I once dreamt of becoming a doctor...

I did. I did dream of becoming a doctor. I acted like one, toying around plastic thermometers and stethoscopes among others, using them to treat victims (errrr...) patients, I mean. I even wore a doctor's costume when I visited "Batibot".

Years passed. I entered media. And I believe that is a good decision not to follow my childhood dream. A very good decision indeed.


Face-to-face with operation

After going to the gym, Larry asked me to accompany him to go to the hospital to have a minor operation. It has been days since he started complaining about how painful his ingrown toenail is. Well, he decided to get rid of the pain, by submitting to greater pain.

A-la House M.D. drama

Curious as I was, I tried to closely observe how the procedure would be. I guess this would be the closest I get to scenes I watch and wait for in House M.D.

A few intern nurses also joined me while I watched. I tried not to blink much. I scrutinized every little thing the medical staff did as if I’m in-charge.

The preparations went well. Nothing much, really. There were cottons and betadine and bandages and (gulp!) injections and (gulp! gulp!) surgical scissors. Everything’s complete. The pain begins.

Anesthetics were prepared. Doc V warned Larry that the shots would really be painful. The most painful 4 shots, he added. I guess it's true. I saw Larry stiffen his legs as he let go of silent moans of pain. He even borrowed my scarf to cover his face. (And, yes, he confessed, he bit it a few times as he felt pain.)

But wait, there’s more

And just like infomercials in home TV shopping shows, it doesn't end there yet. There's more. The juicier, bloodier part is yet to come.

Doc V got the scissors and the needle holder. He held the nail in place with the holder as the scissors found its way in between the nail and flesh. Larry winced in pain, signaling the doctor to give one more shot of anesthetics.  The pain stopped. The operation continued.

Curiousity “nauseated” the cat

Slowly, I saw the scissor blades as it went further, deeper into the flesh. I can almost feel the pain as if it was my own flesh that was torn. After a few more pushes, the nail loosened. Blood continued to flow. I began to see more flesh as the nail was being removed. I began to feel weak. My knees seemed to shake. The surroundings seemed to move. I felt dizzy. My stomach felt uneasy. It was then that I realized that I stared too much. Enough is enough. I moved back. I sat down. I gasped for air.

Recovering

I waited for Larry to recover as I wait for my own recovery. It took some time, water and a piece of candy to do so.

I told Doc V about what I felt during the operation. He just said it's a matter of getting used to those kinds of scenarios. I guess it's true. He breezed through the operation just like that.

But for me, I guess it will take a while. House M.D. didn't prepare me that much, and the idea of watching another operation is out of discussion. Case closed.