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!
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Friday, 15 May 2009
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?
Saturday, 2 May 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
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.
Ah well. Back to it.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Blood
Most people have problem finding sheep veins, especially in larger breeds such as Texels. My personal problem is finding calf veins. Still!
This time around I've found plenty of sheep blood (even in a small lamb), dog, cat and cow blood, but still no luck with the little calves. Perhaps it's because they are dehydrated or just wriggly. I need the practice, but it's difficult to justify catheterising a calf with decent veins.
I've been reliably informed we don't have to do anything like this in final year, or for our final exams. I just feel sorry for the first sick calf I have to look after on my own.
This time around I've found plenty of sheep blood (even in a small lamb), dog, cat and cow blood, but still no luck with the little calves. Perhaps it's because they are dehydrated or just wriggly. I need the practice, but it's difficult to justify catheterising a calf with decent veins.
I've been reliably informed we don't have to do anything like this in final year, or for our final exams. I just feel sorry for the first sick calf I have to look after on my own.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Another Week
Another week of EMS, more fun stories about the various "oh shit!" moments and stupid mistakes I've made. Thankfully not too many this week except for some pretty terrible bandaging and covering a vet in cold drip fluid. Ooops.
Despite washing every day (go me!) I seem to always smell of cow or sheep and miss a spot of blood/poo on my arm or my shirt. In fact I've scrubbed up so many times over the past few days my hands are starting to take offence and are in desperate need of moisturiser!
Moment of the week - getting an IV in a fat dog with crap veins first time. Doesn't matter that I missed in a cow with veins the size of a hosepipe, the dog was a good shot.
After on call tomorrow there are a few days off (!) which so far I haven't filled with climbing. There will be a puppy walk on the beach, buying of some climbing gear and maybe time sleep if I'm not too busy revising.
Despite washing every day (go me!) I seem to always smell of cow or sheep and miss a spot of blood/poo on my arm or my shirt. In fact I've scrubbed up so many times over the past few days my hands are starting to take offence and are in desperate need of moisturiser!
Moment of the week - getting an IV in a fat dog with crap veins first time. Doesn't matter that I missed in a cow with veins the size of a hosepipe, the dog was a good shot.
After on call tomorrow there are a few days off (!) which so far I haven't filled with climbing. There will be a puppy walk on the beach, buying of some climbing gear and maybe time sleep if I'm not too busy revising.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
EMS Again
So I'm back in Wales once more seeing a variety of cases in both small and large animals - which is probably a good thing as we have a large animal practical exam after easter!
The trip down was fairly long, but not too much hassle. Then the real work started. So far I have:
Killed a sheep. She was toxic and going to die anyway, but still not optimal.
Made a HUGE hole in a dog's leg.
Examined various eyes, ears, noses and, of course, bums.
Only been covered in blood once.
Apart from the dodgy sheep start everything is OK at the moment. I need to write up my technique book before I forget everything! Not tonight though as I'm on call and may just go to bed whilst I can.
The trip down was fairly long, but not too much hassle. Then the real work started. So far I have:
Killed a sheep. She was toxic and going to die anyway, but still not optimal.
Made a HUGE hole in a dog's leg.
Examined various eyes, ears, noses and, of course, bums.
Only been covered in blood once.
Apart from the dodgy sheep start everything is OK at the moment. I need to write up my technique book before I forget everything! Not tonight though as I'm on call and may just go to bed whilst I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
