Surgeries

Just a quick post, because I need a break before I start studying for the night. Today I observed a few orthopedic surgeries at Bay Park (yay for me for making my way around East Toledo without getting lost and/or mugged!). I was supposed to observe a total knee replacement, a bankart repair (that's a shoulder surgery), and an ACL repair. The total knee ended up canceling, so I saw the other 2 and a shoulder scope that ended up being a small rotator cuff repair. It was a very awesome day. Minus the fact that no one gave me a scrub jacket to wear so I was freezing in the OR the whole time and then the lady that promised me she would walk me out so I wouldn't get lost, never came to walk me out, so I had to navigate my way around an unfamiliar hospital. The surgeon I followed was a really nice guy. He really tried to take the time to explain things to me as he was doing them and pretty much just let me follow him the whole day. He only asked me one anatomy question which I actually got right. The surgeries were pretty amazing to watch, especially the ACL repair. It gave me a while new appreciation for the pain that people go through after a surgical procedure like that. I can also say that one job I NEVER want to have is that of a surgical tech or surgical nurse. Talk about high stress. Although the surgeon I observed did take the time to tell one girl who was apparently pretty nervous that she was doing a great job and not to be intimidated. I'm sure not all surgeons take the time to do that. All in all it was a good day, especially since I didn't have to be there until 10:30 and my CI told me that I could just go straight there instead of going to Wildwood first. I got to sleep in a couple of hours! After the surgeries, I went back to Wildwood and pretty much just did one eval and that was it for the day. Tomorrow we have 4 evals, which should make for a super busy day, but that makes the day go by faster, which brings me to my day off faster - a whole day to study. Not that I want to study all day long, but if I want to make it through this clinical without looking like an idiot the entire time and eventually actually pass my boards, I better just grit my teeth, sacrifice some sleep, and study the days/nights away. Coffee and energy drinks are my new best friends :)