2/26

I have exciting news! I watch TWO procedures done this week! This is a big deal because I have been wishing to watch a surgery of some sort. Gaily suggested that I go down to watch them both (they weren't done in the same day). The first one was a TIPS procedure. Which is an acronym for Transjugular Intrahepatin Portosystemic Shunt. In this procedure a shunt was placed in between the portal vein. This procedure lasted about 5 hours I would say, I did not stay the entire time but I did end up staying an extra hour than I intended. I was watched the procedure being performed from the lab along with two correctional officers because the patient was an inmate. The second procedure was a Internal Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Placement to stop blood clots in the patients leg from entering his lungs which could cut off his oxygen. This procedure was much quicker and required the patient to be conscious or awake the whole time. This was because they needed him to hold his breath at times. Very interesting week.