Life
Hello friends.
It has been a long time since I've done any kind of blog update.
I visited Ameba today to give some kind of basic update on my life...it took me a long time to figure out how to post on here again, since I don't know how to read Japanese.
Last time I gave some kind of update, I was going to leave for travels in Europe for a few weeks, last summer, before starting medical school. Since then, I feel like I have been swept up by a tornado, and traveled all this past year at the speed of light. I am just slowing down now, and getting some perspective on life.
Upon returning from Europe, I started my first year of medical school. This was a very challenging year. I feel like I learned a lot. I finished several courses, and definitely had both my strong points (Biochemistry, Physiology, and Intro to Clinical Practice), and my weak points (Anatomy, Neuroscience).
On a social level, I found medical school weird. Upon starting school, I noticed that many of my classmates seemed very competitive, but put on a fake friendly smile most of the time. Many people are absorbed completely in their work, and don't like to drink or have a conversation. I think working hard is great and everything, but do you really have to be a robot in order to achieve your goals?
After some time, I found some good friends. I just moved in with one of my good friends, Ladster, from medical school. The first time I ever spoke to Ladster, we were in anatomy lab and he was thinking of dropping out of medical school. I tried to convince him not to drop out.
My professors have generally been quite good and kind, and there is one elderly professor of biochemistry, Dr. Webler, who is a huge drinker, you know the type - a real good guy; we get along quite well, so we drink regularly. But I have not met anyone yet who drinks like Dr. Bermuda sensei.
I am glad I survived my first year. It felt sometimes like an uncontrollable vortex. I also lived in a bad environment, one of my roommates was a dentist with a drug problem.
I now am in a very good situation. Upon finishing my first year, I went to Barcelona, Spain with my buddy Ladster, and traveled around there for a while, seeing concerts in Europe. Wow, that was good fun. After I came back, I went camping for a while and went to a few music festivals and concerts, to relax my brain and evaluate the stresses of med school. I realized I was too stressed during the past year and in order to be more efficient, need to relax more. I recently joined the gym, and have been focusing on exercise, swimming, and relaxing in the sauna. I moved into a new apartment with my friend Ladster. The apartment is cheap, clean, close to the medical school, and most importantly, it is across the street from the beach and within walking distance to at least 5 bars, all of which are open late. I am drinking a beer right now.
I am working in research this summer. I was lucky enough to join the lab of a new professor at my school who recently came from another university. He is famous in his field and I am learning more in this lab than I could have ever imagined. Luckily for me, I was awarded some kind of research stipend by a foundation, so I don't need to worry about paying rent this summer and have enough money for drinks and concerts. I wonder what the foundation would think if they knew I liked drinks and concerts so much? If I was on the board of a foundation, I would probably support students in doing such activities, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But some others may not agree, I guess.
It is amazing how quickly time passes, and to see ourselves change in front of our eyes.
Last time I wrote on this blog, I was a kid fresh out of college, working a research gig, waiting to go travel Europe and see the world before I started medical school. Now I have finished my first year, sometimes experiencing triumph, other times, barely surviving (sometimes quite literally).
All in all, life is good.
I wonder where life will take me, and where I'll be by the next time I update this blog...
It has been a long time since I've done any kind of blog update.
I visited Ameba today to give some kind of basic update on my life...it took me a long time to figure out how to post on here again, since I don't know how to read Japanese.
Last time I gave some kind of update, I was going to leave for travels in Europe for a few weeks, last summer, before starting medical school. Since then, I feel like I have been swept up by a tornado, and traveled all this past year at the speed of light. I am just slowing down now, and getting some perspective on life.
Upon returning from Europe, I started my first year of medical school. This was a very challenging year. I feel like I learned a lot. I finished several courses, and definitely had both my strong points (Biochemistry, Physiology, and Intro to Clinical Practice), and my weak points (Anatomy, Neuroscience).
On a social level, I found medical school weird. Upon starting school, I noticed that many of my classmates seemed very competitive, but put on a fake friendly smile most of the time. Many people are absorbed completely in their work, and don't like to drink or have a conversation. I think working hard is great and everything, but do you really have to be a robot in order to achieve your goals?
After some time, I found some good friends. I just moved in with one of my good friends, Ladster, from medical school. The first time I ever spoke to Ladster, we were in anatomy lab and he was thinking of dropping out of medical school. I tried to convince him not to drop out.
My professors have generally been quite good and kind, and there is one elderly professor of biochemistry, Dr. Webler, who is a huge drinker, you know the type - a real good guy; we get along quite well, so we drink regularly. But I have not met anyone yet who drinks like Dr. Bermuda sensei.
I am glad I survived my first year. It felt sometimes like an uncontrollable vortex. I also lived in a bad environment, one of my roommates was a dentist with a drug problem.
I now am in a very good situation. Upon finishing my first year, I went to Barcelona, Spain with my buddy Ladster, and traveled around there for a while, seeing concerts in Europe. Wow, that was good fun. After I came back, I went camping for a while and went to a few music festivals and concerts, to relax my brain and evaluate the stresses of med school. I realized I was too stressed during the past year and in order to be more efficient, need to relax more. I recently joined the gym, and have been focusing on exercise, swimming, and relaxing in the sauna. I moved into a new apartment with my friend Ladster. The apartment is cheap, clean, close to the medical school, and most importantly, it is across the street from the beach and within walking distance to at least 5 bars, all of which are open late. I am drinking a beer right now.
I am working in research this summer. I was lucky enough to join the lab of a new professor at my school who recently came from another university. He is famous in his field and I am learning more in this lab than I could have ever imagined. Luckily for me, I was awarded some kind of research stipend by a foundation, so I don't need to worry about paying rent this summer and have enough money for drinks and concerts. I wonder what the foundation would think if they knew I liked drinks and concerts so much? If I was on the board of a foundation, I would probably support students in doing such activities, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But some others may not agree, I guess.
It is amazing how quickly time passes, and to see ourselves change in front of our eyes.
Last time I wrote on this blog, I was a kid fresh out of college, working a research gig, waiting to go travel Europe and see the world before I started medical school. Now I have finished my first year, sometimes experiencing triumph, other times, barely surviving (sometimes quite literally).
All in all, life is good.
I wonder where life will take me, and where I'll be by the next time I update this blog...
Bar
Lately, it has been very difficult to write.
My boss, Dr. Bermuda, has demanded increasing visits to the bar,
and greater varieties and quantities of alcohol have been consumed,
even more-so than usual.
He is a fair mentor in all areas, but very tough in terms of drinking.
Really.
He must have abnormally high levels of alcohol dehydrogenase or something.
It will be many years before I can approach his level of expertise, if ever.
A week from Monday, I am flying to Paris.
I will travel around Europe for a few weeks.
My boss, Dr. Bermuda, has demanded increasing visits to the bar,
and greater varieties and quantities of alcohol have been consumed,
even more-so than usual.
He is a fair mentor in all areas, but very tough in terms of drinking.
Really.
He must have abnormally high levels of alcohol dehydrogenase or something.
It will be many years before I can approach his level of expertise, if ever.
A week from Monday, I am flying to Paris.
I will travel around Europe for a few weeks.
Bloody accident
I have just regained use of my left hand today.
I'm left-handed, so its a pretty big deal to me!
Dr. Bermuda and Dr. Chen were performing an experimental liver surgery today as they taught me new techniques.
I was happy to participate, because I didn't think I would be able to do any work today,
on account of my injury.
Yesterday, I was in the University Hospital's emergency room.
. . .
As a patient.
-----------------
It all started yesterday morning.
I was in the animal housing facility on the top floor of our building.
I was putting a stupid rubber cap onto a glass bottle.
A mouse's water bottle.
Next thing I knew, the cap slid, the bottle shattered,
and my blood was spraying all over the floor.
My handsome new white lab coat stained red.
. . .
I put the bottle down.
. . .
Where the hell is the ethanol??!!?
No ethanol?!!
Bleach!
I wrap my hand in paper towels.
Down the stairs seven floors, back to my lab.
I begin disinfecting the wound with ethanol.
Dr. Chen and Dr. Xong notice the blood flow and immediately. begin to help me.
. . .
"You need to go to the Emergency room!"
"I'm okay, I was bleeding much more before, most of it has stopped,
I don't think its such a big deal."
"You're still bleeding a LOT! Your cut is almost to the bone!"
. . .
I felt the wisdom in their words and we departed for the ER,
adjacent to the laboratory building.
We enter.
The secretary asks, "Name please."
I give it to her.
"Age please."
I tell her.
"Please wait for your name to be called for triage.
. . .
"What the hell is this?" asks Dr. Chen.
"We wait now to see a nurse," I answer.
"I see, but you're bleeding, you're here with two doctors, you're a student of this place, we're all wearing white coats for goodness' sake! You're an employee! They should rush you ahead of the line!"
"They never do that unless you're dying, Dr. Chen, I use to work in one of these places. We have to wait. Everyone waits," I say.
"Ridiculous! This would never happen in China! You would be rushed ahead of the line! You're an injured medical student dammit !!!"
"Thanks Dr. Chen, but here, we wait."
. . .
And so we waited.
Then -
The doors labeled "TREATMENT CENTER" swing open.
Dr. Bermuda strolls out, looking sly.
"I heard there was a problem, Domi."
"I'm okay Dr. Bermuda. Just waiting."
"I see".
"Do patients wait a long time in Japan too?"
"Yeah. They wait."
. . .
We continue to wait.
-----
My name is called.
I am triaged.
"Tell me the truth, nurse. I'm gonna wait a long time today, aren't I?"
"There's a waiting period at each step of this process. Insurance desk next."
-----
I proceed to the insurance desk.
"Hey, I work here. I have sustained a workplace injury. If I don't recieve prompt and adequate treatment, I can sue this place, right?"
The insurance officer takes me by the arm.
"Come with me Sir."
We walk into the doors labeled TREATMENT FACILITY.
I am taken to a patient's room.
A physician's assistant starts cleaning my wounded left hand immediately as a nurse simultaneously injects a tetanus vaccine into my right arm.
Attacked from both sides.
My hand is anesthetized with lidocaine, sutured, and treated with antibiotic ointment in a manner of minutes.
An x-ray is taken as a precautionary measure, no wait time.
I am given a complimentary lunch to take away with me.
-----
Back in the lab,
I tell my labmates about the great care I received.
Dr. Xong, who is a very nice lady, has already bought me a salad and a bowl of fruits and melons.
Dr. Bermuda suggests we go drink to relieve the pain.
I quietly doubt the analgesic properties of alcohol, but proceed anyway.
Who am I to question a doctor?
I'm left-handed, so its a pretty big deal to me!
Dr. Bermuda and Dr. Chen were performing an experimental liver surgery today as they taught me new techniques.
I was happy to participate, because I didn't think I would be able to do any work today,
on account of my injury.
Yesterday, I was in the University Hospital's emergency room.
. . .
As a patient.
-----------------
It all started yesterday morning.
I was in the animal housing facility on the top floor of our building.
I was putting a stupid rubber cap onto a glass bottle.
A mouse's water bottle.
Next thing I knew, the cap slid, the bottle shattered,
and my blood was spraying all over the floor.
My handsome new white lab coat stained red.
. . .
I put the bottle down.
. . .
Where the hell is the ethanol??!!?
No ethanol?!!
Bleach!
I wrap my hand in paper towels.
Down the stairs seven floors, back to my lab.
I begin disinfecting the wound with ethanol.
Dr. Chen and Dr. Xong notice the blood flow and immediately. begin to help me.
. . .
"You need to go to the Emergency room!"
"I'm okay, I was bleeding much more before, most of it has stopped,
I don't think its such a big deal."
"You're still bleeding a LOT! Your cut is almost to the bone!"
. . .
I felt the wisdom in their words and we departed for the ER,
adjacent to the laboratory building.
We enter.
The secretary asks, "Name please."
I give it to her.
"Age please."
I tell her.
"Please wait for your name to be called for triage.
. . .
"What the hell is this?" asks Dr. Chen.
"We wait now to see a nurse," I answer.
"I see, but you're bleeding, you're here with two doctors, you're a student of this place, we're all wearing white coats for goodness' sake! You're an employee! They should rush you ahead of the line!"
"They never do that unless you're dying, Dr. Chen, I use to work in one of these places. We have to wait. Everyone waits," I say.
"Ridiculous! This would never happen in China! You would be rushed ahead of the line! You're an injured medical student dammit !!!"
"Thanks Dr. Chen, but here, we wait."
. . .
And so we waited.
Then -
The doors labeled "TREATMENT CENTER" swing open.
Dr. Bermuda strolls out, looking sly.
"I heard there was a problem, Domi."
"I'm okay Dr. Bermuda. Just waiting."
"I see".
"Do patients wait a long time in Japan too?"
"Yeah. They wait."
. . .
We continue to wait.
-----
My name is called.
I am triaged.
"Tell me the truth, nurse. I'm gonna wait a long time today, aren't I?"
"There's a waiting period at each step of this process. Insurance desk next."
-----
I proceed to the insurance desk.
"Hey, I work here. I have sustained a workplace injury. If I don't recieve prompt and adequate treatment, I can sue this place, right?"
The insurance officer takes me by the arm.
"Come with me Sir."
We walk into the doors labeled TREATMENT FACILITY.
I am taken to a patient's room.
A physician's assistant starts cleaning my wounded left hand immediately as a nurse simultaneously injects a tetanus vaccine into my right arm.
Attacked from both sides.
My hand is anesthetized with lidocaine, sutured, and treated with antibiotic ointment in a manner of minutes.
An x-ray is taken as a precautionary measure, no wait time.
I am given a complimentary lunch to take away with me.
-----
Back in the lab,
I tell my labmates about the great care I received.
Dr. Xong, who is a very nice lady, has already bought me a salad and a bowl of fruits and melons.
Dr. Bermuda suggests we go drink to relieve the pain.
I quietly doubt the analgesic properties of alcohol, but proceed anyway.
Who am I to question a doctor?
Fund raiser bake sale
"Sensei...did you learn to make such great origami before or after becoming a doctor???"
"Before of course."
I was standing in front of a long table, behind which were standing approximately 12 volunteers - and they were selling cookies, cakes, origami, and other niceties - with all proceeds going to support the struggling communities of Japan's earthquake victims.
The volunteers and those that donated did well, raising thousands in a day, with plans to repeat the event soon hopefully.
The fundraiser event gained a mention on the university's website.
Those with a good eye may be able to spot Bamyu-sensei.
"Before of course."
I was standing in front of a long table, behind which were standing approximately 12 volunteers - and they were selling cookies, cakes, origami, and other niceties - with all proceeds going to support the struggling communities of Japan's earthquake victims.
The volunteers and those that donated did well, raising thousands in a day, with plans to repeat the event soon hopefully.
The fundraiser event gained a mention on the university's website.
Those with a good eye may be able to spot Bamyu-sensei.
Disaster
It is with great sadness and concern that I've heard reports of the earthquake in northern Japan, and the ensuing damage to people and communities.
My thoughts and wishes are with the victims of the quake and their families.
News of the nuclear instability resulting from the malfunction of power plants has also been very concerning.
Much of the research that my laboratory performs centers around helping treat victims of radiation exposure.
We have been working in recent days with great vigor,
unfortunately, I fear many of the recent developments in this field will not reach recent victims in time.
I sincerely hope all readers and their families are safe,
and offer my deepest condolences to the people of Japan.
Please send news of your status.
My thoughts and wishes are with the victims of the quake and their families.
News of the nuclear instability resulting from the malfunction of power plants has also been very concerning.
Much of the research that my laboratory performs centers around helping treat victims of radiation exposure.
We have been working in recent days with great vigor,
unfortunately, I fear many of the recent developments in this field will not reach recent victims in time.
I sincerely hope all readers and their families are safe,
and offer my deepest condolences to the people of Japan.
Please send news of your status.