Hats off to women

I just started my first 4 week long Obstetrics and Gynaecology appointment yesterday and I was not at all happy because I just could not connect to the patients.
But today, I felt such a strong bond develop between myself and the patients I spoke to - I am so happy & relieved. I was feeling so guilty yesterday.

Working in these wards full of women is such a good learning experience - I see myself and so many other girls in these women in the ward.

Today, my first patient was a young mother of 26 pregnant with her first baby - she was so excited! The next  was a mother who had delivered the previous night - her eyes beamed with happiness looking at her soundly sleeping baby girl. The next was a mother in her 40th week of pregnancy waiting to deliver tonight - she was anxious yet very excited to welcome a newborn into her family of 3. The last patient was another young mother of 29 who sadly had a miscarriage - she was in grief and was full of questions regarding the possibility of her being able to conceive again.

It's amazing how strong each of these women were - all of the had such touching stories, some of happiness, some of sadness. I salute these women for being able to go through such overwhelming emotional states and emerging out of it stronger than ever!

For someone who isn't really fascinated by pregnancy and kids, today was a table turner of sorts - I felt a baby kick while examining a pregnant mother's tummy, I held a 12 hours old baby girl in my arms and I shared the grief of a mother who just miscarried.

Today, I am more than thankful to everyone who helped me shape my decision to take up Medicine. I am so lucky to be able to feel this multitude of emotions and learn from this wonderful Sri Lankan population!

Happy moment*

If you're in a non medical field and have friends pursuing medicine,  it'd be very common for you to hear your medical friend brooding and complaining about how hectic and stressful work is.

My friends go through that a lot too -very often I complain to them about how exhausted and sleep deprived I am.
No matter how much I love and enjoy the course,  there are times when I get up after measly hours of sleep and doubt if I'll survive the day. (Thank God I've had no episodes of faints and falls!) But it does take a toll on your health sometimes.

These past few weeks have been hectic - not just work wise but also deciding on how many days can you miss from work to have a vacation of a reasonable time with family.

Just yesterday when I had a five minute conversation with a friend (yes, I have to cut it down to 5 minutes) I was wishing that God does some magic and gives me all the time to catch up on missed sleep. And guess what? He heard me! :)

This morning,  I found out that the eye surgeon we're studying/working under is going abroad for a week and so we need not go from tomorrow!  I almost did a small happy dance infront of her when she signed our record books. We finished four days ahead of time which means four days of adequate sleep.


Happily I strutted on to university where there was more good news in store for me!  Afternoon lectures had been postponed!  I leisurely had my lunch with delicious prawns,  tried a new bottled yoghurt, took a short nap and got some studying done in the library.

And now, I'm at home lying flat on bed,  working on this post from a new phone I invested on recently, ear phones plugged in listening to One Direction's Up all night and munching on a huge chocolate bar.
The thought of being able to get up late tomorrow,  the fact  that my tickets are confirmed and that in 18 days, I see my mum - I've got to be the happiest medical student right now :)

They say sharing happiness increases it manifold, hence this post. I was smiling the whole time I wrote this :)

And girls, Michelle Phan has an awesome giveaway. Go over to her YouTube channel and participate!