Plodding along!

Well, yet agin it's been ages! Oh well.

First things first - exciting news:

1. I passed MRCS Part A - which means I am now half way to being a surgeon. Part B: the practicals will be taken sometime next year after I get back from Malawi.
2. I passed my theory driving test and have booked the practical for 28th June.
3. It's getting closer to Malawi time! I've pretty much got everything sorted for going now, just have to pack and change my home address back to my parents. I keep wanting to pack NOW, even though i's still 2 months away!

Well life is slowly plodding along at Worcester Royal hospital - numerous on call duties, clinics that last forever, and interesting surgeries. I'm yet again on call next week - on my birthday of all days :( I guess it's a sign of getting old when you can't set aside a special day for your birthday and you just have to get on with the day as usual, no party rings, or cheese and pineapple on sticks, just whatever the NHS canteen has for two quid!

Anyone else looking forward to the World Cup? I'm not in anyway convinced that England can win, especially after their performance against Japan just now, but it'll be good fun to watch the whole tournament. I was much more impressed by Leicester Tigers yesterday winning the Rugby Premiership - that is what playing with pride, power, and passion is all about - the England Football team should take notes!

Time Flies Part 2!!

Wow, it's been ages since I posted last.

Well I've now taken my MRCS exam - results out on 11 May - eeek! Other than that I've now settled into my new rotation at Worcester doing Vascular Surgery. Between clinics, theatre, and on-calls I don't seem to have much time on the ward, but that's fine because now for the first time I have House Officers to do ward work for me. Last week I performed my first couple of toe and forefoot amputations for infected gangrenous limbs, which was awesome. Though I unfortunately missed out on a below knee amputation yesterday as I had to help in one of the other Consultants clinics.

Clinics in Vascular surgery are a new experience. I'm expected to see and manage the patients on my own without a more senior doctor checking up on me. This was extremely scary at first but it went really well, and I now feel I have taken yet another step to being a grown up doctor instead of just a junior who doesn't have a clue.

On an entirely different note, I have had lots of driving lessons now and feel really comfortable behind the wheel and am taking my theory test in a few days time. I hope to have a car really soon.

I really should get to Tescos soon before it rains again -Fajitas are on the menu tomorrow as Katie and Tim are coming over for Vic's birthday, I also need plenty of night shift grub for next week. Back to being an Owl again!