It is a nice revelation that our hostel has so many varieties of birds. By the way the egg in my balcony is in the process of hatching as his mother is continuously giving warmth to it. Now coming to humans from the birds. Today is a different day for me, as would be for any mbbs student when he gets chance to assist a surgery for the first time. Today we were scheduled to attend the general surgery OT. We were just 3 of us (by final year most of us have got over the OT fever). I went to the OT today after a long gap(my family holidays). It sensed good. We took our OT dresses. It was a little bit of hassle fasting the nada, otherwise I dressed up comfortably. On the gates I met "The Amazingly enthusiastic Nakra sir". He has a different, energetic style of doing things. When I was in second professional, I used to think what kind of person he is. He used to almost shout in the OT, which he actually does now also. He wanders almost all across the OT complex and the ICU in no time. He used to rag us as well. But over the time as I have to come to know him as I a teacher and as a person, i like him. His energy and zeal is so contagious. That is what keeps him going.
But, I am sorry I digressed slightly. So It was the last operation we thought we would witness. We desperately wanted to see a hernia surgery, but fate had other plans. We went to OT 3 just to see what is happening. Patient was already anaesthetised, and Chandreshekhar sir was preparing for the surgery. As we asked sir what procedure is going to be done, he replied softly "Hydrocele"(as an undergrad it is an important case). But what took us by surprise was the accompanying remark "come one of you can wash and assist". For a second we saw each other in awe. It is not normal for us to be given such invitations. Indeed the surgeons are so engrossed while doing their surgeries, many a times they might as well forget that we are standing behind them (except some). I moved towards the cleaning basin to wash. I actually practiced how to wash hands before an operation last year. Their are six steps to it. As soon as I cleaned, I was confused on the further proceeding. Then one the OT assistants came to my rescue. He told me to wipe my hand with the cotton swab placed on the trolley beside me, wear one of the many sterile front coats kept on the trolley. He had already put the Hand gloves which I wore. Now was the time to assist. My job basically was to hold the testis in correct position, to keep mopping the blood and hold the artery forceps when required. During the whole procedure I noticed the calmness with which Chandrashekar sir carried out the job. He kept on informing us about the anatomy and the procedure. During the operation I had very mixed feeling of elation, surprise and little bit of exhaustion. I really admired the stamina of the surgeons. At the end I just followed sir in undressing. At last I just thanked sir for this opportunity. As I was going out of the OT there was a different smile on my face.
But, I am sorry I digressed slightly. So It was the last operation we thought we would witness. We desperately wanted to see a hernia surgery, but fate had other plans. We went to OT 3 just to see what is happening. Patient was already anaesthetised, and Chandreshekhar sir was preparing for the surgery. As we asked sir what procedure is going to be done, he replied softly "Hydrocele"(as an undergrad it is an important case). But what took us by surprise was the accompanying remark "come one of you can wash and assist". For a second we saw each other in awe. It is not normal for us to be given such invitations. Indeed the surgeons are so engrossed while doing their surgeries, many a times they might as well forget that we are standing behind them (except some). I moved towards the cleaning basin to wash. I actually practiced how to wash hands before an operation last year. Their are six steps to it. As soon as I cleaned, I was confused on the further proceeding. Then one the OT assistants came to my rescue. He told me to wipe my hand with the cotton swab placed on the trolley beside me, wear one of the many sterile front coats kept on the trolley. He had already put the Hand gloves which I wore. Now was the time to assist. My job basically was to hold the testis in correct position, to keep mopping the blood and hold the artery forceps when required. During the whole procedure I noticed the calmness with which Chandrashekar sir carried out the job. He kept on informing us about the anatomy and the procedure. During the operation I had very mixed feeling of elation, surprise and little bit of exhaustion. I really admired the stamina of the surgeons. At the end I just followed sir in undressing. At last I just thanked sir for this opportunity. As I was going out of the OT there was a different smile on my face.
