Danny+R

=**Thoracic Outlet Syndrometoc**=
 * Goals**
 * My main goal in this project was to view the processes that occurm everyday at Massachusetts General Hospital. I really wanted to focus in on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, both patient care and surgery. I chose this because of a patient Dr. Donahue had told me about.** A doctor that she had seen in Maine had misdiagnosed these symptoms and treated the patient the wrong way. Since then, Dr. Donahue has worked on her several times. This most recent procedure involved him tying off a duct to prevent the flow of fats into a hole in her neck. She was visiting today to get the results from her CAT scan and to see if she still had an infection. Her high spirits amazed me considering that this doctor in Maine had completely diminished her way of life. She said that for the first time she was just beginning to work out. Of course, she could not be using weight yet, but she seemed encouraged with her recent strength in her arm. In fact, she had been out of work because of the pain. She had just told Dr. Donahue that she was heading back to work. This is why I was especially interested in this project.

Discoveries
What shocked me the most was her ability to stay calm throughout her experience. To go from an operation room to seeing the patient six weeks later is so inspiring. To know that Dr. Donahue brought joy back to her life and the fact that you could see it in her face, made me think of the man I saw in surgery. I can see the man coming back pain free with a similar delight for his new found shoulder movement. She inspired me to be more conscious of injuries such as TOS. It has been six weeks since I have seen the male patient in surgery and it is my pleasure to announce that he is pain free and back to work. After his first Botox treatments he was pain free for two months so it is my hope that unlike that treatment this one will stay the same. The woman we met with in a meeting is also doing much better since working with Dr. Donahue. Although she does not have full movement, she is far from where she was only months ago. She too is back to work and on pace to having strength back in her arm.

Challenges
This really opened my eyes to how much work is involved in correctly treating patients. The doctors have to take everything that they have learned at medical school over the years and use some of their own judgment to come up with a conclusion

Solutions
The only true answer to the challenges is hard work and perseverance. Both qualities that Dr. Dean Donahue has clearly displayed to me by the acts that he performed on my work experience.

Looking Back
In reflection I think This experience was amazing for the better understanding of the incredible I would do this again if given the opportunity because it is a field in which there is so much room to explore, and so many diseases, surgical procedures, and drugs that are always being expanded for the safety and the well being of the patient.

5 Things You Wish You Knew Before The Project

 * 1) As ridiculous as it sounds I do not think I knew how much of a commitment the entire 15 hours spent at the hospital turned out to be. In that respect I wish I had greater prepared for the constant work involved in a hospital
 * 2) It is also important to read every requirement thoroughly to ensure that every necessary check is accounted for. It is silly to lose points for something as simple as not putting page numbers on your paper.
 * 3) START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. I can't stress enough of how much more organized a project is when it is started early.
 * 4) Use your drafts as wisely as you can. The corrections on your draft are great points to look back on make sure the final is as clean as possible. Plus it shows the commitment you are tweaking your mistakes.
 * 5) In the case of a work experience, try to take as thorough notes as you can. Two weeks past the surgery date the info will not be fresh in your mind and a clean journal can fix all of that.