Monday 29 September 2008

Surgery

I spent all morning wearing something like this...

and watching opthalmological procedures be performed. Lasering away at the retinal haemorrhages in a youngish diabetic man and removing a cataract in another.

I love being in an operating theatre. I love the atmosphere, the lighting, the activity, the buzz... I want so much to be a surgeon. I would be good at it, i know I could break into the boys club and be brilliant. That I could help people. But it is an AWFUL training program. 70+ hour weeks are the rule rather than the exception. It is cutthroat, advanced trainee positions are in short supply. The exams and fees are revoltingly expensive and the work is hard, technical and neverending.

But it's so me. If it was just me then I would be seizing hold with both hands and carving out a name for myself (excuse the pun). But it's not just me. I have my family to think of. And I don't think buying this
makes up for it. Even if I think it's spectacularly cute.

*sigh*

We're sold that women can do anything, be mothers, career women, trophy wives, fit, beautiful, clever, charming, hostess extraordinaire and brain surgeon? Why the hell not. But I won't do it if it hurts them. They're more important.

For Mel
I could survive for 1 minute, 25 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

4 comments:

Mothership said...

Wow. You would kick arse as a surgeon, I know you would. But kicking arse as a mum is wonderful too, no?

I got the same score on the velociraptor-meter. You and me are tough broads.

Anonymous said...

Jenn it must be such a conflicting feeling. I so hope that one day you get to follow your dreams and become a surgeon.

TheThingsIdTellYou said...

I don't know what to say about this one, Jenn. I've been mulling it over since about 20 minutes after you posted it, trying to think of the right words.

I guess there aren't any? It's not an easy choice. I want to tell you to follow your dreams, yada yada. BUt it's rarely *that* simple, is it? We don't always get one clearcut dream, where the rest is crap. It's not crap. Mother. Wife. Student. Doctor. Woman. They're all inextricably tied together. It's so messy.

I don't know what the right answer is, Jenn. I'm sorry I can't be any help. But know I'm thinking of you, k?

0 said...

General Practice lovie... its about as family friendly as you can get! : )

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