Dr. Eric Freeman writes from China
Pictures from China by Dr. Eric Freeman
05/30/08
Goodbye = 再见
Like all good things, sometimes they must unfortunately come to an end. Today was my last day here in Nanjing, China. The time did pass rather quickly; it seemed like yesterday that Dr. Zhao was picking me up at the airport. My priority this week was finding a gift for Dr. Cui. He has been so hospitable to me; really going out of his way many times. I did have difficulty in locating something that was unique. I knew I could not go wrong with buying him some tea so that is what I did. Not a box of Lipton tea, but a limited edition type of tea in some fancy box. Dr. Cui presented me with a certificate for successful completion of the resident exchange program. I took a bunch of pictures with Dr. Cui, the nurses, and attending anesthesiologists and residents. Around lunch time, Dr. Cui called me into his office. He handed me a brown envelope which was an honorarium from the anesthesia department for my presence and hard work during the month. Inside was 3000 RMB, or over 400 US dollars. I wish I knew how to say, “are you crazy?” in Chinese. After much arguing, Dr. Cui realized that I would absolutely not accept it. I suggested giving half to the earthquake victims and the remainder to Operation Smile, which he agreed to do.
Well, to my surprise, I was able to eat nothing but Chinese food for the entire month. Kinda like that movie “Super Size Me” that came out a few years ago. The director, Morgan Spurlock documented himself eating McDonalds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an entire month. Three square meals a day. In the process he gained over 20 pounds and had some heart palpitations. I fortunately, suffered neither. I am damn good at using chopsticks. I wonder what my first meal will be when I return home. Surely, I won’t be giving my favorite Chinese food restaurant in the Bronx any business for a while.
I have learned so much in my time here. Being immersed in a foreign country has allowed me to see how an operating room can be run so differently and how anesthesia can be practiced so differently. With limited resources, one must use whatever is available to them and be adaptable. I was able to use and become more familiar with medications I have never been exposed to before. Ropivicaine, remifentanyl, atracurium. Unfortunately there were no difficult or unanticipated difficult airways this month. After my first day here, I told myself I would not pick up a MAC 3 blade. I am more confident using the light wand and will practice with it more when I return. Fiberoptic intubation? Not a problem. I just need a functioning scope and an ETT with a little lubrication. No glycopyrolate, no monitors, no oral airways, no suction, no blow by O2, as they were just not available to me. I still prefer to place spinals and epidurals with the patient seated, but if necessary, I can do it in the lateral decubital position using a glass syringe. I showed some of the residents how to give a continuous spinal anesthetic and perform a deep extubation. Hopefully they will keep practicing them.
Of course, there were definitely times of frustrations both in and out of the hospital not being able to communicate, get my ideas across, or my questions answered. Living in a foreign country for an extended period has enabled me to learn in-depth about the Chinese culture, much more than just visiting on a vacation. When I return home, however, things will just not be the same. I will miss the near collisions with the onslaught of mopeds and bicycles. I will miss the woman saying hello to me in English every morning when she hands me my medications. I will miss the nurses in the PACU laughing at my Chinese. The lists goes on and on. And what awaits me?? Ah, yes. PACU holds, much longer room turnover times, the pyxus, and of course the Nextel being strapped to my waist.
I feel extremely fortunate to have had this opportunity and thank the anesthesia department, specifically Drs. Saubermann and Shay for their role in making this a possibility. I hope that Dr. Chen had a wonderful experience as well at Montefiore and I hope that this resident exchange program becomes a great success for many years to come.
I exchanged email addresses with Dr. Cui and Dr. Xieke. We will keep in touch. One who keeps to my word, I said the next time we raise a drink and do a “bottom’s up” will be when I return to China and complete an Operation Smile mission trip with them in the near future.
I am leaving Nanjing tomorrow morning and have a week vacation ahead of me. I will head to Beijing to climb the Great Wall and then go up to Mongolia and eat some mutton. As many more hours in an airplane await me, I will be able to close my eyes and reflect on all of my experiences and adventures this past month.