whutaday.

it's only 7 in the evening, but am so exhausted already! today was my first day of surgery attachment. i was thrown to a hospital in the middle-of-nowhere where it took 2.5 hous bus ride just to reach the place. and i was close to vomiting on the bus,having to endure that long a journey through the countryside yesterday.

i was placed in the DPU in the morning. saw one exploratory laparoscopy, got to assist in saphenofemoral ligation + vein stripping for varicose vein (though for only 75% of the whole procedure.) nearing the end of the procedure i was starting to feel lightheaded and thought i might pass out from overheating.(though i think it's more from hypoglycaemia rather than the heat. the theatre was not that warm anyway). and then another observation for carpal tunnel release. that finish at half 12,then rushed to the meeting room for case presentation which last about 45 minutes.

then OPD at 2o'clock. the clinic today was simply "bizarre". the clinic was overbooked and Mr.S who was running that clinic didnt have any REG or SHO helping him out..so that basically spelled disaster!but help did come from other reg so *phew*. and here's the interesting bit: i did my first ever DRE today! i was taken by surprise when Mr S just shoved me a pair of gloves and asked me to do it! gosh, i couldnt remember what to do exactly, but being a medical student, time and time again i was tought to bluff the confidence even when you freaking dont know how. and not only i ended up doing one DRE, i did like 5 today!!
then,out of 19 patients for the clinic, most that i saw with Mr S were complaining of unexplainable symptoms (particularly pain) when just every investigations carried out turned out normal.. then, there was one lady who was so adamant that she has not been seeing any doctor in the hospital for a  few years, when in her notes there were reports of her seeing doctors just last year!. Mr.S and the nurse could just raised their eyebrows when the lady was dead sure she hasnt been seen in hospital for at least a few years. there was no point in arguing, so Mr.S just asked her to bring somebody the next time whenever she comes for her appointment.
and the last patient that i saw before clinic ends has to be the most interesting of the day: a 81 year old lady, came in with her daughter for consultation regarding a raised tumour marker,despite having no symptoms that could suggest malignancy. then, the daughter bring up her mother's issue of faecal incontinence and soiling.. and how she is truly bothered by it, especially when she's out in public. her mother was asking if colostomy could be done and may be the solution to the problem. now, wasnt that one crazy bizzare thought? most people dont ever want it and there she was, asking for it!