50% done with General Surgery

I've been having an amazing time on my General Surgery rotation.  I have an amazing attending and have worked with some really upbeat, positive residents and attendings.  Going into medical school, you fear surgery and surgeons, but I've had the exact total opposite experience.

In two weeks, I've assisted in laparoscopic surgeries, closed incisions, injected lidocaine into wound sites, stopped bleeding a couple of times, and connected with patients.

At one point, I had to stop a patient from bleeding and I had a conversation with them while I was holding pressure.  Another time, I listened to a patient talk about a dog they rescued and how they nursed them back to health because the dog's former owners left it to starve.

I talked to a patient about beaches and traveling while taking care of their drain; I always do my best to have patients think about things they like and things they value when I take care of them.  I was glad to see them improve as each day went on.

People say you don't connect with people on surgery, but you just have to make it happen. If you don't connect with people well, you're not doing medicine right in my opinion.

I've enjoyed all the surgeries I've participated in, and am interested in trauma surgery, but while everyone encourages me to pursue the field, they do so with telling me to be cautious.  The caution comes from knowing that the field is demanding and full of sacrifice, and that it takes a toll on you and your family and loved ones.

I love my family, and I also come from a very industrious, work-oriented family.  I'm single, so I have no one to really talk to or spend significant amounts of time with, so I have more time to work.

I guess my life is a little empty as far as relationships go, but I'm excited to find discipline in medicine I'm passionate about and makes me feel alive.  My time on my surgery rotation makes me feel like I've been contributing and that I matter, and that I'm actually helping patients get better.

One of the best feelings is following your passion, and I hope you all get to feel that regardless of what field you pursue.