Not a Typical Day in the Office

Today was special in a different-from-the-norm kinda way. Not sure if I've mentioned working in a plastic surgical office and today I had the honor of being back in the operating room, holding my dad's hand while he has a minor procedure. Don't let the word "minor" fool you. I'm quite concerned and will be until the pathology report comes back as something that's not malignant.

A few weeks ago my mom mentioned a 'changing' lesion she spotted on my dad's back. It turned out to be two lesions, but we weren't telling him the original lesion had a twin. I insisted he be evaluated by one of our surgeons, Dr. G. as soon as possible and scheduled him for an appointment the following day. I had everything (meaning the surgery date and time) arranged prior to dad's arrival in the office including a surgery date for later that week. What I hadn't taken into consideration was the fact he takes an aspirin a day, which pushed the surgery date back two weeks for the blood-thinning effect of aspirin to get out of his system.

Dr. G assessed the area and reassured me, as much as he could, that he felt the lesion wasn't anything to be unnecessarily alarmed about. I sure do hope he's right on that assessment. Time will tell!

Dr. G. and, more importantly, my dad agreed I could observe the procedure. I didn't want my dad feeling uncomfortable with my presence nor having me see him in his skivvies.

My dad's a tough man who never moved, grimaced or blinked when a series of injections were made to his upper and lower back. Me, on the other hand, would have squirmed like a slippery eel.

Donned in the traditional blue scrubs, matching shoe covers, hat and surgical mask, I peeked across the operative field and watched the series of anesthetic injections. Next, I watched the scalpel outline the area to be excised and observed the tunneling beneath the lesion in order to separate it from surrounding tissues. This was followed by a multi-layer closure and some brown tape to protect and secure the ends of the sutures. He did great!

Medicine fascinates me. I absolutely LOVE being in the O.R. Could I be persuaded to change professions? We'll see!