Many of you will know that I support a footy team called Carlton. The last few years have been particularly trying as the team has played so poorly under a coach that could not bring out their best. Most supporters predicted that even with a new coach this year that 5 wins for the season would be a good effort. And although they are still a long way from finals contention, they are now playing as a team and have won 6 games with half the season still to go.

The total sum of their efforts is more than just the sum of their individual efforts.

In a similar way, the surgeon and the patient need to be on the same page when it comes to recovery. As a surgeon, my ideal patient is one who trusts me and my skills, training, and judgment. At the same time they are positive and motivated to get well. Especially with major surgery where it takes a lot of effort to get moving and out of bed, this positive mindset is imperative.

I recently diagnosed a gent with an invasive bladder cancer which requires removal of the bladder and creation of a stoma (opening to skin) to collect the urine. It’s a major surgery and the recovery process is seldom completely smooth. Recovery takes courage, positivity and faith. When i gave him the news his mind immediately went to the worst case scenario. Despite telling him that it all appeared contained he kept saying, “it’s really bad, isn’t it”?

At the end i had to say that if I’m going to be operating on him, that he has to find a way to be positive and work his way through. Admittedly, we’re all programmed differently and handle things in different ways, but somehow we have to find a way. According to the ancient medical science of Ayurveda, for a cure to occur, the doctor, patient, carers and medicine all need to be aligned. The same applies to surgery.

The time to train one’s mind is not at crisis time. Training of the mind happens from day to day life and the challenges that life throws at us. The daily practice of meditation is a way of training the mind to withstand anything, just like a parachute.

In Health and Wellness

Ranjit