DAY 2267-2288

Nov 16 - Dec 7

1) Four months have passed since I started working here in the UK. And just like that, my first rotation (in gastroenterology) is over. As I walked through the double doors one last time, I couldn't help but reflect on my journey so far. From our first week of shadowing and induction, and not knowing where the antibiotics section was on the drug chart, to gaining confidence in performing my own ascitic drains / taps - it has been a very rewarding journey indeed. 

2) I had previously assumed that being in gastroenterology meant that I would spend most (if not all) my working hours here. Interestingly, that has not been the case. In fact, I have often been called to work in other medical departments including the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), Emergency Department (A&E), and Frail & Elderly Assessment Unit (FEAU). While I definitely appreciate the exposure to other wards, I feel that this has somewhat disrupted the continuity of care towards my patients in the gastroenterology ward. On the plus side, I have now become a bit more confident working in other departments.

3) Now on to my next rotation - trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) surgery. I have recently been attending their Monday teaching sessions, which I have found very useful. Of course, the excellent free lunches may also be part of the incentive to attend. Regardless, I start my first "official" working day in T&O today. Having previously shadowed a fellow colleague, I hope that I have developed enough basic skills to survive the next four months. I'll share my thoughts working here in the next blog post.

4) This brings me to my last update - the formal assessment for the "Research Methods in Health" module, which is a pre-requisite for doctors on the Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP). We have two exams coming up - an online exam (MCQs and SAQs), as well as a 2,000 word essay to write. Fortunately, I have already submitted my essay, so it's just the online exam which I need to worry about. If I'm honest, I had not expected how challenging it might be to juggle between studying for exams and working at the same time.

5) And that's about it for this edition of my blog. As always, thank you for visiting and have a great week ahead. Cheers! 

This is ascitic fluid for analysis - patients with liver cirrhosis tend to present with fluid in the tummy (ascites) which can be really uncomfortable. If it's large enough, the ascites can be drained, and we can do this manually in the ward itself. Whenever we do an ascitic drain, we also send some ascitic fluid to the lab to rule out an infection.

This is blood for blood culture - patients who appear septic / spiking temperatures would require a septic screen, which includes (among other tests) a blood culture. We send a sample of blood to the lab for analysis, to find out if any microorganisms have invaded the bloodstream, and if so, what antibiotics they are susceptible to. This guides our choice of antibiotics.

A very useful 2-in-1 clipboard / file

So you can store notes and use it as a clipboard

Bought myself a sturdy umbrella after my old one broke

Hits a little too close to home XD

Meet Anas - RCSI Bahrain graduate, fellow F1 doctor, and lunch buddy for today :)

Before it was cold, it was foggy

This is the foggiest night I have ever encountered anywhere

Literally can't see 50m ahead

Chylous ascites?

Literally my last ascitic drain for the rotation

Ward 230 - Missed but not forgotten

What I walk into pretty much every morning

DAY 147

Jan 26

1) Today was a holiday for us! I still had one class in the afternoon, but that was on library and retrieval skills so it doesn't count. Woke up late today (8.00am is late for me in winter haha), went downstairs to make breakfast and to pack my meals, before walking to the library. Basically I revised anatomy for the whole morning and part of the afternoon.

2) I paused for a short break to have my lunch and to unwind. Then it was another bout of studying, making notes and trying to condense as much info as possible into my brain. At 2.00pm, some of us had to attend the small group tutorial, in which they taught us how to use the RCSI Website to search for journals and how to cite and reference them. It was really helpful, especially considering we have an individual and team project coming up.

3) A bit more studying afterwards, and it was evening. Decided I'd take a break from study, and walked to college to change my clothes. I'd promised the Running Club I'd come for their first run this semester - a leisurely 4km stroll. What I didn't account for was the cold - running with just one jacket on is definitely NOT ideal in winter, much less so here in Ireland, where the winds get really strong as night approaches. After our run, I headed to another event - the Orthopaedic Research Night & Stryker Demonstration, organised by the RCSI Orthopaedic Society. Basically, there were some student research presentations, before a short break, followed by a demonstration on hip and joint replacement, by a company called Stryker. Zi Yan and I asked a representative loads of questions and we learnt so much about how bone and tissue engineering. It's such an interesting field to be honest.

4) Took my bath and changed, before coming back to the library to have my dinner. I've noticed my appetite increasing (quite substantially too) during winter, and I suppose it's the body heat we lose due to the cold. I certainly would not want to return to Malaysia as a roly-poly haha. Anyways, a third round of studying - this time on Immunology, and I was done for the day. I must say, almost all my friends here are absolutely crazy. They stay in the library all day like me, but unlike me - they don't seem to take breaks! Oh well, at least it's great motivation for me to try harder. That sums up my day, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks very much as always, and have a great day. Cheers!

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ^^

Breakfast for today

My usual spot at the Mercer Cafe

That's supposed to be my lunch, just laterally rotated XD

Event of the Night!

Hip and Joint Replacement Surgical Tools

Learning more about orthopaedics and bone replacement surgery from a representative of Stryker,

the largest medical technology industry in Ireland

(excuse the informal wear - I came directly after my run!)

That's me and Zi Yan

DAY 141

Jan 20

1) Today has been a great day for me! For starters, my sore throat has subsided substantially, while my flu still remains though. At least I got a good night's sleep haha. Anyway, woke up really early to make it in time for the 8.00am class. Morning lectures are an absolute pain to wake up to, especially during the cold seasons. I guess I have to get accustomed to it then XD

2) Two lectures and an anatomy session later, and we had a break for lunch. Headed to the Coffee Doc, where I had my pizza with some friends. We still had some time afterwards, so I decided to study a little. Had to sit for the next lecture after that, before another short break and a small group tutorial after that. I took the opportunity to go to the library and unpack my stuff. Then I went over to Dunnes to do buy some bread and oranges.

3) Came back to the library, and before long I had to return to the college for one more small group tutorial. In this tutorial, we were assigned into groups of six, and we each have to contribute to a team project which has to be submitted in March. I am very excited to work together in a team ^^ Retuned to the library after that, where I had dinner. Took a short break + a short nap, before continuing to study till the night. I'll be going home soon... Anyway, that's been my day and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks as always, and have a great day. Cheers!

Toast for breakfast (I've finally finished the jam)

Dunnes Pizza for lunch

Baked chicken korma with roast potatoes and mixed veggies on rice

(My dinner)