Yesterday, just like every Thursday this semester, I take the express bus up to Seattle and spend the day at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in the physical therapy department treating oncology patients. Part of that internship is observing other treatments that cancer patients may experience. It is a great opportunity since we are able to witness what they go through before or while they are receiving physical therapy.
Yesterday I spent most of the day in the procedure suite. I was able to observe a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy with patient sedation, and two central line insertions. One was a Hickman line and the other was a power port. They use fluoroscopy when they are placing the lines and so there is a need to protect the surgeon, nurse, scrub tech, and anyone else in the room. So, I needed to wear these one time use temporary scrubs (kind of like a painters suit), and this lovely, heavy skirt and vest made of lead. Of course the normal head covering and mask was also required. I had the Radiation Tech take my photo and I wanted to share it with everyone.
One of the neat things about SCCA is that Dr Hickman, yes the one who "invented" the Hickman line, works there. He just retired from patient care and I beleive that he mainly does research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. SCCA is an alliance of Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's, and University of Washington Medicine and so all the doctors work together and they all have access to the latest cancer treatment.
Next week I will get to observe a modified radical mastectomy and several lumpectomies. I am looking forward to that and will let you know how that goes.
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