Man Applying Gas in Work by Colin Black
In a candid twist, I never intended to pen a book for public perusal. I was writing for my own satisfaction. A career in medicine is marked by numerous milestones as you advance through training. Being appointed a consultant, often the final significant milestone aside from retirement, was the first time I took a moment to document each step on my journey.
So, for the first time in my life, I decided to keep a journal chronicling the intriguing cases, conversations, and discussions that unfolded during my daily duties as a new consultant. This diary is not just a collection of stories about health and recovery, but also includes absurd conversations.
After a couple of months, a thought struck me – the patients, the most vital persons in the operating theatre, often have no idea what transpires once they're anesthetized. Anaesthesia is often the aspect that patients fear the most. This fear is likely due to relinquishing control of their safety, or their child's, to a stranger. Moreover, they are plunging into unconsciousness. As anaesthetists, we have a unique position regarding this matter. Consequently, I decided to use the platform of this consultant diary to explain, in simple terms, the mysteries of anaesthesia and the events that unfold in the operating theatre while the patient is asleep.
However, don't let that somber description deter you. What I discovered is that the hospital, especially a children's hospital, is one of the most hilarious and entertaining places to work. When you strip away the inevitable stories of frustrating illnesses and arrest the recovery, you'll find a kaleidoscope of absurd conversations and profound social awkwardness. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Colin Black is a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthesiologist at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, specializing in anesthesia for congenital heart disease.
In this unique journal, I delve into the mysteries of anesthesia, an often-feared medical-condition associated with health-and-wellness, and explain its complexities in simple terms, using examples from my work as a pediatric anesthesiologist. In the vibrant world of the hospital, amidst the seriousness of patient care and recovery, I also encounter a surprising amount of science and absurd conversations.
