This is So Cool

Ladybugs in the Sterile Field

I was with a urogynecologist and we were doing a bunch of bladder procedures. Most of the patients we were operating on had urinary incontinence, which you can guess is pretty common as people get older. The thing is, it's still considered surgery, so it had to be done in a sterile room because the risk of UTIs is so high. So, we're in this sterile room about to start the procedure, and we've already talked at length about how a non-sterile room is disastrous for the risks of UTI or bladder inflammation and such. We’re doing this procedure and see this ladybug fly by in front of us and literally land on the patient in our sterile field. The irony is not lost because we had just finished this conversation of how important sterility is.

There’s like 10 seconds of silence as we all watch the ladybug, and the surgeon quietly goes, “Sam, get rid of the ladybug.” The patient's not sedated, so she heard all about the ladybug. She was an old farmer lady and goes, “No, no, no! Don't kill the ladybug. Let me take it outside.” So, I ended up using one of the nurse’s patient education sheets and a disposable cup to kind of catch the ladybug. After getting her surgery, the patient literally walked out of the hospital with the ladybug.  

[Interviewer laughing HARD]

That's so funny. Oh my God, that's so funny. What’s your take-away from this experience? 

The ladybug in this story represents the uncertainty of medicine. After all the textbooks, after all the knowledge, there will always be unpredictable things.  I feel like Neil deGrasse Tyson talking about black matter in the universe or something.

Umhm very Ted Talk-y.

Post-interview Convo

So, I've been thinking of names for each story. I think I’ll call yours “Ladybugs in the Sterile Field.” I really love Bardia's story. I’m going to call it “The Old Ladies on CTU” because he talked about old ladies he took care of on CTU. And then, Rachel’s story—Carl’s Rachel—I want to call it “Cows in the Basement” because she grew up on a farm. I’m just so excited for other people to hear all of the stories. You know, you’re my last interview. I’m all out of film. Yeah, I’m really sad that this project is over. I’ve really enjoyed listening to everyone.

Well, I mean, why does it have to be over? You obviously really care about this.

This was supposed to be like a side creative thing I did during clerkship but I guess I never considered continuing to do it after that.

I think you should consider it. Actually no, I think you should do it.

Maybe I will.