Job Shadowing
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Job Shadowing
| Thu, 11-09-2006 - 3:03pm |
Last summer DS18 had surgery to release an entrapped nerve in his foot. He had been in pain for over a year and we'd seen about 10 different doctors before finally being referred to a huge sports medicine practice two hours away. DS was diagnosed with the nerve problem by this wonderful surgeon, who is also the team doctor for the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana University sports teams among others. DS was understandably nervous about the surgery, especially since he is track athlete. The surgeon put DS at ease, calling him at home several times to check in both before and after surgery. His recovery has gone well, and DS has really enjoyed talking with the Dr about careers in medicine, etc, at his followup appointments. When we were there yesterday the doctor asked DS if he would be interested in spending a day with him job shadowing. Of course DS jumped at the offer, and he will be going over for a day in December to observe a morning in surgery and then an afternoon in the office. DS plans to major in Chemistry in college, with an Applied Biology minor, in hopes of attending medical school. He is leaning toward orthopedic surgery, so spending a full day with one of the best orthos in our part of the country will be a great opportunity for him. I am so excited for him! :)

What a wonderful opportunity for your ds!
I'm glad he recovered well from the surgery - isn't it very difficult to have surgery where it involves nerves? An an aside, my dd has a problem with her elbow and the doctors won't operate b/c there are so many nerves in that area they think it's too dangerous. She could lose use of the arm, etc. At this point it doesn't cause her any pain or problems so we've left it at that.
I'm not gifted with the "type" of intelligence it takes to be a doctor, but I have to confess I've always been fascinated by surgery. Love to watch those shows in which they actually let people see the operations take place. My dh thinks I'm nuts.
>>isn't it very difficult to have surgery where it involves nerves?
Yes, it is. DS had a chunk of scar tissue wrapped around the main nerve that passes from the ankle along the top of the foot, terminating between the big and second toe. As a result, the nerve was compressed and firing constantly. He had pain round the clock, ranging from a sharp tingle to a searing pain like he was being stabbed with a knife. The sugery was delicate but the only way to relieve his pain. Our surgeon is internationally reknowned and has a 90% success rate with this type of surgery (it usually has about a 60% success rate). They had to sever the nerve and he lost about 4 cm of it. All together the surgery involved about 9cm of it (4cm lost and 5cm resected), but DS is recovering well. He actually went to physical therapy 48 hours after surgery to begin rebuilding range of motion and within 5 weeks was back on the soccer field, which really astounded us. Next Monday he begins preseason training for his senior track season. That sure wouldn't have been possible without his surgery!
Woohoo! Good for DS. My ortho surgeon has worked with the Olympic team is currently working in the Soviet Union with one of the world class wrestling teams. Oldest DD has shadowed him several times during her college years. She was pre-med but decided that 7 more years was way too long for her so she switched to Physicians ASsistant. She has a little less than a year to go and he's already offered her a job. The only problem is that she wants to stay in ID and we are in TN. However, he actually went to school at Idaho State so he still has contacts there and promised to help her. She met him b/c of an ankle problem when she was 16 (had surgery). It's amazing how things work out sometimes.
I hope he enjoys his time with the doctor!
Well, I guess it is different though, than dealing with the nerves in your arm. For example, we were told the danger was her losing use of the arm, which is too risky. I imagine with the foot you are dealing with the danger of not having as much flexibility but not quite the same as a hand!