My brother in law is a ENT specialist and I remember back in about 98-99 we were at his home in Nashville for Christmas holidays while he was workin a rotation at Vanderbilt. He was finishing his 6 yr residency at vandy after graduating from emory med school. This was his last year before striking out on his own
i remember He was running late and we were all sitting around the fire and tree enjoying cocktails waiting for him to get home so dinner could be served. He called and said there was a terrible car accident outside of Nashville that involved a college kid driving home to be with family for the holidays. Mr bro in law was trying to sew an ear on along with some other facial reconstruction. He would be late but not to wait on him...of course we were saddened by the news and kept dinner on hold.
An hr or so later he arrives in scrubs that were bloodied and soiled. He came in with holiday cheers and gross hugs for everone
he was home with his family and baby daughter, parents, sister, etc and was ready for a wonderful evening of Christmas cheer and blessings....after dinner and a few more drinks he and I enjoyed a cigar on the porch.. I asked him how his patient came out of surgery and he told me the kid had died...combination of multiple injuries.. I was stunned at how well he handled it... He told me it comes with the territory and it's what he is trained to do... He did feel bad I could see it but if he was going to be a successful surgeon he would have to compartmentalize the emotions...he handles them at appropriate times and usually not in front of family and friends.. However he handles his emotions it must work and he is a very successful ear,nose, throat surgeon here in my town. I am to much a softee to deal with life and death situations
