Another Pair Of Eyes

MiP

Today I saw a patient who had been hit by a car while on his motorbike at a junction, and broken his neck. He has full function of his head, limited movement in his arms, sensation down to his nipples and otherwise, nothing. He is in his late 20s, with a wife and kids, and used to be in the military.

He was in remarkably good spirits.

I didn’t know whether to be inspired or to cry.

Speed Records

I saw this and just found the whole concept so incredible I couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be like. Or how it would be possible. Or indeed anything at all. Just have a glance at the render at the top.

Just a wild idea. I hope it goes well, because it would be phenomonal.

*shakes head in awe*

Dignity

Read this. Then read the comments here.

Setting aside the trust and all the hype about ‘forcing’ heart transplants on someone, which I believe is a somewhat inflated headline when I read the text, do you think she made the right choice, and do you think at 12 you can?

At first, I thought that it was a brave decision and a reasonable one, but the more I think about it the more I wonder. Can you really know, aged 12, what you’re missing? Immunosuppressant drugs have their issues, but they aren’t a death sentence. I guess I don’t know how long the transplanted heart would last, especially combined with leukaemia drugs, but I’m just not sure. The phrase \dying with dignity’ has a lot of power behind it, but should it really when there is the chance to live? All operations carry a risk of dying of one level or another, but this type of event is rare.

In the end, it is her choice. I just find it a difficult case, a moving case and a her choice is one I am glad I do not have to make. Not sure what to think.

Pain Prone Personalities

This week has been a week about pain, particularly chronic pain, in the insular world that is my course. The question of ‘is there such a thing as a pain-prone personality?’ has come up several times, and has been the topic of some debate.

So, to pass on the question, do you think there is such a thing as a pain-prone personality? I’ll keep myself neutral for now…

Memorial

Today I went to what might possibly have turned out to be the most awkward experience of my entire life, but which actually ended up as being just awkward. Today was the memorial service for those people who donated their bodies to the DR (dissection room) so that medical students can learn anatomy. I suppose the correct way to put it is ‘donated to medical science’ and we are one such scientific outlet.

It was an interesting experience – a quiet ceremony, some readings by staff and students, aome music, a slideshow not, thank god, of the people while they still lived (I know that sounds harsh, but the DR is uncompromising and the faces of those I have seen dissected and discoloured are not, shamefully enough, something I particularly want to acknowledge. Part of the reason I went though, I guess). Instead, the slideshow was simply of beautiful landscapes etc, and constituted a time for reflection on our “silent teachers”.

I sat there and I was bristling. No other word for it, I was feeling incredibly defensive and I don’t really know why. Soul-searching isn’t really a blogworthy activity, so I’ll simply leave it at the fact that my reaction both surprised and failed to surprise me. Many of the seats were empty, and despite the discomfort and the downright strangeness of the event, I am glad I went and ashamed of my course that more did not. There can’t have been more than about 50 medical students there and out of a course totalling 1500 (even with at least half of them on attatchments/rotation) that is appalling.

One of the odder experiences. If you were a relative of someone who donated their body, would you attend such a service, when given an invitation?

Elections

Good outcome. Going to be an interesting four years.

Quantum of Solace

We went to see the new bond last night (great fun by the way – we went in black tie/cocktail dresses, looked like pillocks, drank vodka martinis and generally had a good time) and when we got back there was a question of how ‘bondy’ it really was.

The new Bond makes Casino Royale look filled with gadgets/suave commentary – it really is a gritty punch-fest in which plenty of people get ruthlessly killed and plenty of expensive machinery gets trashed (the DBS was a great shame…). The first half of the film holds it together plotwise, it makes sense and one bit follows on, but the latter part just appears to be a cacophony of explosions and gunfire. The villain of the story, instead of a nefarious plan to dominate the world (a change I found rather refreshing I have to admit) seems to be hell-bent on taking over the utility companies in Bolivia (while effecting a regieme change, admittedly), and isn’t quite as hateable as many of the previous rivals Bond has faced. It’s quite change from the norm, and I’m willing to place bets that a number of people will find it too much of one, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It’s an early, unrefined James Bond and as such I found it to be a rather fitting film. More plot would have been nice, but I get the impression it’s something of a linking film so I’m prepared to give it some time.

Anyone who’s seen it, thoughts?