FNAC, An Unexpected Meeting, Badminton, Vedant

So as the title would prove it, I have a LOT of things to talk about. Lets get started then.
Firstly, today, the wards weren't bad. We were given a case of pseudopancreatic cyst, for history-taking. I am dead sure we made quite a mess out of it. And, the patient was irritated too. So, umm, can I please call upon somebody to help us out? Just a brief idea about how exactly we go about talking to a patient. It definitely looked weird and terribly layman, what we were doing. We hardly looked doctors. Especially the haphazard way in which we were going about doing the history.
But, we did manage to get some idea of it all, and sat in a side-room to write it all down properly, where the JR ( Junior Resident ), Dr. Sharad, asked us whether we wanted to watch an FNAC ( Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology ) being taken. Before that, he gave me some forms to fill. Obviously, clerk-work. But, its nice to feel important and helps in making a good impression in the long run. FNAC is a procedure carried out to investigate any lump for a malignant tumour ( cancer ). A very fine needle is pierced into the lump and then the lump is aspirated, onto two slides. This is then taken to the Laboratory for primary investigations. Actually speaking, I'm not very disturbed by the needles now. I am, but not as much as I was about two months back. And thats an improvement. The patient in question had a lump in the neck. We did something worth mentioning today. So, I'm quite happy.
Plus, tomorrow, we're going to the Operation Theatre, and hopefully, will get a chance to watch some good surgeries. Of course, the greatness depends upon the skill of the doctor involved. I'm praying that there is no doubt on that part.
Moving on, we were to have a meeting for the Vedant that we have organise this year, later today. So we had some time on our hands. I and another friend decided we'd accompany Shreya and Lubhna to the badminton court where they wanted to play. I managed a few shots myself. Of course, I'm not tournament material, never was. However, I haven't held a racquet in almost 5 years. So giving that push to each shot I played was invigorating. At least, I know I can get better if I want to give it a try. Felt great. Add on the eraser-throwing session we had before playing the game to get some shuttle-cocks down, was fun too!!
The meeting for Vedant was okay. We have a core committee now, and maybe that will help us a bit. As I have mentioned last year, the Vedant is an inter-collegiate event organised by the II/I batch of students of BJ. Because it is held around Ganesh-Chaturthi, is is named after one of the names given to Lord Ganesha : Vedant. We want to make this event better than it was last year, so it will require maximum efforts and dedication from our side, especially the localites, because we are supposed to know this city better than anybody else in college. Ah, well, we'll see about it. I'm going to enjoy it, I guess.
And finally, it isn't every day that you meet one of your ex-teachers and well, just have two words. I met my 8th Std Maths teacher today. She was the one who made me love Maths like crazy after a dreadful experience with the subject in Std 7. In fact, whatever small amount of love I still feel for the subject, I owe it to her. I'd never have started liking it if she hadn't been there in the first place. I thank God for two amazing Maths teachers in my last three years of school. That's the only thing that prevented me from positively loathing the subject in the 12th, when everything decided to go wrong.
Mrs. Chandy ( my teacher ) didn't exactly remember me. But, she did recognise me as a Maryite, and when I told her my name, she did vaguely remember me. Thats all I need. Just enough to know that somewhere deep down, I am remembered as one of her students. I felt blessed today. I really did. Going face-to-face with the people who created the person that stands in my shoes today, is always humbling. Not to mention, feeling like a small girl again, when they look into your eyes with the same loving and forbearing care. Needless to say, I love the feeling.
Well, today was eventful. And nicely so. Awaiting tomorrow, here's where I sign off.....Good Night!!!

I have noticed, that after talking about the second year dawning in front of me, I haven't exactly mentioned it at all. Truth be told, there is nothing to mention in the first place. We haven't started with anything. In fact, because half of the batch hasn't even arrived in college yet, the rest of us aren't going. I hate to admit it, but I am a little nervous about having to endure the wrath of all those people in the Department of Surgery, when we eventually to go there.
But, since that day is at least three days away from now, I want to enjoy this extended holiday of sorts, and laze around at home, sleep for 10 hours a day, read the same books again and again, and watch some really dreadful movies on TV ( Zee Studio needs some refurnishing......and Star Movies should stop showing those Chinese and Japaneese movies in the evening....HBO is still manageable, but for goodness' sakes, stop showing Troy a hundred times!!!).
Well, it is actually a boring life, but compared to the pace that awaits me, I'd happily want time to stop right now.
So having fun, and wondering how I'm going to get back to college.....

Lavasa: An Experience of its Own Kind

I've been having quite a few road-trips ( you may call them that). But that really ends today ( so it is just two road-trips in three days).
This time we went to a place named Lavasa, near Dasve district. It is still in the process of development, and is said to be a future Indian-Paris. The people concerned with its infrastructure have really toiled to make it one of the most beautiful places I've been to yet ( and it isn't even complete). It is located at quite a height, so the rain pelted down with more force than it would in the city located much lower. The rain and the descending clouds completed a very pretty picture made by the green hills and the many large and small waterfalls we encountered, as we drove through this yet-to-dazzle county.
The cold air that blew the plants planted along the roads and hotels, and the ripples made in the waters in the fountains and the Lavasa reservoir ( although I wish that water hadn't been muddy.....but then, there is a certain beauty in the natural colour, and you can't expect clean snow-white water during the monsoons, especially in a lake that isn't completely artificial), enhanced the beauty.
I've always been a nature-person. For me, there is nothing more exciting and beautiful than Nature at its full bloom, the trees swaying to the rhythm of a fast wind, water flowing along that very rhythm, waterfalls streaming down in various directions and varying speeds, and , the icing in the cake, the clouds descending down to create an unearthly atmosphere. I got the very things I was looking for, right here, and I couldn't have had a more enjoyable trip.
Lavasa isn't complete, so I can't wait to get there again and be encaptured and enthralled by its Beauty. And they say, Amby Valley is much prettier than Lavasa. So, if that's true, I'll definitely be looking through dictionaries to find a hundred words powerful enough to portray my feeling at the end of that trip. But, till then, its Lavasa all the way!!
I wanted to have a Nature encounter before I went back to my schedule in college. I'm satisfied I've had one, even if it didn't exactly include trekking. I'm putting in some pictures I took. The ones with the waterfalls were taken through the comfort of a closed car, so there are quite a few rain drops diminishing the beauty of them all. But, then, Beauty lies in the Beholder's eyes, doesn't it?

The Temghar Dam, seen on our way to Lavasa. It is one of the major sources of water for our city.

Another view of the same Dam

The collection of water isn't yet complete. Courtesy late and bad rainfall. But we're getting there, and it will be filled to capacity before long.

A long-shot of the dam


I've selected the pics I liked most, out of the many I took. These waterfalls don't have names, yet they deserve to be raved about!

Courtyard of The Fortune Hotel, well-planned and very pretty during the monsoons.

Mulshi Dam : A last-ditch attempt to enjoy my vacations

At times, the one thing ,you believe, is going to end it all, actually helps you get back on your feet. And yesterday's trip to Mulshi Dam proved to be just the ride, to help me out of my flu of the past week and a half.
We haven't had a real family outing in almost a year. So this trip on a sunday evening was even more special. Also, having both my uncles and their children ( tiny tots, with whom you can never have a boring day) helped make the trip more enjoyable. Add on, a light rain, the greenery it has helped grow, and small waterfalls to watch as we drove to the usual spot; I was reminded of my trek to Lohagad, last year. We had hot bhajis, in the windy hills, before driving back home.
I wanted to have an experience close to nature before heading back to college. And I'm glad I had it yesterday.
Of course, it made me not want to come back to college at all, but it doesn't matter much. I'm always looking for reasons at the end of holidays anyway.

The entire gang: My parents and me, my grandparents, and my two uncles and their families.

Notable exception: My brother who's the photographer for this photo.

My Dad, My Grandfather, My Uncles and Cousins and My Brother

My Grandmother, My Mom, My Aunts and Me

Second Year

So, with the second year dawning in front of me, I thought, lets make a change. After all, I'm going to be changing into a more conscientious student myself ( I REALLY hope). So, a new name and a new layout should encourage me a little more than I want it to.
I have heard that our clinical postings start from tomorrow ( 20th July). Its a little disappointing, because I was really enjoying myself.....enjoying lazing around at home, without having to do anything, but a doctor's life is never lazy, is it? Well, I guess, it doesn't really matter. I'll rue the loss of vacation for the first two days, and then start enjoying it all ( I'm hoping to, at least).
We'll be going tomorrow to check out which units we've been allotted, and then it is serious business. Looking forward to a new start and a new year and, most importantly, a lot more FUN!!

One year- Part II

One year back, we officially took admission into BJ Medical college and became students of the same, thus fulfilling the dreams that most of us have had for many years. For me, as I have often repeated even in my blog, it was a dream come true of the wildest kind, because I had never expected to get this college, in spite of studying as hard as I had. So, I'm just glad, happy and mostly feel very lucky and indebted to God for the opportunity that He gave me by admitting me into this college.
This year, the list of colleges allotted to students through the CET has been declared again. And there are many students who's dream have been fulfilled. Having experienced that myself last year, I just want to thank God for doing that for these students too. And, as a senior ( I hope, since the results are not out yet..anything can happen...and its me, we're talking about here), I would only want to hope for the best for the batch of to-be Doctors who enter BJ on 1st August.

Examinations - The Chapter

I've tried my level best to try and describe Exam Time in a Medical College....And failed....MISERABLY. Mostly because I didn't have the time to write all that I felt. So I thought, I'd try right now....only a little differently. Through chunks out of my Diary which would describe what I went through them.

* Dates to remember:

26th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 1

27th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 2

29th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 1

30th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 2

1st June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 1

2nd June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 2

30th June, 2009 - Anatomy Practical

2nd July, 2009 - Physiology Practical

5th July, 2009 - Biochemistry Practical

Excerpts from my Diary:

8/5/2009:

" Well, things aren't going all that well. I just CAN'T seem to FINISH!! I was supposed to end a 1st revision on Sunday. And its just not happening! I'm gonna push to Tuesday and hope I can still manage 3 revisions. But, you know me, Jili. So it all looks a little bleak."

11/5/2009:

" Managed a fair bit of Central Nervous System ( Physiology) and I'm actually on top of the world!! Its funny, how small things just make me smile like anything!!! Things are a little tough, but I'm, well not enjoying, but keeping the humour intact. After all, ur spirits need to be up in the high sky to make it through all this, right?"

19/5/2009:

" Alright, I'm a little worked up here. I knew I'd said I'm not going to take tension, but, wen you are way behind a schedule you've had to change twice to make sure you manage stuff once at least, you are in murky waters there. And, can you believe it, its Physiology that's getting me worked up. Not 'coz, I haven't done it once. Its because, I haven't done it twice!! Anatomy, I have 5 days. I can move the heaven of Anat on earth if I have to. But Physio's getting unnerving here. Ok, girl, cool down. Deep breaths. Remember that weirdly dark sky that you have neen seeing at 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning for the last few days. And smile. They're all there to sail you through. You are gonna pass. I promise."

Well, I really did have it coming to me. Especially since I couldn't move the heaven of Anat on earth in those last five days. But, I guess that happens to everyone. The papers were much better than I thought they might be. And considering that I was pretty much on the verge of puking and fainting just before my Anat papers, I'm glad, I came out with a smile saying " Its over!!" At that time, I knew I'd done well, because I wrote everything that I could remember. Looking back, I'm not so sure. But, its Medicine and this stuff does happen. Physiology and Biochemistry were good too, although the last paper ( Bchem II) was definitely the worst of the five. Point is, you can't expect to have six smashing papers. In fact, we'd been warned that either paper I or paper II is tough. So, since the paper Is went well, there was always the fear that the paper IIs would be disasterous. So, I'm happy that my worst paper was the last, and I didn't even have the energy to ponder much on it.

Excerpt from my entry on 3/6/2009:

" Exam's reduced all the weight I put on. It has worn me down; mentally, physically, inevery way possible. All those 2-3 o'clock nights the week preceeding and all the 40hour sleeps in the past week.... But, its over!! And for the pracs, its not going to be like this. So, I'm dead pleased."

Practicals was a whole different ball game, as I managed to realise, a triffle late if I may be permitted to say. It included our journals ( to be learnt cover to cover) and the ENTIRE portion for the grand viva. So, I got worried sick about Anatomy again. And it was pretty bad too. We had revision practicals and they were definitely better than I thought they might go. But, its me, and I always seem to believe that I am the worst BJ can get, at Anat. Its not true, but its something that has stuck on, despite having decent practicals. So, I'm just relieved that its all over, and praying hard that I don't have to do it again. Physiology and Biochemistry practicals were good too. Biochemistry actually qualified for " Good", in the real sense of the word. They were not exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Just simple, quiet practicals. It is another matter that we were all absolutely impatient to get over with it all and say " Finally, its OVER!"

So, I'm going to say: The last four months have been the toughest and I definitely do NOT want a re-run of them in the years to come. I've learnt my lesson and its time I start studying from day one....Not as seriously as " I've got exams tomorrow" , but serious enough to prevent blotchy entries in my diary saying " I've got exams tomorrow". We're told that first year is the toughest. I've just put a bit of it behind me. And wait for my results to make sure that all of it is behind me.

Till then, I've decided to catch up on sleep, books and 'time-pass' that I've sorely missed doing in the past few months. They have really shaped my life, and I find it hard to believe that I finally have free time!! So, I'm lazying around. And doing it well. Friends, family and books.....and a new " Learn to Drive A Car".....I've got almost nothing on my plate (compared to the past months)..... and am making the most out of it.

Exams - The Chapter

I've tried my level best to try and describe Exam Time in a Medical College....And failed....MISERABLY. Mostly because I didn't have the time to write all that I felt. So I thought, I'd try right now....only a little differently. Through chunks out of my Diary which would describe what I went through them.

* Dates to remember:
26th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 1
27th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 2
29th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 1
30th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 2
1st June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 1
2nd June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 2
30th June, 2009 - Anatomy Practical
2nd July, 2009 - Physiology Practical
5th July, 2009 - Biochemistry Practical

Excerpts from my Diary:
8/5/2009:
" Well, things aren't going all that well. I just CAN'T seem to FINISH!! I was supposed to end a 1st revision on Sunday. And its just not happening! I'm gonna push to Tuesday and hope I can still manage 3 revisions. But, you know me, Jili. So it all looks a little bleak."

11/5/2009:
" Managed a fair bit of Central Nervous System ( Physiology) and I'm actually on top of the world!! Its funny, how small things just make me smile like anything!!!
Things are a little tough, but I'm, well not enjoying, but keeping the humour intact. After all, ur spirits need to be up in the high sky to make it through all this, right?"

19/5/2009:
" Alright, I'm a little worked up here. I knew I'd said I'm not going to take tension, but, wen you are way behind a schedule you've had to change twice to make sure you manage stuff once at least, you are in murky waters there. And, can you believe it, its Physiology that's getting me worked up. Not 'coz, I haven't done it once. Its because, I haven't done it twice!! Anatomy, I have 5 days. I can move the heaven of Anat on earth if I have to. But Physio's getting unnerving here. Ok, girl, cool down. Deep breaths. Remember that wierdly dark sky that you have neen seeing at 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning for the last few days. And smile. They're all there to sail you through. You are gonna pass. I promise."

Well, I really did have it coming to me. Especially since I couldn't move the heaven of Anat on earth in those last five days. But, I guess that happens to everyone. The papers were much better thatn I thought they might be. And considering that I was pretty much on the verge of puking and fainting just before my Anat papers, I'm glad, I came out with a smile saying " Its over!!" At that time, I knew I'd done well, because I wrote everything that I could remember. Looking back, I'm not so sure. But, its Medicine and this stuff does happen.
Physiology and Biochemistry were good too, although the last paper ( Bchem II) was definitely the worst of the five. Point is, you can't expect to have six smashing papers. In fact, we'd been warned that either paper I or paper II is tough. So, since the paper Is went well, there was always the fear that the paper IIs would be disasterous. So, I'm happy that my worst paper was the last, and I didn't even have the energy to ponder much on it.

Excerpt from my entry on 3/6/2009:" Exam's reduced all the weight I put on. It has worn me down; mentally, physically, inevery way possible. All those 2-3 o'clock nights the week preceeding and all the 40hour sleeps in the past week....
But, its over!! And for the pracs, its not going to be like this. So, I'm dead pleased."

Practicals was a whole different ball game, as I managed to realise, a triffle late if I may be permitted to say. It included our journals ( to be learnt cover to cover) and the ENTIRE portion for the grand viva. So, I got worried sick about Anatomy again. And it was pretty bad too. We had revision practicals and they were definitely better than I thought they might go. But, its me, and I always seem to believe that I am the worst BJ can get, at Anat. Its not true, but its something that has stuck on, despite having decent practicals. So, I'm just relieved that its all over, and praying hard that I don't have to do it again.
Physiology and Biochemistry practicals were good too. Biochemistry actually qualified for " Good", in the real sense of the word. They were not exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Just simple, quiet practicals. It is another matter that we were all absolutely impatient to get over with it all and say " Finally, its OVER!"

So, I'm going to say: The last four months have been the toughest and I definitely do NOT want a re-run of them in the years to come. I've learnt my lesson and its time I start studying from day one....Not as seriously as " I've got exams tomorrow" , but serious enough to prevent blotchy entries in my diary saying " I've got exams tomorrow".
We're told that first year is the toughest. I've just put a bit of it behind me. And wait for my results to make sure that all of it is behind me. Till then, I've decided to catch up on sleep, books and 'time-pass' that I've sorely missed doing in the past few months. They have really shaped my life, and I find it hard to believe that I finally have free time!!
So, I'm lazying around. And doing it well. Friends, family and books.....and a new " Learn to Drive A Car".....I've got almost nothing on my plate (compared to the past months)..... and am making the most out of it.