I'm really really enjoying my rotation at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Today, I finished up at Neonatology which was a pity because you have some degree of attachment to Baby So-and-So. They are so young, some of them literally just a few hours old and yet, are fighting so hard just to make it past the first 24 hours, the first week, the first couple of kilograms. I praise God that they are actually in a place where they get the best of what medicine has to offer them.
I know I'm going non-stop about the hospital but it really is different. An old man actually plays beautiful lilting melodies on a harp in the afternoon in the reception area everyday. I found that he's not hired and he plays because he wants to, because of the person he is. There is a kind of genuineness and raw sincerity which I've come to acknowledge and love. Its not just found in this particular hospital but in the city of Liverpool and its people.
I know I'm going non-stop about the hospital but it really is different. An old man actually plays beautiful lilting melodies on a harp in the afternoon in the reception area everyday. I found that he's not hired and he plays because he wants to, because of the person he is. There is a kind of genuineness and raw sincerity which I've come to acknowledge and love. Its not just found in this particular hospital but in the city of Liverpool and its people.
My rotation at Liverpool Women's Hospital started off promising today. I woke up at 6.30 without an alarm clock, made my first packed lunch which consisted of a 3 tier wholemeal bread with butter and jam, a mini chocolate muffin, orange juice and an apple. Then I stepped out of my hall and was going to enjoy the 10 minute walk to class when warning bells sounded in my mind!
BBC weather forecast predicted today was supposed to be rainy! Darn it. I've got the wrong coat on, no umbrella and no hat and 5 minutes after realising this, it rained. Although back home in Malaysia, we would categorize it as a light shower instead of raining, I was pretty damp by the time I got there so after flashing my brightest smile to everybody, I coolly went to the toilet and dried myself.
When I was done and could finally face everybody again, I just realised I was inside one of the prettiest and cosiest hospitals ever! There are loads of nice sofas and designer chairs in our Blair Bell Education center where we can relax in between lectures, trying to soak in some sun through the glass roof and windows. The place feels more like a huge English Cafe instead of a hospital.
Liverpool Women's hospital is UK's biggest of its kind. They have 8200 deliveries per annum not including thousands of referrals that pour in all the time because all the expensive and high-tech baby machines are there. The consultants are really friendly and all we have to be slightly careful with are the midwives. We were told to make them a cup of tea sometimes to make our lives easier and its funny how the obstetricians still do that.
I had to sit through 3 lectures, do a neonatology (study of newborn babies < 6 months old) round with a consultant and sign up for 3 clinics. On top of that, I have to present a case this Friday and my poor patient is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit! I seriously don't know what I'm going to do with the sudden flow of workload...
BBC weather forecast predicted today was supposed to be rainy! Darn it. I've got the wrong coat on, no umbrella and no hat and 5 minutes after realising this, it rained. Although back home in Malaysia, we would categorize it as a light shower instead of raining, I was pretty damp by the time I got there so after flashing my brightest smile to everybody, I coolly went to the toilet and dried myself.
When I was done and could finally face everybody again, I just realised I was inside one of the prettiest and cosiest hospitals ever! There are loads of nice sofas and designer chairs in our Blair Bell Education center where we can relax in between lectures, trying to soak in some sun through the glass roof and windows. The place feels more like a huge English Cafe instead of a hospital.
Liverpool Women's hospital is UK's biggest of its kind. They have 8200 deliveries per annum not including thousands of referrals that pour in all the time because all the expensive and high-tech baby machines are there. The consultants are really friendly and all we have to be slightly careful with are the midwives. We were told to make them a cup of tea sometimes to make our lives easier and its funny how the obstetricians still do that.
I had to sit through 3 lectures, do a neonatology (study of newborn babies < 6 months old) round with a consultant and sign up for 3 clinics. On top of that, I have to present a case this Friday and my poor patient is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit! I seriously don't know what I'm going to do with the sudden flow of workload...
The answer is utterly predictable, starts with an "S" and ends with holes in wallets. I don't know why but I just seem to be buying stuff all the time and its not shopping shopping, its more of stocking shopping. I shall explain the difference.
Shopping shopping is when a person is at ease with everything and is totally carefree. She most likely is living with her parents or guardian and has a certain amount of money that she has no hand in making but with which she can do anything with. Depending on the amount and preference, she is likely to indulge herself in whatever that pleases her eyes. When you're shopping shopping, you have to pay a price a.k.a. GUILT (or at least I do when I'm back home).
Now, stocking shopping is in essence, the same thing which is dishing out cash but with a different motive and desired end result. She most likely is living on her own and has to take care of her own meals, laundry, expenses, rent etc. Shopping now encompasses buying the most necessary items in order to prepare for say, a colder season, future pack-you-own lunches and cook-yourself-meals. The objective of shopping has changed from indulgence to survival. The price you pay is not guilt but HOMESICKNESS.
The price I'm paying now is 95% Homesickness and 5% Guilt. I'm sure you all can work it out from here ;)
Shopping shopping is when a person is at ease with everything and is totally carefree. She most likely is living with her parents or guardian and has a certain amount of money that she has no hand in making but with which she can do anything with. Depending on the amount and preference, she is likely to indulge herself in whatever that pleases her eyes. When you're shopping shopping, you have to pay a price a.k.a. GUILT (or at least I do when I'm back home).
Now, stocking shopping is in essence, the same thing which is dishing out cash but with a different motive and desired end result. She most likely is living on her own and has to take care of her own meals, laundry, expenses, rent etc. Shopping now encompasses buying the most necessary items in order to prepare for say, a colder season, future pack-you-own lunches and cook-yourself-meals. The objective of shopping has changed from indulgence to survival. The price you pay is not guilt but HOMESICKNESS.
The price I'm paying now is 95% Homesickness and 5% Guilt. I'm sure you all can work it out from here ;)
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Every year in Liv, programs for a couple of days are set up for brand new international undergrads and postgrads. I didn't think it would be a big thing but my my, they really pamper us and it is absolutely nothing like IMU's orientation.
The epitome of it was last night where all the newbies were treated to dinner at the famous and historic Britannia Adelphi hotel. Its like the great fest before Hogwart's term except this is to "mark the start of a wonderful relationship with our university and our city" (as quoted by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool).
Besides the posh food and surroundings, I really enjoyed the lucky draw although nobody from our table won anything. It was so funny and weird that the 3 tables that surrounded us won 8 out of the 15 prizes available. When it finally came to the last 2 draws, the two winners were called up together and they had to choose from two closed up bags. Can you guess what was in it? When the two lucky dudes pulled the their prize out, everyone cheered and clapped like crazy! It was 2 original jerseys, one Everton FC and the other Liverpool FC! It was good fun ha ha.
The weather was rather worrying as it dropped to 8-9 degrees celsius so I was wondering how the heck we're gonna walk home but I had no reason to worry cos the uni catered buses for us and promptly dropped us at the front of our halls with minimum exposure to the chilly winds. Life is good...
Today at the hospital started out with postmortems and I guess its time to throw away all my daydreams about being a forensic pathologist/coroner inspired by Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta and all the CSI pathologists. Maybe its the way the bodies come in, like fallen Madame Tussaud's Wax models with eyes wide open, still staring but not seeing or the rotten stench which you can still smell behind the viewing gallery. Whatever it is, I think I can safely cross out Pathology from my future. It was just so good to walk to the bus stop at the end of the day where you meet and talk with living persons. This morning has renewed my perspective on life, on being alive and living a life...
Ok, these are basically some on-the-way-home pics I decided to take randomly just to give you all a little taste of Liverpool.
Traffic is generally moderate and rarely do you find one the likes of KL so its pretty pleasant when you're walking on foot but when you're on the buses, its not so nice because the buses are driven really fast and they seem to brake anytime they want.
The castle-like building is St Luke's church but I'm not going to say more as we will be visiting it soon and I'd like to blog more about it but really, its a darling of a building. Rapid is Liv's version of IKEA.
The Eye and Ear Infirmary which is just infront of my hall. Its rather quiet and I don't see people walking in and out much. I wonder what goes on in there.
You call this lovely place the Phil which is short for The Philharmonic Dining Rooms. We had the pleasure of dining here with our hallmates last Sunday and in short, lovely place, lovely food and lovely people so if any of you ever drop by here, I'll definitely bring you to chill at the Phil!
Induction week started today at Whiston hospital and if you think Malaysian hospitals are confusing, wait till you come to Whiston hospital. Basically, you have to rely on asking people where certain departments are or risk walking one grand circle and crossing roads which you just crossed 10 minutes ago.
I thank God for the sun today because the weather is steadily becoming colder and colder. Even with sunshine, I feel cold. Then this pathologist tells us in winter, temperatures drop to - 10. Oh oh...
Studies wise, the engines are creaky in my top shelf and are struggling to warm up so no more going out, pubs and whatnot. Lecture today was about death certification and postmortem stuff. What a way to restart med school!
It really is out of my expectation and I didn't expect Liv to be this lovely. I've been walking ALOT. Everytime we go to Tesco or Rapid, we go home and then come out again cos its just not possible to lug the stuff we buy around. However, I'm not complaining because you just can't take in enough of the beautiful Victorian buildings that line the streets.
Last night was my first time drinking in an English pub, one that was frequented by Paul Mccartney. I was super scared of smoke and whatnot but when I went there, I just realised nobody in UK smoke in pubs anymore plus I had 1 glass of red wine and it was only 1 pound fifty pence! No wonder, they drink so much in UK. I had a lovely time spent talking and laughing with new found friends.
Since its Sunday, I went to the Liverpool Chinese Gospel Church and I had a lovely time of worship and Holy Communion. We also got to witness 8 baptisms and hearing some of their testimonies really refreshed me.
I haven't been taking pics yet but I will. Tonight, we'll be having a traditional english dinner(whatever that means)in a pub with hall mates. The "Times 7" song is playing again in my head...
Last night was my first time drinking in an English pub, one that was frequented by Paul Mccartney. I was super scared of smoke and whatnot but when I went there, I just realised nobody in UK smoke in pubs anymore plus I had 1 glass of red wine and it was only 1 pound fifty pence! No wonder, they drink so much in UK. I had a lovely time spent talking and laughing with new found friends.
Since its Sunday, I went to the Liverpool Chinese Gospel Church and I had a lovely time of worship and Holy Communion. We also got to witness 8 baptisms and hearing some of their testimonies really refreshed me.
I haven't been taking pics yet but I will. Tonight, we'll be having a traditional english dinner(whatever that means)in a pub with hall mates. The "Times 7" song is playing again in my head...
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