Monday, March 05, 2007

Heart Surgery

I think I am in for a cool week :)

Today I got to be first assist in coronary artery bypass surgery--super cool! Its a bit unnerving when the surgeon says, "now whatever you do, don't move, even if you are dying," as you are staring down into an open chest and the patient's heart is literally staring back at you. Unnerving but awe inspiring at the same time.

These surgeons know that what they do is so super sub-specialized that they just want students to learn about what the operations are like and a bit more about cardiac anatomy and physiology, and don't want us to do scut work. What a fun rotation this one will be!

They truly are gifted though--you don't just want anyone with half-baked surgical skills cutting at your heart! It really is amazing what they are able to do in the operating room. I will admire them from afar and never aspire to be one of them, but it will be a sublime experience to spend the week invited into their ORs.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Must be absolutely breathtaking and incredibly intense. Can't quite imagine someone being able to do this delicate work but thank the Lord for the gifts He has given them.