Well, the health visitor came this morning to weigh Ashleigh and measure her progress :-)
She's put on a good few ounces and is now 10lb 7 and a half, but she has actually dropped down a centile, which is fine since she was on one of the highest to begin with anyway!
He didn't measure her, which I thought he would, but she is at the doctors for her 6 week check-up in 2 weeks anyway, so she'll do it!
He was amazed how alert, strong and aware of her surroundings she was and said if he didn't know better he would have thought she was 8 weeks old, not 4 :-D
Start as we mean to go on ;-)
Steve x
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
End of the road...
Well, I made a big change in my life at the beginning of the week. I decided it was time that I packed in the door work ("bouncing") and focused my efforts on my medical career and family, so I handed in my notice.
It's been a very hard decision and one that I haven't taken lightly, after all, I've been doing the job for over 10 years, so I'm bound to miss it. With wanting to progress into the area I currently do however and with the arrival of my little girl, my views have changed. I still appreciate I need money, which is why I am excited to announce that I have finally been given my start date for the hospital; on 7th April.
I applied for a position as a phlebotomist (taking blood from patients) at Hull Royal Infirmary and after waiting 4 months to go through all the checks, have finally got in. So I guess, the end of one road, is the beginning of a completely new one; a new journey.
I'm not sure what the future will bring now, but I do know that it will be much less stressful and more rewarding than before :)
It's been a very hard decision and one that I haven't taken lightly, after all, I've been doing the job for over 10 years, so I'm bound to miss it. With wanting to progress into the area I currently do however and with the arrival of my little girl, my views have changed. I still appreciate I need money, which is why I am excited to announce that I have finally been given my start date for the hospital; on 7th April.
I applied for a position as a phlebotomist (taking blood from patients) at Hull Royal Infirmary and after waiting 4 months to go through all the checks, have finally got in. So I guess, the end of one road, is the beginning of a completely new one; a new journey.
I'm not sure what the future will bring now, but I do know that it will be much less stressful and more rewarding than before :)
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology...
The last few weeks I have been quite excited at the prospect of continuing into further research and how better than to amalgamate my two passions; medicine and computing.
It all started with the prospect of a 40-credit research project I am looking at undertaking for my 3rd year thesis next year. The project will specifically involve the creation of a phylogenetic pipeline (using BioPerl and/or BioJava) for high-throughput multi-sequence analysis of microbial samples taken from estuaries in the area. This should hopefully show the diversity of the organisms is far greater than originally thought; with the statistical analysis producing a right skewed leptokurtic distribution with number of organisms along the y axis and diversity of organisms along the x axis.
I have been taking this a little further by looking at the following websites: http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/biol/gsp/prospective/masters/cb/index.htm, http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taughtdegrees/courses/bysubject/course/?code=02129 and http://www.bioinformatics.leeds.ac.uk/mres_update/. I must say, I am most interested in the course they run at Leeds and would even consider taking it further with PhD level and post-doctorate study.
There is still a really big part of me however, that wants to continue into medicine and be involved on the front-line with dealing with patients from a clinical outlook. I often wonder if I don't go ahead and do that, whether I'll end up regretting it and always wondering?
I've sent off a few emails this afternoon anyway and will look forward to a response. Perhaps after a visit to the prospective departments and after my research topic is completed next year, I will have a better idea?
It all started with the prospect of a 40-credit research project I am looking at undertaking for my 3rd year thesis next year. The project will specifically involve the creation of a phylogenetic pipeline (using BioPerl and/or BioJava) for high-throughput multi-sequence analysis of microbial samples taken from estuaries in the area. This should hopefully show the diversity of the organisms is far greater than originally thought; with the statistical analysis producing a right skewed leptokurtic distribution with number of organisms along the y axis and diversity of organisms along the x axis.
I have been taking this a little further by looking at the following websites: http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/biol/gsp/prospective/masters/cb/index.htm, http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taughtdegrees/courses/bysubject/course/?code=02129 and http://www.bioinformatics.leeds.ac.uk/mres_update/. I must say, I am most interested in the course they run at Leeds and would even consider taking it further with PhD level and post-doctorate study.
There is still a really big part of me however, that wants to continue into medicine and be involved on the front-line with dealing with patients from a clinical outlook. I often wonder if I don't go ahead and do that, whether I'll end up regretting it and always wondering?
I've sent off a few emails this afternoon anyway and will look forward to a response. Perhaps after a visit to the prospective departments and after my research topic is completed next year, I will have a better idea?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Newly born...
Well, that's not officially true... as it's actually been a little over 4 weeks, but I've been so busy, that I've been unable to make a post.
My beautiful baby daughter was born on 28th February 2009 at 9.09am and weighing a whopping 9lb 10oz! Things progresses so quickly, that we didn't even have chance to get to hospital, so ended up having her on the bed at home... certainly an exhilerating experience :D Also, she was born on the same day as my nephew, which was a good 1st birthday present for him :)
She's been amazing as well; sleeps through most of the night, so we're not too tired! She takes after her Dad with her appetite too; guzzling down 5ozs each feed from early on... in fact we're even considering upping her to 6ozs after this week, as she is starting to seem uncontented with her feeds again.
It's been a huge change to lifestyle, but well worth it and I can't explain how much I love her already. Here's a couple of pics from various points over the last 4 weeks :)
Steve x
Minutes old here
First trip in car seat
First bath she didn't cry in
Cute hat from Grandad Tony and Nana Trish
My beautiful baby daughter was born on 28th February 2009 at 9.09am and weighing a whopping 9lb 10oz! Things progresses so quickly, that we didn't even have chance to get to hospital, so ended up having her on the bed at home... certainly an exhilerating experience :D Also, she was born on the same day as my nephew, which was a good 1st birthday present for him :)
She's been amazing as well; sleeps through most of the night, so we're not too tired! She takes after her Dad with her appetite too; guzzling down 5ozs each feed from early on... in fact we're even considering upping her to 6ozs after this week, as she is starting to seem uncontented with her feeds again.
It's been a huge change to lifestyle, but well worth it and I can't explain how much I love her already. Here's a couple of pics from various points over the last 4 weeks :)
Steve x
Minutes old here
First trip in car seat
First bath she didn't cry in
Cute hat from Grandad Tony and Nana TrishWednesday, February 04, 2009
Baby Update
Well... Kelsey is 37 weeks and 6 days today! So, only 2 weeks and 1 day till the official due date on 19th February :D Although, it could really be any time in the next 4 weeks, if she comes a little earlier, or decides to stay all snug for a little longer ;)
I'm quite excited, but also very nervous. We're pretty much sorted with everything though, which is good. We've got the hospital bag packed and the nursery all sorted, on top of all the other necessaries, such as the pram.
I'll let you know as soon as the big day comes ;)
I'm quite excited, but also very nervous. We're pretty much sorted with everything though, which is good. We've got the hospital bag packed and the nursery all sorted, on top of all the other necessaries, such as the pram.
I'll let you know as soon as the big day comes ;)
Judegement Day
I often think about judgement, and I'm not getting all religious and spiritual here, I'm talking about how we judge one another.
Society has created many labels and categories of people and made it almost obligatory that we label one another in varying degrees; whether that be a mother, father, sister or brother at one extreme to the often less than delightful set of euphemisms that we adopt in place of some of the harsher categories that people so often find themselves placed in to.
I have found my self tarnished with many brushes throughout my life time and I understand that no-body is perfect, least of all me (I've certainly never professed to be), as I have often judged people too. What I am pointing to in particular here however, is how we often judge a book by its cover or based in a singular piece of information... the phrase "first impressions" springs to mind.
I believe I have been raised well by my parents and taught right from wrong, however I have also been raised by societies beliefs, which I believe quite often boxes you in and I also believe that part of growing up and maturing if you will, is to start to think outside the box and ultimately escape from it and from the bad habits that society has taught you as you have grown through childhood.
Now you may call me contradictory here, but many people fail to do this and carry on judging throughout their lives, placing people in the neat little categories, sometimes unfortunately in a less that desirable way. One that often hurts those they judge. Like I said earlier, I'm not perfect, not even close, but I really do try my best to be the best I can be, without judging others.
Sometimes this has been a downfall in my character as I have trusted people too much and been almost blind to certain things... naive is probably the most fitting word, but that is only because I believe in people and trust in people. I often give people many chances, way above and beyond how many I probably should. I believe I am a nice person and I really try my hardest, sometimes too hard, to please other people. I often go out of my way to help people and it hurts when people judge me based on something trivial, when they don't know me at all. I know you can't please everybody, but I try and probably always will!?
I think what I am ultimately trying to say here is that we shouldn't judge people based on a single moment, or a weakness in character, by the colour of their skin, by their beliefs or their religion. Everyone has a right to be who they want to be and think what they want to think. We should see the good in everyone and try to latch on to that and encourage that. Obviously there are exceptions to every rule and nothing is black and white, so I would encourage open discussion of concerns, as opposed to all-out-war.
Who are we to say if something is right or wrong? Who am I to tell you this? I just want to promote thinking outside the box, freedom of choice and a lack of discrimination! I don't know... maybe I am too naive in thinking that we can achieve this... after all there are many different individuals in the world, with many differing opinions, but at the end of the day, we are all human and have more in common than we may think :-)
Society has created many labels and categories of people and made it almost obligatory that we label one another in varying degrees; whether that be a mother, father, sister or brother at one extreme to the often less than delightful set of euphemisms that we adopt in place of some of the harsher categories that people so often find themselves placed in to.
I have found my self tarnished with many brushes throughout my life time and I understand that no-body is perfect, least of all me (I've certainly never professed to be), as I have often judged people too. What I am pointing to in particular here however, is how we often judge a book by its cover or based in a singular piece of information... the phrase "first impressions" springs to mind.
I believe I have been raised well by my parents and taught right from wrong, however I have also been raised by societies beliefs, which I believe quite often boxes you in and I also believe that part of growing up and maturing if you will, is to start to think outside the box and ultimately escape from it and from the bad habits that society has taught you as you have grown through childhood.
Now you may call me contradictory here, but many people fail to do this and carry on judging throughout their lives, placing people in the neat little categories, sometimes unfortunately in a less that desirable way. One that often hurts those they judge. Like I said earlier, I'm not perfect, not even close, but I really do try my best to be the best I can be, without judging others.
Sometimes this has been a downfall in my character as I have trusted people too much and been almost blind to certain things... naive is probably the most fitting word, but that is only because I believe in people and trust in people. I often give people many chances, way above and beyond how many I probably should. I believe I am a nice person and I really try my hardest, sometimes too hard, to please other people. I often go out of my way to help people and it hurts when people judge me based on something trivial, when they don't know me at all. I know you can't please everybody, but I try and probably always will!?
I think what I am ultimately trying to say here is that we shouldn't judge people based on a single moment, or a weakness in character, by the colour of their skin, by their beliefs or their religion. Everyone has a right to be who they want to be and think what they want to think. We should see the good in everyone and try to latch on to that and encourage that. Obviously there are exceptions to every rule and nothing is black and white, so I would encourage open discussion of concerns, as opposed to all-out-war.
Who are we to say if something is right or wrong? Who am I to tell you this? I just want to promote thinking outside the box, freedom of choice and a lack of discrimination! I don't know... maybe I am too naive in thinking that we can achieve this... after all there are many different individuals in the world, with many differing opinions, but at the end of the day, we are all human and have more in common than we may think :-)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Work, work, work...
Well, I've just spent the last few hours typing up the minutes from a student staff committee meeting we had today... all thrilling stuff! Which will be topped up tomorrow by a good few hours more revision for the Molecular Cell Biology MCQ test at 13:15 :S
It's work, work and more work at the moment and speaking of which, I visited occupational health at the hospital yesterday for an interview in relation to my new job. I applied for a job as a phlebotomist (taker of blood) earlier in the semester and although I didn't get one of the main positions, I was offered one with reduced hours, topped up with assisting in the labs on the weekend, due mainly to my student status. So, all went well with that and I'm just sitting back patiently waiting for my CRB and references to be returned, so I can start!
It's work, work and more work at the moment and speaking of which, I visited occupational health at the hospital yesterday for an interview in relation to my new job. I applied for a job as a phlebotomist (taker of blood) earlier in the semester and although I didn't get one of the main positions, I was offered one with reduced hours, topped up with assisting in the labs on the weekend, due mainly to my student status. So, all went well with that and I'm just sitting back patiently waiting for my CRB and references to be returned, so I can start!
The next few weeks are going to be difficult ones actually. I spent most of the beginning of this week finish off my microbiology practical manual, which was to be handed in by 4pm tomorrow, although I handed it in today. I also have to research, write and revise an essay for my Molecular Cell Biology exam test next Thursday, which is based broadly around the title "Mitochondrial and Peroxisomal biogenesis", which incidentally I have to regurgitate from memory in the space of 2 hours. How I'm going to remember enough on one of the most "interesting" subjects to full-up the space of 2 hours under exam conditions, I don't know? I guess we'll see ;)
On a lighter note however, Kelsey is 30 weeks pregnant tomorrow, which leaves only 10 weeks to go until the big day. In amongst revising for my Immunology & Proteomics and Clinical Disciplines 2 (Medical Microbiolgy) exams in January, that is all I'm really going to be focusing on.
Over the christmas break I envisage a little extra reading in preparation for the second module covered by Clinical Disciplines 2, which is Cellular Pathology. This is an area I am extremely interested in, as I have a particular passion for Oncology and so anything relating to pathology on a cellular or even cytological level, interests me greatly. Hopefully I'll have started at the hospital before I return to university at the beginning of February too?
Perhaps a little time to relax and play on the Wii in between too... who knows?
Steve x
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Time flies...
Well, we're 28 weeks and 2 days today and Kelsey's bump is coming along nicely :) I'll post some pictures up here at some point, so you can have a look.
We've been quite lucky to be awarded some extra money from student finance and from my university, so have been out buying lots of things in preparation for little Ashleigh coming along. I've posted a couple of pictures below of her room. All we really have left to get now, is the nursery furniture (cot/bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers) and the pram, which we will get with the Sure Start maternity grant money and some money we are being given by our parents.
Only 11 and a bit weeks left to go now and it's been flying by so fast. Before we know it, she will be here and then begins the sleepless nights. I've actually been quite lucky in that I've been able to secure a job working at Hull Royal and Castle Hill hospitals as a phlebotomist (taking blood from people) and also with some extra hours in the lab. This will mean I can hopefully cut down on my hours during the week, to devote to my little girl and also to my university schedule.
I'll throw a few more pictures of things up on here soon and update you on any further progress as and when I can, but time is proving thin on the ground and I'm really trying to focus on making the grades count this year, as they go towards my final classification.
So... back to the Immunology revision ;)
We've been quite lucky to be awarded some extra money from student finance and from my university, so have been out buying lots of things in preparation for little Ashleigh coming along. I've posted a couple of pictures below of her room. All we really have left to get now, is the nursery furniture (cot/bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers) and the pram, which we will get with the Sure Start maternity grant money and some money we are being given by our parents.
Only 11 and a bit weeks left to go now and it's been flying by so fast. Before we know it, she will be here and then begins the sleepless nights. I've actually been quite lucky in that I've been able to secure a job working at Hull Royal and Castle Hill hospitals as a phlebotomist (taking blood from people) and also with some extra hours in the lab. This will mean I can hopefully cut down on my hours during the week, to devote to my little girl and also to my university schedule.
I'll throw a few more pictures of things up on here soon and update you on any further progress as and when I can, but time is proving thin on the ground and I'm really trying to focus on making the grades count this year, as they go towards my final classification.
So... back to the Immunology revision ;)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Further developments...
Well, since the last post we have been for the 20 weeks anatomy scan, which was actually at 19 weeks and 5 days. The scan went fine and we were able to see the foetus moving, the heart beating and see that all structures were as they should be, developmentally. We have also, subsequently had a further midwife appointment, bang on 21 weeks and everything was also fine there.
We are now 21 weeks and 4 days, with each week incrementing on a Thursday and our baby being due on Thursday 19th February 2009. It doesn't seem long at all when you say that there are only 18 weeks and 3 days left to go.
Incidentally, we also discovered that we are to have a little girl, whom we will be naming Ashleigh Taylor Moss, or at least that's the current plan.
Here are some pictures of the scans:
We are now 21 weeks and 4 days, with each week incrementing on a Thursday and our baby being due on Thursday 19th February 2009. It doesn't seem long at all when you say that there are only 18 weeks and 3 days left to go.
Incidentally, we also discovered that we are to have a little girl, whom we will be naming Ashleigh Taylor Moss, or at least that's the current plan.
Here are some pictures of the scans:
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