Ambulance Chaser

One day while visiting my father I noticed a device sitting on the floor next to where he sat on the couch. I had seen it there before on numerous occasions. My father had a ham radio operator's license and I had always assumed it to be a walkie talkie or some sort of hand-held ham radio gadget. Then one day, I held it. The clouds parted, a brilliant light shone down from the sky, and I think I heard harp music somewhere in the background. As I turned the volume switch on, my father who had decided that my career in the medical field was at last, something he could be proud of me for, brightened when he informed me, "I have the ambulance programmed in there." And so began my relationship with his scanner.
When my fathers health worsened and he could no longer remain at home, the scanner went everywhere with me. I think he got a kick out of it, inquiring if I had heard anything interesting on the ambulance channel that day when I would go to visit him. When he passed on, the scanner became part of my inheritance.
Since that time I have modified the channels, deleting the ham radio frequencies, adding fire and of course, all of the med channels, flight channels and ambulance dispatch channels. I now know of incoming traumas before the OR does.
Very few people know that I own a scanner. There seems to be a sort of cheesy, busybody, Jerry Springerish stereotype associated with scanner owners. I'm careful not to call the OR and ask, "Is that GSW coming down?" or, "Is there anything surgical coming down from that ped vs. auto?" because that would be cheesy. I still have to wait to be invited to the trauma-rama, but when I am on trauma call it gives me a heads up and I can get the animals and myself all set to go so when the call does come to me, I am ready to roll. There have been a few occasions when I "just happened" to be in the vicinity of the trauma center when the OR called.
Now if I can just get them to give me a trauma pager........

Day dreaming

Today I am blowing off a baby shower for a friend of mine. Don't fear, we are having another surprise shower for her next month. Of course since it is a surprise, she doesn't realize we are having another one for her and she will probably resent me until then.
Instead, I am listening to Bongi's interview on the DR. A show. I was unable to catch the live broadcast. In listening to Bongi speak of the medical training in his country, I think it would be a method that I would enjoy. Gathered from his blog posts and this show, I envision it as shotgun training so to speak, sink or swim, flying by the seat of your pants, relying on yourself and your own skills, hand sewing instead of stapling, knowing how to do open procedures before you learn them laparoscopically.
In my desire to assist on general surgeries, I never count laparoscopic surgery. It is it's own category, a non-surgery so to speak. When we are doing a particularly nasty lap chole and the anatomy is skewed, things are bleeding, there are adhesions everywhere and the common duct is not easily identified, I have been known to chant in my head, "Open, open, open..." Some surgeons will stubbornly plod on for a great length of time and then finally decide that it is time to open in order to finish the procedure safely. Others stubbornly continue on until they have conquered the diseased gallbladder through the camera, as if opening is admitting defeat.
In bowel resections I'm always happy when the surgeon does a hand anastamosis, it means more for me to do. A double layered closure of the anastamosed lumen of the bowel is definitely an art form and in my opinion, definitely worth learning.
I am not sure on the money conversion but it sounds as if medical school and surgical training is much less there. Something I may actually be able to afford. Of course, it is probably all relative if you remain in South Africa to practice. I don't know the laws but often surgeons trained in other countries (continents!) are not allowed to practice in the US. Even an RN's training may not be recognised. The years spent in school are fewer it seems, beginning just out of high school (high school is a very distant memory for me) with what sounds like a more streamlined curriculum. Science, science, science, and perhaps fewer of the filler pre-reqs that you'll never remember nor use again.?
I think I had better start practicing my accent......
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Noncommittal

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Things are brewing in the/my world of orthopaedics. An offer is on the table for me to be exclusive with two orthopods and possibly a third if he wishes to join in. I will only be dedicating Mondays and Tuesdays to them. The rest of the time I am free to freelance as I have been. That includes keeping up with my trauma surgeons. I can't give up trauma and thank goodness the ortho docs aren't asking me to.
The paperwork is being drawn up and we will sit at the table soon to fine tune the contract and seal the deal with blood ink. I've come to realize from this deal and the attempt to find a house (my first!) to purchase, that I have some moderately serious commitment issues!

Response to J.B.

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I recently (okay, not so recently. I apologize for the delayed response J.B.), received an email asking my advice on becoming a Surgical Technologist and if I thought that it was a good career choice on the path to becoming a doctor. As I was typing away my reply in gmail, I thought that this might make a good post for anybody else who may be wondering the same thing. I also encourage any tech students or prospective students to feel free to ask me any questions they may have relating to the field. While names will not be revealed, I may post the question and response so if you don't want it to be posted, let me know when you email me.
I have precepted my share of students and always enjoy teaching. I see so many "experienced" RN's and Techs do things that are not acceptable. Sterile technique is one of my biggest pet peeves and I am not above chastising a circulating nurse for breaking rules. Oh, but that is a rant for another day. On to the answer.......
"Is Surgical Technology a good career to get into on the path to becoming a doctor? "

I think becoming an ST is an excellent path to MD. I know of several surgeons today that held various positions in the OR while going to school on their path to becoming a doctor. Some were orderlies, some were techs, transporters, etc. I understand that having a job in a hospital and more specifically, in a patient care area, such as transport, ER tech, OR tech, to name a few, is beneficial for students on any path to medicine whether it be nursing school or beyond. I am told It looks good on your application and it helps you get accepted.
The nice things about being a surgical tech, at least the things I found great about it, are hands on experience with patients, the camaraderie of the OR, feeling the pride of being on a professional OR team, the chance to be immersed in the entire surgical process, and a not so bad paycheck. You will read about anatomy and study the pretty colored pictures in the anatomy book, but you won't fully understand anatomy until you look inside the real human body. If you simply listen to those around you, especially conversations between the surgeon and the anesthetist, you will learn a lot. What you don't understand, ask or look it up. I have yet to find a surgeon who isn't willing to teach someone who is eager to learn. I find it rewarding when I am research something, and then within a few days actually see it come to life in the OR. If you truly want to learn and you are motivated, as a surgical tech you will be in the best classroom in the world and, you are getting paid to be there!
The drawbacks as an ST might be taking call, working holidays, too rigid of a schedule for working around your school hours (be sure to discuss this with the local hospitals you may work for after graduation), and having to live within call distance of the hospital you will work in. Call response time is sometimes fifteen minutes but more typically half an hour.
If you choose to become a surg tech, you will know almost immediately whether or not it is for you when you begin your clinical rotations. This is the point where many students realize the full extent of their future job requirements. I will say that you should have a tough skin and not let things that people say get to you. You will probably get yelled at more than once and it may very well be by the surgeon. The mistake is to take it personally. Don't argue, listen. If you are being yelled at, there is probably a lesson to be learned. If you still have an issue or feel you were attacked unjustly, take it up with the offender after the case.
You may find the sights, smells, sounds, and sometimes the conversation of the OR to be offensive. If your clinical site is at a very busy hospital, you may find that standing for eight to ten hours a day is very tiring. Your feet may burn, and your legs may ache, but the good news is, you get used to it!
Surgical Technology can be a very demanding career, but it can also be very rewarding.
Thank you for the question, J.B. I hope that my response was of some help. Feel free to contact me anytime should you have more questions, and good luck to you in whatever path you choose.
MMT
makeminetrauma@gmail.com

That's Bull!

Does this mean these quizzes are accurate after all? I took this one and guess what? I am a Taurus! Will wonders never cease.
It's all true, well all of it except the part about my perfect job. I don't like to cook, I probably would like to design jewelry, and acting would be o-k, but I wouldn't want to be recognizably famous. I cherish my privacy and the privacy of those close to me.
Oh yeah, I gave up beef (pork and poultry), but the cheesecake is right on!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go back and see if I am a sociopath.....

You Should Be A Taurus

What's good about you: you're stable, responsible, and loyal to those around you What's bad about you: you're stubborn and overly cautious - change is not easy In love: it's easy to melt your heart with traditional romantic gestures In friendship, you're: loyal - you'll do almost anything for a friend Your ideal job: chef, jewelry designer, or actor Your sense of fashion: sleek, designer, and very expensive You like to pig out on: steak and cheesecake

What Sign Should You Be?

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Orthopaedic observations.

I have always been "One of the Guys." I grew up around cowboys and mechanics. I have a very good mechanical aptitude. In fact, before the age of computerized everything on vehicles, I really enjoyed mechanicing. I was actually employed as a grease monkey for a brief time.

The first total knee I ever scrubbed on as a tech was totally analogous to mechanicing as far as I could see. You take the worn parts out and you replace them with shiny new parts. You have to have the right tools for the job. You have to put the new parts in the same way the old parts came out (with a few exceptions) or it doesn't work properly. You must be very careful to keep the new parts that move across each other very clean, lest friction create erosion. You get to use power tools. Your hands get greasy. The smell of the solvent tank is replaced by the smell of Methylmethacrylate. You get to wear clothes that you can get dirty without getting yelled at.

For the women who chose to involve themselves with orthopaedics, from the surgeons themselves, to private scrubs. What I have noticed about all of them, at least the ones I know, is that they are independent, self sufficient, tough (at least by my definition), mostly tomboyish but not masculinely so, and mechanically inclined.

Something else I have noticed about orthopaedics, most of the surgeons are right around six feet tall. Male and female. The exception seems to be hand weenies specialists.

I find Ortho docs are typically fun to work with. They usually are not as stressed as their general surgeon counterparts. Sports Med orthopods are often competitive and athletic, and their dream job seems to be team physician for any high powered sports team. Almost all orthopaedic surgeons seem to be personally involved in sports and/or fitness. In all my years in the OR (sounds worldly, but that is really only eight years) I have only seen one overweight ortho doc and he went on a diet.

I've become blogged up.

I think I have blogger block. Perhaps it is the change of weather or the fact that work has picked up some. In fact, I may have gained another orthopod who does spines. That is a good thing if I have any free time to be available for him. It also means that if we get along together and he likes to keep me around, that I will be offering to take call with yet another surgeon. Currently I am on call for an average of 6 days a week. Once in a great while, the stars line up and I get 2 or 3 days of no call obligation. It feels great not to sleep in the sports bra occasionally!

Wow. I was cruising right along there for a minute. I got sidetracked and now the block is back.

Hmmph.

Finally! An accurate quiz!

My celebrity boob twin is....

Your Celebrity Boob Twin:

Angelina Jolie

Who's" Your Celebrity Boob Twin?

Thanks to MBA, the internet quiz queen!

SurgeXperiences 16th edition

Check out SurgeXperiences 116 at Other Things Amanzi, hosted by Bongi.

And, stay tuned to hear Bongi himself as he "appears" on the Dr Anonymous blog talk radio show on March 13th.

If you , or someone you know, wishes to host an edition of SurgeXperiences, please contact Jeffrey here.

That ain't supposed to happen.

How to bond with a trauma surgeon.

Catch him just as he starts to vagal.
Reach your arms around him and pull off his lead apron.
Help two other people lower him into a chair.
Support his head as he loses consciousness.
Support his head as the three of you drag him STAT in his rolling chair through the OR to a gurney in preparation to intubate.
Help five other people lift him onto the gurney.
Wheel the now alert and oriented trauma surgeon to the recovery room and help start some O's and hook up monitors.
Tousle his hair as you prop his head up on two pillows.
Tell him you will scrub in and finish assisting the case.
Stand by the bedside until he is stable and you're sure he's going to stay awake.
Tousle his hair one more time before you go scrub in.

How to freak out an assistant who loves all of the trauma surgeons.

See above.