Miriam Mutebi, Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Do you ever have that one picture that you think is quintessentially you?
Here I am on the brink of laughter with the: ‘I – just – ate – the – last – oreo’ grin that is about to break free (despite my best attempts at gravitas).
This picture always makes me laugh, because behind that smirk, I’ve either just done something cheeky or I’m plotting to.
My father always says, ‘Don’t suspend the joy, Miriam.’ And while oncology often feels like it demands solemnity, the truth is my ladies and I do get the giggles, sometimes at the most inappropriate times, and always over the most mundane things.
Like the day we removed post-surgery drains for a patient.
She was a lovely lady who had been discharged earlier to complete her recovery at home and had done an excellent job caring for her drains, keeping them protected during movement and carefully tracking the fluid levels until they dropped to a safe range.
For my non-medical followers: drains are small tubes left in after surgery to help remove excess lymph fluid as your body heals.
Back in the clinic for removal, she handled the moment with remarkable grace; bracing herself for pain that, to her surprise, never came.
When it was over, the nurse and I, eyes glowing with pride, held up the drain Lion King–style and whispered words every proud parent longs to hear:
‘Congratulations on your bouncing baby girl!’
Cue all three of us dissolving into laughter.
Moments like these remind me why humor matters. It lightens the load, grounds us in the now, and restores a sense of normalcy to what can otherwise feel overwhelming.
PSA: drain removal is not painful (though occasionally uncomfortable).
No babies were harmed in the making of this silliness.”
More posts featuring Miriam Mutebi.