It was taken in 1987 in the city of Zabsha, Poland.
The picture captures a moment after a 23-hour heart transplant surgery. Imagine being in constant tension for 23 hours, with every movement of your arms, legs, and body holding so much pressure, knowing that a small mistake could cost someone’s life. Back then, there was no advanced equipment to monitor the doctors’ every move. The surgery was done by a highly skilled Polish heart surgeon, Zbigniew Religa.
In the photo, he looks exhausted as he checks how the new heart is working. Even after a full day of surgery, he still feels the weight of responsibility. If you look closely, you can see his tired assistant sleeping in the corner on the far right. The photo shows the reality of what was happening in that operating room, and it almost makes you feel like you’re there with them. The man on the operating table is Tadeusz Zhitkevich, a teacher.
In 1987, he had severe heart failure. By then, he had already survived three heart attacks. At around 60 years old, doctors told him that someone his age wouldn’t survive such a complex operation. But Zhitkevich couldn’t walk anymore, so he wrote a letter to Dr. Religa. The letter only said: “I am a teacher. I have a sick heart. I am asking for help.” The doctor replied, “Please come.” The surgery was successful.
The teacher lived for another 30 years and passed away at the age of 91 from old age.
