Even if I didn't enjoy TCM....

....I'd probably still come to class to be around the very intelligent, wise, warm, and kind people that are my classmates. Today we learnt about the formation of blood and qi, the relationship between the liver and spleen, and the relationship between the lungs and kidneys. Then in the history class we went through about the 200-600CE era in China. In preparation for the looming exam I've breifly revised what we've done in the Foundations of TCM class so far, here are the topics we've done per week; *yin and yang *five element theory *essence, qi, blood, body fluids *heart, lung *spleen, liver *kidney, original qi, Ming men *fu organs (stomach, small intestine, large intestine, urinary bladders, gallbladder, san jioa) *extraordianry organs (brain, bones, marrow, uterus, blood vessels, gallbladder) *cause of disease (environmental and emotional) *formation of blood and qi In my Resources page there is a link to Cat's TCM Notes. There she has put up her notes from her TCM course which are much better than I could provide at this time, for anyone that's curious to discover more of what I've been learning. I can't wait to get into TCM pathology though, so I can incorporate some more ideas into my Lotus Jewel Health wellness program. Today, for example, we spoke about blood stasis causing sharp localized pain, and the relationship between the kidneys and willpower, motivation, and energy. Chronic pain and lack of energy are two common medical complaints that are often not easily or well-treated, let alone cured, but western medicine alone. I got my nose pieced yesterday, on a sort of a whim, and I've occasionally forgot about it through the day, feeling a scratching feeling in my nose. They chilli I had at lunch also didn't help things when my nose started running. This weekend I'm staying at the BF's and we have a hike planned tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that and hope be able to post a photo. Also, he bought a portable home for us this week, so I get to see it in person and I am the desingated interior designer. He/we already had a flat, rural 5 acres it's going on so that's very exciting to have this progress with this other property of ours and to be another significant step closer to our dream of self-sustainability. It's only small, but it's livable and modularity suitable for extensions over time, space, and money!

Neuro

So I technically start the neuro module tomorrow, however I am late with my tuition fees. They won't allow me to enrol without the first month's instalment paid, which is ~$2000. I have up to the end of the week at the latest. After Christmas, going away and not doing any overtime, and being a little too relaxed with my money, I got myself behind a bit and I've had to grovel to my parents for a short-term loan. The way this year is shaping up, I doubt there will be any overseas trips happening (although Bali is on sale currently at $450 return....). These are the sacrifices we have to make I suppose.....

I did just get back now (on the train) for a lovely weekend away into (a different) country-side. It was wonderfully relaxing before I start back at med school again, despite my harrowing first experience "shooting" (hunting). I was just the driver and everything was done humanely and no meat was wasted, but it was dreadful. I wanted to see what happens for myself, and I even forced myself to watch the cutting up of the meat although I felt quite ill.  I said to my friends if I go with them again I will drive and not get out of the front of the ute.

If they weren't so safe with their rifles and strict with what and how many they kill etc I'd want nothing to do with it. They only shoot roos, rabbits, and foxes, and never wallabies and avoid getting female roos (due to the risk of joeys in their pouches). I would eat roo (kangaroo) if it was humanely shot and properly prepared and we only took what we needed and I didn't buy additional meat from the butcher's, etc. I just need to learn how to cook roo so it's not so gamey. I'll have to ask my friend in Alaska who makes moose spring rolls for some tips. I also need a special fridge to "hang" them in, which just feels so creepy. But logically, I think it's better to just take out one small roo out of a herd every few months and do it properly, than to consume a lot of meat from who-knows-where. After-all, roos are a real pest to the local farmers, despite how cute they are.  It will be a much greater leap before I'd see myself eating rabbit......

Anyway, my first neuro case study is Multiple Sclerosis. I asked my lecturer to email me the case study as I can't access my stuff on the OUM website until I've been cleared by the bursar and register. At least now I can make a start this week.  Also, I had a "first-pass" read of the FA neuro section and it looks intimidating to say the least. As a paramedic, I'm pretty good with strokes - both ischaemic and haemorrhagic. After that, I have no clue.

I also start back on-call tonight, so I guess I'll get organised for that now and try and do some study on-call (and wait for the comments to arrive from PETA...)