Well from the 5th day it's now just passed my 5th week of living as an ex-pat Down Under :) It's hard to describe how much my "life" could have changed in what really is a short period of time. I still feel like I'm on holiday and I wonder, if ever, that novelty will wear off! It's made me realise the meaning of life is exactly what you make of it. Whatever they say, or it may feel like, we do have "control" of how our lives proceed… the only reason why you might not have complete control, are because of the ties we might naturally already have (family, friends) or come to be in place (life events)… but that's the end of the philosophy lesson!
8 weeks ago I was working as a locum in a district general that was struggling to maintain training status and frankly struggling to look after the patients coming through its doors. Every day was a war zone. The worst day was having half of the 44 acute medical patients under my care. These are the sickest in hospital just out of accident & emergency and at high risk of deterioration. The nurses were in a similar situation - many locumming for extra shifts, trying their best to manage in an unfamiliar environment in which they have too many responsibilities. The result? A broken team of lost individuals trying to take care of people who really deserved a little better.
Today I started work at 0700 and ended at 1800. But in that time, I managed to have a chat with colleagues about where I should visit at the weekend, go up to the common room for a coffee and a break, get help from the medical registrar pretty immediately for a patient I was concerned about, ask a phlebotomist to kindly take blood from a patient with poor intravenous access with, text the renal registrar to ask for advice and whilst yes I was due to end at 1500, at least I know I am paid and looked after the extra 3 hours I choose to stay. The ethos couldn't be any more different. The "norm" redefines itself in the same way that my life has. But hey, it's only been the first month and a bit!
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Brisbane, Australia!
Hello from Down Under!
It's only my 5th day here but my life has changed so much in that time... in a good and exciting way :) New friends, new flat (moving in this wkend!), new job, and a totally new way of life!
Every night I keep thinking I should pen down daily the new things I've seen and the surprises I've experienced but then seem to run out of time ...so here are my top 8!
1) From the moment I landed I've been touched by how friendly everyone is here. My airbnb hosts came to pick me up from the airport at 2230 despite starting work the next day at 0700... the supermarket lady taught me to how to use the buses... to my patients who tell me "Alex, you'll stay". Also no one in hospital gives you any hassle for referring or requesting. I mean it's their job no? The pharmacist actually said to me "don't feel you need to look after everything. There are separate teams for that."
2) Australian wildlife is as wild as it gets... a few examples:
Every morning at dawn I wake up to the raucous cries of birds. It feels like you're in a rainforest!
I'm also used to the sound of cats running on the roof - actually the sound of possums scurrying. Oh and random insects/spiders everywhere. Thankfully no tarantulas yet.
The ibis (a bird! That's what the hotel chain is named after - nope I didn't know that either) is also crazy. One stole my lunch on day one. Google image them - they look like they're from the jurassic era and are as common here as pidgeons in central London.
Oh and wild "bush turkeys" roam the streets. Google image them too. They look so important!
3) The Aussies are so. laid. back.
It's almost like time has another meaning! They also love to chat and joke. Even at work. To the point where I admit it irritated me beyond belief on my first day at work but it does make the work environment seem extremely relaxed! I think I just need to adjust!
4) They love organic. Anything that can be organic should be organic it would seem.
5) Brits are everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. Two of my patients told me I must be from London just today!
6) Stuff is expensive. Who charges £3 for a pouch of instant noodles? The Aussies.
7) Brisbane is a rise and sleep early kind of city (due to the heat). My present job starts at 0630! The concept seemed initially crazy but I'm already kind of used to it and actually quite like it that way. It makes sense to utilise daylight! Also it means you have so much more time in the hospital day... e.g. if the patient is aiming to leave at 10am, you have 3 hours (rather than <1) to sort it all out! Plus if I ended on time (more on that another time) I would technically have a whole half day to do whatever I pleased!
8) There are so many words (and drug names) that are different here. My favourite example is Pom which means a Brit. Sounds like a bad word right?! But kind of cute. Like half a pom pom.
Overall it's really great. Whilst I do miss my family and friends, I love the people, the weather (that may change in the summer), the attitude (can do), the lifestyle... Sounds dangerously good and it is!!
Planning to commence a new blog for this year soon. Watch this space! :D
It's only my 5th day here but my life has changed so much in that time... in a good and exciting way :) New friends, new flat (moving in this wkend!), new job, and a totally new way of life!
Every night I keep thinking I should pen down daily the new things I've seen and the surprises I've experienced but then seem to run out of time ...so here are my top 8!
1) From the moment I landed I've been touched by how friendly everyone is here. My airbnb hosts came to pick me up from the airport at 2230 despite starting work the next day at 0700... the supermarket lady taught me to how to use the buses... to my patients who tell me "Alex, you'll stay". Also no one in hospital gives you any hassle for referring or requesting. I mean it's their job no? The pharmacist actually said to me "don't feel you need to look after everything. There are separate teams for that."
2) Australian wildlife is as wild as it gets... a few examples:
Every morning at dawn I wake up to the raucous cries of birds. It feels like you're in a rainforest!
I'm also used to the sound of cats running on the roof - actually the sound of possums scurrying. Oh and random insects/spiders everywhere. Thankfully no tarantulas yet.
The ibis (a bird! That's what the hotel chain is named after - nope I didn't know that either) is also crazy. One stole my lunch on day one. Google image them - they look like they're from the jurassic era and are as common here as pidgeons in central London.
Oh and wild "bush turkeys" roam the streets. Google image them too. They look so important!
3) The Aussies are so. laid. back.
It's almost like time has another meaning! They also love to chat and joke. Even at work. To the point where I admit it irritated me beyond belief on my first day at work but it does make the work environment seem extremely relaxed! I think I just need to adjust!
4) They love organic. Anything that can be organic should be organic it would seem.
5) Brits are everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. Two of my patients told me I must be from London just today!
6) Stuff is expensive. Who charges £3 for a pouch of instant noodles? The Aussies.
7) Brisbane is a rise and sleep early kind of city (due to the heat). My present job starts at 0630! The concept seemed initially crazy but I'm already kind of used to it and actually quite like it that way. It makes sense to utilise daylight! Also it means you have so much more time in the hospital day... e.g. if the patient is aiming to leave at 10am, you have 3 hours (rather than <1) to sort it all out! Plus if I ended on time (more on that another time) I would technically have a whole half day to do whatever I pleased!
8) There are so many words (and drug names) that are different here. My favourite example is Pom which means a Brit. Sounds like a bad word right?! But kind of cute. Like half a pom pom.
Overall it's really great. Whilst I do miss my family and friends, I love the people, the weather (that may change in the summer), the attitude (can do), the lifestyle... Sounds dangerously good and it is!!
Planning to commence a new blog for this year soon. Watch this space! :D
Friday, 9 September 2016
London at its best
This last week has reminded me of what an amazing place London is and how lucky we are to call her our hometown! I love that everything is always continually changing - I'm sure you could easily fill 365 days with entirely new activities every day. Since I have a rare full week just to enjoy life/not be at work I've been trying to make the most of it!
My 3 highlights of this week have been:
1) Aladdin the musical (oh my goodness go see it! Check out dayseat.com for how to enter their daily ticket draw if you're feeling lucky),
2) The ingenious Orbit Slide at the Olympic Park (30 seconds of super fast, super scary sliding time! £15 but £3 more gets you an annual pass - great for visitors and locals!) And lastly;
3) Kanada-Ya in Soho for ramen so good even Japanese folk seem not to mind queueing for it!
4 days til the big flight! That suitcase is still looking pretty empty though..!
My 3 highlights of this week have been:
1) Aladdin the musical (oh my goodness go see it! Check out dayseat.com for how to enter their daily ticket draw if you're feeling lucky),
2) The ingenious Orbit Slide at the Olympic Park (30 seconds of super fast, super scary sliding time! £15 but £3 more gets you an annual pass - great for visitors and locals!) And lastly;
3) Kanada-Ya in Soho for ramen so good even Japanese folk seem not to mind queueing for it!
4 days til the big flight! That suitcase is still looking pretty empty though..!
Monday, 5 September 2016
The Countdown
The packing has slowly started, I'm pleased to report! I keep thinking of new "must do's" however before I leave in exactly a week's time... Wish me luck!
Friday, 2 September 2016
F2 to F3
Well for the first time since leaving University I finally had total freedom for 6 weeks and what I did I do with it? Pack it full of course! But as much as I like to complain that is of course the way I secretly like it.
Post Mull, I worked in a small DGH acute medical unit as a locum (temporary doctor). It was pretty eye-opening having never been a locum myself. The unit were clearly having staffing issues with most of those there from various agencies.
Most of the locums were in a similar position to myself- on an "F3" aka the medical gap year. Some were more senior though and I soon realised these were not doctors in ever intended to go into training. Quite the opposite. I was frankly a bit appalled by (not all) but some of their lazy behaviours. Despite being paid a premium they clearly worked inefficiently and knowingly so. It was like meeting the antithesis of every medical students' idol. They weren't bad people (one could argue) but they were certainly bad doctors. I was encouraged however that the permanent members of staff, though clearly working in less than adequate conditions, strived to do their best and tried not to allow the daily staffing issues take away their smiles and admirable bedside manner. I was also moved by my fellow compatriots - we each were caring for probably more patients than we ever had done, doused with extra responsibilities in a unit unfamiliar to us, but despite this they would offer to help me and answer my endless questions about the computer system, and likewise I would chip in what I could. The camaraderie was palpable.
And whilst one day in particular will stick in my mind - a no lunch, no time to go to the bathroom sort of day - ultimately no matter the stresses, I found my love for medicine rekindled once more. No matter how bad the day is I can't deny the exhilaration felt when you correctly diagnose and treat a problem, and in some small way help someone through a difficult time in their life. Every down has twice the ups. And so despite me thinking quite certainly I was going to be a GP... I've now realised that I must spend at least some more time in hospital post Australia! Life can be funny like that.
Other than that I've done some teaching, finished off some research recruitment (woo!) and have been to Canada to see my family - a trip that turned out to be unexpectedly personally and culturally important but that I won't bore you with. I've also set up an Australian bank account, booked accommodation, arranged meet ups with everyone I care about and that leaves me just under 2 weeks until I head Down Under. Time to start thinking about packing... maybe :P
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Time to move on
I'm sad to say this time tomorrow I'll no longer be an Edinburgh-er :(
Exactly a week ago I ended my FY2 year on nights; I practically ran out of the hospital! After a flurry of packing, a spot of brunch followed by a spot of teaching final year students, I headed to Glasgow to meet my family.
We spent a night at my parents' favourite place in the village of Luss on Loch Lomond before heading out to the Isle of Mull (part of the inner Hebrides) for the week. Though the weather was mostly grey the house we stayed in was in a spectacular setting. Each drive in and out included a battle via Highland cows and we received a daily show of deer grazing whilst we ate our own dinner.
Throughout the week we did a few small walks and grew accustomed to seeking out local produce that we would fashion into elaborate surf and turf meals in the huge and wonderfully equipped kitchen. We also took a boat tour out to the Isles of Staffa and Lunga where we saw Fingal's cave and puffins on, respectively.
Fingal's cave for me was a personal highlight. It's here that inspired Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. I had first read about this place in year 8 geography and had vowed to visit when I knew I would be living in Scotland. It was as impressive as I had imagined though of course I had seen plenty of spoiler photos! Lunga was also fascinating. Who knew puffins could be so cute?! Almost as cute as penguins... whom funnily enough share similar behaviour by fishing during the daytime and returning to burrows after hunting.
Now I'm back to Edinburgh enjoying a few last moments of the Fringe with friends, and I feel totally relaxed. This morning I felt ready to work so it was strange not having work to go to! In 5 days though I'll be starting a stint "down South". We just can't stay away...!
Exactly a week ago I ended my FY2 year on nights; I practically ran out of the hospital! After a flurry of packing, a spot of brunch followed by a spot of teaching final year students, I headed to Glasgow to meet my family.
We spent a night at my parents' favourite place in the village of Luss on Loch Lomond before heading out to the Isle of Mull (part of the inner Hebrides) for the week. Though the weather was mostly grey the house we stayed in was in a spectacular setting. Each drive in and out included a battle via Highland cows and we received a daily show of deer grazing whilst we ate our own dinner.
Throughout the week we did a few small walks and grew accustomed to seeking out local produce that we would fashion into elaborate surf and turf meals in the huge and wonderfully equipped kitchen. We also took a boat tour out to the Isles of Staffa and Lunga where we saw Fingal's cave and puffins on, respectively.
Fingal's cave for me was a personal highlight. It's here that inspired Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. I had first read about this place in year 8 geography and had vowed to visit when I knew I would be living in Scotland. It was as impressive as I had imagined though of course I had seen plenty of spoiler photos! Lunga was also fascinating. Who knew puffins could be so cute?! Almost as cute as penguins... whom funnily enough share similar behaviour by fishing during the daytime and returning to burrows after hunting.
Now I'm back to Edinburgh enjoying a few last moments of the Fringe with friends, and I feel totally relaxed. This morning I felt ready to work so it was strange not having work to go to! In 5 days though I'll be starting a stint "down South". We just can't stay away...!
Saturday, 16 July 2016
An inbetweener
Well in 2 months I'll be on the opposite side of the world! 2 years has quickly condensed to 2 weeks and I find myself desperate to enjoy every last minute of living in Edinburgh. I never realised how attached one/I could feel to a place and I know (cringe curtains at the ready!) here will always hold a special place in my heart. The people here are much warmer than those I grew up around - they look out for you, even if you might never have met before, and help you out where they can. The scenery continues to stun me (especially when the sunshine graces us with occasional rays!) and the variety of activities I've tried/learnt on Edinburgh's doorstep continue to surprise me: from climbing a munroe or two on a weekend, to slipping your feet into wet sand after work or fishing in a loch just because you can! I've also met life long friends who I have literally experienced blood, sweat and tears with, and that can only make your bonds stronger ;)
This week was one of a little upheaval. I moved towards the north east end of the city near the Shore with a university friend. We are close but funnily enough until I moved in I don't think I appreciated how close! The first morning I woke to a feeling of "where am I?!" and had to be reminded by the seagull squawks of the day's previous motions. My new route to work is a 45minute walk through some of the most beautiful parts of the city (Princes Street, the Royal Mile & the Meadows) and I love it. On night three I stayed up until 2330 to have an interview with a hospital in Melbourne and found out immediately I could have a post in February! I was ecstatic. Since then my sleeping pattern has been erratic so I allowed myself to catch up a bit today before meeting with my closest Edinburgh friends for a meal at the Kitchin. A michelin starred yet homey and super Scottish restaurant now 10 minutes from where I live. Very dangerous! It was delightful and yes I realise how tough I'm making life sound!
Tomorrow endeth the week and we're going fishing in the countryside. I'm hoping for a fish supper! ;)
Then there'll be 2 weeks of solid-ish working following by a few weeks of solid-ish non-working!! Then the much big-ger move to Brisbane (& now Melbourne). I'm sure there'll be a move back to bonnie Edinburgh one day though... One day :)
This week was one of a little upheaval. I moved towards the north east end of the city near the Shore with a university friend. We are close but funnily enough until I moved in I don't think I appreciated how close! The first morning I woke to a feeling of "where am I?!" and had to be reminded by the seagull squawks of the day's previous motions. My new route to work is a 45minute walk through some of the most beautiful parts of the city (Princes Street, the Royal Mile & the Meadows) and I love it. On night three I stayed up until 2330 to have an interview with a hospital in Melbourne and found out immediately I could have a post in February! I was ecstatic. Since then my sleeping pattern has been erratic so I allowed myself to catch up a bit today before meeting with my closest Edinburgh friends for a meal at the Kitchin. A michelin starred yet homey and super Scottish restaurant now 10 minutes from where I live. Very dangerous! It was delightful and yes I realise how tough I'm making life sound!
Tomorrow endeth the week and we're going fishing in the countryside. I'm hoping for a fish supper! ;)
Then there'll be 2 weeks of solid-ish working following by a few weeks of solid-ish non-working!! Then the much big-ger move to Brisbane (& now Melbourne). I'm sure there'll be a move back to bonnie Edinburgh one day though... One day :)
Thursday, 5 May 2016
Life's adventures continue
So two posts ago I said I didn't know where I would be in January 2017..... now I know I'm heading to Aus!!!!!!
The news came out of the blue, it was my second week of paediatrics, and my second night shift. Around 3am in the morning I was waiting for a computer to load up and so took out my phone to pass the time. As I read the words "letter of offer - congratulations.." I broke into silent tears in the tiny doctors' office I was sat in! I couldn't believe that after all the dreaming, emailing, then worrying I would have to change my plans, I would really be going to Brisbane.
Chase your dreams ;)
Saturday, 5 March 2016
March-ing on
Finally spring is in the air! It's still single digit weather of course but one can't complain about everything! Since last writing, my poor car has had it's driver door blown off what I can only describe as hopefully the closest thing to a hurricane I'll ever experience; there is a new door in it's place however :)
I've also been back to the Shetlands, specifically Unst, where I had been in my final year on GP placement. Nothing much has changed and the ponies are as cute as I remember! This time, the trip coincided with Up Helly Aa - the annual Viking fire festival celebrated all around Shetland. It was quite spectacle.
In other news, there are four weeks left of my current post (is it bad that I'm counting down?) and then it's into paediatrics! And then.. who knows!
Sunday, 17 January 2016
January blues
January is never a wonderful month but I can't ever remember it being quite so draining... since I last wrote I completed my renal block (transplant turned out to be super interesting!), passed my first postgrad exam (phew!), went to Taiwan/HK/Japan (and already have plans to go back!), enjoyed a family home Christmas but now find myself at the end of a week off with that familiar feeling of "please don't make me go back to work"!
I won't bore you with the whys except to say that service provision has been deemed unsurprisingly, more important that our training.. which currently makes my day job extremely frustrating. I still love the medicine - the interesting cases and the complex scenarios we face and learn from everyday, but it is certainly the first post in which I have felt that love dented somewhat. I'm sure it's a feeling that has been felt by many and will sadly loom again, but one can keep wishing...
Off the wards, many of my colleagues are now preparing for interviews for their further training. I on the other hand, like 48% of my year, opted not to apply this year. If one thing never changes, it's how indecisive I am! In the end I couldn't decide on neither specialty nor location so opted for the 2nd gap yah and can't wait. One thing I hadn't pre-empted however was the amount of uncertainty that followed once I had thought I had already dodged plenty of it!
Currently I hope to move home for some time to work temporarily there to get a feel for what it is like (plus finish a Masters) before ideally travelling to Patagonia (a place on my bucket list since I was in fact a stone's throw from it in 2008 but not well equipped enough to venture in) and then moving on to work/play in Australia/New Zealand... if they'll have me!
If all goes to plan, who knows where I'll be in January next year...? ;)
I won't bore you with the whys except to say that service provision has been deemed unsurprisingly, more important that our training.. which currently makes my day job extremely frustrating. I still love the medicine - the interesting cases and the complex scenarios we face and learn from everyday, but it is certainly the first post in which I have felt that love dented somewhat. I'm sure it's a feeling that has been felt by many and will sadly loom again, but one can keep wishing...
Off the wards, many of my colleagues are now preparing for interviews for their further training. I on the other hand, like 48% of my year, opted not to apply this year. If one thing never changes, it's how indecisive I am! In the end I couldn't decide on neither specialty nor location so opted for the 2nd gap yah and can't wait. One thing I hadn't pre-empted however was the amount of uncertainty that followed once I had thought I had already dodged plenty of it!
Currently I hope to move home for some time to work temporarily there to get a feel for what it is like (plus finish a Masters) before ideally travelling to Patagonia (a place on my bucket list since I was in fact a stone's throw from it in 2008 but not well equipped enough to venture in) and then moving on to work/play in Australia/New Zealand... if they'll have me!
If all goes to plan, who knows where I'll be in January next year...? ;)
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