Remarkably, I am feeling rather good today. Full day, lots to do, busy, and I was up for it. Enjoying my work. A plan is in action, I don't have to stew over why now, what's happening to me. The time for intellectualizing the issue is over, I need a different way in, and that is in the works. Nothing more for me to do, but stay calm and... um, carry on.
Patient, big guy, in pain not only for where he was having surgery, but also the other side - which seemed to be bothering him even worse.
"So, when do we do the other one?"
"Tomorrow!" he booms.
He's loud and funny, and we like him. He's a bit difficult, but apologizing enthusiastically. An Extrovert, used to being in charge, but appreciative of people who know what they're doing. We keep him laughing, he makes us laugh.
As he's about to be induced, the resident anesthesiologist puts the full O2 mask on him, and he orders her, "GET THAT OFF MY FACE!" She tries to explain as she is getting her drugs going, and he repeats the demand several times. "GET THAT OFF MY FACE!!!"
"No." I say, and hold it more firmly.
He mumbles it out one more time, quieter, as the drugs take hold.
I have seen many people irritated with that mask, pulled on it, asked for it to be gone, complained of it. But I have never been brusquely ORDERED to remove it, with the clear expectation that he'd be obeyed. Dude, you are not in charge here. On this point, I am.
Once one decides to trust a particular expert, it's wise to let them lead the dance. Keep a certain reserve, of course, but let the sherpa do the job.
5 comments:
I'd have total faith in your hands. It helps that I easily accept my own ignorance.
I learned today that I need surgery to repair left rotator cuff tendons. Sure wish you were in the OR when that happens.
Glad today was a good one for you. Hope you have more and more of them.
Crow,
Oh, I'm so sorry. Have you got a recliner? Can you get hold of one for after the surgery? I'm told it makes sleeping possible, highly recommended.
Phil.
Maybe because I won't take on anything I don't know I can do. I have no pride about saying "I don't know, that's out of my field."
a while ago i ran into an anesthetist who had worked over me a lot in a social situation.
i recognized her eyes.
she knew me right away, of course. i was that patient in whose veins the drug burned so painfully that i always passed out crying, gripping the table, sometimes being held down.
i was always polite, always apologetic, and they were always kind to me.
i did not know until i met the anesthetist socially that my extreme pain caused her to cry.
i do not think i would have come out of that torture ok without the kindness and competence of the pratitioners.
so carry on.
flask,
Yeah, the propofol is really painful for some people, others don't even notice. Most folks are in the middle. Mixed with lidocaine, it's much more tolerable, but very few anesthesiologists are trained to do that. And the overwhelming majority don't remember, even when it hurts, because it's often used with versed.
The whole point of anesthesia is to eliminate, or at least reduce pain. The protocols are improving, but more in some areas than others.
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