I've just discovered someone else trying to spread the word about the plight of becoming a Junior Anaesthetist, but from a slightly more practical angle. Cobus Steyn is a South African junior, trying to give us some handy hints in the real world Operating Theatre, good luck Cobus! http://anaesthesiacorner.blogspot.com
Anyway, the MCQs are over! It’s been a while since I could continue the next chapter of this blog, for the beast of the FRCA primary was roaring louder and louder, and it was getting a little difficult to concentrate on anything else. If nothing else, the ‘quiz’ was a great day out. After being sat in the lounge or the conservatory day in day out for several weeks, a trip to Birmingham in the sunshine was lovely. I spent the morning drowning my nerves in coffee and tea at the Starbucks in the Bull Ring shopping centre, they have a great view from their squishy chairs across the market (a place where I once had one too many cockles and spent the following 48 hours with my head down the loo!) and people came and went around me, taking a curious glance at the reams of text in front of me. Last minute revision done, I took a walk to the university. It was great to meet up with old friends - there were several buddies of mine from Burton who had since moved on to other hospitals all nervously awaiting their destiny.
The exam itself was ‘harsh but fair’ with many questions seemingly making no sense whatsoever, but all becoming vaguely familiar if dwelled upon. The results come out this Thursday, so the entire family have their fingers, toes and all other extremities crossed (mostly paws) for the outcome.
Two weeks before, Rachel and I went on a break to leave all the stress behind a chill out for a week. As usual, it was mostly planned moments before departure (we never give friends more than 48 hours notice!), and we set off to South Wales to see some good friends of ours. The journey down there was OK, we ran a little late, but dinner was almost ready for us when we arrive“Is that a normal noise for round here?”d. After a few glasses of vino, and a delicious meal we retired to the lounge for a chat. We’d hardly been relaxing for 30 minutes, when a particularly loud crash penetrated the stills of the Welsh valleys. My senses a little deadened, I remember thinking “Is that a normal noise for round here?”. I realised it quite obviously wasn’t when Holly (our hostess) leapt to her feet. She ran to the door, and almost collapsed in surprise. We rose to our feet and observed the devastation outside. It was like a scene from Casualty, a Ford transit van with “Celtic Tyres” emblazoned on the side had collided with Holly’s car, parked on the street outside.
After assessing the driver, and removing his concious and mobile (but confused) body from the possible fuel leak from Holly’s car, he collapsed and needed my assistance again. The others went to look for other casualties, and assess the damage. They came back with bad news. Not only had there been enough force to cripple Holly’s car, but it was also sufficient to lauch the wreck into the next car in the street, and the next one after that!
That’s when the realisation came, the second car belonged to Holly’s partner, Chris. His Citroen Saxo was in just as bad a state as the first car, the front bumper was in the garden somewhere, and there were bits of engine all over the road. The third car, of course, was mine. Luckily the back end was folded in and not much other damage had been caused. Unfortunately, my car has central locking which refuses to lock if a door is open - the boot being wedged open meant that I couldn’t secure the vehicle and had to move everything indoors.
What with the car potentially undriveable, the rest of the holiday could have been in jeopardy. A call to the insurance company in the morning and a very very nice man from the RAC (oops, that’s the AA isn’t it?) and we were restored to Burton on Trent. Luckily, the “I think action-packed could be a bit strong”garage had a courtesy car available, and we headed straight back down south to Longleat, Wiltshire where we had reservations at Center Parcs. We had a great time, forgot all about the car, and had an action-packed week in the woodlands. I think action-packed could be a bit strong, Rachel drew up a schedule for the two of us - I got up at the crack of dawn and revised, while she slept in until noon. Then we’d go and doing something mildly strenuous, like swim in the outdoor heated pool or visit the Safari Park next door. We’ve always loved the Park, and the house for which Longleat is famous. It’s been lovely to keep in touch with the place since we left Bristol on the BBC’s Animal Park.
Just before we headed home, we were able to call in on the friends who we missed thanks to the incident. They have a beautiful son, who is growing up to be the most gorgeous young lad. If we manage to do as well as they have, we will have no problems with baby Bruce. Our 20 week scan was fine, there were no problems, after dealing with Bruce’s camera shy attitude (he started with his back to us!). Still, it’s certainly a weight off our minds that we are hopefully expecting a healthy baby.
What is still a considerable weight is the thought of the next chapter of the FRCA - the OSCE/Viva in May. If I’ve passed the MCQs, this is what I’ve got to look forward to next.
od enough to enter a state of hypnotic anaesthesia for a Umbilical herniorraphy. The patient went through 6 weeks of mental preparation, and last night was the test. He did remakably well, and managed to get through it without any problems. I was amazed when he sat up afterwards and stepped down from the operating table. 
