Advice, like youth… (for surgeons)

You’re lucky.

Sir Bobby Robson on a life of pressure, tension and emotion, and the thrill of it: “You have that chance. You’re lucky.”

Yield.

Regina Brett’s advice, in brief: prepare for the worst and hope for the best, take the next small step, and forgive. “Yield.”

In good faith.

‘When you are worried about bleeding ask yourself this: Is it your blood? No. Relax’. Mr Joe McGoldrick.

‘I have three patients on my list today. I wonder which one will survive’. Sir Russell Brock.

Stephen Westaby on not dwelling on loss, learning from failure and moving on to the next patient: “Those of us who make it as surgeons don’t look back.”

A privilege…

And some perspective.

It is a great privilege operating on a patient that needs it. You have acquired and honed the skills and knowledge to save (or improve the quality of) their life but this is in no way guaranteed. The most valid and valuable auditor is your conscience… and a clear conscience usually ensures a good night’s sleep. At the end of the day, you can only do your best.

Get outside everyday. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

Quotations from Sir Bobby Robson, Regina Brett and Stephen Westaby are shortened from their published words.