War is ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty absurd. But war is very inventive. Can you believe we live in an age where you can fire a rocket to shoot down nother mans rocket? I have friends in Isreal, so I do genuinely worry about what conflict in the middle east means for the lives of the people that live there.
So with that preamble, have you seen the videos of the iron dome in action? There is this bizarre interplay of war and normal life.
It's crazy to think you can be sitting at a wedding, listening to Norah Jones while war rages on around you.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
I hate people watching me unwrap gifts.
One of the great things about being in a new town is the ability to go visit some new churches. It's a realy exciting opportunity to see how others do that thing we call we worship. So visiting some of the local churches has been good.
This weekends expedition left me a little... I'm not sure what it left me, but I left unsettled and pondering. Essentially the whole service was fine, until the last segment when the pastor encouraged everyone to pray and start speaking in tongues. The whole room broke out in to a steady rumble. I couldn't pick out the sounds of any individual. Just many things that sounded like words but weren't drifted over me.
And I just stood there. Hand on face in a half contemplative half stunned expression. As you might be able to tell, I come from a fairly conservative background where the gift of speaking in tongues is not really something I've seen all that much.
Now that was all quite interesting, but then the appeal rang out, that if anyone who had never spoken in tongues and wanted to, this was the time. Just ask God for the gift. Pray for it now and join the rest of us.
And there I stood, hand still glued to face, feeling somewhat immobilised. I couldn't decide whether I disagreed or was being challenged. Or both.
Now my understanding of spirtual gifts has always been that these are special things. Not everyone can collect the whole set and that they are distributed out so that the individual can use them for the benefit of others and themselves in an appropriate way. It was all very confusing. But above all I try not to put limits on what God can do, even if I might be the world's most skeptical man.
Fortunately I was put on to 1 Corinthians 14.
"18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written:
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So
if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and
inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of
your mind? 24 But
if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying,
they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”"
I guess this blog post really reflects an immaturity in my understanding of the role of speaking in tongues, but you know what they say:
"adamayd amday admays airthy gaboop."
This weekends expedition left me a little... I'm not sure what it left me, but I left unsettled and pondering. Essentially the whole service was fine, until the last segment when the pastor encouraged everyone to pray and start speaking in tongues. The whole room broke out in to a steady rumble. I couldn't pick out the sounds of any individual. Just many things that sounded like words but weren't drifted over me.
And I just stood there. Hand on face in a half contemplative half stunned expression. As you might be able to tell, I come from a fairly conservative background where the gift of speaking in tongues is not really something I've seen all that much.
Now that was all quite interesting, but then the appeal rang out, that if anyone who had never spoken in tongues and wanted to, this was the time. Just ask God for the gift. Pray for it now and join the rest of us.
And there I stood, hand still glued to face, feeling somewhat immobilised. I couldn't decide whether I disagreed or was being challenged. Or both.
Now my understanding of spirtual gifts has always been that these are special things. Not everyone can collect the whole set and that they are distributed out so that the individual can use them for the benefit of others and themselves in an appropriate way. It was all very confusing. But above all I try not to put limits on what God can do, even if I might be the world's most skeptical man.
Fortunately I was put on to 1 Corinthians 14.
"18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”[e]
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”[e]
I guess this blog post really reflects an immaturity in my understanding of the role of speaking in tongues, but you know what they say:
"adamayd amday admays airthy gaboop."
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
They spell ID with an F here
To celebrate my second week of infectious diseases, I had to do a case presentation. So I summarised the case of a person who had a ? Fungal brain abscess. They had been getting better after surgery, and then went backward... but then got better... bet then looked like they were about to go backward because the numbers were sliding in the wrong direction but seemed okay.
The presentation went okay and everyone discussed the case with great vigour. But I got destroyed by a leading expert in infectious diseases because I had mispelled the name of a rare bacteria (I copied correctly from the neurosurgeons notes I swear!).
The ID people were concerned about the patient, but the surgeons less so given the potential risks of doing another operation. Now a week later, I saw the patient back in the intensive care unit today, with the doctors still no closer to an answer on what was going on. I guess that's just the way it is some times.
It's kind of exciting though. People are listening to things I say some times now. So I feel the pressure to actually make sure it's correct because... Consequences.
In other exciting news, I got offered an internship at my current hospital for next year. Pretty happy! But at the same time I await the news for my dearest colleagues who are yet to hear or have an offer. I'm hanging out on their behalf.
More to come...
The presentation went okay and everyone discussed the case with great vigour. But I got destroyed by a leading expert in infectious diseases because I had mispelled the name of a rare bacteria (I copied correctly from the neurosurgeons notes I swear!).
The ID people were concerned about the patient, but the surgeons less so given the potential risks of doing another operation. Now a week later, I saw the patient back in the intensive care unit today, with the doctors still no closer to an answer on what was going on. I guess that's just the way it is some times.
It's kind of exciting though. People are listening to things I say some times now. So I feel the pressure to actually make sure it's correct because... Consequences.
In other exciting news, I got offered an internship at my current hospital for next year. Pretty happy! But at the same time I await the news for my dearest colleagues who are yet to hear or have an offer. I'm hanging out on their behalf.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
El queso grande
So I've been back in the Territory for ten days. Once again, I'm reminded how stupidly crazy this place is. They have a whole day where you can buy and launch as many firweorks as you want. It was just non-stop explosions from 4pm till midnight. I'm not even joking. It was the kind of evening that make's living in Palestine look delightful. The news report credited Territorians for the use of their common sense this year - only 13 people had to go to hospital, down from 35 last year.
Speaking of absurdities. One thing that has really surprised me is the number of people coming from detention centers to the various clinics. Also the number of prisoners that get dragged through the hopsital. I don't think I've seen any prisoners or detainees in SA. Sadly I'm referring to prisoners and detainees collectively because they both come in with two guards attached to them. It's really surprising. I always get a slightly weird feeling when I see the two Serco dudes sitting either side of the patient in the waiting room.
"It's a complex issue." - Well if that isn't just the catch-cry of the territory.
On another note, I'm on infectious diseases now. It's amazingly fun. It's definitely moving up the list of things I could see myself doing in the future. Yeah!
I was sitting in clinic yesterday though, and the registrar suddenly says
"Hey you didn't say your Dad was [ A big cheese in this field of medicine], I'm about to call him." So despite being several thousand kilometres away, in another part of the country, people are still talking about you old man! So I sat quietly and I vicariously listened to Dad talking to another doctor about Syphillis.
Hilarious.
Missing you all in Radelaide!
Speaking of absurdities. One thing that has really surprised me is the number of people coming from detention centers to the various clinics. Also the number of prisoners that get dragged through the hopsital. I don't think I've seen any prisoners or detainees in SA. Sadly I'm referring to prisoners and detainees collectively because they both come in with two guards attached to them. It's really surprising. I always get a slightly weird feeling when I see the two Serco dudes sitting either side of the patient in the waiting room.
"It's a complex issue." - Well if that isn't just the catch-cry of the territory.
On another note, I'm on infectious diseases now. It's amazingly fun. It's definitely moving up the list of things I could see myself doing in the future. Yeah!
I was sitting in clinic yesterday though, and the registrar suddenly says
"Hey you didn't say your Dad was [ A big cheese in this field of medicine], I'm about to call him." So despite being several thousand kilometres away, in another part of the country, people are still talking about you old man! So I sat quietly and I vicariously listened to Dad talking to another doctor about Syphillis.
Hilarious.
Missing you all in Radelaide!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
My second second home
Well back to Darwin this afternoon. Six weeks of infectious diseases. It will be strange to use a stethoscope again, yet alone jab someone with a needle.
Psychiatry concluded nicely. I enjoyed my time there. the team was nice and the patients interesting to say the least. The only downside to psychiatry is that the discharge summaries are really long and verbose. Well, maybe that's not the worst thing in the world?
And on that note I'm sure blogging will resume again shortly. I'll be back in a strange land and on my lonesome again!
Bye bye Radelaide!
 |
| I wonder if I will know anybody on this plane trip? |
Psychiatry concluded nicely. I enjoyed my time there. the team was nice and the patients interesting to say the least. The only downside to psychiatry is that the discharge summaries are really long and verbose. Well, maybe that's not the worst thing in the world?
And on that note I'm sure blogging will resume again shortly. I'll be back in a strange land and on my lonesome again!
Bye bye Radelaide!
 |
| Of all the mini-mentals I've done this year. This was my favourite free-text. |
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Did your mother love you too much or not enough?
Psychiatry has turned out to be quite interesting. I didn't think I was going to enjoy it as much as I have. So I'm thankful the last four weeks haven't dragged on as much as I thought they were going to. In many ways it has been an eye opening experience. The beds at the place I'm working are always full and they start each day by telling you how many people are sitting in the emergency department waiting to get in - the answer is always 'lots.'
In many ways psychiatry is also a bit frustrating. I can't tell you how many people I have seen who have cooked their minds with amphetamines and become psychotic. Tragically it always seems to be young men in their early twenties. But this is the world we live in I guess.
Kids, don't do drugs. Not even once.
Having said all of that, I'm pretty sure I'd be a terrible psychiatrist. I totally got suckered in by a person with a narcissistic personality. After talking with them I was under the impression they were having a rough time and needed some help. The doctors all had a good laugh at how easy I was manipulated down the caring pathway, when other treatments were probably more appropriate.
"It's the countertransferrence!" According to the intern. A fancy term for the emotional response the patient draws from you when the patient is acting like a jerk. "That's what give's it away." If you have some idea what you're doing I guess. The sagely advice I got given was:
"Always be cautious with a patient who attributes all of their problems to everybody else in their life."
Something to reflect on I guess.
In many ways psychiatry is also a bit frustrating. I can't tell you how many people I have seen who have cooked their minds with amphetamines and become psychotic. Tragically it always seems to be young men in their early twenties. But this is the world we live in I guess.
Kids, don't do drugs. Not even once.
Having said all of that, I'm pretty sure I'd be a terrible psychiatrist. I totally got suckered in by a person with a narcissistic personality. After talking with them I was under the impression they were having a rough time and needed some help. The doctors all had a good laugh at how easy I was manipulated down the caring pathway, when other treatments were probably more appropriate.
"It's the countertransferrence!" According to the intern. A fancy term for the emotional response the patient draws from you when the patient is acting like a jerk. "That's what give's it away." If you have some idea what you're doing I guess. The sagely advice I got given was:
"Always be cautious with a patient who attributes all of their problems to everybody else in their life."
Something to reflect on I guess.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Mobilise!
Home. Home. Homee. Happy.
I got home on Saturday. Just. Normally I have a very high threshold for calling something a miracle, or at least declaring divine intervention. But I feel as though this satisfies my criteria.
I had booked a taxi for six am. By five past six when it hadn't turned up I was slightly annoyed. I called and they reassured me it was on the way. Ten minutes later I called again, knowing that check-in closed at seven and my taxi was still absent.
"Oh well actually, you see he's still twenty kilmoetres away, all the taxis are elsewhere or already at the airport. He will be there in twenty minutes or so." My frustration level grew, caught in indecision. Do I sink my hopes on a twice dodgy company?
Annoyed and desperate I shifted my way down to the street corner, in the hope that something might happen. Anything! And I definitely began praying that either my taxi would turn up, or another would at least spontaneously appear.
As six thrity rolled around I was getting stressed. And then, amazingly a taxi pulls in to the petrol station right next to me.
"Can I grab a ride?" I yelled desperately. It was not the taxi I had booked but I no longer cared. Graciously the driver said yes, and I hopped in while he filled up with petrol. "My taxi was meant to be here half an hour ago and I need to get to the airport."
The driver empathised with how annoying that was and then responded with. "You know, it's funny. I'd just dropped off my last passenger for the night. I finish at six. I just thought I'd duck in here for petrol, even though this isn't my usual station and I've never been to this servo before."
Anyway. I was thankful, he earned a tip. I got to the airport with ten minutes to spare and I have shaken the dust off the feet of that dodgy taxi company. I don't know what your threshold for miracles is. I don't usually think that Gods primary care is traffic flow management, but to me, then and there. I think it counts.
I got home on Saturday. Just. Normally I have a very high threshold for calling something a miracle, or at least declaring divine intervention. But I feel as though this satisfies my criteria.
I had booked a taxi for six am. By five past six when it hadn't turned up I was slightly annoyed. I called and they reassured me it was on the way. Ten minutes later I called again, knowing that check-in closed at seven and my taxi was still absent.
"Oh well actually, you see he's still twenty kilmoetres away, all the taxis are elsewhere or already at the airport. He will be there in twenty minutes or so." My frustration level grew, caught in indecision. Do I sink my hopes on a twice dodgy company?
Annoyed and desperate I shifted my way down to the street corner, in the hope that something might happen. Anything! And I definitely began praying that either my taxi would turn up, or another would at least spontaneously appear.
As six thrity rolled around I was getting stressed. And then, amazingly a taxi pulls in to the petrol station right next to me.
"Can I grab a ride?" I yelled desperately. It was not the taxi I had booked but I no longer cared. Graciously the driver said yes, and I hopped in while he filled up with petrol. "My taxi was meant to be here half an hour ago and I need to get to the airport."
The driver empathised with how annoying that was and then responded with. "You know, it's funny. I'd just dropped off my last passenger for the night. I finish at six. I just thought I'd duck in here for petrol, even though this isn't my usual station and I've never been to this servo before."
Anyway. I was thankful, he earned a tip. I got to the airport with ten minutes to spare and I have shaken the dust off the feet of that dodgy taxi company. I don't know what your threshold for miracles is. I don't usually think that Gods primary care is traffic flow management, but to me, then and there. I think it counts.
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