Echoes of family

AS TOLD TO BC PIRES

My name is Anuradha Boodram and I am an echocardiographer.

I come from and live in “the city that never sleeps" St James, the heart of all the action. I consider myself blessed that my family extends to grandparents, uncles, aunt and cousins in “the family home.” My grandmother always says, "Normal people in normal families [leave] the family nest. In our family, everyone came back!" There are now 11 of us under one roof!

Family is everything. My sister and I, after several years in London, where my deceased dad Khemraj Boodram lived, also moved back to the crowded family home. In 2013, after major renovations, everyone got their own space. We make time to pray as a family and to sit as a family for Sunday lunch.

Our patriarch, Samaroo Ramlal, my nana, passed away in April 2019 at 92. Never have I nor anyone ever heard him speak a harsh word. We hope his legacy of love, human values and family ideals live through his children and grandchildren.

I am who I am because of the love and sacrifices of my family. My mom Deborah Boodram, my baby sister, Ashwani Boodram, Mona Ramlal (Nani) my grandmother. My uncle Dave Ramlal (Mamoo/mom's brother) is like a father figure to me. My aunt Vidya (who I call Moss because, as a toddler, I couldn't say Mousie). My sister and I call Vijai Ramlal, my mom’s younger brother Ving. He and his wife, Rachel, have two adorable girls, Jaya and Sanam Ramlal. These are all the immediate family members, all under one roof.

My grandfather, the main male figure in my life, set the bar really high for any prospect life partner. Eventually, this amazing human being, Videsh Sooklal, was able to get and keep my attention. Because a lot of his mannerisms remind me so much of my grandfather. We got married last November 2021.

Asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered doctor, teacher, reporter, forensic pathologist, air traffic controller. In London, I pursued my BSc in radiotherapy at City University. I gained work experience at Great Ormond Street Hospital but I was too sensitive/emotional to work with sick kids everyday. I returned to Trinidad in 2003 and did the echocardiography course (in collaboration with York College, Canada). I received my diploma on October 20…. my birthday!

I come from Hindu background, attended Roman Catholic schools, attended church and temple. I believe that all paths lead to the same one God. I believe that God is beyond any name and form, or one particular religion. Quantum physics suggests the interconnectedness of all things and beings and the connection of our minds with a cosmic mind. Science is no longer disputing God, but rather shining a light on just how limitless God is. Even if BC Pires tells me science has
never recognised God, I want to believe it does!

I am the vice-president of the service-spiritual based TT Sri Sathya Sai Baba International Organisation. I also sometimes represent the organisation on the airwaves.

Most people choose their outfit then get the matching pair of shoes. I choose my shoes then get the outfit to go along with it.

I buy shoes and hide them in the trunk of my car. Because I get buffed for my frivolous shoe-shopping. I quickly run to the car, take shoes out of trunk and store them in my shoe cupboard.

Dr Joseph Murphy’s The Power of Your Subconscious Mind was my introduction into the power that lies within us to attract and manifest in our lives.

On my return from England I played mas for maybe three consecutive years (in a group of family members). Every year, my big toenails would fall off after two days of galavanting. It would grow back just in time for the next year's Carnival.

As an echocardiographer/cardiac sonographer, I use ultrasound 2-D and 3-D imaging technology to provide live imaging of the heart, called an echocardiogram (echo for short). It’s a non-invasive procedure for assessing the structure and function of the heart, looking at blood flow, valve function, and chamber size to determine the overall condition of the heart muscle.

After nine years, I resigned from my full-time echocardiography job. I had no plan. My mother was not happy! But it was a turning point in my life when I decided to follow my heart and started freelancing. Some weeks, I only worked two days a week. Currently, my day involves me giving coverage in Trinidad and Tobago at hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical clinics, diagnostic imaging centres and home visits. My work hours include weekends, evenings, holidays and on-call coverage.

It is very common to have patients arrive for their echo nervous, worried, sometimes very scared that their resting heart rate is higher that even 100bpm. I handle it by simply being myself. Over years of working with patients, I have developed an internal scanner of my own. Intuitively, I can somehow get that "vibe" that they’re nervous when I meet/greet my patients.

Even if they are aware, I explain to patients what to expect during the test, especially because it involves being in their personal space. I have to touch them. Many first-time patients are very friendly, especially the older folks. In that short space of time of having an echo done, they would share with me a lot of their wisdom, life's lessons, experiences, give me general advice on life and marriage and sometimes share hilarious stories. I have had many patients in their 90s and over 100! The team would normally ask for pictures with them, which they love.

I am very happy, grateful and privileged to be working with some of our country’s top cardiologists. I have declined work whereby I would not feel comfortable or confident. Because of the type of machines used can affect the quality of what I see on the echo, or the general modus operandi of that place, customer service. I've seen things in my professional life that are sometimes only described in textbooks.

The best part of the job is knowing I am assisting doctors in diagnosing and treating heart disease, the leading cause of death in our country. I act as the "eyes" of the cardiologist. The more accurate my work, the better the diagnosis/solution to save a life. I remind myself of this every day.

To me, being a Trini means “Fatherhood of God, Brotherhood of Man.” And understanding, taking pride in and loving our island and participating in its heritage, culture, unique language, music, food and people.

Besides being the unique and beautiful birthplace of soca, steelpan, chutney, limbo and parang that I boast about – and the place with the world’s largest traffic roundabout in the Queen's Park Savannah – Trinidad and Tobago, to me, means HOME.

Read the full version of this feature on Friday evening at www.BCPires.com