What a week.....

I started my first rotation in general surgery on Monday, August 30th, 2010. It was a rough ride the first two days. I was just following the residents around like a lost puppy...Unsure of myself, not understanding my role on the team.....I was placed with a new team on Wednesday because every 1st of the month, the residents begin a new team. This team is wonderful! They are very patient with me and willing to teach me the ropes! I've had an opportunity to scrub in on many surgeries this week. During the surgeries, I have held retractors for the attending, operated the laparoscope, cut the sutures for the attending and resident. I was also pooped on during a surgery....I know...crazy, but it happened!

The most difficult part right now is adjusting to the very long hours and being away from my family. If they were here with me, I'm sure this wouldn't be as difficult for me. I would be able to come home and see my son's smiling face and hear his words...I would be able to get the biggest, my loving hug from my wife.....and best of all, fall asleep right next to the loves of my life! That physical comfort would be enough to get me through each and every difficult day in this surgical rotation. But they are not here, so I must move on the best I can. I will take each day as it comes and plan on having a great day of learning! I look forward to seeing my family in 2 weeks and that is what I focus on. That is what keeps me going on a day to day basis...

My goal as far as this rotation goes this week:

1. Follow up on patients and be able to confidently write a SOAP note
2. Continue to scrub in on surgeries
3. Close the wound in surgery
4. Continue to learn how to write a Trauma H&P
5. Continue to learn how to write a Surgical Consult.

Day 1: General Surgery

Today was my first day in general surgery. I woke up at 4:15am and left the house by 5:15am...didn't take me very long to get there or find the parking structure I was told to park in. I arrived on the floor at 5:30am and waited to meet my preceptor at 6am. We did morning rounds together where she checked in with her patients. I was able to get a pair of scrubs, but had to wear my dress shoes all day long! Talk about tired feet!! I then just followed my preceptor around all morning until she asked one of her fellow co-workers if I could sit in on a couple surgeries she was involved in...And I was off to the OR! I got to scrub in the first surgery which was a repair of an inguinal hernia! I also had an opportunity to hold a retractor for the doctor! That was awesome! I must admit, I felt important! Then, I just observed the next surgery...It was a long 2.5 hour surgery and I hadn't had but one granola bar up to this point and it was almost 3pm!!! I planned on going to lunch but, I had to meet my preceptor. We went through more rounds with the higher ups....We were back and forth in and out of patient rooms...So no time for food! I barely had time to use the bathroom...Yet she told me today was a slow day! OMG! Slow?? oh wow! I finally got to leave at 6pm and was told to be back at 6am! Oh, boy....the way I feel right now, I hope the next 6 weeks go by very, very fast! And I don't think surgery is where I want to work simply because of the hours....It's too tough on my family...Although, I loved holding the retractor and I'm going to love to suture!! :) I'll check back next week so let you know how I'm doing!

Reflecting.....

As I watch this show called "Boston Med", I am reflecting on my past year in school and what I am about to face in 2 weeks. It has been a long, difficult, exhausting year! There have been many who have doubted me. And some who have been allies and nothing but support! I just had a classmate tell me this week that in the beginning of the year he thought I would "never make it". And then he said he was really proud of me!

On my last day of lecture, I got into my car and the radio was on....The chorus of the song was "I made it". Can you believe that? I sure have made it!

I found a new tv show that I just love! It is called, "Boston Med" and it is on ABC (I am watching the episodes free online!!). I watch some of the interns/residents go through losing patients, saving lives, laughing and joking with coworkers, going home to their families...I sat there for a moment and felt really sad. Sad because my family will not be here with me. I won't be able to come home from a hard day and talk about how I witnessed a patient dying. Or the times where I will help save someone!! Or the little things, like suturing up a wound for the first time! I just hope that the next 3.5 months go by quick so that I can be reunited with my family and be able to share my journey directly with them.

Stay tuned as I take you through the ups and downs of my clinical rotations......