Turning over a new leaf

I am now on a break between rotations. We start our Medicine rotation next Monday, and I am really looking forward to it. 

I have always enjoyed working in hospitals, and really missed it for my GP rotation, in spite of the ease of parking and close proximity to the real world. 

We received our rosters and information about the sessions that we will be attending as well as planned teaching slots. 

Fingers crossed that it goes well!

Goodbye, Elaine

I don't know that many of you would know Elaine. She was a blogger who wrote a blog entitled "Old Age Is A Bitch," and dropped in quite regularly to share her thoughts and encouragement.

Her sister, Enid, wrote a number of entries recently, as Elaine had gone into hospital due to her declining health.

She passed away yesterday in hospital, aged 67 years. I didn't really know her, but feel her family's loss and am saddened by her passing. 67 is too young. Farewell, Elaine. Your presence will be missed.

Life is better in close-up #2

Another thing that is much prettier close-up than in real life: the Seb K, also known as seborrheic keratosis or senile wart.

Although these suckers are ugly macroscopically, they are benign, and don't need excision, unless their appearance is bothering the patient. Of course, as with anything in medicine, if they aren't acting as they should be (such as being irritated, painful or bleeding), then they should be investigated to rule out a squamous cell carinoma.

Yes, I am revising. :P

Random career thoughts

I have discussed my career ideas with a doctor who has been a mentor and counsellor to me for a good while, and she thinks that I am on the right path with regards to personality and lifestyle fit with my main plans.

Of course, I have to decide for myself, but it is nice to hear an opinion from somebody who knows me and my weaknesses and strengths fairly well, and who also has a good understanding of the medical specialties and what is required for them.

Ideally it would be nice if everybody had this kind of guidance. Luckily (in Australia) we also have several years in which to decide what we want to do, and it is common to change career paths. I think this is one of the great advantages of medicine - you are all medical doctors, but there is a career path for nearly every personality. :)

Not all masks are created equal

Does it disturb anybody else that most of the members of the public on the news who are shown wearing masks are wearing them so that they have gaping holes in the sides, under the chin, or aren't even pulled up across the nose properly? 

Or that these probably aren't even masks designed to protect the wearer from respiratory transmission?

Most of the images we are getting from overseas show people whose masks are gaping wide at the sides, as if the infectious agents that can access your respiratory tract from the side are not as potent as those that you breathe in from the front. 

Has nobody shown these people how to wear their masks, or told them the masks that they should be wearing (not all masks are created equal), or are they figuring that any protection is better than no protection at all? 

Look, there is green on the ground!

Sometimes when life gets really intense, you just have to step back and look at where you are, where you have come from, where you are going, and just breathe.

It is wonderful to take the time to consider what is important to you, and what just needs to be borne. 

Thankfully I had a lovely weekend where I was able to do just this.

I took this photo this morning, although it already feels as if it was a million years ago.

Also, there was much wine and wonderful company. :)