May 31st 2024

A perfect elective

Jane and Ian MacDonald have been the most perfect hosts during Tom’s medical elective in Banff.  Any hopes that he might be allowed a gentle introduction into the working week were dashed when he was presented on arrival with his rota.  Shadowing Jane’s own schedule, this included a full day’s clinic on day one and his very first weekend in Canada on call.  The latter proved very exciting as an expectant mum whom he saw in the first few days of his visit went into labour on the Saturday evening and Tom assisted in the delivery in the early hours of Sunday morning.  It sounds as if his roster since then has been much more relaxed, and he has described his stay as being a perfect combination of work and free time to explore the extraordinarily beautiful surrounding countryside.
 
He has proved to be extremely popular with Jane and Ian’s young grandchildren aged two, four and six because of his willingness to play lots of games and read them bedtime stories.  His suggestion that he cook them a delicious cheesy leek and bacon penne bake was received with great excitement but, as their mother had warned might happen, they all burst into tears when it was presented to them as they will only eat plain cooked pasta!  He was forgiven as soon as the offending dish had been removed from the table, to be enjoyed later by the adults.