oncology

... gynae-oncology, to be precise.

the patients are such sickies, and i fear that most of them won't make it.
it saddens me immensely when we prep the patient for op, hope for the best, and when we open up - tadah! tumour everywhere.

it just feels like such a waste, the intensive pre-op tests, the hopes and expectations, and i don't know, the feeling of being beaten before you've begun?

but thankfully, my bosses have much more experience than i do, and prof (being the awesome prof that he is!), will "roll up his sleeves and plunge elbow deep into the muck".
if i'm EVER having any gynae op, i'm definitely getting prof to be my surgeon!!!! sheer awesomeness!!!!

EBL for a certain Wertheim's was 6L - more than the blood volume of the patient! yet patient is still alive and kicking (not very well, but you get the idea). chances for this patient look good :D i am so amazed.

i used to wonder, who would ever want to do onco? but now, looking at my rotation through (obviously you need a heart of gold, think it's possible for me to grow one?) gynae-onco, i think it's a very worthwhile and fulfilling career path - i just don't know if i like it enough to want to reach elbow deep into the muck everyday! :\