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THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted: 19 February, 2010 - 11:04am
by: PANDA
THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted: 19 February, 2010 - 11:04am
by: PANDA
THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted: 19 February, 2010 - 11:04am
by: PANDA
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Anesthetist - A Difficult Day in Theater
Would you like to become an anesthetist? Or would you like to become a surgeon? Or how about becoming an oncologist, pathologist or registered professional nurse? Then pay close attention to this letter.
This was my last patient on the operating list today: a 39 year old AIDS patient with a large cancerous growth on her upper jaw.
I took some pictures of it for you guys...
Now I need to take a biopsy (remove a piece of this growth surgically). Then I need to send it to my Histopathology colleague who will examine the tissue under a microscope and then give a report on the type of growth so I can offer the patient options on the treatment.
I will probably have to send this patient to an oncologist (a cancer specialist) for chemotherapy (cancer killing medication) and radiotherapy (cancer killing radiation).
This patient is presenting a great challenge to the anesthetist. He will have to give her a general anesthetic.
The patient is very obese, and this is making the anesthetist's job quite difficult. Adding to his problems is the cancerous growth which is extending all the way into the back of the throat. He needs to ensure that the patient receives enough Oxygen during the anesthetic.
"Maintaining the airway" is the anesthetist's main objective, so he first takes a preview while the patient is sedated. The monitors give him information about the condition and status of the respiratory and cardio-vascular systems.
He injects some induction agent (medication that makes the patient asleep) intravenously (into the vein).
The anesthetist has to see the vocal cords and place a tube in between the vocal cords into the trachea (main windpipe) to transfer Oxygen into the patient's lungs. Looking at the video clip above, you can see how he skillfully intubates (places the tube into the trachea).
Now the professional theater nurse will prepare the patient for the operation.
My job is to debulk (make it smaller surgically) the tumor and place some of the tissue in a special solution. That will then be sent to the pathology lab.
This is a vascular tumor (the tumor is full of blood and blood vessels) so now it is my turn to stress.
Will I be able to stop the bleeding? I have to be very, very careful with sharp instruments as this is an HIV+ AIDS patient. Even the slightest slip with a sharp instrument can have drastic consequences for me or my assisting nurse!
The operation was a success. The following morning in the ward, I meet the smiling patient, "Thanks Dr Anton! You have given me my smile back!"
Although I know that it is only temporary, I also know that for the limited time that she will be alive, I have increased her quality of life and made her feel good about herself. Isn't this a great reason to become a doctor or surgeon?
President of The Apprentice Corporation
This Letter from the Doc was submitted on 30 May, 2009 at 06:27am
Comments on this Letter from the Doc...
THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted on: 19 February, 2010 at 11:04am
By: PANDA
THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted on: 19 February, 2010 at 11:04am
By: PANDA
THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted on: 19 February, 2010 at 11:04am
By: PANDA
THIZ WAS VERY USEFUL
HAI DOC!
I WISH TO BECOME A SURGEON AND OF COURSE,THIZ LETTER WAS VERY USEFUL....i've always wondered what the job of anesthetist is.. wether just sedation... or there is something else... and thiz letter was REALLY N REALLY USEFUL
Posted on: 19 February, 2010 at 11:02am
By: PANDA
GREAT JOB
HI DOC IM A NEW FAN I THINK YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB,DO YOU EVER THINK OF QUITING?
Posted on: 15 February, 2010 at 11:53am
By: AMBRA
Very interesting
The video on becoming an anestheist( administering) was great.To be a doc and save lives is a blessing.As well as to have such a wonderful website such as this one is very pleasing.I would like to say keep up the good work Dr.Anton.And thank you very much for the video.And also for this website.Im now a new fan.And will be visiting everyday. now.
Posted on: 05 July, 2009 at 07:22pm
By: Keya24
Amazing
Dr you are a blessing from God.Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration.thank you for the letters.
Posted on: 11 June, 2009 at 10:55am
By: Peggy
saving others
being a doctor to me is not a hobby but saving lifes, so i'm cointinuing of being a doctor. thanks for challenges that you share with us.
Posted on: 08 June, 2009 at 02:18am
By: zam
Sure
Thanks for choosing to teach the world about surgery and all involve in it like anaesthesia.Goid bless, Great work, u do
Posted on: 03 June, 2009 at 05:22am
By: Jussy
Thats very interesting
this video makes me even more willing to take up the profession of being a doctor. its all about helping people and making their lives more enjoyable....
Posted on: 02 June, 2009 at 12:39pm
By: trishy
Thankyou
I would just love to say thankyou for this newsletter and i would love to carry on and persue my job as a doctor.
Posted on: 02 June, 2009 at 11:45am
By: Adam
wow..it's noble..really
hi doc..i want to become an anesthetic..u give me some ideas bout what anesthetic's jobs. and i wanna praise you for your noble deed..the patient have hiv but you put her well being first than anything else..well done dr anton.
Posted on: 02 June, 2009 at 08:44am
By: tash
A very educative letter
i am glad to say to Dr Anton that he is doing a very good job and teaching a nation on surgery. thanx.
Posted on: 01 June, 2009 at 01:38pm
By: JAY S
Thanks Doctor Anton
That video of the tumor being removed from the patient's mouth was remarkably docemented and I love the anesthetist part of the video that you threw in especially since my specialty I plan to do is nurse anesthestist. Your the best doc thx- keep me in the loop!
Posted on: 01 June, 2009 at 05:58am
By: Jaime
Thanks for the letter!
Dear Dr. Anton, your letters are very informative. I didn't know a tumor could grow in upper jaw. Thanks for the information.
Posted on: 30 May, 2009 at 04:50pm
By: Melanie
thats great Doc
this is an encouragement 4 those of us who want to be docs.keep on dissecting Doc.
Posted on: 30 May, 2009 at 04:41pm
By: BRAIN
Size
Mark the size 6 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm. We did not weigh the tumor. Keep in mind that I only debulked the growth - it was a lymphoma (cancerous growth of Lymphocytes - a sub-group of white blood cells). Definitive treatment will include chemotherapy and radiation.
Posted on: 30 May, 2009 at 02:45pm
By: Dr Anton
Tumor Question
How big was the tumor in length, weight,general size?
Posted on: 30 May, 2009 at 02:16pm
By: Mark