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......