obstetrics and gynaecology - the vagtastic voyage

so 9 weeks of O&G has just gone by in the blink of an eye. The last 9 weeks have definitely been the most memorable experience for me in 4 years of medical school so far. Never before, have I been involved in a more rewarding health care specialty, where each clinic, theatre list or 8hour labour experience was never once a matter of going through the motions. In gynae oncology I experienced HARDCORE surgery, day in and out, on the Labour ward I experienced one of life's natural, most heartwarming experience, the process of childbirth; the smile on the faces of mothers after 8 hours of what seems like unending pain, the tears on faces of fathers after seeing their newborns. In the ante-natal care, the complex mechanisms of physiology, pathology and anatomy made even more challenging by 2 living systems existing in a mutually exclusive, yet interminable bond. I know, its an oxymoron. the experience over the last 9 weeks has seriously made me consider pursuing a career in O&G. Never before have I had something other than Reconstructive surgery exerting such a strong interest. truly, O&G is a specialty for the intellectual ones. The variety of topics one can encounter, from Fertility and IVF, Cancer, Urological issues, child birth, and even Fetal Health requires are all very enticing.
I'm rather glad, that I have had this unique experience which has not opened up my once close mind, in terms of career pursuits. while, I would have liked to maintain my original goals of a surgical career in H&N/reconstructive surgery, i would not have had the experience of searching for the one purpose in life that I can confidently say I would be willign to sacrifice everything else to pursue; which without would have been a great tragedy.

Paediatrics is next, which I am also very excited about. it will be 9 more weeks before the big exams start, which I hope I would do well in. The year has been hard and long. The light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel.

vaginas and kids

its 0745 hrs now, and im about 10 mins from leaving my house to start this new semester in Womens Health and Paediatrics, another gruelling - if not more intense 18 weeks than the last, before the year is over. I expect exciting times ahead, long hours but nonetheless interesting and motivating. GP and Psych are now put behind me, I didn't have to sit supps, so lets assume I was able to pass and did not fail. It is a good feeling. Not alot happened in the last 2 weeks - yes a mere 2 weeks of a holiday after such a long semester, and its back to the grind, reading books and watching DVDs, musicals and whatnot, a good relaxing period. could have been more exciting. Note to self - plan short holidays in advance in the future. The wimbledon finals was great, just ended a few hours ago. Although my player for this tournament - ANdy Roddick lost out eventually,it was a really really good match. Both players deserved to win, Andy more than Roger. But life is cruel, and I know Andy will be definitely be back with better tennis after this commendable but cruel loss. Better things to come in the future.

GP GP GP GP

so im about 4 weeks into my GP rotation now. boring at times but learning alot somehow. Ive been assignmed to a fantastic GP, a really nice doctor who has been really patient and helpful to me as well as his patients. GPs play a really important role in the lives of people here in Australia, it is quite unlike what goes on back home, where the GP is more like a flu-medication dispensing clinic. Gp placements each week has been good, but the lectures on other days have been quite tiring. Today we had to tell a gentleman the diagnosis of MS. It was actually the firs time I had to see a doctor break bad news to a patient, and it wasnt the most pleasant experience. you could see the guy was outwardly devastated, having a bomb drop like that on a person, can be quite devastating.I cam into GP with some negative impressions about what was going on, just like Psychiatry, but its turning out to be better than expected. I guess i should stop letting first impressions or experiences of others to affect my perception. 5 more weeks to end of the semester, I gotta start working and do well and get these 2 subjects out of the way. Settled my elective for next year, ECUADOR HERE I COME!!!!!

regularity and containment

so its been a while since my last entry, not that it matters since no one is reading this anyway. So psychiatry has been alright. started out quite alright actually, but then we had a 5000 word case report to write up, so 2weeks of the rotation was basically spent preparing and writing it. totally sucked the life out of experiencing psychiatry to its fullest. Imust add that the program hasnt had the best structure, and till this day, I am not sure what I've actually learnt. The doctors have definitely been great though. CATT, CL, block P, CAHMS; I've definitely picked up a few things from the frenlyl regs and residents.now is just a matter of me passing the exams. Anyhow, I was lucky enough to get to sit in with a family therapy session today. It is really interesting to see the dynamics that go on within a family. Even more so when the parents are capable, successful individuals, in this case, doctor and dentist. People also debate about nuture vs nature and how much each actually contributes to WHO WE ARE. This debate will never end, and we will never have a winner. it takes two hands to clap, and what one notices as an outsider really stirs curiostiy into what actually makes a GOOD family, and is there a perfect one? TOday - from the parents point of view, it seemed that they fail to accept the fact that their son being sick today, has nothing to do with their parental ways or their own personality, attributing most of the blame to their son and his intrinsic self. That might be true, but it seems the parents were forgetting that their son's intrinsic self was essentially passed down thru mendelian genetics, and that the family environemnt created by them as parents, and other social influences ultimately has lead to the patient ending up this way. Having said that, the son on the other hand was perhaps more resistant then any child I would imagine to be with regard to parental opinions. Notwithstanding the fact that he is in his teenage years and probalby has much going on shaping his perspectives and his sense of SELF; the amoutn of resistance he was putting up, was FAR greater than even what I would personally do to my parents. Even if my explicit self was defiant and aloof, there was still my conscience that took into consideration what others said; but this wasnt apparent in the kid in question. I was sensing some kind of a self-centred, narcissitic trait.

Its really interesting, and I guess no other profession really allows you to use the experiences of others to reflect on yourself, on yoru own behaviours, thoughts and emotions. It is quite a blessing to be part of the family of medicine.

also, ive just started with spanish classes. been really fun, and really hope to be fluent in spanish by next year. hasta la vista!

byebye Summer, hello 4th year

its the last week of my summer holiday now, and the feeling that its coming to a close now isnt exactly the best. My elective ended last week and the experience I gained while over there was unforgettable. The lunar new year festivities have just begun, but as always, it is a short affair for my family, all the required visits done in one day. Can't say im a fan of the lunar new year, but it somehow felt good to be around this year, my first new year in 3 years. Also managed to squeeze in a game of golf or 2 during the time that I've been back though I wish I had more time on the course as well as the range.

Well thats all coming to a close now, and 4th year in Med school begins shortly. The requirements this year look quite ridiculous, >90% attendance and filling up + submission of time sheets, thats just crazy, NO TIME FOR GOLF!!!! oh well, shall make do and enjoy myself none the less, thats the only way to make the best of things.Its the year for my BIG exam, just another 36 weeks to perseere through.