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I have seen the inside of many people, from the bones of their extremities to the deepest parts of their abdomens and pelvises, or is that pelvi? I've even been privy to the inside of their skulls, where the pulsating gray and white matter rose up slightly after the skull flap was removed, as if in a subtle greeting. Many have been exposed before me and I thank the powers that may be that I have never been exposed in such a manner. Due to a knee arthroscopy years ago, the joint of my right knee is no longer virginal, but none have seen beyond that. For my knee scope I had spinal anaesthesia (as was the standard where I had it done) and I requested no other drugs for the procedure so that I would remain alert and I could watch. It was great, and of course I still have the pictures.
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But I am so curious! I want to see what the arthritic joint of my right index finger looks like on xray. I have a constant urge to "accidentally" leave my hand under the c-arm when the surgeon calls "Shot" in hopes of gathering a glimpse. Once, while seated during an ankle case, the c-arm image revealed a patella! The surgeon moved the ankle slightly and requested another shot. There it was again, a ghostly, blurred, yet undeniable image of a patella. I then realized that it was my knee, under the table in the path of the image intensifier. But alas, the realization came too late for me to study the image.
My brother had his gallbladder removed. There was no video and no pictures. Not that it is routine to do so, but, if I ever have a lap chole, I want to see what lies within my peritoneal cavity. Take the tour to my pelvis and show me my uterus (I am always amazed at how small they can be!) and tease out my ovaries so I can check on them also. If it's not retroperitoneal, may as well peek at my well behaved appendix too. But don't do a prophylactic appendectomy just yet, I still have not made a decision about that! Back up towards the diaphragm and check out my pulsating heart against the left wall. Perhaps a peek along the left and right paracolic gutters seeing what can be seen without manipulation. I suppose I would want leave the rest alone so as not to disturb the natural resting places of my remaining organs.
What kind of images come back from the wireless capsule endoscope? I imagine something like Fantastic Voyage, though I'm betting it's not as fantastic. Yet, when the time comes for my colon check-up, I wanna see! If I need an EGD, video please!
The one organ of mine that I hope no one ever gets to see is my brain. First I don't want anyone laughing at how small it is, or how much larger the right side is than the left! Secondly, if someone is looking at my brain, whether it be from a hole in my skull or a diagnostic image, I've probably got bigger problems than I care to see
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6 comments:
It's truly a fantastic voyage you're discribing. I'd join you anytime. Around the abdomen in 80 minutes :)
The best part about having cancer was that I DID get to see tons of my inside parts that I would normally not get to see. I am sad that I forgot to ask to see my thyroid when they took it out, but I did get to see my ovary and pictures of my uterus. My doctor thought it was cool explaining everything to me and made sure to take extra pictures of everything so I would be able to see it when I was all the way awake. In fact, I still have pictures of my ovarian cyst saved on my computer. I think I also have pictures of my uterus adhered to my bladder before they took it out. I find the whole thing fascinating. If it wasn't for my squeamishness/fear of hurting someone else, I would totally be a surgeon/doctor/nurse/something.
Rad Girl and Eye-
Oh thank goodness! I'm not the only voyeur. You'd think after seeing so much of everyone else, I would be bored with my own innards!
it would be cool wouldn't it. imagine those body and head moments J.D. had in Scrubs.
my mum had her colonoscopy video burnt into a DVD for her by the colorectal surgeon. fancies of private health care.
I have just stumbled across your blog, and must say I'm hooked. Reading your blog is as if someone is writing from my own thoughts and desires. It's really fascinating, I love it. I hope you will indulge me a question, I went back a couple of posts (I'm in a 6 week block of Chemistry and Phsyiology at the moment, no time for more) and saw that you are not an RN, PA, MD or Scrub Tech. I was just wondering what route you took to become a first assist? I would LOVE to go to medical school, it's always been my dream, but I have a beautiful 2 year old son, and a husband who is an orthopaedic rep on trauma call 24/7, so 4 years of med school plus a 7 year surgical residency really don't work for our family life. I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind providing more detail in what courses you took in order to become an assistant without any of the aforementioned credentials. I've been observing LOADS of ortho cases lately (always trauma, that rush of adrenaline is unbeatable) and I'm DYING to get my hands in there and work, and I'm looking for the quickest route to do it while I make a final decision about medical school. If you wouldn't mind, and you have some time, could you e-mail me some information, at kelleykj@hotmail.com ? Thanks in advance! I've bookmarked your blog, and plan to come back often. Maybe I'll even start my own after this round of summer classes!
I wouldn't mind either!! I want to check out my vasculature as well...and be assured that 20 odd years of (relatively) healthy living has left me so far, relatively plaque free.
But my personal favourite from a surgical point of view...is watching the liver move up and down. I would need a mirror or TV screen to properly appreciate mine.
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