The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning

Clinicals has started and I've recovered from my sickness just in time as well. In hindsight, it probably wasn't the flu or cold, probably more likely to be food poisoning. Let's recap.

Last Sunday, ate some KFC and was the only one to touch the coleslaw (I love KFC coleslaw). An hour later, I started feeling really cold, couldn't stop shivering. So I do the sensible thing and put on my thermals and winter clothing. Still felt cold. I decided to take a lie down in bed. Next thing I know, I'm running a fever, I feel like its back in summer with 40+ degrees. Throw in blurry vision, muscles aches in my legs and back and a headache.

For the next couple of days I fight off the chills and fever, taking Panamax for the pain, and basically staying on a diet of warm water, toast with honey or jam plus the one time I had pho. So the chills and fever start backing off, only now I can't stray more than an arm's length from the bathroom. Basically, hardcore diarrhoea every hour on the hour. I miss out on outings with friends, basically dinner in Parra and watching Dark Knight. I feel weak, even walking the hundred metres to the doctor from the carpark had me exhausted.

The last day before the clinicals started on Monday, I was starting to get much better. I wasn't tied to the bathroom, except for the occassional spontaneous visit. By Monday, I was pretty much back to normal, although the train to Gosford did have a toilet that I took advantage off once.

So clinicals at Gosford aren't so bad. Mainly chest and extremties. Using the good old CR system, which is only slightly harder in having to make sure the desired anatomy is captured on the plate. DR is easier and faster and you could be a little more sloppy. Nothing much to do between x-rays which can be quite a while. CT and MRI are more busy, but I know shitall about them imaging methods. Oh I know the basic principles, but I don't know how to run the machines.

So these first few days have been getting used to protocol, the different machines and the paperwork. The 3 hour train trips are a bit of a killer, but as long as my podcast subscription keeps updating them I'm fine.

I'll keep throwing out the odd post if I have the time and energy. I go to sleep at like 9 or 10pm now, bloody early, even by my standards.

Spin the Wheel

Tragedy strikes! I've been struck down with the cold (or flu) for the first time in a several years, and clinical is only a week away. Bugger. Also some of my uni friends are watching Dark Knight followed by some dinner, and I might not be able to attend. Double bugger.

Seriously it's been so long since I had the cold or flu that I don't remember how shitty it can be. I'm tired, aches and pain. With luck, it should be gone in a week or so, so I don't have to go to Gosford everyday with cold symptoms.

Nothing much since the last post. Just mainly spending time with friends before clinical. Had an awesome hotpot a few days ago.

Fuck it, I'm not even thinking straight right now.

Are You With Me?

Got back from Anna Bay yesterday, spending most of today packing stuff away, cleaning out the boot of the car and uploading photos to facebook.

Trying to give a synopsis for the entire trip is pretty much impossible. There were so many moments, so many details and some emotions that words can't describe adequately. Overall though, it was an awesome trip. My friend Mike D bought some much entertainment it was almost ridiculous. I think the entire group would have been happy just to sit inside and watch movies or play Xbox. I'll try posting some memories, because there are some things I don't want to forget.

• Taking early morning showers because we kept running out of hot water (16 people in a house only meant for 8 or less)
• Finding out that Fi's dad has saved up some XO (a very expensive and very good alcohol) for her wedding, and making plenty of jokes about it
• The awesome views of Anna Bay and Nelson Bay
• Fi running into a clear glass door and knocking her head real good
• The awesome food that was served up, props to Andrey for being a hella good chef.
• Intense Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii battles
• Me drinking copious amounts of alcohol (14 shots of vodka on the last night) and still on my feet and moving around. Everyone else either abstained, didn't drink as much, turned blood red or woke the next day hung over on one shot.
• Me, Jen, Mary and Andrey writing our names on the beach in huge letters
• Finding out about Black Label Johnnie Walker whisky from Andrey, excellent taste and extremely good at warding off the cold
• Apparently on the second night I snored loud enough to that the entire top floor could hear. This was after 9 shots of vodka, although on the last night I didn't snore that badly after 14 shots.
• All 15 of my awesome friends for coming along and making it a good time.

There's probably more that have slipped my mind. I guess I'll add them later, but now, a selection of photos.