Behind Closed Doors: Everyday Blessings

Here’s to all those tiny gifts we never see coming.

This is the time for giving — giving thanks, giving praise and giving gifts. A scarf for Aunt Martha, a tie for Uncle Sam and the newest toy out there for the nephew or niece. While those big presents are certainly nice, we’re often given tiny little gifts of blessings every day that we never see coming. For example...

... The gift of being the first people in the room to hear a frozen section is benign. I used to hold my breath in these instances a lot and I didn’t realiz I was doing it. I know you’re not supposed to chew gum in the OR. Sometimes I would do it anyway. My breath behind my mask sometimes smelled like roadkill. You could tell how stressed I was by how fast I’m chewing that gum. Don’t sue me. I promise I won’t be doing it any more. Now I clench my jaw.

... The gift of those unexpected assignments, especially in cases you’ve never seen or done. It gives the ol’ ticker a run for its money. Anxiety, palpitations and the sweet smell of stress. Who said this job didn’t have it perks!

... The gift of hearing a baby’s first cry. So what if you aren’t used to doing C-sections! Today’s a blessed day for everyone in the room. Besides, you’re not the one taking that baby home. There is something to be said for being old enough to retire.

... The gift of someone else’s terrible music. It may feel like your brain and ears are going to start bleeding from the full-blast Nordic death metal, but if it makes the surgeon happy, you can stand it for seven hours with two breaks and a 30-minute lunch, right?

... The gift of a steady paycheck. You worked hard for it, and you deserve it. You were on call and did two choles and an appy. That made your check fatter. You also have a job when some people don’t.

... The gift of being included in a prayer for the patient going to surgery. No matter what your faith or belief is, be grateful you were included.

... The gift of a well-timed cry. Humans produce tears for a reason. Sometimes that’s the only way you’re going to feel better. In my early days as an OR nurse I worked with the motto, “Never let anyone see you cry.” Do you see how harmful that was putting myself in that state of anxiety like that? Even a team member’s withering look when you’re giving your all can start a leak. Cry when necessary. Call someone to get in there. Ask for a bathroom break. If those tears are due to a joyous occasion, let ’er rip.

... The gift of a helping hand. Having a coworker come in to do even the smallest thing can be the difference in a stressful case becoming a disaster. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

... The gift of laughter. Some of my biggest laughs have been in the OR. There is nothing like sharing a moment with a coworker and laughing until you can’t breathe — or until those of us with 10-gallon bladders almost pee our pants. Only someone in our line of work understands. When the days and the cases grow longer, we’re amused by the things that ordinarily aren’t that funny.

Once in a while, you receive a gift and there are no words to express your joy. I received that monthly over the last 18 years, working with Outpatient Surgery Magazine. I have retired from the OR and will now retire from writing Behind Closed Doors, as well. It’s been so much fun I can’t even call it work. Thank you for all the emails over the years. So many have given me ideas for columns. I couldn’t have done it without you. As Bob Hope would say: Thanks for the memories.

Blessings for the holiday season and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. Readers, you are loved. OSM