Escape

Sometimes you just need to get away. You've had enough of the place, the people and the things you are doing every day and some time in a different area is required for sanity. Or at least that's how things are with me.

With uni finished for another term I was stuck in Edinburgh but longing for time away, and the opportunity came up, so I left for Wales. I didn't tell my family I was down, but stayed with a friend and relaxed. Most days I went to my vet practice, but it was a pleasant walk along the river with the dog instead of pavement, buses and humans.

Dolly on the train

One day we decided it was too nice to stay inside, so we fled to the beach on the train. The dog seemed quite happy to sit and watch the world go by as long as she had her own seat. We went for a walk along the beach, then for ice cream, then more walking. It was a lovely warm day so we just carried on walking for miles. When we got to the end, we just came back again.

Scary waves

I've returned to Edinburgh now feeling happier about life in general. Most of this is thanks to a certain friend and her hound who followed me for miles over the space of 2 weeks. It's nice to have a bolt hole when city life is just too boring.

Gratuitous dog pic. Because I can.

Final Year

It's been 2 weeks since the results of the equine and exotics exam came out and sometimes I still don't believe it, I have to go back and check I've passed, because all this means I'm in final year of vet school! With any luck there is only 1 year between me and the wide world.

I was talking to a friend from home yesterday. We hadn't spoken for a while and she had no idea what I was up to. There were quite a few people who doubted that I'd ever get in to study vet medicine, and some who thought I wouldn't cope if I did get it. I know pride goes before a fall, but I pleased with what I've accomplished so far.

Next year is when it gets serious - rotations all day every day. We switch topics every week and are expected to be on the ball with everything. It's going to be hard work, but hopefully it will be fun. My final year group is fun, we seem to get on OK, so I can't wait. In fact the waiting is the hardest part.

I start ICU cover in just under 2 weeks, but until then I'm fairly free. Depending on what others are up to I may go to Wales for a bit, go climb or just be lazy. It's odd having free time...

Results

And the results are all in for this year - aaaaaaaaaaand it's a pass!!

I'm so happy about having got through the equine and exotics exam. Didn't stop grinning for a week!

We have also just finished the CLIC course with the open book exam. I'm not too proud of the distinction, it was easy, especially as we did it as a group.

Soon we start final year, but until then we get a bit of time off. Woo! There are plans to climb and maybe do a bit of walking first.

Ow ow ow

Went in, read James Herriot. Got stabbed. Went to sleep. Got stabbed some more. Woke up. Got stabbed yet again.

Well that about covers it. Gruesome details on request.

I don't think I'm far off in saying that was one of the worst experiences of my life so far and I'm never EVER doing it again. Hospital is very stingy with their analgesia.

Now I can just about see again and can open both eyes. One is horribly blood-shot which I shall be using to my advantage to scare small children whenever possible. Can't read for very long, but on the plus side it does appear that everything is in single vision at the moment. Yay!

Going In

Yet another pre-op check has been accomplished and I've had a tour around the room of doom. Everything is set for next week, now all I need to do is get up on time! A few minor changes - they plan to operate on my working eye which has a few more risks but a better chance of outcome. It does however mean I'll be effectively blind for a few days post-op. Can I get a guide dog?

All Done

Finished again. As predicted the equine and exotics written exam was a quite evil. There were never any easy questions, except for one about a ferret, and even the lameness work-up of a horse was made more complicated than necessary.

I had a plan to be lazy this weekend, but my room is a tip post-revision. Cleaning is required.

Now starts the most boring 3 weeks in the vet school calendar - the CLIC course. We won't even be learning about animals, just communications skills and other fun stuff like how to write a CV or use a computer. We could finish the course in about a week if we worked at it and get down to more important things like hands-on experience. I'm sure I'll bitch about it quite a bit over the next few weeks.

This does mean we get some time off however. Next week I'm only in for 2 days! There are plans afoot to disappear somewhere and climb. All I need is a partner.

Revisin

It goes badly. For some reason equine and exotics doesn't seem to be sticking too well. Probably because I never actually intend to go anywhere near a horse in my professional career, and definitely never plan to operate on one.

Ah well. Back to it.