Planet as Patient
by Mary Oak
Medical Notes for Terra Gaia
Occupation: Creator and Sustainer
Age: Unknown. Appears to be around 4.5 billion years old.
Not insured.
Chief Complaint: Labored breathing with extremely high fever.
This multigravida elderly planet presents with raging fever, extensive rash and manifold injuries including bruising, gashes, puncture wounds, lacerations, and third-degree burns. Brought in by human daughters who discovered their ailing mother after a extended period of no communication. This is her first visit to the clinic, no previous charts available. Patient mute, medical history provided verbally by daughters. Patient appears to be in distress but responsive, has a kind demeanor, engages in eye contact, and appears to be remarkably resilient. Pain suspected. Noticeable scars cover much of her body. Scarification from being partially scalped. Despite manifold wounds, she orbits gracefully, and reflexes are intact.
Daughters report that patient has a history of being abused. Increase of extreme fluctuations in seasons. Human disorders.
Medications: None that daughters are aware of. No known allergies.
Therapies: Daughters report that previously prescribed climate change mitigation has not been observed, although small doses of river restoration, sustainable forestry practice and farming are currently administered daily.
Observations: Fever surpasses measurable temperature of clinic’s thermometers. Labored breathing concomitant with irregular pulse. BP erratic. CO2 emissions rising. Low oxygenation. Smog. Forests in decline. Multiple fires raging, drought conditions rampant. Slashes still bleeding. Ocean life appears to be collapsing. Onset of rash concurrent with the increase of a chronic infestation of humans far exceeding sustainable levels. Many rivers impeded by dams. Lava flow gushing, unable to clot.
Assessment: Autoimmune response noted, etiology unknown. Topsoil deficiencies. Swathes of monoculture. Forest insufficiency. Many creatures at risk.
Pathology report findings:
• Low Atmosphere shows a peculiar irregularity that needs stabilizing.
• Oceans: over-acidic, presence of microplastics throughout, depletion of fish, coral reefs degenerating.
• Dangerous levels of multiple toxins in blood and all tissues.
• Rivers show a range of sepsis.
• Culture of humans discloses fossil fuel addiction, dangerous levels of dream depletion and impaired imagination resulting in pronounced deficiency of hope.
• Cardiac monitoring reveals an unidentified condition that demands further investigation: an extraordinary singing heart of multiple voices.
Recurring fluctuation in seasons will lead to increased instability. If chronic infestation of humans continues, it will far exceed sustainable levels. Patient is at risk of continued degeneration.
Plan: Complex case of compound traumas.
At risk for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Monitor closely.
Underlying etiology of the demands of humans present in patient’s body need to be addressed in order for Gaia Madre to survive.
Treatments: Urgent need to drawdown Co2. Could begin by significantly reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuels.
Purification of all toxins needs to begin immediately. Intercropping and plant diversity recommended. Continue and increase sustainable forestry, river restoration and organic farming. Removal of dams recommended. Cessation of mass fishing. Daughters have been counseled about these recommendations.
Human problem is complicated. Hope prescribed in liquid form: 3 tbs, morning and evening. Although in experimental trial phase, proceed with supplementary dream visions.
Given her history of abuse, Terra Gaia needs to be protected. Daughters understand urgency, express concern and are willing to care for her along with their extensive family, including many more siblings. We are assured that they will do everything within their power to protect their mother from further harm.
Turnaround not ruled out but consider referral to Hospice.
Otherwise?
Probe deeper into unexplained singing heart.
~
Mary Oak is a Senior Lecturer, Antioch University, Seattle.
Artist note: My creative work is inspired by a spirituality that draws from many sources, rooted in a love for the living Earth. I honor the power of myth, poetry, story, and ritual to heal and bring restoration to one another and the more than human world. This piece is a Hermit Crab essay (a form coined by Brenda Miller) that takes the form of Medical Notes as a structure –or shell, to inhabit in a playful way. It speaks to a mystery beyond all that can be measured, and the presence of a multi-voiced singing heart that may ultimately bring renewal. To see more about my work find me at www.maryoak.com.
