I work at a cancer hospital, and I’ve lost family members to cancer. On a usual workday this is not something I think about a lot, except that it adds an extra dimension to the work I’m doing. But sometimes, little things and moments can suddenly make me sad. Read more »
Archive for the Reflections Category
A sudden jolt of sadness
Posted in Reflections with tags cancer, chemotherapy, headwear, wigs on November 8, 2008 by ØysteinThe surgeon’s domain
Posted in Reflections with tags authority, operating room, Surgery, vanity on October 17, 2008 by Øystein
When you’re entering the OR, you’re entering a domain under the supreme reign of the surgeon. Not that you could ever fail to notice. Read more »
Lift me
Posted in Reflections with tags movement, patient, Surgery on September 2, 2008 by Øystein
Now and then, while waiting for an operation to start, I’m asked to help with the preparations. Nurses rush back and forth, and the schedule is tight, so a couple of idle hands are useful. I’m not trained in OR procedures, but over the years I’ve seen enough to know roughly what to do. I know how to open a sterile package, tie a gown and stuff like that. Today I was asked to help move the patient. Read more »
Detachment
Posted in Reflections with tags anatomy, detachment, memento mori, Surgery on April 21, 2008 by Øystein
Many people find interest in surgery to be incomprehensible and even a bit bizarre, referring to the diseases and inevitable memento mori the subject implies.
Lately I’ve been asking myself the question: Would I be as interested in surgery and anatomy if I wasn’t so detached from these implications myself? Read more »
Diagnosis and aspiration
Posted in Reflections with tags biopsy, cancer, CAT scan, diagnosis, lung cancer, sarcoma on April 4, 2008 by Øystein
diagnosis
1. the process of determining by examination the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition.
2. the decision reached from such an examination.
gnosis
knowledge of spiritual matters; mystical knowledge.
This bastard’s voice
Posted in Reflections with tags video editing, voice-over on March 26, 2008 by Øystein
I am my own master. At least when it comes to video voice-overs.
I’ve just been through a longer period of editing and adding finishing touches to a series of videos. This includes recording voice-overs (VO) using my own humble vocal chords. Read more »
Retirement
Posted in Reflections with tags apprenticeship, mentor, retirement, Surgery on March 8, 2008 by Øystein
Time passes relentlessly in any profession. Retirement may come as a welcome reward after a long working life, or it may come as an unwanted end. Or so I guess. I’m not even halfway there. Lately I’ve had the pleasure of working with two recently retired surgeons. It seems to me retirement can be a more drastic moment in mentor based professions like surgery.
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You’re not recording sound, are you?
Posted in Reflections, Videography with tags operating room, recording, sound, Surgery on February 12, 2008 by Øystein
There is one question I always get when I’m filming an operation. No matter if the surgical team knows me or not, someone always asks me, with a concerned look on their face, if I’m recording the sound (photo credit).
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Makes a grown man writhe
Posted in Medicine, Reflections with tags pain, photodynamic therapy, skin cancer on January 31, 2008 by ØysteinOn most occasions I know exactly what to expect when I’m heading out to film some procedure or other. Operations are routine work and I know how patients tend to react to different biopsies, infusions etc. But one recent assignment really caught me off guard.
There is a treatment option for skin cancer which sounds easy and gentle. Most cancers can only be treated with major surgery, radiation or massive chemotherapy schedules. But for skin cancer patients, a treatment involving light has emerged the last 15 years.
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A false alarm
Posted in Reflections, Surgery with tags fainting, midfacial degloving, nightmare, Surgery, tumor on January 19, 2008 by Øystein“Have you ever fainted,” is a question I often get. Fortunately I have not. There were a couple of close calls during my first year in this job, but my body has adapted and I’ve learnt some tricks along the way. Falling unconscious over the patient with camera and all, that would really be a nightmare.
Some time ago I witnessed a senior resident having her worst nightmare come true. Almost.
I was filming a midfacial degloving. This is an approach used to get access to the nasal cavity. Read more »
