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November 30 More Large LadiesI remember awaking to news on my birthday last year that the constitutional court ruled that same-sex marriage should be allowed. A deadline for the legislation (a year later) was set, and for a while it seemed like nothing would happen (we are on "African time" afterall). Nevertheless at 11:10am on the 30/11/2006 our Vice-President signed the bill legalising gay marriage. Just in the nick of time I'd say...Below is an excerpt from News24. "Cape Town - Legislation to authorise marriage for gay and lesbian couples in South Africa came into effect on Thursday after it was signed onto the statute book by Vice President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka." November 28 And Then The Fat Lady Sang...With everything in life there is a beginning and an ending. Last week I started my elective in Radiology. Thusfar I have enjoyed it immensely. There is so much to learn - it is another type of medicine and a monochromic art in it's own right. At the end of this week, it comes to an end (with all 40 something procedures I had to witness signed off!). Next week I will be starting a 2 week period with another general practitioner. Speaking of weekends...Last weekend I was on call for the dialysis centre - and I ended up making enough money to ensure I would be able to live comfortably in January. I thought all may have been lost earlier this month, with the last bit of Obstetrics still haunting me. I managed through working to finish 1 and a 1/2 novels (guilt free) and to play a computer game from start to finish for the first time in a year and a half I think... Last week I also so about 4 movies - all also guilt free! Now, I just woke up from a nap - that's the problem with great afternoon naps, you always have to get up! BUT I woke up to a very interesting document published on our medical school's website... My holiday will sadly also come to an end at the beginning of next year when I enter my last year of medical school. This was confirmed this afternoon when they released our results. I am trying to stay calm, but a little part of me wants to jump up and down like a small child with joy! (The end is nigh children!) Okay, not only because of my results but also about the coming weekend. On this Saturday the 2nd of December it is indeed the end of my 25th year as I turn 26! (oh and no I'm not old!) So if you see me shopping up a storm, say "hi", I'll be the one with a beaming smile all over my face... November 19 Purposeful NothingnessThursdays exam was childsplay - Friday's let a lot to be desired. Thankfully it's over now, and with my year mark I needed a staggering 24/60 to pass the year. I must admit though that the joy behind my research mark was clouded somewhat with the release of my obstetrics mark which was a LOT less than I had anticipated. Anyway - what you going to do! The weirdest feeling on Friday afternoon was having that of well, "nothing" to do. It has been great. I worked a bit (to top up the finances), went to my cousins wedding in the bundus (she looked fabulous!) and am planning to not only watch a ton of movies, but also read a fair amount in the coming weeks. My elective in Radiology starts tomorrow morning bright and early and I look forward to seeing medicine from a totally different perspective! November 13 Ripping Research Results!I admit it is a bit of a mistake to try and study after an 11 hour day at work - getting up at 04:30 is NOT my idea of fun! Two people were sick, so I ran around like a headless chicken on steroids (or Ritalin - it IS the medical students drug of choice nowadays). The best news I got all day - in the middle of trying to memorise the malaria drug regime - was that our research project had received the best mark overall for the year! I have the highest mark in the ENTIRE class. Yeah, I'm bragging - but it's the first time since starting medical school - back when I was studying to be a dialysis technologist it happened quite often. I'm so very excited. Perhaps I do have a future in public health? You may remember that we won third prize for academic research at the Gauteng Provincial Government Prakash Vallabh conference earlier this year - btw I'm still waiting to see exactly WHAT prize we won! Collectively as a group we have been invited personally by the dean to attend the faculties prize giving day on the 1st of December. Another great accomplishment! All in all, with the last two exams, and my elective, rushing towards me - I can look back and say that although exceedingly tough, it has been one of the most exciting and productive years of my career. Once again thanks to all those involved for making it possible and ensuring the ride only had a few minor bumps in the road!  November 09 Minor MisconceptionsI have never been so glad to see an eclamptic patient as I was today. My paper "case" exam went really well I think. My mind is another story. I read a sign today saying "Free Soil" - my mind read it as "Fat Free Soil" (just what every garden needs I tell you!) I was speaking to someone about satellite dish installations, but said "I'm sure you can arrange an insertion" So I thought it rather prudent to go have a nap for 2 hours before dealing with the world again! By tomorrow this time I will hopefully be free of the world of obstetrics for a brief (but ever so significant and joyous period) in my life! November 08 Oops!Here I thought SA's public health sector was bad... A Romanian hospital patient had to call the emergency services because nobody heard him crying for help. Stefan Ososchi, 80, who suffers from an incurable disease, said he was lucky to have his cellphone with him. He had been admitted to the County Hospital in Botosani and put on a drip but the nurses forgot to come back to take out the needle from his vein. Mr Ososchi said: "I waited for the nurse come and take the needle out. It had been almost an hour and nobody came. "I had terrible pains in my arm and I tried to take it off myself but didn't succeed. I began to cry for help. It was in pain so I called 112 and asked for their help." The head of the County Hospital in Botosani said the two nurses who were in charge of the patient will be disciplined for negligence. Ambulance service spokesperson Dorina Andronache said: "I thought it was a stupid joke when I heard that somebody from a hospital was asking for help. But it turned out the patient was indeed in trouble." - Ananova.com AwakeI had a great time at our xmas party last week! The barnyard theatre revolution is here to stay. My clinical examination went as best as could be expected - considering the consultant is well, a bit difficult. I am not happy with the mark I got for my case commentary. Nevertheless I got a good ward mark. The MCQ & OSCE today went well, so I guess it'll be alright. Tomorrow is the paper case examination with an oral exam afterwards. I hate oral exams - I am still haunted by images of an ancient histology crock who grilled me in my anatomy viva back in second year. I failed the viva - one of the only two examinations I've failed (and touchwood the only two ever!) I made some stupid quirp last week about how it would be funny if we start next year by doing a 6 week gynaecological rotation. Guess what I'm starting with?  BUT let me not get ahead of myself. I can't wait for next week when all our exams for the year will be over. A four week elective period follows that, but it's attendance only - so it's 90% stress free (getting out of bed and there on time constitutes most of the adrenalin surge) I got hold of Josh Groban's new CD "Awake". Not as good as his previous CD according to me - but then I'm a bit biased because (don't get jealous again Ms Minion!) I sat 4 rows from the front when he performed here in SA 2 years ago. I guess that's what inspired him to work with Ladysmith Black Mambazo - his version of "Weeping" is mediocre to say the least! It's one of those songs you just can't cover! (Randy btw HATES covers). I guess I better get back to cramming the tocolysis regimes! |
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