Clinical - Days 2 & 3

12 hour shifts are tiring when you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off. I got into the hospital on the second day and my preceptor asked if I would be ok to stabilise a 3 week old boy for circumcision. What does one say other than sure? I held this little guy down while the doctor circumcised him and I must say that I am infinitely grateful not to have endured that procedure. I do, however, appreciate the adult male circumcised penis after experiencing both circumcised and uncircumcised with people I've been with in a biblical way. Keep it clean, gents.

The doctor explained while he was performing the surgery that 10-15% of adult males need to be circumcised and that it is far more painful than at a young age (but it's best to get it done 7-10 days after birth). I also did a bit of reading and circumcision also prevents penis cancer (which strikes 1 in 1000 men)- I am not certain of the veracity of the statement, but I feel I should go out and make a ribbon for penis cancer. Maybe the ribbon can be shaped like a flaccid penis... (I am laughing at the thought)

Before I left the hospital at the end of day 3 I looked around from the nursing station. The two single bed day-rooms with doors to the left. Three beds with curtains and the crash cart beside the E1 bed straight ahead. To the right and beside the bathroom five more beds with curtains. My mind looking at all the beds and seeing all the the different people who had laid in them over the past 3 days. It is humbling to see first hand how many people are helped by hospitals and all the touching stories.

As I looked to the far right corner bed, then back to the centre E2 bed (because he was moved for surgery) I am still amazed at the pleural effusion that did not want to be transferred to another larger hospital for a surgery. He was ornery and demanded to have his lung punctured right there and then... which the Dr. capitulated. Amazing to see the Litre of liquid suctioned out of his lung and the fact that it looked exactly like the urine on the counter that was about to be sent to the lab. Who would have known? I certainly didn't and I have so very much to learn.