A fantastic last week of Rheumatology/Orthopaedics

Monday was so eventful. In the morning, I was at Hemsley House in Salford for a consultation process event with the PCT about the future of the Horizon Centre. I was so happy to meet Naj and Rebecca, and a few asylum seeker patients. I love talking to asylum seekers – I feel I interact with them really well and reminded me of the good times I spent doing voluntary work with refugees and the SSC in Horizon. I was glad to see so much support from the patients to the Horizon. And I am determined to do my bit for them as well. Plus there were free sandwiches. After that I attended the evening surgery back at the GP. Right after that I rushed back to Stopford building to deliver a workshop to some medical students on MDG 4&5: Maternal and child health, which we (Two friends and I) have been preparing for ages. It went really well, I think people enjoyed it and we received plenty of positive feedback. I too enjoyed it thoroughly, teamwork was great and it was a rewarding experience. At night, the PBL group went to Cloud 23 at the Hilton for Khai Wei’s birthday. I ordered a cocktail, I didn’t like it very much – smelled too alcoholic. But I really enjoyed the view, the amazing night scene of Manchester. Then we also went to a few more places. I was getting more tired then so I went home early.

On Tuesday, lecture only started at 1pm so all of us had a lay in, which was appropriate as I felt lightheaded as I woke up. I bought a pair of boots for myself – it felt nice to wear at the time but over the week I realize that the heels are simply too high for my liking. But I have to say it does look rather stylish. After the lecture, I went up to the orthopaedics and rheumatology wards and talked to one patient each (atypical gout and rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis). I then went to the French class and reached home at 9pm.

On Wednesday, we started off with Rheumatology bedside teaching at 10am. I requested for knee examination today. Dr Herrick said ok and found a patient with knee signs for us. Then I was asked to come up and examine the patient’s knee. It was slightly nerve wrecking and I fluffed around for a bit. Yet I know it’s meant to be a teaching session, a good time for me to make mistakes so I’m not too bothered about it. We also saw a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Next we went to the RA patient I met the day before. Dr Herrick found out that I have seen her before the day in my own free time. And she said that’s very commendable – my heart leaped in joy. So I told the group the lady’s history before everyone went on to examine her grossly deformed hand. After lunch, I attended Dr Herrick’s rheumatology clinic, which did not end until 6pm! I missed the Crossing Borders meeting as a result.

Thursday morning, I went to a fracture/orthopaedic clinic, and I'm glad I did because it was one of the most enjoyable clinic I have ever been to. It’s like me being back in A&E or the acute wards – I clerked the patients and then present it to the surgeons and see them together later on. The surgeons were really casual and friendly lot, and very flattering – the consultant said I know too much, that I know more than many of his SHOs do and that I should read the books less! Afternoon onwards was slightly duller; we had a group revision sessions in rheumatology and orthopaedics. After that I spent the small time gap to do some essential shopping – got mummy some free gift of facial products. Then I was off to the chorus rehearsal. We had a replacement conductor today and I learnt a few new things from him. I like the part we sang and I think my sight singing skill has improved a wee bit.

Friday morning was PBL. I brought some (unhealthy) breakfast for the group – Jaffa cake and Snickers, seeing that it’s the last PBL session for this rheumatology/orthopaedic rotation. It finished early. We were then informed that lunch time lecture was cancelled so others went home apart from Khai Wei and I. I said I wanted to go to theatre and Khai Wei followed. We went to the ward and clerked the patient about to go to theatre. I am so glad that we went. It was the same cool consultant and registrar that I met in clinic on Thursday who were operating. We saw the anaesthetist giving spinal anaesthetic. And then we were asked us to scrub up. I fumbled a bit as I have never scrubbed up before, but managed in the end. It was such a fun experience. I helped hold some retractors and hammer the prosthetic joint into the tibia.

On Saturday morning I went to another chorus rehearsal. It was really fun, although there were a few shouting from the conductor. I am so proud to be in soprano 2 – undoubtedly the best section in the entire choir. Later on, after a quick food shopping, I went to the gym to build up some muscles and increase my lung capacity. I then chatted with my family, and then made roast dinner for myself (which turned out yucky).

Today is Sunday. The clock goes backwards for an hour so I slept for an extra hour. I plan to have a relaxing study day today, maybe go to the gym for a bit.

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Old lady in orthopaedic clinic

On inspection: Index finger was missing on the right hand

Me: Why is one of your fingers missing here?

Old lady: My husband bit me. I had to had it removed

Me: (Speechless...)

PBL dinner party

My PBL group had a potluck dinner on monday. I made 'Prawn cake mummy's special'.

Other food on the table were:

That was a hell lot of food. We had 12 courses in total! Some of the people were so overwhelmed that they went back home and dreamt about the dinner.

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