haematology block

Just finished my haematology block (the study of blood). Phew!!!!!
This is quite a good block to start with because imu prepared me quite well in this subject (I think); at least I can answer some of the questions during the teaching and do not look so dumb in front of the local students haha.

Generally the drs here are very good and nice. They can explain really well and slowly guide you to the final and correct diagnosis at the same time keep stimulate your brain to think properly. Wah, I can’t describe the satisfaction when I finally understand the whole picture of the disease. From the patient’s clinical features to the investigation, rule in and rule out your differential diagnosis and finally go to management plan. Oh, everything just makes sense and linked perfectly. These just make me even more enjoy the course.

In this block, we are required to clerk a patient and present it as our assessment. We need to come out with our own investigation and management plan. I got a case of acute promyelocytic leukeamia(APL). She is my first patient for my 4^th year medical study; I think I will remember her forever. She is really helpful and cooperative, and she even taught me about the disease. I never study about this disease before in imu, I was shocked when she said she is having APL. Then she is the 1 who tell me, oh this is cause by translocation of the chromosome 15 and 17. I am just so lucky to get her as my patient, if not I think I will just scratch my head and at stare at her without knowing what to ask during the history taking.

However, haematological ward was quite depressing. The patients who admitted are mostly for the treatment of leukeamia and lymphoma. Some of them were here like 8 or 10 years ago. They come to hospital on and off for blood transfusion or chemotherapy. All of them look very unwell, mainly due to the side effect of chemotherapy. They have hair loss, bruises all over the body, bone pain and lot more. Fortunately or unfortunately the patient and doctor relationship are quite strong, since they are here for such a long period. Few days ago, one of the consultants discuss a case with us, he treated the patient for quite some time but he passed away from some complication. When he was telling us the case, he started to sob. I know this is not so professional to take the case so personal but I think sometime we just can’t do anything about it. Doctor also has his or her own feeling, dr is not that emotionless and heartless I think.

This incidence just reminds me that I should train my EQ well to overcome this in the future. I think this is quite a tough job. The consultant is about 60 years old but he still….

I shall see what will happen to me if I am in that situation. Next week I am posted to oncology ward. Another depressing ward haih……..