I had absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences of my life on Monday. I was invited in with the thoracic surgeons to observe them as they performed an open heart (coronary bypass graft x 4) surgery. I was positioned on a stool at the head of the patient, looking straight down on his chest. I watched as the P.A. pulled the vein from the patients thigh to be used for the bypasses. I watched as he carefully prepared the vein, sealing off areas where branched areteries were cut off. I watched my favorite heart surgeon, Dr. Millar, make an incision down the length of the chest and then proceed to saw the patient's sternum in half... wow! Next, he very carefully cut through the pericardium, cranked open the rib cage a little wider, and there it sat... A BEATING HEART. It was so amazing. I also saw the left lung filling with air and deflating over and over again. I will not go into details for those who have weak stomachs, but let me just tell you... it was AMAZING! The surgeons were fantastic. Their hands were so steady and they were so sweet to me. They made sure I could see and explained every part of the procedure to me. I was so excited all day. Poor Russ had to listen to me all night as I described for him every detail of the operation to him.
The best part of the experience happened this morning. 18 hours after surgery, I was able to get the patient up and walking as I transferred him from ICU over to CVU. He was the kindest man I have ever met. As I got him into bed over in CVU, I told him that I had been in his surgery and thanked him for giving his consent so I could be in there. He said to me, "Oh, were you the one that got to see the surgery?". I told him that I was and what a great experience it was for me. He told me that if it helped me in my job, and if it was a learning experience for me he was thrilled to be apart of it. I told him he had a beautiful heart. Then he told me that he and his wife are going to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in October, and that she is what keeps his heart beautiful. It wasn't mushy the way he stated it. You could tell that he was very genuine and truly loved and respected her.
Anyway, I was so grateful for that opportunity. I now know that is a surgery I NEVER want to have. I am going to eat right and exercise everyday so that I don't end up in that operating room again... as the patient. The human body is absolutely amazing. There is no doubt that we were created by divine hands. We truly are walking miracles.
4 comments:
A very "heartfelt" post Kori. I'm so happy you were able to have this experience...WOW, so amazing! I can't wait to talk to Dr. Millar about it when I see him next. I'm also happy that you were able to meet the patient following his surgery (he's probably in our ward)!! Our bodies really are a divine mechanism and we surely have a duty to take care of them...I need to do a better job. Thanks for the reminder.
wow kori. what a cool experience. glad you have it documented so you can always remember it.
That is so awesome! What an amazing experience. and I thought my field trip to the new airport on Monday was exciting!
Seriously that is a once in a lifetime chance...unless NOW you decide to go back to school to be a heart surgeon??
oh my gosh. So I was reading this post to Raleigh and Quin and I got to the part about his wife and I burst into tears and started sobbing and couldn't finish reading and Raleigh had to come over and rub my back and read the rest.
What a great story. I can't believe you were in there. We are so different. I would have barfed all over the operating room floor (if I were a barfer that is) Heck, I would have been nervous sitting in the waiting room. I HATE hospitals. And I should know.
But that is the coolest thing, for you, to get to do. I know that it was a life changing experience for you. I also love how Kami was like... "Wow, I thought my field trip to the airport was cool" That shows the difference between both of your cool jobs.
Post a Comment