Week 8: Pei Wen

This week marks the end of our summer immersion program. Most strikingly in OR, Anais and I observed a myomectomy with the largest fibroids we have seen thus far, roughly the size of a coconut. The larger fibroids were accompanied by a multitude of smaller ones. We were shocked to learn that Dr. Fenster has had cases where the fibroids were even larger. I cannot imagine the pain that the patient must have felt living with the fibroids as the fibroids were pushing on their other organs. This surgery sparks my curiosity further on the prevalence of fibroids among certain populations and the factors that contribute to their growth in severe cases such as the one we observed. I am grateful for the opportunity I had this summer to shadow Dr. Fenster in her surgeries and patient visits, to gain perspective in clinical needs and gaps pertaining to our field, and to learn how present and future technologies can be applied to improve patient care.