"The controversial one"

This is my new label, and im sure it is to stay for at least till end of next week, throughout this whole ENT posting. Had a rather fun day, by getting picked on the 1st thing in the morning... I'll put the blame on my ever sleepy face that i put on every morning, during the middle of the briefing session...

Dr E : 'Erm... What is your name?'

Ad : 'Ah???? (short pause)... Adxxxx'

Dr E : 'So Adxxxx, would you like to tell me what opens into the inferior meatus?'

Ad : 'Ahem.... (a much much longer pause this time)... Eustachian tube?'

I was in such a BLURRRRRR STATE and SOOOOOO TOTALLY WRONG! Thank goodness N who was sitting next to me blurted out the answer. (That's the best part of the people in my group, we are not self centered, we help anyone who is in need.) Since that moment, i immediately woke up! But it was too late, everytime Dr E would phrase a question, he would look at me. I tried so hard not to have eye contact with him, but no avail...

The day went on with stoning sessions in the clinic till 1230, (at least a breath of fresh air then as i followed Dr S instead). He was a nice, fun and sarcastic guy. At least for once i sort of enjoyed my clinic session.

Flew home right after clinic, took a nap to recharge for the afternoon's CP session.

It was a case of a 50+ year old guy, came with the complaint of dysphagia (difficulty of swallowing), for 7 months duration. It was associated with nasal regurgitation of fluids, ear pain, loss of hearing in the left ear, and a swelling below his left ear over his jaw. During the begining of the session, it was still tolerable as he did not start picking on me, till...

Dr E : 'So, Adxxxx, do you think that nasopharyngeal carcinoma could be one of your differential diagnosis?'

Ad : 'Errrrr, Why not?'

Dr E : 'Ad here says it can be a differential, what do you all think?'

All the others in the group simultaneously answered 'NO'.

Dr E :'What supports your differential? Nasal regurg?'

Ad : Yup.

Dr E went on with the whole list of symptoms, with the intention of me giving YES/NO answers! Finally he said that it could be a differential, as ALL the symptoms presented could be due to nasopharyngeal ca.

We finished the cases by 1530, when he ask if we had questions. H did most of the asking, and N 'chipped in' as well. When he was talking bout the pharynx, I decided to ask about UNILATERAL SORE THROATS. If it was possible to happen... He gave me a hard stare...

'Wow, so you are the controversial one eh?'

He went on explaning that it could be due to a foreign body or ulceration... Bla bla bla... At least i got my answer.

We moved on the topic of tinnitus when K decided to ask if it was pathological to experience it. Then i just couldn't keep shut... and blurted...

Ad : 'How does it sound like?'

Dr E : 'It could sound like anything. What kind of sound do you hear?'

Both of us just burst out laughing. For no good reason. I think he is really amused with my questions and answers today. It was pretty fun and enjoyable. When i thought i was done for the day, while walking back to IMU, i bumped into Dr E once again. (He actually waited for me at the bridge...) He told me that we were 'supposed to' be in the clinic now, as there were many cases there. I nodded, then told him that i had to go home to prepare for my seminar on thurs... (and now I'm BLOGGING!!!) He gave me the amused look and left to knock on some lecturer's door...

Whatever that happened today has lifted my spirits up, and im looking foward to the rest of the week, ALL the sessions with Dr E, and im going to enjoy ALL of it!

@ Thanks for a GREAT day... 1813, 29052007