Best memory contest
I forgot to share my favorite memory from the Transition to Residency course!
We were getting a lecture by one of the state medical examiners about how to accurately describe wounds. There is a big difference, both medically and legally, between lacerations, abrasions, puncture wounds, contusions, etc. In order to demonstrate the accurate description of these various wound types, the medical examiner was showing us a series of autopsy photos of people who had been stabbed, slashed, beaten, shot... basically every conceivable example of human brutality and violence.
Fortunately, my good friend Patty had brought her 5 month old baby girl to school that day. So there she was, most precious little child, smiling and bright-eyed on the lap of a friend in the row in front of me. She was making wet babbly noises with her sweet mouth, exuding a glow of innocence and purity.
And behind her, projected on an enormous screen, was a close-up color photo of a man who had been "hatcheted" to death.
I suppose this image might be rivaled for the title of Best Memory from the Transition to Residency Course by the memory of trying on my academic regalia, including the green velvet medical doctoral hood, and getting my graduation picture taken. Naw.... cute baby juxtaposed with multiple fatal hatchet wounds to the head wins every time.
Hmmm, just spent ages writing a long, fascinating and erudite comment, but it somehow disappeared between me pressing "post" and the screen refreshing. What a waste of 15min :( It ranged across a fascinating spread of topics, and now its all gone. How sad. Anyway, start again and see where this one goes....Are you on Facebook Fiona? You seem so technology-minded it sounded like your kind of thing. It's just hit the UK by storm, and its quite fun - keep seeing different universities come online, and suddenly a whole host of my friends that knew me at school are adding me to their friends list. Really cool. Got me back in contact with so many of my old friends. Anyway, if you want to add me my name's Ian Bullock - at Nottingham in the UK studying medicine. I like making contacts and networking. My profile pictures a bit crazy - I had long hair at the time and I was stood at the top of the Empire State Building (sightseeing trip to New York) and a gust of wind caught me just as the photo was taken. It's a classic - worth a quick look anyway.
Anyway, commenting on your post - I think the graduating must be a pretty special memory. I really can't wait to actually have someone say "You've done it, you're a doctor" That'll be a very very very very very special moment for me! And the graduation ball - can't wait for that! Medicine's the only degree course in the UK that has it's own graduation ball, and it's on a similar scale to the American ones I think - we're hiring out a whole 5 star hotel for a whole weekend, and should be an amazing time - champagne breakfasts, lots of alcohol, and in a beautiful location. Have you actually graduated yet - still haven't got a handle on the US system - is residency the stage at which you graduate, or is it when you become an intern? If so what was it like? A good day? Oh no wait, you have to give that speech don't you? So it's still in the future... well good luck with that - be cool to know what kind of celebrations you have over there in the land of the big dollars at medical school.
Right, must get back to learning about depression with mood congruent psychotic delusions... fun fun fun
Ian