What I do ain't for babies

I'm a strong(ish) woman, I know this. My mother never tolerated silly timidity when I was young, and with three younger brothers to play with I grew into a wild, tom boy kind of girl. Albeit, I was in touch with my feminine side, but in a nontraditional way (I was prolly wearing a bright purple get-up when I caught and tamed a rat snake from my backyard). All this to say - I ain't no baby.

And throughout this semester of nursing school - the last of my junior year - I had been anticipating my OR rotation so. much. It was thrilling me on the inside, despite reports from friends saying the best they saw were a couple of hysterectomies performed closed with a scope. Ah well, I was still excited! Wednesday was my day and I was assigned to OR 12 NET with Dr D, a Nose, Ears and Throat specialist. Not too interesting, but worth the experience. The OR staff included a surgical tech, anesthesiologist, and OR nurse, and they were nice and explained the entire routine with me. They were Dr D's crew, accustomed to her particular ways and had earned a permanent position on her cases. 

The first patient had localized anesthesia and an antianxiety drug cocktail to undergo the removal of three sebaceous cysts from his ear. Um, yeah, not that exciting. I was watching, mildly interested and assisting when I could, feeling cool and competent. It was done, Dr D began cauterizing, and I --- passed out....

Jah. Apparently the smell of burning flesh is potent to the newbies like me. The next thing I was aware of was waking up on an un-used stretcher in the hall, with the OR nurse fanning me. First, a wave of shame washed over me, soon replaced with a wave of nausea. She toddled me down to the lounge room and left me in the care of three kindly and extremely attentive OR nurses. Their "it happens all the time"'s didn't cut the pain of knowing I crumbled on the job, yet I didn't refuse the cup of juice they thrust in my face. Fifteen minutes later, I asked one to take me to OR 12. She was surprised and told me to take it easy but I, like the strong woman I am, said "Lead on." When I entered the room, the three staff were setting up for the next patient, and they applauded when they saw I returned, green and determined.

THIS IS HOW I DO :D

I prepared myself mentally before the next patient was cauterized and...I didn't feel a thing. Whoa. I was so proud. I ain't no baby! So maybe the whole passing out thing was surprising to begin with, I wasn't expecting myself to do that (ever). But I've got a great story to pass down to all the younger kiddos in the nursing program, haha.

Yes, nursing school. I have such a strange relationship with you.