, I seriously considered using his truss example for my proposal–This, in order to preserve my mental energy and sanity. However, eye-rolling guilt led me to put a few brain cells to good use and aim for the apex of Bloom’s Taxonomy. I must enlist a slew more if I am to reach the top. I will be studying the intricate blood flow network within two cardiac systems. This will be a static simulation of healthy and impaired heart function. Goodbye Spring Break.

Two years ago my brother rushed hours to UPenn Hospital after getting The Call: “Good news Chris, we have the heart.” Although his own was functioning at 20% of normal capacity, he would never back down easily from a challenge. He fought with every ounce of his will to brave the initial bumps of his complications. Unfortunately, it was not enough. He doesn’t know it but he left me to face his legacy of having heart when things appear formidable. Fittingly, I don’t know if this project will pan out as envisioned but I am compelled anyhow to burn the truss and advance into the unknown.