Life, is a wonderful and mysterious existence. Everyone has their own unique life trajectory, and some of them have experienced some special twists and turns. They are the people known as mental patients, their inner world is vastly different from ordinary people.
In the radiology department of this psychiatric hospital, tens of thousands of black and white images flash across the screen every day. As a radiologist who has been working for many years, I have long been accustomed to interpreting the inner world of patients through black and white images.
At this moment, the black and white image of this patient is quietly telling the story behind the image on the professional display screen, I know, I need to interpret it with medical knowledge…
In these black and white images, organ tissues gradually form abstract artistic works, their shapes, textures, and colors compose a unique visual feast. The pathology of the organs is also an artistic expression, showing the characteristics and progression of the disease in different forms and distributions. By observing these images, I can not only see the essence of the disease clearly but also feel the artistry of medicine and human care.
To me, every frame of the image is a conversation with the patient’s soul; every frame carries the story and emotions of the patient; every shot is a cherished care for life. In the image, I see the brain of a young woman, fear of an unknown fate shines through her eyes… In the image, I see the chest of an old man, his face marked with the vicissitudes of time… In the image, I see the abdomen of a child, his eyes gleaming with hope for the future… In this “special” work environment, I gradually discovered that the light of life does not only exist in a colorful world, it can also shine in the black and white world. What is displayed in the black and white world is not only the pathological changes of the disease but also the expression of the patient’s life.
Mr. L, a patient I met earlier this year, is a middle-aged man who has been struggling with repeated sleep disorders and depression. When he entered the radiology department, I could feel his inner despair and helplessness. Then, I recorded the results of his brain CT scan in black and white images, after careful observation, Mr. L’s brain showed significant abnormalities compared to normal people, which could be an important factor leading to his depression. Subsequently, I informed his attending physician of these results and also provided Mr. L with some related medical knowledge.
Over the next few months, Mr. L gradually recovered after careful treatment by his attending physician, and his depressive symptoms also improved significantly. When I saw him again, he excitedly told me that he was going to be a father. At that moment, I saw the power and beauty of medicine, and I saw the light of life. Mr. L and his partner may have experienced much pain and confusion, but they chose to persevere, pursuing the meaning of life. Their story makes me cherish and be grateful for every day of life even more.
I have always believed that whether in color or black and white, the light of life will shine through.
This young girl is called C, she was once a cheerful and lively student. Due to long-term bullying at school, she became suspicious, introverted, and depressed, and eventually chose to commit suicide by jumping off a building. Luckily, the building was not very high, and girl C was promptly taken to the hospital. This incident caused her spine to fracture and brain damage. When she was taken to the radiology department for examination, the black and white images revealed the rupture and damage to her body. Her spinal fracture was severe, requiring multiple surgeries, and the brain damage needed further observation and treatment. I could feel her inner pain and struggle, the spinal fracture preventing her from walking normally, and the brain damage affecting her cognitive and thinking abilities. These frames of black and white images are not only medical records but also witnesses to the turning point in her life.
In the following six months, girl C underwent multiple spinal surgeries, as well as brain treatments and psychological rehabilitation.
Under the guidance of black and white images, doctors could better understand her condition and recovery progress. Gradually, her steps became steady again, her frail body began to recover, and her brain function improved with treatment. When girl C was about to be discharged, she came to the radiology department to find me. She told me that she had decided to study psychology, realizing that her experience could be a force to help others, hoping to encourage more people with her own story. As she left, she said to me, “Thank you for your perseverance, it is your encouragement and persistence that have been supporting me, making me believe that I can stand up and think again, it is the black and white images that have given me a new life!”
This incident had a great impact on me, making me deeply appreciate the vitality contained in black and white images. Black and white images are not just tools of medicine but also an expression of art and a record of life. As a radiologist, we need to observe with our eyes, feel with our hearts, transform these black and white images into works of art, each image is an emotional bond between us and the patients, merging the patient’s inner emotions with our understanding of medicine. Let me see the pain and hardship of the patients with my eyes; let me listen to their cries and tears with my ears; let me feel their loneliness and helplessness with my heart; let me touch the patient’s body with my hands, conveying the power of love!
The black and white images in the radiology department have long been an indispensable part of the medical process. Through X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc., we can observe the organ structure and functional status of patients, helping us diagnose diseases, guide surgeries, and understand treatment progress.
Doctors are not just technicians, but listeners and supporters of patients. In the black and white images, my life resonates with the patients’, helping them find the meaning of life.
For the rest of my life, I prefer to be the light in the black and white world of patients, illuminating their journey with warmth…
Author’s Bio
Zou Can, female, senior engineer of medical devices, graduated from Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a major in medical imaging. Currently serving as the deputy director of administration of the Radiology Department of the Fourth People’s Hospital of Yulin City, Guangxi. She is also a standing member of the Radiology Quality Control Center of Yulin City. Engaged in imaging work for many years, she has studied at hospitals such as the People’s Hospital of Nanhai District in Foshan City and the First People’s Hospital of Yulin City.
Several academic papers have been selected and included by the Chinese Medical Association of Radiological and Cardiovascular Imaging Branch, the Chinese Medical Association of Interventional Radiology Branch, the Chinese Medical Association of Musculoskeletal Radiology Branch, the Chinese Ethnic Health Association Radiology Branch, the 15th National Medical and Health Youth Science and Technology Academic Conference, and the Radiology Branch of the Guangxi Medical Association. She has published over ten sole-authored academic papers and has won the award for the best academic paper in the city for four consecutive years. Participated in the compilation of one monograph and served as the project leader for a provincial level Traditional Chinese Medicine research project.
