Emergency rotation is seriously FULL ON!!!
Decided to drop in at 8am with Jules and Ali today, to gauge how things "tick" at ED. First on the agenda, handovers, which were pretty quick as ED was only 20% full at that time.Hmmmm.... one quiet morning, perhaps? Not quite. While Ali went to triage and Jules got himself a patient to clerk, I shadowed Martin for a period, who happens to be an ED registrar (really nice fellow, btw ^^). Got to do about two focused case-histories for him before the department became "chaotic". By that, I meant sudden influx of patients with a host of acute medical conditions imaginable. It wasn't long before every cubicle at ED was occupied.....and there were more patients waiting at triage, with paramedics and the lot. swt. Out of the variety of conditions I saw this morning, the two most memorable ones (ie: most shocking for me) were: 1. A work-place accident, where a young male construction worker had both his lower limbs crushed by some concrete slab. Significant haemorrhage - the pillows beneath his legs were soaked, and we had to get towels to mop-up all the blood on the floor. Jules had the honour (albeit "coerced" by Tony =P) of "fashioning" the plaster backslabs. He did a good job, I have to say. XD
2. Cardiogenic shock(?) - patient was resting in a cubicle when his nurse noticed a sudden drop in BP and bradycardia. When he was whisked off to the resuscitation cubicles, what caught our attention were his facial expression (he looked stunned - mouth gaping, eyes wide-opened) and his complexion (completely white, just like those clean, white bedsheets at ED). CPR was successfully performed, after which he regained consciousness, became confused, and had some sort of a transient "seizure". I still don't know what to make of the latter. It was atypical; bizarre. What I really liked about ED today were the procedural skills I could do. Good practice, really, considering we've been doing them on dummies all this while. =) Had a go at a diagnostic ascitic tap and urinary catheterisation, while my colleagues (ie: Jules and Jeanne) went for arterial lines, IV cannulations and plaster backslabs. Overall, a fairly productive day, although I tend to get "very lost" in the midst of chaos. There were so many occasions where I didn't know where to stand (so I could get out of the way) or what I could do to help. =P Nevertheless, the ED staff are superbly nice - and they do make you part of their team. More updates after I finish my homework. XD Lots of reading-up to do!!! PS: Piece of advice while at ED - wear casually, and by that I mean T-shirts, jeans, comfortable trainers, and where possible.... scrubs attire. It can get really messy in there.Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
It's one of those books I couldn't put down once I started reading. Despite being in publication for 20 years already, The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is still a compelling read. A gist of this 175-page novel before I go any further: "This story is about an Andalusian shepherd boy called Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find wordly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within."
In all honesty, it has quite a simple plot. What makes it good, however, are the pearls of wisdom interwoven within the story - of hope and faith, dreams, courage, love.... and many other things we tend to take for granted in this fast-paced world.
A book of symbolisms brimming with stories within a story, it is simple yet thought-provoking.
Cynics may think the reason behind The Alchemist's popularity is attributed to Coelho's acknowledgement of what his readers want to hear. Perhaps so, to some extent. Nevertheless, one cannot deny its appeal to many - we can identify ourselves with the protagonist at some point or another, we all have dreams, and we LOVE it when someone tells us that our dreams may one day come true.
Simplicity has never been so beautiful.
Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Price: AUD24.99
In short: Inspiring.
Labels: Leisure and pleasure, Reviews
I passed. Oh happy day..... XD Hope everyone else did ok. *fingers crossed* Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
Who am I, exactly? Honestly? I for one cannot tell, nor do I have the answer. Not now, and perhaps not ever. "All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances,And one man in his time plays many parts..."-From Shakespeare's As you like it- We have played many roles in our lives; we still do: The "seven ages", as penned by the Bard himself.And within the seven ages, a multitude of "sub-roles" - A son or daughter, Brother or sister, Cousin, Husband or wife, A parent; Grandparents.A carer, confidante, Teacher, mentor,Friend or foe, An ally; an archrival.So who am I to define who I really am, exactly? I've taken on so many forms; I still do. So it's hard to tell really - what's real and what's not. "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players..." Perhaps all I can tell you is: I am a player on the Stage; I fleet....between roles I'm bound by, and roles I choose to be.
I had roles to play in the past.
I still have at present,
and I will have more in times to come.
We have our exits and entrances.
We change with circumstances; we fleet between roles.
Whether we like it or not.
Don't deny it.
We all did. We still do.
We all will.
[Note: I admit, one's gotta admire Shakespeare's insight.... despite being dead for over 400 years.]Labels: Random thoughts
Nothing gives me more joy than simple pleasures of life....
Take baking, for one. =)
Decided one day that I should start again, given we still have two weeks off. Surfed the net, found this recipe, and *voila*:
Sweet success. Rich dark chocolate pudding with strawberries and double-cream. ^.^
Labels: Food, Leisure and pleasure
"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning...."
-Maya Angelou-
I could not agree more. =\
Labels: Random thoughts
My three top desserts of the week: 3.
Black Sesame Ice-cream, from Tomodachi, Melbourne Central. Was recommended by a cheery waiter, after I found that my initial order (Daifuku) was not available. Creamy, with a right hint of sesame. Simply divine with its accompaniment of sweetened red beans.
2. 
Strawberry Tart, from The French Quarters Patisserie, Queensberry Street (North Melbourne). A perfect afternoon treat, with its "crumbly" shell, fresh vanilla-bean custard, luscious red fruits and icing sugar.
1. 
Chocolate Mousse, from Koko Black. Beautifully swirled and topped with caramelised nuts, it is silky, rich, decadent. Enough said. XD Now, if only I can't grow fat no matter how much I "pigged-out".....
Labels: Food
Game On: The History of Video Games Exhibition @ ACMI
Specifically for gamers, or for anyone who'd like to re-live their childhood days. XDUntil Sunday 13 July 2008Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Federation Square Open daily 10am - 6pm, Late night Thursdays until 9pmFull $15; Concession $10A gist of what's in store: "Get ready for Melbourne's must-see exhibition of 2008 - the action-packed celebration of games culture that has thrilled over one million players of all ages around the world. Game On tracks the development of videogames from the first computer game to arcade-era hits and the very latest from today's billion dollar industry...." "Original illustrations by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and concept sketches behind classics like Tomb Raider and Grand Theft Auto provide unique insight into the creative process of game development. Rarely-seen consoles, controllers, arcade machines, packaging and collectables are brought together in a showcase of game history like no other....." [excerpts taken from http://www.acmi.net.au/game_on.aspx]Anyone interested? =) Labels: Events, Leisure and pleasure
IT'S OVER! IT'S FINALLY OVER!! WOHOO!!!!!Amazing how the exams fly by really quick once they begin. ^^Long-case was....erm, to be honest, it was a relatively straight-forward cardio case, chief-complaint being acute dyspnoea at rest. The patient was really nice and cooperative too. My main problems were: 1. Time-constraints (don't all of us have them =P) 2. A terrible mental-block at one point, which caused me to answer one of the examiner's questions REALLY poorly *kicks self in the rear-end for being such a dumb@$$* 3. Deciphering signs which pointed somewhat to aortic regurgitation (PLEASE LET THIS BE CORRECT!!!), and 4. MARFAN's SYNDROME!!! Yes, you heard that right....I've got a patient with Marfan's, and I DON'T REMEMBER MUCH OF THAT CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDER!!!! GAH!!!!!!The examiners were really nice though. Perhaps out of sympathy, considering I looked horribly nervous, and stumbled every now and then during presentation? Pffft. Oh well. It's over now. And I'm glad it's done with. I'll worry about this more when "result-time" approaches, in mid-July. =\ Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
