Mini Yang

Last week I brought home a big surgery textbook to study. I had a complicated procedure the next day, something I had only assisted on previously. This time I was going to be the primary surgeon, and I wanted to be prepared.

Anna came out from her bed to ask for more water or something, and saw me with the big tome balanced on my knees. "Mommy, what are you reading?" she asked.

"It's a surgery book. I'm reading up on a surgery for tomorrow."

"What is it called?" she asked, almost breathlessly.

"A perineal urethrostomy."

"What do you do?" she asked.

I explained it was a surgery to open up a male cat's urethra - which is naturally long and narrow. If the patient is prone to bladder irritation or infections, the resulting sludge of white blood cells, mucus, and sometimes crystals cannot pass. If catheterization doesn't permanently solve the problem, a surgery to make a shorter, wider urethra is indicated. Because females have a shorter, wider urethra, and because the distal penis is removed, some people refer to it as the "sex change operation." We just call it a "P.U."

Anna pored over the illustrations. "That looks like a really good surgery!" she said.



A few nights later, she came out while I was watching a recorded episode of Grey's Anatomy. "Mommy, what are you watching?" she asked.

"Uh, it's a show about a hospital," I said.

"Oh, I love hospitals!" she said, ready to park it next to me on the couch.

"No!" I said, "It's an adult show! You need to go to bed!" Thank goodness I did not tell her it's a show about SURGEONS. Never mind inappropriate sex at the work place!


(Fortunately the PU surgery went well. My boss came in to look over my shoulder and was perfectly supportive and helpful. The patient was continent immediately after the surgery, and was peeing freely on his recheck. He looks comfortable and relieved!)