In the end, the iPod will always be better than the Zune. Even while saving a life, people can’t leave home without their Apple iPod. A teenager from across the pond in the United Kingdom was given the rare opportunity to listen to his iPod while he was undergoing brain surgery. Gavin Brooke, who is 18 years of age, required surgery so that a brain tumor could be removed. But the doctors wanted Brooke to be awake during the surgery just so they knew it wasn’t damaging his brain. So in order for him to stay awake, the allowed him to bring his iPod and connect it to the surgery room’s sound system. The first track Brooke chose to listen to was “Apologize” by Timbaland featuring One Republic. The funny thing about this is that this was his second time undergoing the surgery. During the first brain surgery, the doctor were unable to fully remove the tumor. According to the head surgeon,
“The tumor was in a very difficult place that controls the movement of the body,” Andrew McElroy, the head neurosurgeon told The Sun newspaper. “And we had to ensure we didn’t damage the surrounding area. A few millimeters too far could have paralyzed him, so I let him listen to his iPod. We talked to him all the way through, and he was happy with his music on.”
Well apparently, the iPod saved Gavin Brooke’s life. I’m not quite sure if I would of chosen Timbaland and One Republic as the artists I would want to listen to. Given the fact that I have several surgeons with sharp knives working on my brain, I wouldn’t want to distract them with that kind of garbage music. But oh well. It did the job. Congratulations Gavin Brooke. And kudos to Apple for their beloved iPod.
- Geoff
[Source: CNET]
October 6th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Recently I had to have a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy done and the hospital I am at is a big fan of using it prior to surgery and as you wake up. The I pod stays with you the whole time playing whatever you like and they issue them to all the patients that would like one. The day before they ask you what type of music you like, download it, and then it plays during your whole procedure, even while you are sedated and instead of waking up to obnoxious sounds you wake up to whatever music you like. It’s much better, especially when you are in pain because you have something else to focus your mind on other than the pain. They have done this twice with me and I wouldn’t have it any other way ! Too bad this is only popular in pediatric hospitals and not most regular facilities as it’s a great benefit to the patients with very little financial output.