This is not normal

This is another letter to my previous self as a beginner trainee anaesthetist, hoping to provide some vague form of reassurance, and open up a dialogue for those who may find it helpful.

It is a very strange job that we do, and it's easy to forget that.

The things that we see - and what we do to people - are far from normal.

Most people may go their entire life and never see someone die. Maybe they'll see a family member's body at a funeral, or in very unfortunate circumstances they may even bear witness to a loved one's passing, but as a general rule the majority of the population are spared the harrowing and often horrific ordeal of witnessing the dying process occur in real time.

I saw three people die last week.