The vagina

Is a place where other doctors are afraid to go. Do a pelvic exam? As if!

But it is our hallmark. Vaginal surgery is what differentiates us gynecologists from other surgeons. We up the degree of difficulty by operating through it. Vaginal surgery violates many surgical dictums - good visualization (nope), easy access (HA!), good lighting (as I knock the OR light with my head yet again). But we do it. Successfully.

Nowadays, we are retreating from it. Adding laparoscopy, or using the robot. And this is not in the patient's nor our society's best interest.

We need to reclaim the vagina for surgery.

:)

So I was rounding on my post-op patient yesterday. I was slightly frazzled, as school had been delayed, so I was dragging my youngest with me.

I'm in jeans with paint stains, a turtleneck, and a sweater (it's cold here in BFE!), with only lip gloss on. And she says "You always look so pretty."

Made my day.  :)

Please

Let me smack my sister with a clue by four? Hard. Upside the head.

My mother was admitted to the hospital on MONDAY with urosepsis...I just got called an hour ago.

Please?

Guess I'm driving home soon. Mom is doing better - I talked to her just now.

There are...

Some things you dread at work. A pap-athon is hated by all of us in the office. Certain annoying patients. Insurance companies and their assinine hoops.

And then, there are some surgeries that you book - knowing that it will be difficult. Could be minimal descensus for a vag hyst, whiny patient with unrealistic expectations (the pain will ALL GO AWAY!!!), the large uterus for a laparoscopic hyst. I had one of those types of cases booked today.

3+ hours into the pain, I looked over at my partner and asked what baked goods she wanted in the office, because I really owed her for agreeing to scrub in with me on this one. My back is killing me, my arms were jello by the end of the case.

9

Doesn't seem possible. We love you, kiddo.

Changing it up

Usually, I use this blog as a vent to bitch about the craziness around me. This post will be different.

Monday, 1/7. Office hours in the morning, surgery in the afternoon. Nice patients in the morning. Absolutely adorable big siblings at appointments to hear "their baby". Nice mix of things - paps, OB, insert IUDs, discuss scheduling surgery.

OR - 4 cases, 3 majors and 1 minor. All cases go well. My vaginal hysterectomy went as smooth as it could. Cute babies from c-section. The worst part was the last case started late due to L&D needing some extra time to figure out staffing (several patients in labor walked in right before we were scheduled to start). And if that was the worst, that is pretty damn good. Besides, I have Angry Birds on my phone - at least I have something to do while waiting.   ;)

It's days like that that totally make up for some of the shit that happens. (don't ask about my last call weekend...).

My hope

So the girl child is whining because school starts back tomorrow. I, being a sympathetic mother, tell her to shut up and stop bitching because I have to work too.

Of course, I'm scheduled for just a c-section and nothing else (long story).

Just a c-section.

I hope to always remember that "just a c-section", something that is routine for me, is something amazing, exhilarating, and scary for those who put their trust in me. Yes, I have done hundreds, maybe even thousands. But to that woman, it is one of only a few.

I hope to always remember. Even at 2 am.