My next posting in surgery was in Urology. I had been hoping to join the unit because I had a sense of familiarity with it. It was calmer than my previous 3 units. At some point we had only one patient and I did not get to experience any emergencies during my call hours. I met the house officer I worked with in pediatric surgery and since we already had a good flow, we continued from where we stopped.
The wards were calm but the clinics were the opposite. Aside from seeing patients, one of the most important part was to pass, change and remove catheters. These had to be done within the clinic hours.
Now most of the people that were for these procedures were elderly male patients and hence, extra caution had to be applied. Overall the process of doing these procedures had to be done carefully to avoid more damage to the patient.
The interesting part of this experience was the caliber of the people who came to be seen. It made me realize how fragile health can be humbling. Despite the positions some of these patients held or the importance of their place in their fields, they had to humble themselves for me to respond to their needs. This did not mean I did not respect their privacies or their person, however they were respectful of my position despite the gap between us.
I had an interesting experience in this unit. I got along with almost everyone except one person but I did not mind much because the person was not among the most important persons and all I had to do was limit my contact and stand my ground when necessary.
All through my rotation in surgery, I never took a picture of myself mainly because it slipped from my mind and also because I was conscious of protecting the privacies of the patients I was interreacting with. However, I was approaching my last day in this unit and one of my seniors asked me to assist him in a hydrocelectomy. I hoped that I would get a picture at least and that was when my colleague took pictures without me having to ask.
In Urology unit, I felt smart because I was able to answer most of the questions I was asked. I enjoyed the nurses as well, they were the first set I had a warm relationship with and that synergy helped make my work faster and easier.
I spent two weeks in this unit but it was the fairest I had had so far and I was able to even make my hair after weeks of not being able to. I was even able to have naps few times.
It was time to move on to my last unit in Surgery.
SPINEFUL
The last unit I went to was Orthopedic and it had three firms: A, B, and C. The first two firms were busy and the last was the calmest. I was put in C.
I felt paradoxical about it because I wanted to be in a unit I could learn and not in a unit that was lazy. Most of the times, they did not have a house officer due to the limited patients in the ward.
Interestingly, the clinics were long but our patients were never much. I think what contributed was that we had interactions with neurosurgeons.
Firm C was the spine unit.
Most of my patients were elderly and interestingly I got along with older patients. They could throw tantrums like children and needed some firmness yet with respect. I communicated well with them and I was able to give feedbacks that were necessary.
I got along with my seniors. Sometimes, I felt they were demanding, stretched or simply inconvenienced me but we still got along. They did not hesitate to also teach me eagerly.
My calls in this unit was calm as well. It was not draining and I rarely had emergencies or calls from the ward. This unit allowed me to rest and I had three weeks of it.
The nurses I met in this unit were as helpful just like in my previous unit and it made my work easier.
The clinics were interesting, most of our patients came with complaints of back pain, were being managed as cases of degenerative diseases, metastatic malignancies to the spine, compressive spine conditions, post surgical cases.
At the end of my time in this unit, one of my seniors said “I commend your diligence, attention to details and most of your gentility in the face of hardship”.
I was not expecting this feedback and it really touched me to know that I was observed well and even when I was stretched my response was observed which were not faked.
It made a lot of things make sense because there were times I felt that certain things were extra for me but I was able to respond in a controlled way.
This taught me to do my work well and even when my seniors appeared to be unreasonable, it should not deter me from doing the right thing. This did not mean I did not speak up when I felt I was pushed to the wall but as much as possible I did my part.
I had one week to rest before starting the next posting. This was my first holiday and I had not made up my mind where or how to spend it.
But before I tell you to wait for the next part, let me share some things that helped me cope in my surgery posting.
HOW I COPED WITH SURGERY POSTING
This part would not be complete without telling you how I coped.
So feeding was difficult because I found it hard to cook frequently and I am a fan of eating out. There was call food but finding time to eat frequently was also difficult. I survived anyway, cooked more when I was in calmer units.
I also had a close friend with whom I shared my difficuties with and this was quite therapeutic in helping me unburden my heart.
My parents called to always encourage me and this was refreshing. I did not take for granted. My experience was not alien to them because they had experience in the medical field and they gave me advices that was helpful.
Then there were my siblings and other non medical friends with whom the interactions gave space from the stressful times.
Then there were my colleagues that I worked with and we share our different experiences and this in itself was therapeutic.
Interestingly, I never participated in any extra social activities and did not watch movies in this posting.
I was unable to frequent church but gratefully, I had Bible studies online and also regularly attended online services. This really helped me to maintain my connection with God. At some point I was finding it difficult to do morning devotions until I had to be strict on myself and gratefully my morning devotions became more consistent.
I joined a Medical Christian organization before I started house job and this was a great outlet in helping me continue a consistent fellowship with God despite my busy schedules. I was able to have Bible studies and listened to sermons as well.
N.B I will share more on this in coming parts of this series.
This posting was tight that I was unable to keep up with blogging in an organized manner. I was only able to put up few podcasts (which I am grateful I was able to do).
My first posting was down and I thought I had learnt enough to help me do better in the next posting but was that true? Was I ready for the next posting?
I felt disorganized but fulfilled. I had enjoyed my first posting with hopes I was going to gain some balance in the coming months but was I correct?
Or was I being unrealistic?
You will know the answer to these questions in coming parts.
Until then, stay safe and God bless you.
#W.O.L.A.P
Deeperlook 