tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10363047071076092492024-03-16T01:09:57.032+00:00The Student Doctor DiariesThe day to day life of a medical student in LondonLilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.comBlogger451125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-44640952063729729652013-03-19T18:20:00.004+00:002013-03-19T18:20:44.856+00:00Even Newer BlogSee my newest blog at...<br />
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LilDrSunshine - <a href="http://lildrsunshine.blogspot.com/">lildrsunshine.blogspot.com</a>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-38542829003811014812011-07-12T23:01:00.002+01:002011-07-12T23:02:34.794+01:00This blog has moved!!<div><br /></div>Visit my new blog at <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><a href="http://scrubsandpubs.blogspot.com/">Scrubs and Pubs</a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-72301775291673796822011-07-01T21:43:00.003+01:002011-07-01T21:53:22.114+01:00GraduandI woke up to the sound of my alarm after a paltry 5 hours sleep. Tempted to snooze I grabbed my phone, but then I remembered...<div><br /></div><div>"Today is graduation day! My final day as a student. Should probably get up then..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting ready was a sleepy blur. As per usual my hair would not behave itself, so I gave up the fight. I managed to squeeze on a packed rush hour train. I was more flustered than excited. The flustering continued as picking up tickets and gowns was as stressful as being in Ikea on a bank holiday. Once I'd picked everything up I was glad for the sunshine and the chance to stand outside and meet my Dad.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Dad is officially the sweetest Dad in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, I know I'm biased, but when I tell you why I think you'll agree. Not only did he turn up with a smart new haircut, there was also something a lot more special. He was wearing the (hideously awful) tie I made him at school when I was 11. I almost burst into tears. He's even proud of my dubious foray into fashion. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next hour was spent mainly showing off our parents and trying to stop them wandering off before heading towards the Cathedral to graduate.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure what I expected from the ceremony, but I loved it. I love the ritual of the robes. I love the academic staff's different costumes. I even loved the addresses made by various people from uni. This was probably helped by the fact that they were all quite short and sweet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before I knew it the time had come...</div><div><br /></div><div>PANIC!!</div><div><br /></div><div>What if I fell over? I am notoriously clumsy. </div><div><br /></div><div>With an incredible level of concentration I put one foot after the other, trying not to stumble. The couple of students before me went past in a blur. Then it was my turn...</div><div><br /></div><div>Step, smile, shake hands, a few more steps, smile, simultaneously shake hands and take scroll and step off the stage...</div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="http://scrubsandpubs.blogspot.com">continued at Scrubs and Pubs (my new blog as a junior doctor)</a></i></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-80425728693584316922011-06-30T14:59:00.002+01:002011-06-30T15:10:43.129+01:00Graduation BallWhat a magical evening. An evening made even better by the fact that although there was copious amounts of champagne and wine flowing, I managed to moderate myself and spend the whole evening sober enough to enjoy every moment.<div><br /></div><div>I might be biased because I'm currently on a graduation-high, but this ball was fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div>The evening started with champagne at the fountain outside one of our teaching hospitals, overlooking the River Thames. To add to the atmosphere there was a jazz band playing, and it gave everyone the perfect opportunity to catch up and drool over all of our beautiful dresses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Felt a bit like naughty school children for a while as a big group photo was taken and the photographers did lots of shouting at us, but that was all soon forgotten when a fleet of Routemaster Double Decker Red Buses turned up to transport us to the hotel. Once we reached the hotel we were ushered through to another champagne reception, this time with a string quartet. </div><div><br /></div><div>After an hour of drinking more champagne, my feet were really hurting in my heels, so I was glad that they called us through to dinner. We enjoyed our tasty 3 course meal, while listening to a harpist... it was all very sophisticated.</div><div><br /></div><div>To end the sophistication we all took to the dance floor to have a good old boogie to songs from the last 6 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all a fabulous night. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm now off to get bits ready for graduation tomorrow as I'm off for a sneaky drink or two tonight! Yay!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-90728243573420338132011-06-29T10:51:00.002+01:002011-06-29T11:03:10.917+01:00End of an EraI've been thinking for a couple of days that I should write something deep and meaningful to end this blog. I'm getting closer and closer to graduation day now, and therefore closer to switching to my new blog, so I feel that I should probably stop thinking about being deep and meaningful and just write something before it's too late.<div><br /></div><div>It's graduation ball today, and graduation itself on Friday. Even though these are looming and I got my results a week ago, it still hasn't really sunk in. I'm sure the reality of being a doctor won't sink in until I actually start work at the end of July.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a little shadow over all these end of degree celebrations though. A lot of people in my year group are having to resit the year this year. 37 in fact. A fair few of them are friends or at least mates of mine. I think the strangest thing will be if they get sent as medical students to the hospital I'm working in.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've spent the week mulling over how quickly the last 6 years have passed. It only seems like it was a few months ago that my Dad was driving me to halls and I felt so nervous I thought I was going to puke all over the dashboard. A lot has happened in the last 6 years though, and hopefully I've managed to learn a lot of stuff. I also hope that I don't forget it all over the next couple of weeks before I start work. </div><div><br /></div><div>So sorry that I haven't written anything deep and meaningful, but I think that's because there is so much flying around in my mind at the moment. That and this heat is melting my brain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll have time to give you a little graduation ball update tomorrow, but for now I'm off to try and make myself look acceptable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-3129520158052338522011-06-26T13:50:00.002+01:002011-06-26T13:50:49.009+01:00I Passed!!!Sorry it took me so long to post this, but I was busy putting plan A into action and drinking lots of champagne!<br /><br />Hurrah!<br /><br />Lily xXxLilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-14635666629779932332011-06-22T22:21:00.002+01:002011-06-22T22:23:35.926+01:00Tomorrow!AARRRGGGHHHH!<div><br /></div><div>Results day tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is plan A:</div><div><br /></div><div>Get up and let plumber in to fix shower.</div><div>Find out results at midday online.</div><div>Pass.</div><div>Get champagne.</div><div>Go to campus</div><div>Indulge in champagne.</div><div>Celebrate my socks off.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is plan B:</div><div><br /></div><div>Get up and let plumber in to fix shower.</div><div>Find out results at midday online.</div><div>Fail.</div><div>Get gin.</div><div>Take gin to bed.</div><div>Cry.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope tomorrow will be plan A</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-34950427350524826442011-06-20T22:00:00.002+01:002011-06-20T22:16:48.166+01:00PlansI've managed to fill up this week until results, all in an effort to not thing too much about exams.<div><br /></div><div>Sunday I cooked for my Dad and then hopped back in the car to London. I spent my evening drinking beer and talking lots and lots. Lucky for me I got a lovely lie-in to start my Monday. The day was mostly spent trawling London to find the shoes I want for graduation. After navigating past a swarm of angry bees (yes, really...) on Regent St, I finally found them. Beautiful beautiful beautiful dark red patent leather shoes. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the time before results is filled with little bits which I find insanely exciting, but probably mundane to most people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I'm having a new oven delivered. I haven't had a working oven in my flat for about a year. This means baking cakes and pizza... noms! Then on Wednesday I'm going to chill out with a friend and keep her company at her hospital appt. The evening will be topped off with popping out for dinner and hopefully a few drinks to aid the fretful sleep before results...</div><div><br /></div><div>On a slight tangent I was asked if I was a Miss or a Mrs over the weekend while buying a new car tyre, I wanted to say Dr sooooo much!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-76940205950372795042011-06-17T10:38:00.002+01:002011-06-17T10:42:42.792+01:00Making PlansI am completely rubbish at organising my life. If I didn't get the occasional kick up the bum I'd pretty much just coast through life without doing much.<div><br /></div><div>I have about 5 weeks of holiday time left. I need to make the most of them. I have results day in 6 days, grad ball on the 29th of June and graduation on the 1st of July. I'm also spending a few days in Paris with my Dad later on in July. Otherwise I have diddly-squat planned. I realise I have a flat to pack up and move out of, but I really should be making plans otherwise to make the most of summer.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is where all the nice people who read my blog are going to come in useful. If any of you can think of a nice way to spend a few days, that isn't extortionately expensive but also doesn't involve a tent comment and let me know. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've also been busy making the <a href="http://scrubsandpubs.blogspot.com">new blog</a> look half decent. Tell me what you think?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-53372862263932224882011-06-16T21:31:00.003+01:002011-06-16T21:38:41.021+01:001 week to go...This time next week I will know whether or not I passed my exams and therefore whether or not I start work as a doctor on August 2nd. <div><br /></div><div>On the surface I always seem calm about exams. I can even offer the voice of reason. I know that there's no point panicking once the exam is done... there's nothing I can do now. That doesn't mean that I'm not having nightmares about it though. I haven't slept properly in about a week and it's only going to get worse over the next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Strangely I'm also getting panicked about other random things. Mainly fashion based. I have graduation ball and graduation to get outfits for. I've found a lovely dress for the ball, but now I have to find something for actual graduation... and shoes. I need to find shoes. I also possibly need to get a hair cut. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess if dresses and haircuts are the biggest of my worries, then life is OK!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-27722228928792250352011-06-13T09:32:00.002+01:002011-06-13T09:42:00.277+01:00Whiling Away TimeAt the moment my life just seems to be a countdown to results. It's only 10 days to go. So as not to completely waste the 3 weeks by stressing out, I've been trying to make myself busy.<div><br /></div><div>eBay has become my biggest new obsession. If it stand's still long enough I'll probably try to sell it... better watch out Dad! Unfortunately this does mean that I have to take 10 parcels to the post-office this morning. If the people who bought them pay for them, I have another trip of 5 parcels tomorrow, and potentially lots more on Wednesday too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also ventured into a gym for the first time in years. This gym was perfect. It was small, relatively quiet, not full of posers, had a huge pool and best of all it had a sauna and jacuzzi. Excitingly it also had a shower that squirts at you from all directions. It's clearly the little things that make me happy, and that's one of them. Apparently they also do a 10% NHS discount on membership, so I think that's the gym I'll join once I'm home. </div><div><br /></div><div>To top off my luxury free-time I've been cleaning out both my flat in anticipation to move out and my Dad's flat in anticipation to move in. Not perhaps the fun laid back holiday I dreamed of, but strangely satisfying in it's own way.</div><div><br /></div><div>This week I have boring grown-up paperwork things to do, but also hopefully lots of fun to be had!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-34696254380636663932011-06-09T17:19:00.002+01:002011-06-09T17:29:09.769+01:00Save Graduate Entry Medicine!A couple of days ago I got a nice email from a young man called Chris (well I presume he's young... you never know with these graduate types :-p) asking me if I minded mentioning a bit about the campaign to save graduate entry medicine. <div><br /></div><div>I myself came straight from A-levels to medicine, but I have a great admiration for graduate medics. On the whole they're lovely and they seem so much more motivated, organised and able to study than many of the undergraduates (like me...). In fact only a week or two ago in the pub I was having a big conversation with undergraduate medics about how we felt that medicine should perhaps be a graduate-only subject.</div><div><br /></div><div>That however is a discussion for another day...</div><div><br /></div><div>This campaign is basically highlighting that with the new increased tuition fees and potential for the NHS bursary to be removed, most graduates seeking to do medicine will simply be unable to afford it. This will mean lots of people who would make fabulous doctors not reaching their potential, which quite simply isn't fair. All this just because they can't stump up big lumps of cash up front.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd harp on about it, but these guys do it a lot better so visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_162471393813902&ap=1">facebook page</a>, sign their <a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-graduate-entry-medicine/">petition</a>, see how the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/44x9h39">BMA supports them</a> and follow them on twitter @saveGEM</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck guys... I really hope that something is done about this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div><div><br /></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-72719220258843138162011-06-07T14:58:00.002+01:002011-06-07T15:03:49.984+01:00Diazepam DazeI would have let you all know yesterday that I don't have to do the extension exam, only I was in a bit of a diazepam-fuelled daze. This means one of 3 things. <div><br /></div><div>1. I could have passed everything.</div><div>2. I may have failed writtens, but passed OSCE.</div><div>3. I may have failed writtens and failed OSCE.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping for choice number 1.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dr Grumble asked if it was true that 80 people failed. Well no. It was 75... so close to 80.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure most of those will have been borderline though, and may very well pass the extension exam... otherwise there is going to a be a bit of a shortage of junior doctors.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway... some of you might be interested as to why I have suddenly developed a taste for benzos...</div><div><br /></div><div>I pulled my back out. There I was moving heavy furniture around all day with no problem, then I bent over and next thing I was in so much pain I couldn't move. I stayed propped up against a wall for 20 minutes and then gave in and called my Dad to help. In the end I ended up taking 5mg of diazepam at about 4.30pm which relieved things just enough for me to hobble around, I took another 5mg at 11pm before I went to bed... that ruined me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I slept for 13 hrs. I then got into the shower wearing my PJs. Lathered up with shower gel. Reached for my towel. Tried to dry myself with my towel under the still running shower. Realised something was wrong. Felt stupid.</div><div><br /></div><div>I then got dressed and went to find my Dad.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd put my clothes on inside out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Safe to say I didn't try anything too complex after that!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-2684899034361427672011-06-03T12:49:00.002+01:002011-06-03T12:58:28.133+01:00Final OSCESo I did it and I survived.<div><br /></div><div>It's strange to think that this OSCE could be the last exam I sit as a medical student. I'll find out on Monday if I need to sit the extension exam to improve my mark or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although 21 stations, each 7.5 minutes seems really long, in the actual OSCE the time flew by. It was over in what seemed like minutes, although it was actually hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought I'd give a quick run through of the stations for those who are interested...</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Precription chart for COPD... it was so hard to fit this in the time.</div><div>2. Cerebellar exam.</div><div>3. Advice about hospital discharge, wound care and antibiotics.</div><div>4. Surgical history, possibly an ileus.</div><div>5. Breaking bad news, telling a lady who was trying for a baby that she isn't pregnant.</div><div>6. Choosing the drug and setting up a nebuliser.</div><div>7. Prescribing for cellulitis.</div><div>8. Brief history and examining a lady with the fake strap on boobs.</div><div>9. An alcohol history.</div><div>10. CVS exam.</div><div>11. Dermatology history and exam.</div><div>12. Medical history, possibly heart failure.</div><div>13. Setting up a syringe pump (minus the actual syringe driver).</div><div>14. Respiratory exam.</div><div>15. Abdominal exam.</div><div>16. Giving advice about osteoporosis.</div><div>17. Explaining a laprascopic nephrectomy.</div><div>18. Informing a nurse that a patient wishes to complain about them.</div><div>and 3 rest stations</div><div><br /></div><div>The examination stations all had so many signs, which meant that it was hard to fit them into the time given. I also find the plastic strap on boobs so offputting!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway I am off to nurse my hangover...</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-53223429087172517952011-06-01T22:16:00.003+01:002011-06-01T22:19:59.224+01:00OMG... OSCEI don't usually swear on here...<div><br /></div><div>Fuck.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have never been this scared before an exam. For some reason I've got it into my head that I'm not prepared even though I have passed both my Mock OSCEs. I've been to revision weekends, I've practised on friends and I've even read the books. </div><div><br /></div><div>I still can't remember everything in cranial nerves.</div><div><br /></div><div>I get my knickers in a twist during cerebellar exams.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have forgotten all my special joint tests.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no skills. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've forgotten all the facts for explaining.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fabulous.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's just so scary that after 6 years of hard work there is a possibility this could be the last exam. Working seems even more scary than doing these exams.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the plus side by just after 5pm tomorrow I should be finished.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll have definitely earned a drink or two.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-68352576191924231762011-05-29T09:56:00.002+01:002011-05-29T10:00:36.313+01:00Birthday GirlIf there's something which is going to ruin a birthday, it's having finals looming just ahead. <div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was my birthday, and instead of waking up with a bit of a headache after a night enjoying myself, I was in bed by midnight. I've woken up with a huge sense of panic instead. I didn't do ANY work yesterday and my OSCE is on Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until now I've been calm about OCSE. I've had the view that as long as I turned up during the year I'd be fine. I know how to examine, I know how to take histories and I can do most skills (just about...). I always said the only think that buggered people up was nerves and panic. Now I have nerves and panic.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also really worried about our prescribing stations. The nice thing about them is that they don't have an examiner, but there's so much to remember to prescribe. </div><div><br /></div><div>My OSCE is 21 stations long and each station is 7.5 minutes. This makes the whole thing like some kind of marathon. I'll probably die of exhaustion before I get to the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a lighter note today I'm going to Ping Pong for FREE dim sum. They have an offer that if you turn up in your PJs with a teddy you get a free meal and a free cocktail. Hurrah!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-33143126302208116982011-05-22T17:05:00.002+01:002011-05-22T17:14:28.104+01:00Written Finals.I wanted to write a post about my written finals, but they were so traumatic that part of me thinks that I'd be better just blocking them out of my memory completely.<div><br /></div><div>The first exam was as I expected. The single best answer questions were pretty tough. It's always hard to pick the "best" answer, when more than 1 may be right. The second part, which was extended matching was pretty easy... and I'm hoping I'll have made up marks on this part.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the exam I thought about revising more, but the thought of going over all the stuff I'd got wrong in that exam wasn't a happy thought, so I trotted off to Selfridge's and bought myself a lovely carrot cupcake. I then spent the evening chilling out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second exam was HORRID!! I thought the single best answer questions were a bit easier than the day before, but the extended matching were soooo hard. One question asked us the life expectancy of a boy born in Zambia in 2000. No idea. There was also a huge question on antibiotics and another haematology one, both of which left me so muddled. Blergh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fingers crossed I'll have done enough to scrape a pass.</div><div><br /></div><div>As most people who know me would expect I went out after the exam and got completely sloshed. Apparently a bottle of wine is not a substitute for dinner. Who'd have thought?! I spent the next day in bed recovering, except for a little outing to get breakfast. Today was spent having lunch and coffee with a really good friend I haven't seen in ages... and then tomorrow OSCE revision starts in earnest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also... it's my birthday in 6 days!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-90632147461440034022011-05-18T17:10:00.002+01:002011-05-18T17:17:49.020+01:00Calm Before The StormThis time in 48 hrs I'll have finished my written finals and will hopefully be enjoying a cool, alcoholic drink with a couple of friends. All probably exhausted from the mental marathon we'll have endured.<div><br /></div><div>It's strange to think that if I pass these exams they will be the last written exams I will sit as a medical student and that I will be 2/3 of my way to finishing finals. I think I'm calmer than I've been for any other set of end of year exams. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are 2 possible reasons for this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reason 1. I have turned up to uni for 6 years, I have done a moderate amount of revision and I have finally come to the realisation that having done the above I will probably pass. I'm not aiming for a distinction or to get an amazing score. I just want to pass.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reason 2. I have completely lost it. Later the reality of the situation will hit me and I'll have to be dragged from under my bed tomorrow morning kicking and screaming.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope it's more reason 1 than reason 2. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm off to try and relax for the rest of the evening, which is easier said than done. I'll probably cook some dinner, watch some TV, pack my bag for tomorrow and hopefully be in bed nice and early. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before the exam I'm grabbing breakfast with a few friends from uni. It's always a good way to calm down before an exam... just as long as they don't start talking about all the stuff that they know and I don't. If that happens I'm going to stick my fingers in my ears and sing "lalalalalala" until we're sitting in that exam hall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck to everyone else sitting exams at the moment, whether they be GCSEs, Alevels or uni exams. Lets hope we all pass!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-82863021654238743512011-05-17T13:37:00.002+01:002011-05-17T13:41:58.568+01:00Exam FluIt's even more virulent than man-flu. The dreaded exam flu.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I had a headache and sniffles, by the time I went to bed I had some achyness and today I just feel like poop. I also have a temperature of 38.6.</div><div><br /></div><div>This would only happen to me less than 48 hours before my first exam.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've decided that this illness is due to mental weakness more than anything else, so I'm going to man-up (once I've had a bit of a moan). I'm taking paracetamol and decongestants. I'm drinking lots of fluids and I'm even breaking evidence-based medicine and doing everything else I can think of. Vitamin C tables, chicken noodle soup... you name it, I'm willing to try it so I don't feel like this on exam day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-79952707243019814222011-05-16T09:41:00.002+01:002011-05-16T09:49:58.209+01:003 Days to Go...It doesn't quite seem real, but my written finals are this week! I've got to the point where I'm so bored with revision, that to be quite honest I can't wait until Thursday and Friday just to get the bloody things out of the way. There's actually something quite soothing about sitting in an exam hall full of people all quietly ticking boxes on an answer sheet.<div><br /></div><div>I know this is a little bit soppy but I wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who's wished me good luck (on here, on twitter and in real life). It feels nice to know that other people have faith in me, and it gives me a little faith in myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also a big thank you to everyone who's read my blog over the last 3 years. I still find it strange to think that people actually read what I write. It makes me smile so much when people applying for medicine tell me that they're reading the blog and it's getting them all excited about medical school. It makes up for the fact that I'm jealous of all the fun they'll have over the next few years as they get into medical school, make new friends, learn new stuff... it really is awesome. I just hope the brilliant side of medical school has actually come across because we all know I like the occasional grumble...</div><div><br /></div><div>On a related side note, once I graduate, I'll be starting a new blog...</div><div><br /></div><div>scrubsandpubs.blogspot.com</div><div><br /></div><div>So add it to your blog-reader in advance. Also... if anyone is good at making title banners or generally making things look nice, and you fancy giving me a hand please get in touch!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-59980205453684327422011-05-14T21:11:00.002+01:002011-05-14T21:23:42.477+01:00Mini-BreakdownIt was bound to happen. What would finals be without a bit of drama?! Too easy... that's what!<div><br /></div><div>Those of you who've read the blog for over a year will know about my ex. For those of you who haven't a quick summary. I was dating someone, we moved in together, we got engaged, he left, I was sad, the end. It took me months and months until I really got over the sadness, but over the last few months I can truly say that I've been really happy. In fact I even started to think that a little bit of heartbreak is a good life experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last night the ex decided to tell me he still loved me and wanted to get back with me. I'll go no further than to say the conversation was drama-laden. I think in normal circumstances I would have just brushed it off and not let it stress me out. Along with the stress of exams, family stuff and that I really just lost it last night. For some reason I just couldn't stop crying. </div><div><br /></div><div>A pep-talk later and the tears stopped, which was good, but I just couldn't sleep. 5am this morning I was sitting in my kitchen watching the sunrise, and only then did I get to sleep... for a whole 3 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was really tired and more than a little weepy this morning, but got taken out for a lovely breakfast and had a cuddle with someone special which definitely made me feel better. In fact I think that once I graduate I'll be prescribing cuddles for all my patients. Cuddles really do cure a lot of things. A nap also helped and I managed to get back on track.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spent the afternoon in a cafe revising. It's only in the last 2 days that I've realised I actually get a lot of work done sitting in a cafe, more than even in the library. Would have been nice if I would have realised that earlier in my 6 years of university. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've also been shown some amazing revision lecture videos from a lecturer at St Barts, you can find them if you Google "Feather does Finals". Each video is 2.5+ hrs long, and there are 8 videos so I wish that I'd found them earlier, but I'll fit the 6 I haven't watched into the next 4 days of revision somehow.</div><div><br /></div><div>4 days until first written exam and I'm back on track. Thank goodness!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-47623425821950116482011-05-12T14:00:00.000+01:002011-05-13T21:24:39.356+01:00Sleep MonsterI keep trying to revise at home and failing miserably. I turn into some kind of sleep monster. I end up setting my alarm for 8 and then snoozing until 9. After that I get up, have some brekkie and then make the same awful mistake every morning... I pick up my notes and get back into bed.<div><br /></div><div>Who does that?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then before I know it, I've read a couple of pages, and then I wake up an hour later face first in my notes. After that it's lunchtime and then I repeat the process. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part of me wishes written exams were this Thursday and Friday instead of next, then at least I might be able to stay awake a little.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to go for a little walk to the supermarket to get some washing powder, which will hopefully wake me up enough to actually absorb some information. Failing that I'm going to eat a whole jar of instant coffee with a spoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-22405743505530533512011-05-11T14:41:00.002+01:002011-05-11T14:50:48.143+01:00Library DaysNow that clinics are finished my life has evolved into the dull but comfortable revision routine I probably need to pass exams.<div><br /></div><div>As much as I moan about it (and ask my friends... I moan a lot), I tend to enjoy this last bit of pre-exam revision. It means I can sit myself in the library, put something soothing on my iPod and slowly chug through notes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately my library calm was somewhat ruined by a couple at it on the desk next to me. There were far too many sloppy smoochy noises for my liking and I'm about 87% sure they probably had sex at some point while in that library. I wish my eyes could unsee the things I saw. </div><div><br /></div><div>Worryingly I'm still not sure I'm revising the right stuff, but something must be useful as I've done 2 mock exams and I got 70% on one of them and 76% on the other. I'd be pretty chuffed if I could do that in the real thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>In an effort to be a normal person (well as normal as I'll ever be), I'm also trying to still have a bit of a life over exams. I'm spending my revision breaks having coffee with friends, tomorrow night I'm cooking for my ex-flatmate and on Friday I'm meeting up with someone off Twitter once I've tackled a morning of revision. I'm also really enjoying spending time with some non-student friends. I've even been calm enough to indulge in a cheeky few drinks on 2 nights this week (already!!). That's definitely something that can only be enjoyed when not with people panicking about exams.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only big downer is that I'm starting to get a bit upset about the thought of leaving London. I know I'll only be an hour away, but it's not the same as being just down the road. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-34567699003999545472011-05-04T15:04:00.005+01:002011-05-04T15:19:29.814+01:00Last DayThis is it. <div><br /></div><div>Today I had my last day of clinical placement as a medical student (... as long as I pass exams).</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a bit of an anticlimax.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got up, strolled to the hospital and for once found scrubs in a reasonable size. We then had an incredibly long ward round and before I knew it the consultant was saying we might as well have lunch and take the afternoon off. </div><div><br /></div><div>It hasn't really hit me that it's over yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>No more clinical placements as a student, no more lectures as a student, no more tutorials as a student. Just exams.</div><div><br /></div><div>Exams.</div><div><br /></div><div>PANIC!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Not really... I'm (trying to be) not the panicking type. First written exam 2 weeks tomorrow. That's 2 weeks of revision left, and then a further fortnight until my OSCE. Plenty time if I knuckle down.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a side note I shall be wasting tomorrow trying to collect my logbook from the administrator here, and then driving to London. My afternoon will be spent queuing at the council offices for a new electronic door fob and then queuing to vote. After all that I'm going to drive all the way back down to Kent for a couple of days. Crazy busy day. </div><div><br /></div><div>My own fault for mysteriously losing my keys and forgetting to register for postal voting though. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036304707107609249.post-10023559475456353412011-05-03T14:15:00.003+01:002011-05-03T14:20:25.488+01:00InappropriateDon't worry this isn't going to be some confession-post. As far as I'm aware inappropriateness is not something I suffer from. Nor (for once) is this a ranty post about someone else being inappropriate.<div><br /></div><div>ITU has just got me thinking about dark humour.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the medics I know make really inappropriate jokes all the time. I guess it's our way of coping with the sad things...</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we had possibly the most amusingly inappropriate incident I've seen on ITU yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>To set the scene, we're in a quiet corner of ITU. The patient has been there for some time and is stable, slowly edging towards a possibly recovery. For a bit of entertainment the nurse has the radio playing. We take off our aprons, wash our hands and we're just about to leave when a new song starts...</div><div><br /></div><div>"Don't leave me this wayyyy... I can't survive..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Cue all of us blustering out of the room holding our collective breaths trying not to giggle.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really hope that people don't take offence at medic humour. I guess the Amateur Transplants have yet to be hunted down and vilified for their songs. I however need to resist the urge to sing them to myself in ITU. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oops.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lily xXx</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161479099427823637noreply@blogger.com1