The train ride back from Liverpool was a well-deserved 5 hour break. I initially thought that I have to be preparing for my Clinical Oncology interview – but I just listened to music instead. But maybe also thought about the things I said and did not say during the exam.
Simulation Course – BRASH. – Throughout our medical training, we go through simulation courses periodically. And these are always fun and exciting. You go through scenario with a model that appropriately responds, manage the patient as you would in real life and debrief at the end and see how you could improve it the next time. Many people find these exercises anxiety-driven as we are observed by our peers but it is also a very good learning experience. This time I dealt with BRASH – Bradycardia, Renal Failure, AV nodal blockade, Shock, and Hyperkalemia. Like everything else, you only get good at what you do when you continue training.
Clinical Oncology interview. – A week ago, a Clin Onc Consultant (who used to be my Reg) had offered to practice with me. This proved to be very useful. The interview consisted of 2 clinical scenarios, ethics, and commitment to specialty/portfolio. I think I was more relaxed pre-interview compared to last week’s Med Onc interview. And once the interview starts, it goes by so quickly. I thought this interview went well so fingers-crossed.
The day after the interview was a free day. I was going to go on a 20-mile run but the wind was knocking me over and I was wet within 10 minutes. I called it off after 5 miles. I will try again in a few days when it is sunny out. I sat in front of the TV and watched and finished YOU on Netflix.
Last Acute Medicine weekend/last shifts as an Internal Medical Trainee. – I would say that this was a good weekend. Worked in the Acute Medicine ward, with a good weekend team. Saturday was better than Sunday. Baked brownies for fundraising on Saturday, pizza from the Consultants on Sunday, also got given a fancy pen by a Ward Clerk. A few good cases – hypopituitarism from a macroadenoma, persistent hypoglycaemia, Campylobacter gastroenteritis, MS, ?Bulbar MND. And the very last patient I saw with a Consultant had a finger infection that led to a deep tissue infection in the chest.
Birthday + 20-mile run. Today I turned 38 and I went on a 20-mile run. It was a beautiful day for going on a long run. I ran to the marshes and back. The water was calm and there was no wind. Coastal running.
ARCP (Part 2). It was also my ARCP, my second one in the last few weeks. The last time, the panel found a few things missing on my portfolio and had given me another 2 weeks to get them done. Whilst on my run, at 19.5 miles, I made the mistake of checking for my result. I had an email stating that one of my Procedure assessments (pleural aspiration) was not adequate as it did not say I was competent to do this independently. This is a procedure that is now done with an ultrasound for safety. IMTs are not ultrasound-trained. Anyway, there was another panic episode – especially during the last 0.5 mile of a 20 mile run. When I got home, thank God David was home. Talked it through and at this point, I was just glad to have finished 20 miles without dying and it was my birthday. So we went out for lunch and I’ll deal with this tomorrow.
Over the next 2 days – I got the pleural aspiration procedure done and signed off, then let the panel know – who had come back with a response and allowed me to continue with my new job. I was also meant to start my new job but the Consultant is on holiday so next week. I managed to get training for the drug-prescribing system.
These past few weeks have really been a test of my endurance, my mental stamina. All throughout, I had to focus on one day at a time (one mile at a time, one foot after the other). I am now on the other side but I can’t relax yet as it’s not quite over yet. I have now entered a waiting game – waiting for results. The saga continues.
Reach for the Seven Stars 