Well, the weekend was interesting. Nuneaton is a long way to travel from Up Norf, but I think it was worthwhile - just a shame that I broke lent while I was there. In my defence, during lent you are meant to have Sundays off, and I haven't so far, so I've exchanged Saturday night for Sunday. It's really difficult being completely stone cold sober when all 9 people around you are hammered, so I succumbed and had a shandy (some would say that wasn't a real drink, I know). Its nice now to know that I've gained some real qualifications in my sport, but if my joints carry on the way they are, I'll never be able to use them anyway.
On this note, I'm a bit upset about something my G.P said today, and this is going to sound like I'm whinging, but I am, so I'll say it anyway. I was prescribed some new stuff last week for my joints. Something to help me sleep and something to take the pain away / reduce inflammation (NSAID for anyone interested). Well, even though I'm asthmatic and shouldn't really be taking NSAIDs, I said I would risk it and try them anyway. Jeez, I have never had such a bad upset stomach, I mean seriously, I was running out of lectures because I thought I was going to explode. Needless to say I didn't take them when I went away this weekend - my roomie would not have appreciated it.
But, I went back to see the G.P today, not the one I usually see I will add, for the receptionist to add me in as an emergency case. At no point did I say it was an emergency, but I did say I couldn't wait until the 17th March to see my Dr, so any Dr would do. Maybe the receptionist chick thought she was doing me a favour.
Dr accused me of being 'a bit teary' - not too suprising considering I've had a really painful neck for coming on for 6 weeks now, and nothing that helps is practical (fabulous painkillers = sleep through lecture). She also accused me of being a 'nightmare patient'. Whether this was meant to be a joke or not I don't know, but it didn't exactly reassure me, so when she was needling towards the 'are you suffering from depression' route, she hadn't gone off on the right foot in the first sodding place! Yeah, the 'are you just after more painkillers you pain in the arse, by the way are you feeling depressed?'. Well, I wasn't before but I am now. Needless to say I ended up with a prescription that went in the bin. I don't need OTC painkillers that I could buy cheaper OTC, if they actually worked. Oh Dear.
I think I fully appreciate Tom Reynolds' theory on crap GPs ( http://randomreality.blogware.com )
Merys
01 March 2005
26 February 2005
Just a note to say....
I'm still dry. No alcohol (unless you count last night where I mistook bucks fizz for orange juice - i spat it back out immediately) and still enjoying myself. I am going to be a real featherweight at the end of lent, but I'm considering staying dry until the end of my degree now. It might be fun.
Merys
Merys
The Yoof of Today
This is a stern message to all freshers out there who live in halls - setting the fire alarm off at 2.30AM is not funny, or nice, or considerate to anyone else, and especially not to the fire brigade. As a member of the halls residential staff at my uni, I am usually the one who gets it in the ear from the Fire Brigade while you inebriated little sods laugh your heads off outside. On the good side, I'm the one who decides when you get to come back in.........
Unfortunately I've had no luck trying to find out who set the bloody thing off, but I really struggled to get back to sleep, and eventually managed it at 4.45AM, for the alarm clock to greet me at 6.20AM. Needless to say I did snooze strongly through my 10AM lecture on alcohol toxicity. Hell, what I don't know about alcohol poisoning and how to put a drunk fresher to bed isn't worth knowing.
Anyway, I have to go to Birmingham later this morning, so I am going to retire to my boudoir (read: scabby hovel)
Merys
Unfortunately I've had no luck trying to find out who set the bloody thing off, but I really struggled to get back to sleep, and eventually managed it at 4.45AM, for the alarm clock to greet me at 6.20AM. Needless to say I did snooze strongly through my 10AM lecture on alcohol toxicity. Hell, what I don't know about alcohol poisoning and how to put a drunk fresher to bed isn't worth knowing.
Anyway, I have to go to Birmingham later this morning, so I am going to retire to my boudoir (read: scabby hovel)
Merys
23 February 2005
giggler
I'm procrastinating wildly from my dissertation, and I came across this http://www.union.ic.ac.uk/medic/fitness/home.php?type=listen
Now as someone who is desperately trying to get into medicinem i'm very skeptical of many things medically related, but I have been giggling in the library with my headphones on. In fact, i'm proud to say I have just bought a copy myself, and I will use the Drug Song as exam revision I think.
Lectures today = 0
Study = yes, quite a lot actually
Now as someone who is desperately trying to get into medicinem i'm very skeptical of many things medically related, but I have been giggling in the library with my headphones on. In fact, i'm proud to say I have just bought a copy myself, and I will use the Drug Song as exam revision I think.
Lectures today = 0
Study = yes, quite a lot actually
22 February 2005
Blood tests
Well the results are in, and surprise surprise, are completely normal. No rheumatoid arthritis, just a continuing mystery - although the nurse did look a bit shocked when I burst into tears on her. I'm not saying I want the results to come back and say I have R.A., because I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy, never mind myself, I think it's just that I want to approach it sensibly. I want to know what the problem is so it can be fixed. It's useless to not know what's wrong, as it can't be treated. I'm too logical I think. (LOL)
Besides, I was crying mainly because it bloody well hurt today.
M
Besides, I was crying mainly because it bloody well hurt today.
M
19 February 2005
Sticking with it
Have just got exam results, and it would appear that I don't understand my biomedicine as much as I thought I did, as they aren't quite as good as I had anticipated they would be. I've still passed them all, which is a small relief though I suppose.
Today I finally got my eyes tested - and now need to wear glasses all the time. I would kill for contact lenses, but the opthalmologist said he didn't recommend it, as my eyes are too dry and itchy. He also told me i'm gonna have to start using artificial tears, as my eyes aren't moist enough - hence the excessive burning sensations. It was great fun trying to use eye drops when i've never used them since I was 5. It was much easier at that age, parents are very good at that sort of stuff. I'm a bit like Rachel in friends when she needs eye drops, i'm a bit of a wimp, but I think I can kiss mascara goodbye for the time being anyhow!
It would also appear as though I can kiss medicine goodbye for the time being, as I seem to be moving the goalposts further and further away. Maybe the GAMSAT is an option - I don't really know.
Merys
Today I finally got my eyes tested - and now need to wear glasses all the time. I would kill for contact lenses, but the opthalmologist said he didn't recommend it, as my eyes are too dry and itchy. He also told me i'm gonna have to start using artificial tears, as my eyes aren't moist enough - hence the excessive burning sensations. It was great fun trying to use eye drops when i've never used them since I was 5. It was much easier at that age, parents are very good at that sort of stuff. I'm a bit like Rachel in friends when she needs eye drops, i'm a bit of a wimp, but I think I can kiss mascara goodbye for the time being anyhow!
It would also appear as though I can kiss medicine goodbye for the time being, as I seem to be moving the goalposts further and further away. Maybe the GAMSAT is an option - I don't really know.
Merys
15 February 2005
Jellyfish from the waist down
Well, today I have spent muchos time in front of computer, sans glasses = sore burning eyes. (Note to self, get eyes tested.)
I managed to up my dissertation total to 2000 words - only 3000 to go. Still no news from the med school I really want to go to, even though most of my friends have interviews next week. I'm beginning to feel a bit disheartened by it all. I was considering applying to work for the ambulance service, reminded of the fact that this interested me after reading an excellent blog randomreality.blogware.com and having given this a lot more thought lately, I have wondered if they would have me, considering that I have an undiagnosed joint problem (don't even get me started). I'm reasonably fit and have been training tonight for 3.5 hours non-stop (hence jellyfish from the waist down), and i'm sure that tomorrow afternoon whilst attempting to stand behind a bar, I will actually be laying down behind the bar due to lack of lower body movement.
It upsets me that my joints are screwed (ok, i've started so i'll finish), not because they are screwed, but that I first went to see the quack in November 2002, and they still don't know what's wrong with me or them. Instead I was told that it was normal adolescent growing pains, and that I would grow out of them. Rather, that they seemed to grow into me, and rapidly spread their way around my body. What went from being a bit of dodgy knees / slightly sore hip, has become sore knees, ankles, hips, grumpy right elbow and sore neck. I actually feel guilty going to see my GP, and I know that she doesn't know what's up with me, which is probably why, after 4 blood tests, they are sending me to see a rheumatologist. What intrigues me more is why a rheumatologist when every test is negative.
I love the NHS.
Merys
I managed to up my dissertation total to 2000 words - only 3000 to go. Still no news from the med school I really want to go to, even though most of my friends have interviews next week. I'm beginning to feel a bit disheartened by it all. I was considering applying to work for the ambulance service, reminded of the fact that this interested me after reading an excellent blog randomreality.blogware.com and having given this a lot more thought lately, I have wondered if they would have me, considering that I have an undiagnosed joint problem (don't even get me started). I'm reasonably fit and have been training tonight for 3.5 hours non-stop (hence jellyfish from the waist down), and i'm sure that tomorrow afternoon whilst attempting to stand behind a bar, I will actually be laying down behind the bar due to lack of lower body movement.
It upsets me that my joints are screwed (ok, i've started so i'll finish), not because they are screwed, but that I first went to see the quack in November 2002, and they still don't know what's wrong with me or them. Instead I was told that it was normal adolescent growing pains, and that I would grow out of them. Rather, that they seemed to grow into me, and rapidly spread their way around my body. What went from being a bit of dodgy knees / slightly sore hip, has become sore knees, ankles, hips, grumpy right elbow and sore neck. I actually feel guilty going to see my GP, and I know that she doesn't know what's up with me, which is probably why, after 4 blood tests, they are sending me to see a rheumatologist. What intrigues me more is why a rheumatologist when every test is negative.
I love the NHS.
Merys
13 February 2005
Ooops
I think in all the excitement of not actually drinking last night, I may have got a bad case of foot in mouth disease. In my excitedness, I think I may have outed one of my friends, who didn't want all of our team mates to know that she was Bi.
Needless to say I feel incredibly guilty, but I think more people know than she realises, and we love her for who she is as a person, not who she goes for. Personally, its non of our business.
Oh testicles.
Needless to say I feel incredibly guilty, but I think more people know than she realises, and we love her for who she is as a person, not who she goes for. Personally, its non of our business.
Oh testicles.
The first challenge to sobriety.
Well, tonight was gonna be the first night I really struggled at Lent. Girls night in. Something along the lines of comiserating ourselves on our crap taste in men (made more difficult for me by my ex's new g/f sitting in same room- at least alcohol wouldn't let my mouth run away with me!).
I've got to say how much I respect my friends and team mates for not pushing alcohol my way, or taking the piss. In fact, they were quite suprised by my hyperactivity, even I thought I'd been drinking at one point, but I always keep an eye on my drinks.
It's really refreshing to be able to have a decent conversation with a taxi driver on the way home too. I honestly think taxi drivers are truly wonderful people, they have such interesting stories to tell, and they way they must analyse their clients. I swear I would love to be a cabby for just a day (not a night though!).
Its nice to be able to come home to the flat and be sober enough to do something over than just fall into bed.
Merys
I've got to say how much I respect my friends and team mates for not pushing alcohol my way, or taking the piss. In fact, they were quite suprised by my hyperactivity, even I thought I'd been drinking at one point, but I always keep an eye on my drinks.
It's really refreshing to be able to have a decent conversation with a taxi driver on the way home too. I honestly think taxi drivers are truly wonderful people, they have such interesting stories to tell, and they way they must analyse their clients. I swear I would love to be a cabby for just a day (not a night though!).
Its nice to be able to come home to the flat and be sober enough to do something over than just fall into bed.
Merys
11 February 2005
Lent
I'm not exactly sure why I decided to give up alcohol for lent, but anything for a change. Besides, at least my liver can now remember that it is alive after all, not just preserved.
My friends seem pretty cool about it though, and they weren't too bad when we all disappeared to the pub this afternoon between lectures. Ok, so I guess i've just confirmed a stereotype there, but I honestly didn't drink. God bless Diet Coke! And, I was particularly good as I needed to see a professor in the department about my work, so I didn't feel it appropriate to smell of booze.
I suppose it really is true that many students would do anything for a freebie, and one of my coursemates definitely proved this earlier today. The barman came up to us in the bar, and asked if one of us would model a woman's t-shirt with the name of a new film on it. The idea was that we would pose for some stupid photographs, and we could keep the t-shirt. I mentioned that it was a woman's t-shirt right? So, we have one bloke sitting with us, who decided after 3 pints of guiness that it would be a good idea for him to do it - cue large man in small t-shirt prancing around a busy bar. It was quite amusing though, and he did swap it for a mens shirt in the end. (thank goodness, as he wore it for the next lecture!)
At least I have standards. If the film had been a decent one I might have done it myself......
Merys
My friends seem pretty cool about it though, and they weren't too bad when we all disappeared to the pub this afternoon between lectures. Ok, so I guess i've just confirmed a stereotype there, but I honestly didn't drink. God bless Diet Coke! And, I was particularly good as I needed to see a professor in the department about my work, so I didn't feel it appropriate to smell of booze.
I suppose it really is true that many students would do anything for a freebie, and one of my coursemates definitely proved this earlier today. The barman came up to us in the bar, and asked if one of us would model a woman's t-shirt with the name of a new film on it. The idea was that we would pose for some stupid photographs, and we could keep the t-shirt. I mentioned that it was a woman's t-shirt right? So, we have one bloke sitting with us, who decided after 3 pints of guiness that it would be a good idea for him to do it - cue large man in small t-shirt prancing around a busy bar. It was quite amusing though, and he did swap it for a mens shirt in the end. (thank goodness, as he wore it for the next lecture!)
At least I have standards. If the film had been a decent one I might have done it myself......
Merys
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