“April is the cruellest month” – This T.S. Eliot verse may, in a way, resonate in the hallways of hospitals. April, for many, signifies the onset of spring, but in the operating room, it can symbolize the start of intense challenges.

“Mixing memory and desire” – As surgeons, we are constantly challenged to balance past experiences with future aspirations. The memory of previous cases shapes our desire to refine techniques and achieve better outcomes for our patients.

“Spring is dead, buried is hope” – Post-operative desolation often mirrors this verse. Surgery is at times a painful and grueling process, but it is in these moments that our hope for recovery and healing remains steadfast.

“Here is no water but only rock” – The operating room, with its sterile white surfaces, may seem devoid of life. Yet, it is here that life is preserved and restored, where the line between mortality and survival is drawn with surgical precision.

“Shaking the bitter foam of past experience” – As healthcare professionals, we are compelled to learn from each procedure. Every case is an opportunity for refinement, a chance to perfect our skills and grasp the intricacies of medicine.

“I cannot help but think/ This that we believe to be the end is only the beginning” – When the scalpel glides, when the sutures are closed, it is crucial to remember that the conclusion of a surgery is just the start of the patient’s recovery process. Hope is renewed in the promise of a healthier tomorrow.

“In the waiting room, gazing at the sky” – Even in moments of pre-operative anxiety, we look to the future with optimism. We know that medicine is a journey of challenges and triumphs, and each patient is a star in the sky of our professional experience.

“Here we are, contemplating the horizon” – In our medical careers, we face each day with determination and resilience. We are always keeping an eye on the horizon, seeking new techniques, advancements, and opportunities to enhance patient care.

“Shantih shantih shantih” – At the end of each procedure, when silence fills the operating room, it is a tranquil reminder that, even amidst complexity and challenges, medicine is ultimately an act of compassion and healing.

Just as in T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land,” in medicine and surgery, desolation and hope intertwine. Each procedure is an opportunity for learning and renewal. Through dedication and a commitment to patient well-being, we find our “shantih,” the peace we seek throughout this medical journey.