WEEK 8 - Mobiles, IR and deer

Week 8 

Week 8 started with mobiles. We started the morning with a round at the intensive care unit. It is something i haven't gotten to do before so I didn't know what to expect. At first it was bit overwhelming - machines beeping, multiple tubes and leads and lots of different machines. Some of the machines would go wild and patient's blood pressure rocket when we lifted them to more up right position. I was allowed to move the portable machine and place the detector behind patient's back. On the second day I was allowed to move the tube and drive the portable xray machine. Rest of the days I spent doing general xrays. 

St. Stephen's Green was starting to get its' green

In IR my role was to just be an observer and I was able to see a TACE-procedure (Trans Arterial Chemo Embolisation of the liver). I also saw some PICC-lines and PortaCath-catheters being placed. IR differs a lot from my experience in Finland. There are a lot more nurses and other staff present and the room got crowded at times. I am used to just one doctor and two radiographers and not being able to do anything was frustrating. I found myself being more interested in what the doctors and nurses are doing. I was able to recognise some familiar wires like Terumo and Emerald which made me feel more at ease.

On Thursday there was a spot open in ultrasound so me and another student got to see new proceedures. We were allowed to practise scanning on each other which was very interesting. I would like to study ultrasound in Finland but sadly the time for it has not yet come. 

During the week I met some locals at bar. We discussed the looming housing crisis and the irish ghost estates. I learned that the Irish are very proud of their heritage. I also talked to a nurse from Northern Ireland who taught me about the CORU rights. He would like to go work in Ireland which would be easier with the UK license but he would much prefer to have an Irish license and be under CORU. Irish CORU would make the process to Australia harder though. 

Legendary Phoenix park deer