the glory and the horror

… is coming to Houston for his Behold the Lamb of God tour on November 30th! We’re going, so let us know if you’re headed there, too!

So it’s my turn, as an upper level resident, to run a team. As expected in this sort of situation, I am learning about how to lead, how to teach, how to guide, how to suggest, how to oversee. It has been a lot of fun, both rewarding and difficult. I love watching the interns and students grow and change, as I am cognizant of how I am being transformed by this experience as well.

I “ran” my first code the other day. Not that I haven’t participated in many codes, but I was the one who called it, and was there directing it. The pulmonary attending eventually made it there as well, so I wasn’t the only one, but I was basically directing things. I didn’t do a very good job of making sure everyone was listening to me, and eventually it was several of us running things, with anesthesia up at the head, and us trying to get an ABG/triple lumen. I don’t know how he did, but we got him to the MICU.

The last few weeks, I’ve had the privilege and responsibility of being there to break bad news to patients. Of course, this is a select population with significant lung and heart problems, but it’s still not any easier with time. I’ve learned a few key phrases, a few key things about body language in myself and what to look for in the patient and their family to make things easier and to feel out the situation, but it still stinks to tell someone that we’ve found out they have limited time.

Osteen is a Gospel preacher like Col. Sanders is an army officer.

- from the Internet Monk