by Sr. Margaret Anne Meyer MMM                U.S.A.                                      25.08.2024

I would like to tell you a story of what took place the first time I assisted Dr. O Brien with an operation, a Caesarian Section. I was extremely nervous, and he yelled at me that I was like Charlie Chaplain assisting him. I started to laugh and then somehow, I improved and then functioned as I was supposed to. Later on, the scrub nurse remarked to me how I could laugh when I was corrected. nI told her “Did you ever see Charlie Chaplin move a piano up a hill.”? He was very jerky with it. That was how I was assisting Dr O’Brien with jerky movements and then after laughing I regained my composure and did it the right way. Thank God this never happened again, and I enjoyed all the Gynecological work, twice a week. I especially loved being taught how to investigate women for infertility. It was such a joy for all of us when they became pregnant.

Our work was very demanding of our time. I liked it because one could see a woman who had need for a Caesarean Section. One heard all the factors considered to make the best decision. See the preparation necessary including preparing for a blood transfusion if necessary, assisting at the operation and seeing what was written for aftercare. This meant that we had a half day off every week and one day off a month. We were young and did not consider this to be abnormal until a new Medical Superintendent arrived and reduced our hours of duty.

I was glad to spend some weekends at the seaside house in Bettytown and go for a swim in Termonfeckin on my half day. I never cycled to Bettystown, but Termonfeckin was not so far. In fact the distance was used in a parody play on “My Fair Lady” which we three interns and some of the MMM nurses acted in to give entertainment to the three Consultants who had been with us for over twenty years. My part in the play was to paraphrase a song “It only takes three minutes to get to Termonfeckin” for the flying squad to help a maternity patient in distress. Sr. Dr. Martha Collins sang a relaxed song imitating Dr. Connoly with his foot resting on a chair. I remember the rehearsals more than the actual play but all the consultants, Mr. Sheehan. Dr. Costello and Dr. Connolly were pleased with our efforts and enjoyed it thoroughly. As well as did the invited guests.

The months followed quickly and soon it would be July first and the time to change for another rotation and that is another story.