Tragic

Surgery has its share of tragedies, but I seem to see more than my fair share.


I was scheduled to do a colectomy a few weeks ago on a guy with a large colon polyp which couldn't be removed without surgery. He showed up for surgery 2 hours before his procedure, right on time. So what's the problem?

His wife died last night.  And he still came for his surgery on time.

He told me he'd be willing to go through with surgery, but he'd have to go home right afterwards. This is NOT outpatient surgery - people have to stay in the hospital for about 4 or 5 days after a colectomy.  Poor guy - I told him to go home and take care of his affairs. I wish all of my patients could be compliant like this guy, even though he took it several steps too far.