Well, I'm officially a Bend-ite as my household goods arrived last week. And, my hospital priveleges are official as of tomorrow am, so now I can actually start operating instead of just watching. Of course, when you watch someone whose surgical technique is so different than most (translation - better), you can learn a lot just by watching. Dr. Redwine is actually a very good teacher, and explains his rationale for why he does what he does along with explaining what he's doing. I actually have done quite a few of the surgical techniques in Hawaii that I learned from him last fall when I was visiting Bend. It's difficult and requires skill and perseverence, but it's so rewarding to have patients come back and say their pain is gone after you've removed their endometriosis. I met with some physical therapists today who specialize in womens health and pelvic PT, which is also very important for some women in relieving all of their pain. Sometimes pain starts from a stimulus like endometriosis, or surgical incisions, then muscle spasm sets in, then nerve irritation from the spasm, then more pain, and on and on. When you remove the initial stimulus, ie the endometriosis, in most people the pain goes away, but in those women who have started the cycle with muscle spasm, they continue to have some pain, usually a little different than before their surgery, but still bothersome. That's where the PT comes in. These therapists are experts at finding out exactly which muscles are in spasm, even the deep internal muscles of the pelvis, and then getting them to relax, which usually results in long lasting pain relief of the rest of the pain. I realized firsthand how important this was a few years ago after having my appendix out. I went back to work 3 days after my surgery (typical doctor) and started having terrible muscle spasms of my right side. I tried to fix it on my own, but I was unsuccessful. After a few visits to my trusty PT friend, I was dramatically improved. I strongly believe in a team approach to caring for patients. Whether it's regarding pain management or for incontinence, working with other professionals with a slightly different skill set and a different approach, yet the same ultimate goals, I think gives patients a better outcome, and that's what it's all about.
Well, although the movers came and went last week, I still have a house full of boxes begging to be unpacked, so I better go answer their calls. A Hui Ho...