This memoir is not only a summary of my life, but a review of what a new surgeon should do to develop trust from patients and referring physicians. My mistakes and successes are recorded in this memoir in the hope that they might serve as a guide to help future surgeons navigate the stresses of life and death. Many unpleasant events might have been avoided during my residency and practice years if this knowledge had been applied. The final section serves as a “travel log” of my foreign travels, detailing how I utilized them to enhance my knowledge, advance my career, and gain a deeper understanding of foreign governments and societies.