Tuesday, August 31, 2010

LMCC II study day 1

A study of randomness:
1) cardiovascular events TOP guideline
2) Cognitive impairment TOPS guideline
3) Urinary tract infection in nursing homes TOPS guideline
4) progesterone for luteal phase support - Cochrane review + other resources
5) Gout
6) Polycythemia vera
7) Canadian guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections (to be continued tomorrow)

I should really start doing something systematic, but these were clinical questions from my day/past week I needed to look up anyway. The Alberta TOP guidelines are really useful! They can be found at: http://www.topalbertadoctors.org/informed_practice/about_informed_practice.html

Friday, August 27, 2010

It never ends to amaze me how much people appreciate a simple gesture like a phone call from their GP when something tragic happens in their life. I have had two pregnant patients who got devastating news within the last month - each took it differently, each was heartbroken in their own way. All I could offer was words and a shoulder to cry on - it was almost as if they had expected less.

Monday, August 16, 2010

random crying

I missed my exit on the highway today because I started crying because there were bagpipes on the radio and they reminded me of my wedding day. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The joys of trying things you're not good at

I never participated in a lot of sports in high school. I was a figure skater and a bit of a dancer, but never found the pleasure from competition and sport that some of my peers did. I think it was because I just wasn't very good at it. I was really good at school and got a lot of pleasure from reaping the rewards of being smart and it motivated me to try harder - which I can thank for getting into med school and getting my commonwealth scholarship to do my Master's degree. In sports I was so behind everyone else I felt like there wasn't a small gap to close that I could strive for, I felt like I needed binoculars to see the rest of the field.

Fast forward to now. I have started doing some mountain bike races and I still need binoculars to see the rest of the field most of the time, but you know, it has started to feel good just to get out there and participate. I know that sound corny, but participation and trying something new and exhilarating has become more important than proving I'm the best or not trying because I can't be the best. I'm married to the man of my dreams, I have the job of my dreams (or I'm on my way anyway) and this added new challenge seems more like the icing on the cake than something I need to hang my self-esteem on. It feels pretty good to have fun just going out and trying, no matter the consequences.