Project Pass Physics update. Chunking. During marathons, I set smaller milestones like run til the next mile or run to the next lamp post or 3 miles to the next drink of water. This week I finished all of the Intro topics – what is an atom? basic radiation Physics, electromagnetic wave spectrum, photons and particles. Next up is starting radiotherapy planning, a big chunk but could also be broken down a bit more.
Project Declutter update. I managed to tidy up one cupboard in our bedroom. In the 5 years of living here, we’ve just been shoving things in it ‘to sort later.’ Finally, it’s been sorted.
Out with the old…
After 4 years at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, it was time to move on. I had spent my Internal Medicine Training and the first 2 years of Clinical Oncology Specialty Registrar Training there. I had chosen to stay within the QAH when transitioning from IMT to SpR here so I didn’t have to struggle with learning new hospital systems etc., I could just focus on learning how to be a Registrar. I think I made a good decision there. Also I didn’t want to be too far from home as the kids were also just starting school.
Of course, one thing I couldn’t help naturally is getting attached to the place and the people. The QAH is a challenging place to work in, it is chaotic and more often than not, you can feel that things could be a lot better. However, I enjoyed my time at there, especially at the Oncology department. I was greatly supported by my Consultants and fellow Registrars. The nursing team and support staff were all amazing. On reflection, I did develop quite well in that environment and I’ve established really good relationships. I had thoroughly enjoyed my time at the QAH.
However, one must never get too attached, according to the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence. Attachments (to people, desires, expectations, thoughts, self) can lead to suffering. One must let go.
I should learn from past lessons, moving from Asia to America, now to Europe, leaving things and people behind, that despite the reluctance to go, the anxieties of fitting in, it is all one big adventure, one new chapter, and another opportunity to experience new things and grow. There is beauty in that.
In with the new…
Thursday came around and I set foot at the University Hospital Southampton for the very first time. The first few days (and the few weeks to follow) in a new hospital system are always about induction and finding your feet again. New computer system, new policies, new people, new corridors. Know where the coffee and the toilets are. A lot of “Hi. I’m Monica, one of the new Regs.” I had more anxieties than excitement last week. However, I also know I need to be patient with myself and just ride this new wave. Try not to set a lot of expectations apart from trying to do a good job. Who knows… I might even enjoy it. So, Southampton and Uro-Oncology, here I am.
Some running… back to basics.
Stick to 15 miles a week for now just to maintain some level of sanity. After not really been running for training, I’ve set some acceptable standards over the weekend for Project Don’t Stop. It can only get better from here.
I’ve also realised that the only way I can really have a running mindset is I am training for a race. No, I have not signed up for anything. In fact, I am not running a the Portsmouth Marathon in December as I am just not ready. However I am keeping in the back of my mind that post-exams, if entries are still available and I am feeling good, then maybe the Southampton Marathon in early May may be an appropriate and timely option.
Reach for the Seven Stars 