The first week of my first block rotation (GP) and I can already say that I think I have seen more than my fair share of rectal exams. It seems that every patient that came in had to have a finger up their “back passage” and the GP more than quick to double up her gloves and get right “up there”.

 While I was observing consultations in the GP practice, the recurring advice I got from the elderly patients (amidst their numerous complaints) was “Don't get old”.

 I am a little scared about ageing. Not being in my thirties or forties, but beyond that. To when making a cup of tea becomes a chore and getting out of a chair takes eons. Earlier this year, I had a placement in an elderly ward and during my time there was involved in personal care of the patients. I can imagine that it must be less than pleasant for them to have to be cleaned, changed, and fed like toddlers by nurses especially when only a couple of years ago, they were independent. I assume it must be hard to make the transition from being able bodied to complete dependency.

Speaking of change, how many unnecessary items have you had to buy in order to get change for the bus? Over the last week I have to buy fizzy drinks, sweets junk food, and unnecessary groceries (all of which have done nothing positive to my weight or blood sugar) in order to get change for the bus. It’s absolutely annoying that most buses only accept exact fare in coins and do not accept notes. Wouldn't life be a lot easier if buses just accepted debit cards?