Robot wars

On twitter today there is a short clip of a robot with 5 limbs opening a door for a four limbed robot. Very cool. Very clever.

This reminded me to finish programming the robot kit Daughter 2 gave me and indeed to mend the ‘ limb’ of the one I made with Son2 or *BFG as he is often called on account of his extraordinary height.

In the making of these very basic robots I have had to read instructions ( not my style!), solder, fiddle with tiny pieces with my too clumsy fingers, wonky eyes and impatient nature . It’s taken me hours and hours. But I’ve done it and I think family delighted to shut me up…ish. It has made me reflect that poor surgeons must have to fiddle with tiny stitches and tiny tubes but with ever so delicate fingers, very very fast and no mistakes.

In the book I’ve just been loaned by cardiologist neighbour ‘ Naked Surgeon’. His colleague at Papworth wrote it. The fact that there are so many people in the operating theatre is a moot point. If all goes well ie the patient lives the ‘ team’ did well. If not, and for cardio that’s a binary situation …ie dies…the surgeon takes the blame. That’s brutal. No amount of consent forms can ever make up for it.

Despite all my whinging I have the greatest respect for surgeons. What responsibility what courage.

*In a strange parallel I should explain that Son 2 was born with a heart defect. In many hours, nights, days, years, of hospitalisation looking out over the Thames, there are many memories I’d rather forget. My decision to consent to a particular drug is one story. The surgeon carefully explained possible side effects to me. He then moved to the next sick baby and of course I could hear every word of the same conversation. Even though the privacy curtains were drawn!!?. #as-if

Nervously I chose to accept the treatment plan for Son2. He improved and we got home in time for Christmas. The baby next to us did not have the drug. He got more sick. He did not go home for Christmas.

The long list of side effects included : stunted growth. As Son2 is now pretty fit and well and at 6’6” a keen sportsman. I’m glad I signed the consent form . BFG .