OB/Gyn continued

I have really enjoyed this rotation. I have scrubbed in on a bunch of surgeries, assisted in few, gotten a couple intubations, done a bunch of pelvics and a couple paps and closed a few lap incisions. Tomorrow I scrub in on a pretty serious case of colpoceisis. Usually performed on frail, elderly women with severe prolapse of the pelvic organs and with no use for their vagina, the colpocleisis involves denuding rectangular portions of the cervix, everting and sewing the vaginal lemum closed. The denuded portions are then in contact and heal together, sealing it almost completely.

My doc has spent some time helping me with knots and suturing and given me some advice on confidence (mine and other's in me). Everyone at the practice, in the OR or on the labor and delivery deck has been friendly and helpful. It goes without saying, but I go out of my way to thank everyone for helping me with anything, and I make a huge effort to help with transferring patients or whatever needs to be done. Being helpful and friendly goes a long way in making rotations go smoothly.

The master's program work is an additional grind that I'd rather do without. But since my masters is health administration I don't have a clinically related master's and need this for the future, I think.

The end of this rotation marks the midpoint of my final year. I am 6 months away from graduating. Yikes.

Ob/Gyn Rotation

The first week of my Ob/Gyn rotation is complete. It has been interesting and, dare I say it, fun. I spent day 1 with an NP. No "hands on" exams but I saw a bunch of cervices and observed all the exams and an endometrial ablation. Only one woman didn't want me in the room for her LEEP. She was in fact the only person to decline my presence all week long. Tuesday and Wednesday were half days in surgery and half in clinic. On tuesday the lovely Austrailian anesthesiologist allowed me to intubate the two patients in the OR and the surgical assistant gave me pointers on subcuticular sutures and allowed me to close on my side after the doc scrubbed out. Wednesday didn't bring any intubations but I did get to do some minor assisting in the OR and helped close. Thursday was call day and the doc and I rounded at the hospital, did a hysterectomy, had a vaginal delivery and c-section with twins (major, gushing volumes of amniotic fluid). I also performed bimanual exams on the surgical patients under anesthesia. Today was a clinic day, mostly OB checks, so not nearly as exciting. The Or has its own rules and etiquette. I contaminated myself twice and had to get a sleeve (which is better than having to scrub out!) and I felt like a loser but I am getting the hang of it.

My wife went on a girls-only weekend to celebrate her 40th birthday so it is just me and my son for the weekend. I see junk food, a birthday party and a football game in our immediate future. And if he ever takes a nap I have a ton of work to do for my masters program.