So, my ENT rotation is over. Friday November 6 was my last day, and it couldn't have been more perfect. My very last case was a partial mandibulectomy, modified radical left neck dissection with preservation of SCM and spinal nerve, reconstruction with a vascularized bone-containing free flap from the fibula, and skin graft to cover the donor site. All this for a highly differenciated invasive Squamous cell carcinoma. DUDE! Even writing this gives me the chills!It was a mother-fucking monster case that lasted since 8am to about 9:30 pm.
Did I care I was standing up for 12 hours straight? No! I was on such an adrenaline high during the whole case, I barely cared about my swollen feet. Did I care that my only meal that day was half a glass of orange juice and a muffin I had at 7am? Hell no! Eating is for pansies. I got to close the donor site defect, and I fucking took the skin graft. ME! I slided the dermatome and TOOK the graft. Internet, I was soo awsome.
I love it that ENTs here can be hardcore surgeons. With the drill, and the hammer, and all the blood and bone splashing all over our goggles and gowns. This is what I want to do. This is exactly what I want to become. Internet, I know I sound like a freaky blood thirsty person, and I probably am to some extent. But you just had to be there. You had to be there to appreciate the talent a surgeons need to not panic when the frikin i yugular perfs and streams of blood that soak your shoes start coming out someone's neck. The skill it takes to keep you mind cool, detect the bleeding source, clamp it, suction, tie, and move forward. These are real people we are dealing with, and decisions taken within seconds can drastically change an outcome. Lifes are on the line. I don't just like bloody surgeries. I like surgeries that succed, that help improve a patient's life, that save lifes. The blood is just an extra.
Even though I'm sad it is all over now, I can't help but look back and smile. I loved every moment of this past 6 weeks. I learned a lot, not just ENT stuff, I learned a lot about myself. I had a great time. I realized I can wake up by myself everyday at 5am, which I'm sure no one ever though possible. Me included. Its just, I finally found something that is worth it.
So internet, I was definitely out with a bang!
