Pathology and I

As the blog name has suggested, I have a passion for veterinary pathology and consider pursuing it as a career path.  At the start of the veterinary medical course, we all just thought about becoming a vet. I definitely didn't know about other fields in the profession, so let alone the thought of becoming a veterinary pathologist. The first glimpse I had of pathology is when we have to study paraclinical subjects eg. parasitology, microbiology: bacteriology and virology, and pathology. The whole field is basically working behind the scene, in a laboratory, and dealing with the diagnostic aspect of medical conditions. Paraclinicians work together with clinicians ie veterinarians, who take primary response of a case, but we are the people who pet owners rarely get to see.

I'm still questioning as to how I became so interested and keen, even though I have yet to complete the veterinary course and get exposed to all the clinical training. First of all thoughts, I have pretty much figured out that treating patients and doing surgeries are not my cup of tea. Dealing with what drugs to used is bearable, but the financial aspect while dealing with the clients is buggering. On the other hand, paraclinicians simply perform the tests, which are requested and believed to be of the most diagnostic value by the prinary-care veterinarians, and are paid by the their clients.

Becoming a surgeon is often what one aspires to be, but the so-called aspiration changes after several times of having to stand,  bend over, and do a surgery through a little hold on a patient hole for hours - for which I respect surgeons. Also not to mention, one has to ingrain the aseptic technique (minimising bacterial contamination) and certain "good" surgical habits while doing a surgery (which I have already done so). That aside, there is a specialist surgeon I know, who has a hilarious sense of humours, said at smiling at me "Surgeries are easy - if in doubt just cut. We don't need to think and we leave thinking to pathologists" And he is right; I have a wondering mind while having a cup of tea or coffee.

I am certainly not the type of person who likes dealing with the general public, in contrary to my mates' belief as I was elected several representative positions: student rep council during high school, a student club secretary, social and educational rep of student society etc. They view me as a socialite, and I have to add that they're right to a certain extent, but their view would change once we start talking about clients behind the scene. Dealing with some clients can be very challenging, and I wonder how many times I said "What the f!@#$?!?" or "Shut the f!@#$ up and listen to me" in my head while I was smiling to them - having my mask on there. Often this leaves me feeling empathic towards our human counterpart - dealing with in-compliant patients. In addition, my family business deals with lots of people and I have witnessed too many funny people, perhaps. My mum is also partially responsible for this as I took after her trait of hate dealing with the general public.

Many of you may think that doing necropsies is disgusting and gory, but veterinarians deal with muddles on a daily basis. For example, a small animal veterinarian treating a moribund sick dog with haemorrhagic (bloody) effusions coming from the front and back ends,  and a large animal veterinarian getting farted and bio-organic materials splashed on their face during a rectal (back-end) examination. Veterinary profession isn't glamourous, and it is full of messes, but as a veterinary pathologist, I know when I'm getting dirty and can be prepared for it at the very least - think lab coats, overalls, gloves, gumboots and masks. Apart form an occasional risk of being exposed to nasty pathogens, all else is under my control - yes, I'm a control freak.

Last but not least, the global demand of young bright paraclinicians succeeds the supply as the majority of work force in the industry is greying away and expiring (exactly as said to me by one of veterinary pathologists, whom I adore) and the number just steadily declines. It wouldn't be hard for a paraclinician to find a job in the near future, which is an added bonus for me :)

Bullies and high school experience

There has recently been quite a lot of public and media attention regarding school bullies. I recall the experience of my high school years.

As mentioned in the previous post, I did my high school in Australia. The school was located in the rural Victoria though it wasn't that far from Melbourne. At that time, I wasn't out to myself even a tiny bit but knew very well that I'm different.

I had been bullied a few times in another school previously and was able to stand up for myself at the end. But, it took a while for me to build my confidence up and work up to the level. The whole thing really made me try hard to change and get into the jock group. So, I made sure that happened once I setttled down in the new school. Apart from compartmentalising my life, I balanced my study and social life. Wearing contact lens, waxing/gelling my hair, doing more sports, practising kick-boxing, getting involved in fights, breaking school rules while excelling in studies - being well rounded, I guess. Still, I was impervious to my sexuality to the extent that derogatory comments about gay didn't even register into my brain - totally dissociated and beyond.

On several occasions at school, I had witnessed bullies in and out of the classrooms. The usaual name callings and derogatory remarks like " faggot" and "poof" were heard on a weekly basis. I remembered thinking "Oh no, that poor guy is getting mashed again", and the poor guy would sometimes right into my eyes, knowing that I am a student representive council and could do something to stop it. However, I didn't do anything and just left the scene. Had I told my school mates to stop, they would listen and left the guy alone. Teachers would sometimes witnessed the incidents, then rush in and stop the bullies. Damage dealt, though.

Guilt is what one feels when one believes that something could have been done to make a difference. Isn't a superior supposed to protect his/her subordinates? Certainly, I could have somewhat extend my aegis and done better than just ignoring those incidents.

Bits about me

Introduction about myself would be a good start, I guess.

I am from a Chinese family in Thailand and grew up with lots of noises and screams along with two siblings. In comparison to the rest of the family, I have been the most nerdy person in my family and decided to came alone to study high school in Melbourne, Australia while knowing very little English back then. Since then almost a decade has passed, my education still continue and it won't be long until I become a veterinarian, in spite of parental disagreement and their will for me to succeed the family business.

The fact that I am gay did not register properly into my head until early 2010. Although I knew there is something different in me for a long time, I grew up believing it was just a phase or a teenage-thing while suppressing it deep.  After coming to term with my sexuality, I have come out to close friends and still working on it.

Because of my intense study-load, my gay and social life have been somewhat lacking. Sleepless nights, long study hours and overdosing of caffeine. One thing my friends and I often joke about is that perhaps we should do some intravenous injections of caffeine ourselves rather than drinking coffee to keep us awake (fortunately we are not that desperate yet).

Career-wise, I have a keen interest in veterinary pathology and I hope to be able to call myself a veterinary pathologist someday. Hence, the profile name GVP and blog name Gay Vet Pathologist.

Unless I am stuck to my desk or running around the country for my clinical placements, time is spent with my mates doing intense activities, like marathon training and surfing, or having gourmand moments, hunting decent caffeine outlets and dining out. So you can expect me blogging about my foodie habits, especially about coffee.

Welcome!

Over the years, I have read through several interesting blogs and thought that one day I will create my own blog. Now that I'm procrastinating my studies towards exams, it seems like a good time (not ideal) to start my blog.

The main policies for this blog are honesty and anonymity so everything I write will be genuine and true to the best of my memory, and pseudonyms will be used.

Cheers,
GVP