Chippie

Because why tf are they in UEFA and Eurovision anyway 🙄

So on the topic of whatever the hell is happening in the US, I was planning to submit my research to the ASCRS and NANOS conferences in 2026, but now I'm not so sure... there might be a significant non-zero chance I can't get back home.

Maybe I can wait it out and try again for 2027 lol.

I don't know about the numbers in the Philippines but if the numbers aren't that high I would think there's a lot that's not being shown. But this isn't meant to detract from the point that it is a significant national concern and should be in the US too.

I still think billionaires can't exist unless there's hoarding of resources.

But also again I'm an ophthalmologist and we absolutely do not want the patients to strain so I guess that's why anti-emetics are non-negotiable for me. Anyway yeah food for thought.

since they're observing calcium levels and metoclopramide can cause extrapyramidal symptoms. If this were my patient I would ask the anesthesiologist to give even just a single dose for the patient's comfort BUT THEN AGAIN I am neither an internist or an ENT, I'm not saying they're wrong.

Anyway so she's fine, surgery went well, I'm on post-op watch duty now and it's pretty interesting to see the differences in generations of doctors and among internists and surgeons. I mean, hot take time, I'm used to anesthesiologists giving anti-emetics, but the internist doesn't want to give

Anyway the point of this whole monologue is, lots of times it helps as a physician to be on the *other side* of the chair. To be the patient and/or the companion. Helps you empathize with them better. Lots of things are taught in medical school that are hard to grasp unless you've lived it.

And wow am I restless right now. I'm in my mom's hospital room trying to get some sleep because I only got <2 hours of sleep. I've honestly done my best to calm my mom down. "Thyroidectomies are the bread and butter of ENT. They do those for practical exams."

But now I'm on the other side of the doctor's chair. My mom is undergoing a total thyroidectomy for a sizable nodule that's, according to imaging, behind the sternum. The surgical team is prepared and anticipated possible scenarios. The surgeons have said their practiced script to us.

The patients and companions come into surgery day calm and ready. Even in the most disfiguring surgeries, I've learned to calm them down enough to go into the OR suite less afraid. And I've done and assisted in some pretty disfiguring surgeries.

It's a well-rehearsed script from years of medical training. I can revise it on the fly depending on the patients' and companions' dispositions. The goal is to calm them down and reassure them that the surgeons will do their best and come in prepared. It's worked every time so far.

Dunno where to put this, maybe this is a good spot to put it.

So I'm an MD in a cutting specialty and I've seen hundreds of patients undergoing surgery. I have a script. "The surgeons will do their best, no surgery has a 100% success rate but we'll plan it properly and anticipate complications."

As a Filipino I'm a bit unnerved at the fact that I didn't make the connection before I saw this... I hope it doesn't get to extrajudicial killings. But honestly I'm not so sure.

As someone from outside Canada considering Dalhousie for grad school, I still believe its 200-year legacy is stronger than this moment. Dal is still top choice for me, because of the faculty and research. This too shall pass. #keepdalstrong

As someone from the outside looking in: I keep trying to connect the dots, but I can’t figure out why people in charge of running a university would take actions that damage the university itself. Their choices end up coming across as malicious and risk hurting the university's reputation.

I reached out to Dal professors in June and had the privilege of meaningful conversations. One was supposed to continue this September, but now the lockout has paused it.

From a prospective international student:
The faculty make Dalhousie what it is. They deserve better.

#keepdalstrong