Today's reunion
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Mrs. George had her second cataract done today. Everything went well, took about 25 minutes and we were home about an hour after she arrived in recovery.
But...
Her room in outpatient surgery was across from "the board." That's where staff can see the OR schedule, what case is being done, which surgeon, etc.
So, having worked there, I had to look at the board, and much to my surprise, I saw that one of my old colleagues, a surgeon (let's call him Chuck) was working this morning.
I've know Chuck since 1974. Yes, 1974 when I was a young medical student rotating on the surgical service, he was the junior resident on the service. He went into practice in 1978, and I started in 1980. Chuck joined the staff at the university and I always enjoyed working with him.
So, when today's gas passer came by to pre-op Mrs. George, she blurted out that I was a retired gas passer. Of course, that caught his attention, and he asked where...blah, blah. I commented that Chuck was working, and I'd known him "back then."
After the pre-op interview, about 20 minutes later, Chuck came in.
What a delight. He spent probably 20 minutes with us, talking about the "old days," before the University became such a huge place, trading stories about past colleagues.
Here's a great story he told: When he finished his residency, he was too broke to afford an office, and I guess there was no practice looking for a partner.
One of the surgeons under whom he had trained offered to let Chuck use his office space until he got established. He could use the office, dictate charts ( and their staff would transcribe), and schedule surgery. All gratis.
At the end of his first year, he wrote a check to the three surgeon's who owned that practice, $500 each. That's about $2100 today. Each of them refused to cash the checks, feeling that it was their job to help a guy they trained to get established.
Anyhow, he had to run and do his next case, and he left having given me and Mrs. George hugs.
It was the highlight of my day.
Chuck:
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That's rad.
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Hey, Chuck…
Thank you so much for stopping by to visit yesterday before Mrs. George’s cataract surgery. Totally unnecessary, but It was wonderful to reminisce about old times, old friends and old colleagues.
Your visit made my day, probably my month, and Mrs. George agrees that it put her so much at ease, reminding her of the “good old days” at Northwestern.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and please enjoy your retirement. It’s really the best time of your life.
Should you encounter anyone who might remember me (XXX? XXX?) please send my best wishes.
Best regards, friend,
George K
He responded this evening:
George
I was really moved by you unexpected email Yes, you had the right address for me.
I really enjoyed seeing you and Mrs. George as well. Just like old times, just like that. I think that affirms the great friendship we have always had without actually talking about it. You look fabulous and happy and fun to be with, as always. Thanks for your perspective on retirement. It's such a personal thing to each of us. I'm considering continuing since I feel the most alive doing surgery. Really have nothing else to fall back on, and that's fine with me.
If you hold up two fingers,can Mrs. George identify them? Hope her surgery went well. You know getting together for a dinner with friends from the past is alot of fun. We should think of a group and do it. We have all been so blessed to do the work that we do. Might as well celebrate great fiendships too. For some reason, that never seems to get done , but is always so satisfying.
Thanks again for your note, you haven't changed a bit.
Best to you and Mrs. George,
Chuck -
“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill
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@mik said in Today's reunion:
Nice. Very.
Here's a guy that I've seen only one time since 1989. Thirty fucking years, and...it's like we never had any time pass.
His email, literally, brought a tear to my eye.
Of course, I'm going to respond and join him for dinner. I probably don't know a lot of people there any more, but, if Chuck can winnow down the list, it'll be good.
One of the things that struck me about the environment in which he works is that, for the staff, it's so impersonal.
When I worked there, we had a total of 26 operating rooms in one building. Yeah, it was big, and we did about 90 cases a day. But, there was one lounge, one building, and everyone knew everyone else. We hung out together, and we were friends.
Private practice was a revelation. Much smaller (9 rooms), and everyone was as intimate as could be. We became more than friends, we became family (and yeah, that included your crazy uncle).
Last week's visit to the university was amazing. From a patient's perspective, it was great. It's like GM: well-oiled, smooth and efficient. But I never got the impression that there was any kind of relationship among the members of the staff, other than professional.
Chuck confirmed that. He doesn't know most of the people with whom he works. Hell, he doesn't even know most of the people in his own department. It's a huge machine in which he's a cog.
Sad, actually.
Is the care better? I don't know.
But, I will say this...
When you need to see someone in another specialty, your doc will refer you to "GI," or "Ortho," or "Nephrology." Your doc probably doesn't know who will actually be taking care of you - it's just a department.
I am fortunate that I know enough people to ask about who's good and who's not-so-good.
Though there are advantages, for a patient, for centralized care, there are disadvantages as well. I worked with a lot of Bozos at the university, and I also did in private practice.
Sadly, as in many things, it's who you know....
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Nice note and good memory!
