Scalpel’s Edge

Running Melbourne

// May 29th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Family

I rarely use this blog to beg for money, but I am choosing to on this one occasion. I am an unfit person, and I have been recently working on improving that. My current fitness goal is to run a 10km fun run. I have chosen Run Melbourne, which is in a few weeks time on the 28th of June. I am not a natural runner, so I assure you I will not do it fast. But my aim is just to complete it without walking.

I am working hard to make this possible. I am doing specific personal training sessions aimed at improving my running, and they are seriously awful. Last week our task was to run alternating fast and slow laps for 60 minutes. And then we did interval sprints. And yes, I am paying for this.

As an added bonus to this experience, I can dedicate my run to a particular charity and ask friends and family to support me. I have chosen Breast Cancer research. I have treated a lot of patients with breast cancer, and I know small advances in treatments will help a lot of people. If you feel like helping support this cause, please head over to my fundraising page. Donations close on the 28th of June, when the run is over.

End marketing drive.

DrCris’ Fundraising Page

Junior doctor

// May 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Family, Surgery

I overhead my three year old daughter on her toy phone this morning. She was “driving” on her bike and had stopped on the side of the road (our front hall) to take a call.

Hello?

Oh, hi. I am on my way. Do you have patients?

[Pause]

I said, do you have patients?

[Pause]

OK. Do you have mobile phones?

[Pause]

Thanks. I’m coming now. I’ll see you soon.

How cool is that? I have never worked in a job where I have to check the presence of patients before I leave in the morning. And don’t get me started on the folly of expecting the public health system to supply your mobile phone. But it warms my heart to see her being a (very) junior doctor.

On second thought, maybe she was ringing up to ask if they have “patience.” She must take after someone else in the family. Because she can’t possibly have overheard me talking to the ED staff in the middle of the night, could she?

Photo credit: tourist_on_earth

Dora needs help

// March 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Family, Rants

Dora Dora Dora the Explorer
DORA
Boots is super cool
Explore with Dora (We need your help)
Grab your backpack
Lets Go!
Jump In!

My daughter is three and totally obsessed with Dora the Explorer, but I have childish issues with the program. Touted as an “explorer”, she is surrounded by non-scientific information and research methods. Her mother fills her head with myths and fluff. In one episode, she explains to Dora that the rooster has to crow loudly enough to wake the sun, or else it will be dark all day. Really?

Would you rely on this explorer? I am really sad that kids shows have to misinform. There is no difference in entertainment value, if explanations are valid.

Strangely, her cousin, Diego, has a much more rigourous scientific method. If you discount his magic, transforming backpack, that is.

(Yes, I think I need more sleep, too.)

Three little kisses

// January 13th, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Family

.. But the next baby born was truly divine,
a sweet little child who was mine, all mine.
And this little baby, as everyone knows,
has ten little fingers, ten little toes,
and three little kisses on the tip of its nose.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Mem Fox & Helen Oxenbury

Three years ago, I met a little princess and became the “other woman” in my husband’s life. I have never been able to explain how fantastic that change is, and I have never regretted it.

Happy birthday, my giver of life. You were born confident, and curious, and you have never failed to amaze us.