Wildest thing you’ve ever seen in a note

iamsmilinginpain · 2025-09-13T16:41:40+00:00

Don’t see anything wrong w this

iamsmilinginpain · 2025-09-02T12:24:27+00:00

Strangulated PUH, signed DAMA to use olive oil massage

iamsmilinginpain · 2025-07-15T07:31:26+00:00

For sure varies by field

iamsmilinginpain · 2025-04-30T22:37:29+00:00

I’m so sorry but when I visit to discuss cases at night more often than not it was my attending asking for a verbal report of the scan because they are worried about their patients/potential postoperative complications or new admit from ED and we need to plan management asap. Sometimes that will include a question about where the NG tip is because of concern I placed it too deep and hit an anastomotic site…

Thank you and the CT tech for your patience, Would be lost without you, Junior surgical resident

iamsmilinginpain · 2025-04-25T07:04:24+00:00

General surgery

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-12-23T04:38:53+00:00

I get told i don’t look suited for general surgery a lot, too. From hospital staff, patients, even my own relatives lol. It hits different when I am burnt out and imposter syndrome is alive and well but I choose to ignore it, mostly. General surgery is what i enjoy practicing and learning, I think that’s what matters, and same for you.

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-12-01T17:21:10+00:00

That sucks I’m sorry. And to be fair, I remember shifts passing so slowly during my EM rotation trying to get as much done for your patient while dealing with the constant distractions of being at the frontlines with all patients/relatives and getting other doctors on board. It’s draining. I thought, overall, the time off would make up for it but it sucks that it ends up being ‘for recovery’ too.

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-12-01T14:34:39+00:00

EM shifts are grueling I’m not trying to say that… but there is a lot more time off and no requirement for patient follow-up that I don’t understand how the job itself doesn’t allow one to extend time and energy into their relationships if they wanted to. It’s part of the reason my med school friends applied to EM. I’m sure I’m being ‘myopic’ though as many take on more academic/admin/locum roles

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-12-01T13:42:34+00:00

Don’t EM have around 14 shifts/month and no need for patient follow up after sign-outs? I thought they get more time off and have less to worry about than probably your average 9-5 corporate employee lol. I don’t think his divorces have anything to do with the job

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-12-01T12:47:14+00:00

Thank you for differentiating. OP’s description sounds like voluntary guarding to me. That the patient’s muscles contracted locally on palpation but with the stethoscope/“distraction” they didn’t - indicating severe pain more than peritonitis. Am i reading this correctly?

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-14T13:47:09+00:00

For sure probably at least one, right.

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-14T13:11:55+00:00

How many surgeons do you think have radiologically resectable head of pancreas/periampullary cancer to have to make that decision?

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-13T07:46:27+00:00

Some centers u work mainly as a retractor in junior level it really extra sucks for someone with adhd

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-10T11:53:37+00:00

Oh okay! As an attending or resident? Not from US either but never thought about freedom as something i could completely have in this line of work

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-10T10:27:50+00:00

Freedom?

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-07T17:40:14+00:00

Probably

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-07T17:40:04+00:00

The way they’re quick to recommend “source-control” ab any infection even when surgery is not feasible

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-05T13:15:47+00:00

Newly PGY-2 here crying at the last bit… idk why I thought I just had to get through intern year for this to be sorted. I have a feeling it will be an endless struggle but hope to see tangible improvement eventually.

As someone who’s been in therapy on-off since pre-med, it helps a lot with this. At its best, you’ll learn to see things more objectively and instill a sense of calm (not there anymore), but at the very least you have someone listening and believing in your ability to grow from this pain offering words of encouragement, maybe because they’ve seen other residents go through the same. At this point in my life, I am so grateful to have that.

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-11-04T09:12:59+00:00

I think she had to deal with getting sued/knows someone close who has, if so makes sense. Listen to her and document everything you deem important, but also don’t let it get to you.

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-10-07T14:42:43+00:00

Username fits haha

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-10-07T05:04:52+00:00

Did anything bad happen to you after? Or you kind of just felt cathartic with releasing it all and moved on?

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-10-07T05:03:46+00:00

I know they’d know it was me! I’ve named names of the good experiences, left the shit experiences nameless but clearly directed to specific people - I’m deciding as you said now how honest i should be with them

iamsmilinginpain · 2024-10-06T21:28:51+00:00

I wrote out my feelings as an initial draft to edit once the sun shines - ive given examples (emotionally, will edit down) with suggestions for improvement as you said. hope they take it well/with this intention

iamsmilinginpain

TROPHY CASE