I see the cords...

Today was easily the greatest day of my whole surgical rotation, (and yes, I realize I'm sounding mighty fickle lately).

First off, my first case wasn't until 11am...it felt so good to sleep in!!!

Today I was in the OR while the patient was being prepped, doing the usual stuff (introducing myself to the surgical staff, getting my gloves and gown ready, writing my name on the board, etc), when the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to intubate the patient.

Me: Uh...I've never done that before.
Anesthesiologist: Here's your chance...
Me: I'LL TAKE IT!

He was fantastic, showing me step by step how to do it and promising me that he wouldn't let me hurt the patient. Amazingly, I saw the cords and got the endotracheal tube in on the first try. WHAT A RUSH!!! I was on a high for the whole surgery, especially because the anesthesiologist called me a stud in front of my preceptor. WAHOO!

A video demonstrating intubation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gokd8ooMVw

Then, after flying through the first surgery, we moved on to the next hospital and the next patient for ANOTHER inguinal hernia repair. My preceptor super pimped me on the layers of fascia in the abdominal wall...except that finally after 5 1/2 weeks I've figured out what the hell he is talking about, so I got like 9/10 questions right. The grumpy scrub nurse was even impressed. She says to my preceptor, "we should keep this one, she's smart." My preceptor says nothing for like 10 seconds, then says to the nurse, "Now, how would you know that? You've only seen her on one case."

Oh, whatever. I don't even care anymore. I did damn well AND my closure of the incision was almost perfect. HA!

Then we returned to the office to see a possible peri-rectal abscess that could have required us to work in a last minute surgery....but it was just a thrombosed hemorrhoid that was already resolving - no treatment required!

Cha-ching -- done at 4:15pm!

Jen