The not-so-secret diary of Bing (aged 24)
Friday, July 13, 2007
Wow, that was hard
Well that was a real wake up call! I have had it fairly easily on the study front for the past few months, from Texas to New York, to GP in the Hawkes Bay and CCU at the Hutt. That all changed today with my end-of-medicine test. Honestly one of the hardest tests I've sat for a while, and yes, much harder than the 5thyr ones.
I really enjoyed doing GP, having learnt a lot from my experience form the states. I actually did really well in it.
CCU had it's own challenges- surviving numerous amounts of pre-assessments and learning how to manage common heart related problems. There was always this underlying feeling that I wouldn't quite be up to managing a patient on my own yet- even at a house surgeon level. This was somewhat cruelly exposed today- that nasty feeling of I kinda know what's going on, but not enough to differentiate which is the BEST answer.
Oh well, at least everyone else found it hard too.
Well that was a real wake up call! I have had it fairly easily on the study front for the past few months, from Texas to New York, to GP in the Hawkes Bay and CCU at the Hutt. That all changed today with my end-of-medicine test. Honestly one of the hardest tests I've sat for a while, and yes, much harder than the 5thyr ones.
I really enjoyed doing GP, having learnt a lot from my experience form the states. I actually did really well in it.
CCU had it's own challenges- surviving numerous amounts of pre-assessments and learning how to manage common heart related problems. There was always this underlying feeling that I wouldn't quite be up to managing a patient on my own yet- even at a house surgeon level. This was somewhat cruelly exposed today- that nasty feeling of I kinda know what's going on, but not enough to differentiate which is the BEST answer.
Oh well, at least everyone else found it hard too.
Monday, June 18, 2007
On the radio, no one can see you blush
Well I'm back in Wellington after 4 months away. It feels like a lifetime. I had a great time doing general practice, and after my 8 weeks of doing GP, I feel really keen to go down that route. And of course letting me do community focussed things and perhaps inner-city mission in the future.
Unfortunately Cardiology was a shock this morning spending all day pre-admitting patients for angioplasty. Basically asking the same 20-30 questions and repeating the same exam making sure they're fit for surgery. Still the underlying fear exists that I've missed something really obvious and that someone else should really check after me. Meeeehhh.
Any who, I was listening to the radio this morning (at 6:40!)debating whether to leave my nice warm bed for a rather cold room. I was kinda listening to the radio and they had one of those "play the lyrics to a different tune" in this case "Nick's amazing accordion game!" Anyway, I heard the song (Why does it always rain on me?- by Travis)and no one called, so I did.
More FM guys: "Hey Brendan, you calling up for Nick's amazing accordion game?"
Me: Yep.
MFG: Well, we'd like to chat first. What's something interesting about you?
Me: Um (laughter in the back ground)
At this point I was like "Don't say you're a med student. You always have to say you're a med student. Think of something witty!"
Unfortunately my brain being cold and only in 6:40am engagement could only come up with
Me: I'm a med student. (Dooooh!)
MFG: Oh, um, so you're into some interesting drugs huh?
Me (not hearing the question properly, or not being able to comprehend- either way, sounding really spaced out): Um, yeah.
MFG: Anyway, great well the answer was...
Me: Why does it always rain on me?
MFG:By?
Me: Why does it always...
MFG: No by
Me: Oh, by Travis
MFG: Hahahaha, well done, you got there in the end... Hey Nick...
So yeah, 5 minutes of only slightly alert fame. Least I got some coffee out of it. And a whole lot more answers in hindsight to "something interesting about me".
Dang it.
Well I'm back in Wellington after 4 months away. It feels like a lifetime. I had a great time doing general practice, and after my 8 weeks of doing GP, I feel really keen to go down that route. And of course letting me do community focussed things and perhaps inner-city mission in the future.
Unfortunately Cardiology was a shock this morning spending all day pre-admitting patients for angioplasty. Basically asking the same 20-30 questions and repeating the same exam making sure they're fit for surgery. Still the underlying fear exists that I've missed something really obvious and that someone else should really check after me. Meeeehhh.
Any who, I was listening to the radio this morning (at 6:40!)debating whether to leave my nice warm bed for a rather cold room. I was kinda listening to the radio and they had one of those "play the lyrics to a different tune" in this case "Nick's amazing accordion game!" Anyway, I heard the song (Why does it always rain on me?- by Travis)and no one called, so I did.
More FM guys: "Hey Brendan, you calling up for Nick's amazing accordion game?"
Me: Yep.
MFG: Well, we'd like to chat first. What's something interesting about you?
Me: Um (laughter in the back ground)
At this point I was like "Don't say you're a med student. You always have to say you're a med student. Think of something witty!"
Unfortunately my brain being cold and only in 6:40am engagement could only come up with
Me: I'm a med student. (Dooooh!)
MFG: Oh, um, so you're into some interesting drugs huh?
Me (not hearing the question properly, or not being able to comprehend- either way, sounding really spaced out): Um, yeah.
MFG: Anyway, great well the answer was...
Me: Why does it always rain on me?
MFG:By?
Me: Why does it always...
MFG: No by
Me: Oh, by Travis
MFG: Hahahaha, well done, you got there in the end... Hey Nick...
So yeah, 5 minutes of only slightly alert fame. Least I got some coffee out of it. And a whole lot more answers in hindsight to "something interesting about me".
Dang it.
Labels: Wellington
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Brendan is...
That great little statement from the facebook world of procrastination.
So I've got one week left in Napier. One week left of a sojourn without a place to call my 'own' for 16 weeks. One week till my assignments are due. Yuk!
Hopefully, there will be some more interesting posts about my time away when they're done and my audacious trips to Wellington cease. I've been up in the Hawke's bay, yet only spent one weekend up here, and that was in Gus' flat writing my elective report whilst he was on call.
Totally disorganised ;).
Laters :)
That great little statement from the facebook world of procrastination.
So I've got one week left in Napier. One week left of a sojourn without a place to call my 'own' for 16 weeks. One week till my assignments are due. Yuk!
Hopefully, there will be some more interesting posts about my time away when they're done and my audacious trips to Wellington cease. I've been up in the Hawke's bay, yet only spent one weekend up here, and that was in Gus' flat writing my elective report whilst he was on call.
Totally disorganised ;).
Laters :)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Crash pics
That is a very good point Abigailhe
The first pic shows the tyre track and the guard rail.
The second shows how far I skidded. The white car in the background is how far down the road I got- parked safely of course. You can see the car tracks along the grass, and onto the road.
So yes, God really did protect me. Big time.
That is a very good point Abigailhe
The first pic shows the tyre track and the guard rail.
The second shows how far I skidded. The white car in the background is how far down the road I got- parked safely of course. You can see the car tracks along the grass, and onto the road.
So yes, God really did protect me. Big time.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
A sporting weekend and on staying alive
This retrospective (late) blog details the events of Apr 21-23 2007. The location is Texas.
In the name of cultural experience, Aaron and I went to College Station, the home of the Texas A&M 'Aggies', where Aaron went to school. This is one of the most passionate colleges I have ever been to. Albeit that Otago, Vic and Auckland haven't really had a lot of University traditions. I think in Dunedin terms, not even Selwyn and Knox Colleges come close.
Now the Aggies love their sports- their athletics complex was huge- their baseball stadium had covered seats for at least 7-8000, and apparently their American football stadium seats 80,000! They also have a softball stadium, soccer pitch, a basketball colosseum, tennis complex and several fields for intermural (social) activities. We went to see a baseball game. Although apparently not as bad as the American football games, the experience still showed a lot of the Aggie passion. For starters, there were a lot of people in home colours (including me). Firstly, some new US army recruits were presented and the US anthem sung.Then the Aggie war hymn was sung, with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder swaying at the end. This was followed by other traditions such as standing and beating the bleachers in honour of every home run scored, pointing behind the stand every time a foul ball went over it, having the sound of a shotgun played followed by the chanting of "it makes me feel so good" and then there was the ritual organised abuse of the pitcher. Started by the announcer's music, the crowd would chant the name of the pitcher it 2 syllables, really slowly i.e. "rannnnnnn-dallll". It was pretty crazy really- but fun.
Oh yeah, and the actual baseball. Well, the Aggies won 5-3, and although most of the excitement happened early (i.e. it was 5-3 after the 4th innings), and we sat in the hot hot sun for the longest time, it was better than I thought. On the drive over, Aaron and I had been discussing the differences between baseball and cricket. It seems that Cricket is a lot more intricate than baseball, although baseball did have its moments. Like some of the catches and the fake steal on first by one of the aggies to distract the opposition, whilst his teammate strolled home from 3rd base on the last out. But the major difference I felt, was the celebration on runs in baseball, whilst in cricket it's outs. Baseball also lasts half the time that cricket does, which can be nice.
Prior to the game, we had gone to meet some of Aaron's friends from school- Jordan and Alison. Afterwards Aaron and I wandered around the campus and saw such Aggie icons as Kyle field, an 80,000 seat football stadium, the memorial center, Sullivan's statue, surrounded by pennies for luck, and the main building, which had a copper dome so shiny, it used to blind planes during WWII.
Well the next day was quiet relaxing- After church, I went to the BBQ place with the Dudley's, and left with the promise to return to Nac for a try of Mrs Dudley's cooking. Then Ryan, Thomas and their brother Grayson, Aaron and myself went out and played a round of disc golf. Like using frisbees to hit targets. It's a lot more forgivng than real golf, and I don't think I went more than 3+ for any one hole. I also moved into Thomas and Katie's place. I thought it would be nice to not have the extra 10mi drive from Aaron's to Center... how wrong I would prove to be.
Monday was a long day at work. I don't remember anything particularly special about it. The week before I had talked to Rotary about Center, so that was a bit stressful but fun. However, I do remember thinking although I feel a bit tired, I'll be healthy and just stop when I feel tired rather than have a caffeinated drink. So I drove, and I drifted of for a split second and awoke to the car speeding along the grassy shoulder towards a grassy ditch and a metal guard rail.
Almost by instinct I pulled back onto the road, skidded across it, and hearing Aaron's (the stoner guy used to cut grass with) voice telling me to steer into the skid, I spun round twice, apparently nearly flipped the car and came to a stop facing the same way in a cloud of smoke and that burnt rubber smell. Upon reflection, I was incredibly lucky not to have had anything coming the other way or following. I know this sounds tright, but I did feel God's presence about the halfway through the first rotation. Lets just say, that I was really protected. So as everyone stopped or came down from the house on their ride ons drinking Dr Pepper to check I was OK, I was probably the most awake I had been in the past 10mins. I was shaken, but thankfully not stirred and was able to drive back knowing that I hadn't hurt anyone.
I was grateful to see Stephanie, one of the nurses from work, pull up, and she escorted back to Nac, via a brief stop in Martinsville for me whilst she picked up her husband. She also called the clinic who were all worried about me, and by the time I got home, everybody seemed to know (Thomas is Suzanne's middle son) all about it. I got Aaron (Dudley, not the stoner) to check me over that night too just in case.
I took the next day off (well I was told to stay home), took the car (cautiously!) to the rental place, who were real good about it. They just changed the car to a Chevrolet Monte Carlo (sporty) and got my insurance details. There wasn't a scratch on the car, but they rightly wanted to check it over before putting it back on the road. I then called Abbey, who consoled me with a cup of coffee at Java Jacks. Ryan and Anna popped by too so we all swapped crash stories and played with the camera on my computer. The afternoon was spent reading Thomas' comic collection and playing Wii. I was kinda glad as it really began to pour that afternoon, and driving home in that would have been a challenge.
I checked the site later in the week and it looks like I skidded 250m, and missed the guard rail by the length of a 600ml bottle. I.e not a lot. I think I was incredibly lucky, and have learnt my lesson about driving tired. Firstly, I should try get enough sleep/rest during the week. Secondly, if it's a question of having some caffeine or not, the answer should always be caffeine. Finally, I really should look after myself better, or as someone suggested find someone to look after me.
Which might not be such a bad idea.
This retrospective (late) blog details the events of Apr 21-23 2007. The location is Texas.
In the name of cultural experience, Aaron and I went to College Station, the home of the Texas A&M 'Aggies', where Aaron went to school. This is one of the most passionate colleges I have ever been to. Albeit that Otago, Vic and Auckland haven't really had a lot of University traditions. I think in Dunedin terms, not even Selwyn and Knox Colleges come close.
Now the Aggies love their sports- their athletics complex was huge- their baseball stadium had covered seats for at least 7-8000, and apparently their American football stadium seats 80,000! They also have a softball stadium, soccer pitch, a basketball colosseum, tennis complex and several fields for intermural (social) activities. We went to see a baseball game. Although apparently not as bad as the American football games, the experience still showed a lot of the Aggie passion. For starters, there were a lot of people in home colours (including me). Firstly, some new US army recruits were presented and the US anthem sung.Then the Aggie war hymn was sung, with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder swaying at the end. This was followed by other traditions such as standing and beating the bleachers in honour of every home run scored, pointing behind the stand every time a foul ball went over it, having the sound of a shotgun played followed by the chanting of "it makes me feel so good" and then there was the ritual organised abuse of the pitcher. Started by the announcer's music, the crowd would chant the name of the pitcher it 2 syllables, really slowly i.e. "rannnnnnn-dallll". It was pretty crazy really- but fun.
Oh yeah, and the actual baseball. Well, the Aggies won 5-3, and although most of the excitement happened early (i.e. it was 5-3 after the 4th innings), and we sat in the hot hot sun for the longest time, it was better than I thought. On the drive over, Aaron and I had been discussing the differences between baseball and cricket. It seems that Cricket is a lot more intricate than baseball, although baseball did have its moments. Like some of the catches and the fake steal on first by one of the aggies to distract the opposition, whilst his teammate strolled home from 3rd base on the last out. But the major difference I felt, was the celebration on runs in baseball, whilst in cricket it's outs. Baseball also lasts half the time that cricket does, which can be nice.
Prior to the game, we had gone to meet some of Aaron's friends from school- Jordan and Alison. Afterwards Aaron and I wandered around the campus and saw such Aggie icons as Kyle field, an 80,000 seat football stadium, the memorial center, Sullivan's statue, surrounded by pennies for luck, and the main building, which had a copper dome so shiny, it used to blind planes during WWII.
Well the next day was quiet relaxing- After church, I went to the BBQ place with the Dudley's, and left with the promise to return to Nac for a try of Mrs Dudley's cooking. Then Ryan, Thomas and their brother Grayson, Aaron and myself went out and played a round of disc golf. Like using frisbees to hit targets. It's a lot more forgivng than real golf, and I don't think I went more than 3+ for any one hole. I also moved into Thomas and Katie's place. I thought it would be nice to not have the extra 10mi drive from Aaron's to Center... how wrong I would prove to be.
Monday was a long day at work. I don't remember anything particularly special about it. The week before I had talked to Rotary about Center, so that was a bit stressful but fun. However, I do remember thinking although I feel a bit tired, I'll be healthy and just stop when I feel tired rather than have a caffeinated drink. So I drove, and I drifted of for a split second and awoke to the car speeding along the grassy shoulder towards a grassy ditch and a metal guard rail.
Almost by instinct I pulled back onto the road, skidded across it, and hearing Aaron's (the stoner guy used to cut grass with) voice telling me to steer into the skid, I spun round twice, apparently nearly flipped the car and came to a stop facing the same way in a cloud of smoke and that burnt rubber smell. Upon reflection, I was incredibly lucky not to have had anything coming the other way or following. I know this sounds tright, but I did feel God's presence about the halfway through the first rotation. Lets just say, that I was really protected. So as everyone stopped or came down from the house on their ride ons drinking Dr Pepper to check I was OK, I was probably the most awake I had been in the past 10mins. I was shaken, but thankfully not stirred and was able to drive back knowing that I hadn't hurt anyone.
I was grateful to see Stephanie, one of the nurses from work, pull up, and she escorted back to Nac, via a brief stop in Martinsville for me whilst she picked up her husband. She also called the clinic who were all worried about me, and by the time I got home, everybody seemed to know (Thomas is Suzanne's middle son) all about it. I got Aaron (Dudley, not the stoner) to check me over that night too just in case.
I took the next day off (well I was told to stay home), took the car (cautiously!) to the rental place, who were real good about it. They just changed the car to a Chevrolet Monte Carlo (sporty) and got my insurance details. There wasn't a scratch on the car, but they rightly wanted to check it over before putting it back on the road. I then called Abbey, who consoled me with a cup of coffee at Java Jacks. Ryan and Anna popped by too so we all swapped crash stories and played with the camera on my computer. The afternoon was spent reading Thomas' comic collection and playing Wii. I was kinda glad as it really began to pour that afternoon, and driving home in that would have been a challenge.
I checked the site later in the week and it looks like I skidded 250m, and missed the guard rail by the length of a 600ml bottle. I.e not a lot. I think I was incredibly lucky, and have learnt my lesson about driving tired. Firstly, I should try get enough sleep/rest during the week. Secondly, if it's a question of having some caffeine or not, the answer should always be caffeine. Finally, I really should look after myself better, or as someone suggested find someone to look after me.
Which might not be such a bad idea.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Not an update
Yes, I enjoyed New York, and still miss Texas, and I do have some blogs on the go about them. But in the interim, here's a wee (yes, you can all laugh)tale that occurred whilst we were at High School Musical on Saturday night.
We were sitting above some tweenie boppers and were crushing on Sam, yes our Sam Benton, in a big way. About how great he was etc, etc.
And then this gem come out:
Tweenie: "Sam Benton is so great! (To anyone listening) Sam Benton rocks sox everybody!"
So there you have it. Sam Benton, High School idol.
Yes, I enjoyed New York, and still miss Texas, and I do have some blogs on the go about them. But in the interim, here's a wee (yes, you can all laugh)tale that occurred whilst we were at High School Musical on Saturday night.
We were sitting above some tweenie boppers and were crushing on Sam, yes our Sam Benton, in a big way. About how great he was etc, etc.
And then this gem come out:
Tweenie: "Sam Benton is so great! (To anyone listening) Sam Benton rocks sox everybody!"
So there you have it. Sam Benton, High School idol.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Totally living up the Java Jacks thing
Oj, so I've been slack. Or busy. Or driving 41 miles to Center, Tx, which incidentally is on the very Eastern border of Texas (but is in the centre of Shelby County, Tx- go figure!)
So, Nacgdoches is kinda neat. Friendly people, a LOT bigger than I thought, a whole lot of eateries and even a college. Oh yeah, and did I mention free internet at the coffee place- and great coffee.
So I did two and a half weeks with the radiologists Drs Grohlman, Avery and Archie and had a great time. I saw some really neat tests that they do, and will not so easily send someone for an MRI after being placed in one. However, although I was only there for a short time, the lack of patient contact and sunlight really got to me, so although it was fun, I don't think I can do it. Also the constant references made by doctors referring to radiation sickness symptoms was rather scary. I also got to spend one day with a radiation oncologist, who totally undid the 6 days of clinical oncology bitterness that I had previously experienced.
In total contrast, I am now working with Dr Jane Todd and Suzanne Middlebrook PA at a rural health clinic. I'm really enjoying this, even if the drive to Center is getting really old. Like one hour each way. But having the patient contact is cool, and I'm meeting some incredibly challenging cases. Because most of the patients are lower socioeconomic (I met one who claimed to live on $70/month- not sure on the accuracy of this), there is some difficulty referring. I never thought I would be so happy to see someone with insurance and a heart murmur yesterday.
In my spare time, I have had some pretty awesome "cultural experiences" (basically my excuse to try anything). As the main cultral experience is eating I'll describe that first. I have eaten Texan vegetables like okra (fried, naturally), crawfish- a type of small fresh water lobster boiled in lots of spicy cajun sauce and served in cardboard boxes (really), eaten proper tex mex and a true texan steak. I have also had "chicken fried steak", which is only surpassed for weird names by "chicken fried chicken"- think DIY KFC coating of meat or chicken. I have also visted Caddo lake on the border of Texas and Lousisiana and frozen in the bayou on a pontoon boat. I've been to a bit of an Americana music festival, and seen a couple of movies. Did I mention how much driving I've done?
I've also been shown around the courthouse in Center- just me and 3 guides- more another time. Over the weekend, Abigail and I went to Cleburne to see the famous Aunt Donnave and Uncle Jim; went to the artists market and the historic stockyards in Fort Worth too.
Anyway, felt a bit out of my depth today- some really difficult cases today, and some easy things that I'd never seen before- like Poison Ivy dermatitis. But other wise it's been good- even if I am the only male in the practice! This has lead to me being called "the man" by some of the patients, much to the delightful taunting of some of the admin staff. Oh well, grain of salt stuff I guess :).
Hope y'all doin' well (darn accent).
Oj, so I've been slack. Or busy. Or driving 41 miles to Center, Tx, which incidentally is on the very Eastern border of Texas (but is in the centre of Shelby County, Tx- go figure!)
So, Nacgdoches is kinda neat. Friendly people, a LOT bigger than I thought, a whole lot of eateries and even a college. Oh yeah, and did I mention free internet at the coffee place- and great coffee.
So I did two and a half weeks with the radiologists Drs Grohlman, Avery and Archie and had a great time. I saw some really neat tests that they do, and will not so easily send someone for an MRI after being placed in one. However, although I was only there for a short time, the lack of patient contact and sunlight really got to me, so although it was fun, I don't think I can do it. Also the constant references made by doctors referring to radiation sickness symptoms was rather scary. I also got to spend one day with a radiation oncologist, who totally undid the 6 days of clinical oncology bitterness that I had previously experienced.
In total contrast, I am now working with Dr Jane Todd and Suzanne Middlebrook PA at a rural health clinic. I'm really enjoying this, even if the drive to Center is getting really old. Like one hour each way. But having the patient contact is cool, and I'm meeting some incredibly challenging cases. Because most of the patients are lower socioeconomic (I met one who claimed to live on $70/month- not sure on the accuracy of this), there is some difficulty referring. I never thought I would be so happy to see someone with insurance and a heart murmur yesterday.
In my spare time, I have had some pretty awesome "cultural experiences" (basically my excuse to try anything). As the main cultral experience is eating I'll describe that first. I have eaten Texan vegetables like okra (fried, naturally), crawfish- a type of small fresh water lobster boiled in lots of spicy cajun sauce and served in cardboard boxes (really), eaten proper tex mex and a true texan steak. I have also had "chicken fried steak", which is only surpassed for weird names by "chicken fried chicken"- think DIY KFC coating of meat or chicken. I have also visted Caddo lake on the border of Texas and Lousisiana and frozen in the bayou on a pontoon boat. I've been to a bit of an Americana music festival, and seen a couple of movies. Did I mention how much driving I've done?
I've also been shown around the courthouse in Center- just me and 3 guides- more another time. Over the weekend, Abigail and I went to Cleburne to see the famous Aunt Donnave and Uncle Jim; went to the artists market and the historic stockyards in Fort Worth too.
Anyway, felt a bit out of my depth today- some really difficult cases today, and some easy things that I'd never seen before- like Poison Ivy dermatitis. But other wise it's been good- even if I am the only male in the practice! This has lead to me being called "the man" by some of the patients, much to the delightful taunting of some of the admin staff. Oh well, grain of salt stuff I guess :).
Hope y'all doin' well (darn accent).
Labels: Elective
