June 20, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR SUSAN MODESITT IN KY
I would encourage Kunjal to pursue her interest in surgery. Although many
people are initially squeamish about blood and surgery, this usually won't
prevent someone from becoming a physician or a surgeon. I wanted to be a
doctor since I was five years old. Unfortunately, I fainted (as did all 5
of my siblings) every time I had a shot from the time I was a baby. I
fainted at the doctor's office, in the mall when I had my ears pierced, when
we stuck our fingers in 7th grade biology class to look at our blood under
the microscope, during my senior year in AP biology when we gave growth
hormone shots to chicks, and the list went on. I was deathly afraid that
this failing would prevent me from becoming a doctor, much less a surgeon.
Interestingly, I could take other's blood and watch surgery relatively
easily, however, I was always a bit worried that I might faint at an
inopportune time. But I pursued my dream nonetheless and I have managed to
keep upright through almost all of medical school, residency and fellowship
and I am now a women's cancer surgeon (Gynecologic Oncology). So even if
the worst happens and you faint, it doesn't spell the end of your medical
career.
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June 18, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI
The only way to get over any fear, I think, is to do whatever makes
you afraid and notice that you've survived it. Rationally you can
tell yourself that the odds are in your favor (lots of people have
parachuted out of airplanes before successfully), and that you are
well-prepared (from jump-school training) - but fear isn't completely
rational. When it's your patient's life you fear for and not your
own, it helps to be well trained, to have practised the steps on
dummies or models, to have supportive people who can help you if you
encounter unexpected difficulties. This summer you will see and
maybe help in some procedures that could upset a weak stomach - but
when you understand their purpose and see that they do make people
better, it becomes easier to look past the messy stage and forward to
the successful outcome. The feeling of accomplishment you'll have
from helping in the hospital will reward you for overcoming your
fears.

When it comes to fainting at the sight of blood, I think men are more
likely to faint than women. We've had to deal with our own menstrual
blood; as mothers we have to patch up the skinned knees; as cooks we
cut up raw meat. We learn to take it in stride. At least, the only
student of mine who fainted at drawing blood from a rabbit (for
antibodies) was a man.

In surgery, the patient is typically covered up except for the area
of the incision. There are probably practical reasons for this -
cleanliness, warmth - but I suspect that one reason is that it helps
the surgeon to focus on the organs and tissues and to play down the
fact that these interesting bits and pieces belong to a real live
person. In other words, you're not the only person who needs a bit
of help to steel herself for operating on a living creature. I hope
your summer experience really inspires you!