It’s been a while since I’ve written anything recently. In a way, one could describe it as a lack of creative juice or volition. Yet it’s more likely due to the busy nature of the recent weeks gone by. Whilst life has been busy, I’ve simultaneously had lots of new and exciting things to work on. As regards creativity, the launch of the Medical Memoirs podcast has been a real highlight and brought with it its own challenges, namely the recording and editing process entailed by such a venture. Undertaking these elements in a swift and timely fashion, as well as the maintenance of a continuously rolling bank of guests booked for future episodes is a surprisingly arduous affair. Nevertheless, as it stands, I have already pre-recorded several episodes for staggered release over the next couple of months, to provide myself with a grace period during which to revise for my upcoming MRCS Part B examination (see my recent post about the Part A examination for more info and revision tips).
Otherwise, I have started a new placement and am now a CT2 (second year core surgical trainee) with a head full of stress from multiple sources. One of these is the exam, but another significant contributor is the not-so-distant ST3 (specialty surgical training) application, for which I need to seriously change gear simply to land an interview, let alone secure a job in the region of my choice.
Then there’s the exam. Revision just sucks. There are no two ways about it. I’ve been trying my best to stay motivated and structure the revision process, but it’s just so obstinately difficult. At times I feel as though I have established an optimal structure to my revision schedule, finding myself settling into a rhythm and then “BAM“, an existential crisis hits and my confidence decides to hibernate for all eternity.
In the meantime, alongside all of this, I’m also trying to retain some semblance of a life, whether that be indulging in creative outlets such as art/magazines/film or going on dates with my partner to new food and drink venues. I think this is an incredibly powerful way to keep my mind grounded in the real world and to avoid embroilment in the boundless world of surgical revision. I’d rather not dream about stratified squamous epithelium with hyperchromic deposition (is that even a thing?).
Fortunately, there has been a lot of positivity as well. Wedding season was a blast, with stag dos and weddings of some of my best friends. It’s always heart warming and wholesome to catch up with friends, new and old, notwithstanding the video evidence of me dad-dancing with wild abandon – I blame the heady cocktail (no pun intended) of post nightshift disinhibition and copious alcohol. I’m lucky enough to have actually been able to attend all the events, although I am due to miss my cousin’s wedding this weekend as a result of my night shifts.
Finally, I managed to successfully achieve the role ASiT (Association of Surgeons in Training) regional representative for the Northwest of England, which I was delighted about. It’s exciting to be able to involved in the mediation process between the surgical trainee association of the UK and all the surgical trainees in the Northwest region. It would be dishonest of me to refrain from admitting this is a daunting prospect, however, I cannot wait to get started.
So, as I sit here and write, I can’t help but contemplate my upcoming night shift with trepidation. I hate this waiting game, knowing the hectic shift which is waiting just around the corner, especially when I’m new to this trust and it’s my first night on-call in a Major Trauma Centre at the heart of one of the busiest cities in the UK. Nevertheless, it’s important for me to revamp my mindset to perceive the whole affair as a new challenge, a new learning experience, and to enter the hospital with excitement and curiosity. Ok, that sounds more ludicrous than I intended. But the gist is still there. After all, it’s just another orthopaedic night shift with more complex cases, right? Think I might need to quickly revisit my “Stoicism at Night” and “How to Master the Orthopaedic Nightshift” articles again…
Anyway, stay well and see you on the other side.
Vasudev Zaver 
I think you’re amazing
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