In "Written in My Own Heart's Blood," Diana Gabaldon explores the duality of a surgeon's role, highlighting the inherent danger in their practice. A surgeon, trained to save lives, carries the heavy burden of the possibility of taking one. This complexity reveals the harsh reality that despite a surgeon's intentions, they must confront the potential consequences of their actions, which can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes.

Gabaldon's insight emphasizes that effective surgery requires a certain ruthlessness. Surgeons must penetrate the human body with skill and decisiveness, knowing that each procedure involves risk. This stark acknowledgment of mortality shapes a surgeon's mindset as they navigate the fine line between life and death, accepting the potential for loss while striving to heal.