the mentor

for Mr.R, surgeon extrodinaire

They always say that, in life, we will come across individuals who will inevitably have a massive impact on our lives, forever leaving their handprints on our forehead. These are people who will inspire us to be better human beings, better doctors, better mothers and so on. In the last 2 weeks,I have been blessed (that would be the very word) with the opportunity to work for a very talented surgeon, whose middle name is Perfection. In this short period, he has pushed and challenged me as a doctor... and man was it fun. When I started off at this job, working for someone else, I had my hand held for the most part of it, just because I was new to the job, new to the hospital.... new to everything.And then,a fortnight ago I rotated to vascular sugery, and on the first day,"opening night", I was put in the spotlight....the protagonist in-charge of 15 patients. I have a pathological fear of the stage, and was rather apprehensive as to how I'd handle this avalanche of responsibility. Fortunately for everyone, particularly the patients,I managed to perform, and didn't forget my lines!!! I was even given the chance to assist in my first abdominal aortic aneurysm repair..like proper hands on stuff.
AWWWWW MAN WHAT A HIGH!!!

These past 2 weeks have been amazing. I actually felt like a doctor... like a pretty competent one, at that.... all thanks to a surgeon who had faith in me when I didn't.
This brilliant man has inspired confidence in myself as a doctor, and for that he has my eternal gratitude.

He threw me into the deep end of the pool, and I managed to keep my head above water.

Thanks for everything Mr.R... you're the stuff legendary mentors are made of!!!!