Well, at my brother's encouraging, I've changed my picture to one that's a little more recent, and a lot less homo-erotic. I'm really tired - today was pretty much an 11 hour day. My uncle gave the first presentation for the nursing staff today, and it went off with only a few minor snags (fortunately, I was prepared with a back-up, a plan B if you will, and potential crisis yet again led to perhaps my finest hour [btw, I peaked in high school]). Then he had clinic all day, which was pretty neat. We were in his new office today, and while it's not quite finished yet, it's a really nice, comfortable environment.
Today was the first day since I've been following him that my uncle saw a patient he really couldn't help. She has terrible, crippling back pain, but not from any problem that is surgically correctable. She has unfortunately already exhausted pretty much all of her other options, including some pretty radical solutions. The only option that remains is a fusion procedure which has a much higher probability of making her worse than of helping her. Since my uncle isn't willing to subject her to the risk, she might go and try to find a surgeon desperate (or greedy) enough to try it. It was very frustrating for all involved; as a doctor, my uncle naturally wants to help everyone who comes in to see him, but there are still many things which are beyond the scope of neurosurgery today. There are many problems for which there are just no good solutions yet, and this was one of those. All that can be done is to try and help the patient manage their pain, and that's not terribly satisfying for anyone involved.
On a lighter note, my uncle told me today that my signature is hesitant and 3rd grade-ish. He's blunt.
So tomorrow is my cousin Megan's last day in town before she leaves for school in Portland. We're having fried chicken and champagne. Just kidding. About the champagne. My aunt is driving out there with her on Wednesday, and my uncle will fly out to meet them on Thursday. They're all going to see the Body Works exhibit there, and I'm way jealous. That is all.
2 comments:
Just figured I would help you out. I gave a good hint.
I done already seen Bodyworks in NY. I looked directly into the eyes of a dead asian guy with no skin posing with a football. What's the opposite of "comfortable?"
i think it's "talking about yeast infections with your cousins and aunt." i read that somewhere.
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