I haven't blagged for a bit. It's because of this stupid statistics assignment. I understand why they want us to know hot to interpret stats/data. But I'm not sure why they are making us learn how to use a computer program from scratch. It hurts me. Deeply. Truly.
Enjoy ( I hope you like radiohead!)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Hmmm
As a medical student, I feel like I shouldn't have the time to procrastinate so much. And yet here I am... Tips anyone?
Friday, May 20, 2011
It went something like this..
Colleague: " So pulmonary tuburculosis is localised to the lungs, but if the granuloma fails due to immuno-suppression you can get invasion in to the blood, which is military TB."
Myself: "Military TB?"
Colleague: "Yeah, military TB."
Myself " Do you mean Miliary TB?
Colleague "What? Miliary? I've been reading that as military all week!"
Other colleague "Me too."
Oh dear! Having it as military would make more sense though...
Myself: "Military TB?"
Colleague: "Yeah, military TB."
Myself " Do you mean Miliary TB?
Colleague "What? Miliary? I've been reading that as military all week!"
Other colleague "Me too."
Oh dear! Having it as military would make more sense though...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
On taxes and the like.
We has our first PBL patient die today. A lot of us have been looking forward to this day for some time. Not eagerly, but just anticipating that one day our ficticous patient will be incurable.
Our dude had X-linked agammaglobulinemia, and like every other week I made the bold assertion that this was the week where our candidate would die. "One day he'll just get a mean infection, go septic and die."
I was pleased with my balanced immunological assessment, but it didn't feel so good to have boasted it when the slide revealed the guy died three years after a heart lung transplant... and the fictitious character was based on a real person. It's going to be weird when an actual patient dies on me.
I recalled to a colleague today how I just happened to rock up at a crash scene after the ambulance had left. There wasn't much to see except a smashed windscreen and a mangled bicycle. I got home and read on the news that the cyclist had died, and I felt sad about that. A guy going for a ride gets killed by a careless motorist. It seemed genuinely tragic. Unfortunately the person I related this story to was a paramedic and was very meh about the whole ordeal. It made me think though.
The great irony was that I was driving back from a breakfast at church where one of the key points was "You are... going to die." Not to be overly dramatic or anything, just getting one of those certainties of life out there. While a hundred metres away an unwitting man was breathing his last, face up on Unley Road.
What does it all mean?
Our dude had X-linked agammaglobulinemia, and like every other week I made the bold assertion that this was the week where our candidate would die. "One day he'll just get a mean infection, go septic and die."
I was pleased with my balanced immunological assessment, but it didn't feel so good to have boasted it when the slide revealed the guy died three years after a heart lung transplant... and the fictitious character was based on a real person. It's going to be weird when an actual patient dies on me.
I recalled to a colleague today how I just happened to rock up at a crash scene after the ambulance had left. There wasn't much to see except a smashed windscreen and a mangled bicycle. I got home and read on the news that the cyclist had died, and I felt sad about that. A guy going for a ride gets killed by a careless motorist. It seemed genuinely tragic. Unfortunately the person I related this story to was a paramedic and was very meh about the whole ordeal. It made me think though.
The great irony was that I was driving back from a breakfast at church where one of the key points was "You are... going to die." Not to be overly dramatic or anything, just getting one of those certainties of life out there. While a hundred metres away an unwitting man was breathing his last, face up on Unley Road.
What does it all mean?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Crusty bitter old dean
So in the time that has past since my last entry, I have had a shower. But in that time I managed to remind myself to write more of the hilarious things that happen.
For example, I rocked up at medball, and stood outside in the line behind an older chap and his wife. Given that the line was long and we had both found ourselves seperated from our associates we introduced ourselves.
"I'm a first year." I told the guy, having never seen him before in my life. I then gave him a little bit more of my back story, as he prompted, seeming interested.
"What about yourself, I asked. Are you a student as well?" I asked politely, somewhat unsure what to ask because I'd not seen him around uni.
"No, I'm the dean."
"Uhhhh. Well you never can tell with the variety of age ranges around here..." I replied happily, trying to dig my way out. But it was okay, and we had a nice little chat.
About 20 minutes later though, a friend of mine came and said "So I hear you met the dean!" Sigh!
Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought of as a fool, then to open your mouth and prove them correct, right?
For example, I rocked up at medball, and stood outside in the line behind an older chap and his wife. Given that the line was long and we had both found ourselves seperated from our associates we introduced ourselves.
"I'm a first year." I told the guy, having never seen him before in my life. I then gave him a little bit more of my back story, as he prompted, seeming interested.
"What about yourself, I asked. Are you a student as well?" I asked politely, somewhat unsure what to ask because I'd not seen him around uni.
"No, I'm the dean."
"Uhhhh. Well you never can tell with the variety of age ranges around here..." I replied happily, trying to dig my way out. But it was okay, and we had a nice little chat.
About 20 minutes later though, a friend of mine came and said "So I hear you met the dean!" Sigh!
Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought of as a fool, then to open your mouth and prove them correct, right?
Med School Redux
For the longest time I regarded medical students with a begrudging respect. We were of course no different. Except that they had gotten in, and I had not. Now that I'm in, it's nice to see that the people aren't that different to the regular Joes. In fact, I've been pleasantly surprised with the variety of people in medical school. They all seem genuinely nice, with the great majority actually interested in the material they are trying to learn - a refreshing change from science.
I do believe I shall enjoy my present company for the next four years.
Anyway, I said I'd make a few comments about 'rural' day. Well, it was fun. We did coat ourselves with plaster, cannulate a fake arm and sew together a piece of foam in the manner in which skin can be done. And that was all well and good, as it's fun to do hands on things. But scarily, I think I may have become a bit of a convert towards doing a stint in the country.
Prior to the session, I really couldn't think of anything less desirable, I mean - the city is where all the cool stuff happens right? But now it seems as though it might not be a bad thing to spend a year in the sticks. Certainly more challenging, but perhaps more rewarding and useful for my education. I'm really torn now, and am actually hanging our for more info. How very unlike me!
Besides, I still feel positive toward one day moving out! This would be a great way of getting that underway!
I do believe I shall enjoy my present company for the next four years.
Anyway, I said I'd make a few comments about 'rural' day. Well, it was fun. We did coat ourselves with plaster, cannulate a fake arm and sew together a piece of foam in the manner in which skin can be done. And that was all well and good, as it's fun to do hands on things. But scarily, I think I may have become a bit of a convert towards doing a stint in the country.
Prior to the session, I really couldn't think of anything less desirable, I mean - the city is where all the cool stuff happens right? But now it seems as though it might not be a bad thing to spend a year in the sticks. Certainly more challenging, but perhaps more rewarding and useful for my education. I'm really torn now, and am actually hanging our for more info. How very unlike me!
Besides, I still feel positive toward one day moving out! This would be a great way of getting that underway!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Word to your mother
Medball yesterday. Fun.
Rural day tomorrow, should be interesting. Cannulating a fake arm etc. Having said that, I wouldn't call Port Elliott rural. I'll let you know how it goes.
Went to the doctor, because one of the med students thought I had high blood pressure when we were practicing with the sphingo. I actually went to the doc to get my vaccination stuff checked off, but got her to retake my BP to confirm that first year med students don't know how to do blood pressures properly. Unfortunately, it was high again. Now I have to get it checked again over 24h, to see whether I actually have some underlying pathology or whether it's all white coat fever.
Knowing me, it's probably all in my mind... and arteries. Better to be safe than sorry right?
Rural day tomorrow, should be interesting. Cannulating a fake arm etc. Having said that, I wouldn't call Port Elliott rural. I'll let you know how it goes.
Went to the doctor, because one of the med students thought I had high blood pressure when we were practicing with the sphingo. I actually went to the doc to get my vaccination stuff checked off, but got her to retake my BP to confirm that first year med students don't know how to do blood pressures properly. Unfortunately, it was high again. Now I have to get it checked again over 24h, to see whether I actually have some underlying pathology or whether it's all white coat fever.
Knowing me, it's probably all in my mind... and arteries. Better to be safe than sorry right?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Mike Robe's
The plus side of having experience in immunology/microbiology/biochemistry, is a feel very comfortable with most of the lecture material being thrown at me at this stage.
Apparently the lecturer today recognised my comfort, as well as my person, when pointing out the wide scale of experience in the room. The wonderful lecturer, who was until recently a researcher at Adelaide uni, even took the opportunity to wave hello to me.
Top of the class!? Gosh I hope it translates to results!
It has been really nice to revisit some good old immunology concepts though. I've missed the basic stuff, and it's nice to feel like I actually know something again.
Apparently the lecturer today recognised my comfort, as well as my person, when pointing out the wide scale of experience in the room. The wonderful lecturer, who was until recently a researcher at Adelaide uni, even took the opportunity to wave hello to me.
Top of the class!? Gosh I hope it translates to results!
It has been really nice to revisit some good old immunology concepts though. I've missed the basic stuff, and it's nice to feel like I actually know something again.
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