Yesterday was an early morning, and getting all my stuff back in my overstuffed backpack was insane. I've got to get rid of more stuff!!! Anyway, I got to the airport, checked in and then made it to Johannesburg.
The crazy part of the day then started...I'm staying with an OR nurse that I met on the ship while I'm in Pretoria. She came to the airport picked me up and as we were talking she told me she had to be back at work because there was an open heart case (single bypass graft) scheduled at 5pm. Since the heart is also one of my favorite organs of the body we started talking hearts. I don't remember how it all happened, but when she left for work...I was in the car too.
Once, we got to the hospital I changed into scrubs, got an OR cap, covered my shoes, and was given the all clear by the surgeon to watch the surgery!!! I was in the OR and stayed out of the way while they set up, brought the patient in, intubated, and got everything ready.
When they cut the chest I moved up to the head by the anesthesiologist and stood on a little stool so I could easily see over the drape. I was there by the time they had the bone saw in hand and cracked the chest and didn't move until they had the chest closed and the surgeon left. Then I was able to walk to the ICU with them.
I still can't believe that I was able to watch an open heart surgery. It was crazy, but I loved it. After the patient was transferred back to the ICU the OR staff was asking if I was coming back today to watch all the cases and told me I would be most welcome.
It's insane, I saw a beating heart in the chest with my own eyes. I seriously am beginning to think something is wrong with my head. I've always wanted to watch and open heart case...how is the rest of this trip going to top that wild and crazy couple of hours?
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