A Vivid Memory from the Operating Room

Being rolled into the main operating room was an experience I’ll never forget. Despite having been given medicine to help me relax, nothing could prepare me for the sight that awaited me.

A Sea of Medical Teams

As I was wheeled into the room, I was struck by the sheer number of people present. There were multiple teams, each assigned to perform different portions of my surgeries. In total, it looked like there were close to 20 or maybe even 30 people. From nurses to surgeons, everyone had a specific role to play in my procedure. The atmosphere was surprisingly positive, with a buzz of excitement among the staff. For them, it was going to be a great day at work with a story to tell of this complicated surgery they were successful at. For me, it was the most terrifying experience, and I had already been through multiple surgeries.

An Arsenal of Instruments

One of the most startling things I noticed was the huge display of medical instruments. Some of them looked like they belonged on a tractor rather than being used on a person! There were tools of all shapes, sizes, and colors—some brass and some silver. I had never seen so many medical tools in my life, and I couldn’t help but feel both awe and trepidation.

The Positive Energy in a Learning Hospital

Located in a learning hospital, my surgery involved not just the attending surgeons and nurses but also residents who were eager to learn. I had already been in the hospital for nearly a month, so I'd seen many of these faces during their rounds. They were experts, and I had complete confidence in their talents. The faculty attending surgeons provided guidance, and the residents were both attentive and enthusiastic. The positive energy in the room was palpable, and it helped ease some of my anxieties, knowing that I was in capable and excited hands. I was awake during the first portion of the surgery and was asked by one of the surgeons if they could take a picture of what they found. He was excited and giddy at this new discovery. Even though he'd done countless procedures prior, he'd never seen what I had. The MRIs and ultrasounds had been inconclusive, so for his eyes to finally see what had been going on was astounding. I agreed to the picture and shortly after that could not tolerate the pressure and requested to be put under.

Despite the initial shock of seeing so many tools and people, the professionalism and positive atmosphere of the operating room team reassured me. It’s an experience that has stayed with me, reminding me of the incredible work that medical professionals do every day.