Cliffs of Insanity

Bryan and I standing in front of the cliffs of insanity (see Princess Bride). See the brown streaky spots on the top of the cliff? ..just to the left of my head. We will get there shortly (next picture).


Here we are peering over the edge of the cliffs of insanity (aka Cliffs of Moher). It's about a 500ft drop beyond our eyebrows. The height of the cliffs along the coastline are between 400-700ft.


Location: Lady's View (along the Ring of Kerry)
Leprechauns: Ian & Kerwin

British University & College Championships

Rep'n the Republic at UK Nationals.
We placed 9th out of 32 teams.
March, 2009

The Underwear Discussion

My unexpected visit to the ER prompted me to revisit an issue that was discussed a while back. A few of us students were sitting around and someone asked, "Do you ever think about which underwear to put on in the morning in case you end up in hospital that day, and they have to undress you?"

Man, I escaped a close one the other day, good thing I was conscious when I arrived in the ER! I mean as much as we treat our patients with respect, I'd be lying if I said we don't comment when we spot Hello Kitty boxers or something else unexpected. But don't worry, it won't affect the quality of medical care one receives. In fact, the health care providers will probably remember you better and attend to you more often after gawking at your flaming undies!

My First Overnight In the ER

Never did I expect my first overnight in the ER was to be spent as a patient!

Every time I walk through the ER (as a student) and see the poor patients without rooms, lying on their trolleys in the corridor, I feel terrible for them and thank heaven that I'm not in their situation. However, last night, I very much was in their place and felt every bit of the agony and loss of dignity that comes with spending a night in a hallway surrounded by other sick people. Meanwhile, healthcare workers hustle by you to attend their duties, trying not to take notice of your distressing billet brought on by governmental health service cutbacks.

Overall, the hospital staff treated me very well though. Every health professional I encountered was sincere and considerate in their care. Professional as well. The main thing that bothered me was how COLD it was in the ER. Add on top of that the cold hands touching and examining me made for a very chilly experience. The blankets provided at this hospital are also paper thin so I had to request for several more.

Investigations ordered: bloods, ECG (twice), glucose, CxR, CTbrain, and ECHO.

I won't say exactly what landed me there, else my enemies will discover my kryptonite, but it's amazing how fast one can move from the doctor's side of the bed to the patient's side.

It reminded me to not lose focus of the proper things in life because "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" -- Luke 12:20

PS
This was NOT a motorcycle-related event.

PPS
I should add that I'm fine now and no follow-up appointments were necessary.

Pictures from my summer adventures are finally up:
Angola pictures click here
Other summer fun pictures click here

Tip for breastfeeding

We saw a patient today who was concerned that her child isn't gaining enough weight. She was also worried that her breasts aren't producing enough milk. So the doctor gave her advice on feeding that went something like this..

"Start with the first breast and when that's done give him the second breast."

And then the doctor meant to say: "after the second breast, you can go back to the first."

But instead she said: "after the second breast, you can offer the third breast."

When she realized what she had said, she turned to me and asked: "Ian, where can one find their third breast??"

I was in stitches laughing and couldn't contain myself for the next five minutes.

Mothers, don't forget there's always the third breast to offer.

November catchup, 2008

Please excuse my blog-neglect. Here are some pics from recent outings in Nov and Oct (in reverse chronological order). This past weekend I went to Oxford to hangout with smart people and learn a few things. It was great engaging bright young minds in conversations of various topics including apologetics, economics, and medicine. Cool part was some of these chats took place in the pub where CS Lewis and JR Tolkien hung out.

Pic 1: Sunrise on Keble College, Oxford



Pic 2: Oxford at dusk


Pic 3: The text reads "Primary mirror for Newtonian reflecting telescope by William Herschel, 1795"

Pic 4: Bikes bikes and more bikes in Oxford. It reminds me of China!


Pic 5: Here's one for the PH crew. Why's there no handle on this water pump?? (I had to visit this location to pay homage to my public health ancestors.)


Pic 6: CMF Ireland retreat in Greystones, County Wicklow
Pic 7: CMF retreat prayer time

Pic 8: Interesting signage at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. This library contains New Testament manuscripts dated around 100AD, discovered in Egypt.


Pic 9: Day at the beach w/ Cork friends. My w810i cam/phone at its finest.

Standing On Guard | Snooty Surgeon

Despite a frustrating experience recounted by my sis, and other horror stories I've heard of incompetent Canadian consular services abroad, I've been fairly impressed by our gov services the past couple of weeks..

I faxed in my application for a ballot to Elections Canada in Ottawa on Sep.23, and my ballot arrived in my Irish mailbox 6 days later. That's pretty quick considering processing time, transit time, postage time, weekends, etc. Now.. need to figure out who to vote for.

Story #2: I posted my passport up to the Canadian Embassy in Dublin on Sep.22 for renewal and I got my new passport in the mail today. 9 day turnover. Quite impressive. ..or maybe they're just doling out passports to whomever asks!

Anyway, yea I'll stand on guard for thee.

This week, I worked on a surgical team that's lead by a consultant who refuses to talk to medical students. The rest of the guys on his team are cool, very engaging and willing to teach.. but this boss man is a prick. Who the heck does he think he is?? There will come a day when he comes under my scalpel, and right before they put him to sleep, I'll whisper in his ear: "You're the doc who refused to teach me. I hope I know what I'm doing."

Next post: gouging patients.