Weekly Dispensing Lab

Today we had another dispensing lab. Thankfully, this week it was a success. The script was a drug for malaria prophylaxis (Atovaquone/proguanil). Upon questioning the patient I found out her trip was to be 27 days long. Prophylaxis, with this particular drug, must begin TWO days before leaving and continue for SEVEN days after arrival back home. So, the patient needed 36 tablets (once daily treatment). Sadly, the doctor had only prescribed 27 tablets so I had to give him a “call” to sort that out. All in all it was a success. I saw one of my colleagues leave the lab in tears – I don’t know what happened. These labs are stressful!

I’ve only got six more weeks of classes then final exams start. In between now and then I’ve got a plethora of exams, assignments, dispensing exam, and journal clubs to complete. Amazingly, I’m almost half done this degree. Today, us pharmacy students we’re discussing how we’re almost half done the program and we feel like we know so little. There is so much to know to be an effective pharmacist.

Saturday Afternoon Lunch

I took a break from studying this afternoon and walked up the road to the local butcher shop to pick up some chicken wings. Thanks to Mike I had a bottle of Franks Red hot sauce which, sadly is unavailable in Australia. The wings turned out great and I watched some NHL highlights while I enjoyed them. Makes me miss Brewsters 25cent wing nights. What a treat!
Danielle is at work so she missed out this time around.

Fish

As you can see I’ve added some fish to make the blog a little bit more interesting. You can even take the time to feed them. I miss my fish tank back home. In fact, I miss all my of my hobbies back home. Sadly, I’ve got no time or money for hobbies here. Plus I hate buying anything here because I know I’ll be leaving – it’s so temporary. These fish will have to do for now.

Back to the grindstone/books.

The academic year and boosters

As my siblings in the northern hemisphere are each concluding their academic year I’m still plugging away down under. This trimester system means I only get about a six week summer from late November to January. It’s exhausting and demoralizing. I can’t wait to be done!

I received the results from my blood tests a few weeks ago. They tested for immunity to a few diseases to see if we need vaccines or boosters. According to the results I’ve got antibodies to: Varicella zoster (chicken pox), Rubella (Low levels), Hepatitis B (Yay!), and measles. Strangely, I’ve got no antibodies against mumps. Hep B is a 3 course vaccination so I’m glad that I won’t be needing that one. Based on these results they gave me a Boostrix shot covering diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) and also an MMR vaccination covering measles, mumps, and rubella. The shots weren’t bad at all but the boostrix one was intramuscular so that arm is feeling weak and tender at the moment.

I haven’t been posting because seriously nothing is going on. Life is dull at the moment because Danielle and I are both so busy with school. However, yesterday we took a break and had a coffee at DOME.

Exam today

Just to post something I'll write about the exam I had today. It was a public health exam and it was the first of many exams slotted for this trimester. I wasn't too worried about this one because public health is a very "fluffy" subject compared to most of my other units*. I was expecting a few epidemiology calculations but thankfully the entire exam was theory. I didn’t get to review my calculations because I slept through my alarm so I was really glad to see no calculations. The exam was only worth 15% - I'm sure I did well.

Also notable. We do these weekly dispensing labs where we "play" pharmacist and our tutors acts as a patient via roll play. We fill scripts, counsel, and answer questions on the spot. It's really nerve racking because they can ask anything. Worst of all these things are for marks. This week we had to dispense emergency contraception - something I had never done before. I ended up doing it on the fly and it wasn't so bad but really stressful. I was hitting the reference books hard.


* In Australia courses are called units. For example, English 101 is a unit not a course. The term course, in a university context, is what we would call a degree program in Canada (a pharmacy degree = a pharmacy course). I alway call my classes a course here and people get confused.

April Fools Post

Our Mantoux testing was scheduled for tomorrow. However, I won’t be having mine done. You see, the Mantoux test is contraindicated in anyone who’s had a viral illness within the past four weeks. This past Friday I got a cold so I’m skipping this round of Mantoux tests and I’ll have it done four weeks from now. What a hassle. I’m not completely in the clear for tomorrow though. I need to have blood taken to assess my immunity to some pathogens before getting all those vaccines.

The weather has recently changed it’s much cooler at the moment. Yesterday I woke up to pouring rain which was awesome. Luckily, a few weeks ago Danielle and I each bought an umbrella in preparation for the wet season which pummeled me last year. I think it was 25*C today and the girl sitting in front of me at lecture was wearing a scarf. That’s how cold 25*C feels!

At my 8 AM lecture today Steven tried a week attempt at a practical joke. Something about him getting into a car accident. I totally believed him because he’s been in TWO car accidents in the past 8 months and it was 8 AM. Either way it was a weak attempt.