Another benefit to the minimally invasive stuff that people don't think of is that it allows woman and less strong people into the field, especially of being the assistant. Retracting requires a lot of upper body strength, and I think it is one of the reasons women didn't go in to that specialty. I mean, they can absolutely do it, but I think the robotic and minimally invasive stuff makes it more appealing. We have seen our guest lectures go from almost 100 percent male to predominantly female (although nurses who are male often go into surgery)

That's very interesting, Sophia. One of those things that would never have occurred to me because I just don't know anything about those practicalities.

It is only anecdata at this point, but we could probably do a study... Nursing is so weird, in that it is so female dominated that white, straight men are considered underrepresented minorities, but they still get the highest paying jobs the quickest!

Cindy, I'm so glad for good news for C! That's wonderful to hear.

Tep, I'm so sorry you and Tim have had to deal with so much health stress lately. Wishing Tim loads of heart ~ma.

Gud, that's awesome about your son!

Today I drove myself to my clinic appointment. I hadn't driven in nine weeks, so it feels really good to get some of my independence back. My friends have been beyond amazing, but being able to go places on my own has helped my mood considerably.

There was just a thing on Marketplace Morning Report about the continuing lack of female heart surgeons! [link]

Today I drove myself to my clinic appointment. I hadn't driven in nine weeks, so it feels really good to get some of my independence back. My friends have been beyond amazing, but being able to go places on my own has helped my mood considerably.

That's fantastic!

Yay, amyth!!

I love seeing this round of good news among buffistae!

Cindy, I'm so glad he's headed back to school.

Laura, I'm also very glad that your son has found a job that's getting him up and moving around at least. Computers might be a bad fit for him in some ways. I wonder if applying his problem solving acumen to something like a contractor type job might be more engaging and lean towards his strengths and away from his temptations.

Woo hoo, on Epic getting her living space in order.

Woo hoo, on Miley finding such a sweet home and offloading of Legos.

Glad to have Tim lined up for the surgery and that they can do it without cracking him open like a lobster.

Gud, it's been fascinating watching your spicy brained son grow up. That's fantastic that he's already got something lined up after college. Though I expect that by the time he finishes college he'll have a bunch of headhunters hunting for his head.

Cool beans, on autonomy and mobility, amyth!

Today I drove myself to my clinic appointment. I hadn't driven in nine weeks, so it feels really good to get some of my independence back. My friends have been beyond amazing, but being able to go places on my own has helped my mood considerably.

Did you feel like a teenager with a new drivers license, full of sweet sweet FREEEEEDOM? (Blasting the Violent Femmes is optional but encouraged.)

Omg, not being able to drive for four months when I broke my ankle was the WORST—and I live in an area with walkable stuff and plenty of public transit and plentiful Ubers. I totally get it amyth!

I can't even imagine, amyth! (Because I live in the burbs and not driving = not going much of anywhere). I can only imagine how amazing it must be to back behind the wheel (literally & figuratively)!

Thanks, David, for pointing out what a positive pattern today has. Yay for good newses!