Page 143 - UWI Class of '74 Memory Lane

Memories
Memory 1
How much I loved and enjoyed Pharmacology. The lecturers were intent on making us understand the subject matter and were never too busy nor unwilling to share their knowledge with us. They made sure we passed the exams. I still remember one particular Lecturer from UK and his ramming into our heads about the effects of Digoxin on the heart. Remember the fear we had of Prof Feng? I also remember how we were in awe of Dr Maharaj. His favorite topic was the “belly” and we had to be spot on in the vivas .Prof Hoyte and his very Oxfordian demeanour also impressed me. He taught Anatomy so well. So much for preclinical years. As for the clinical years. I was so excited to be going on to Obs and Gynae because I really wanted to deliver babies. On my very first evening on call. I was assigned an obese multigravida in labour whom I had to special”. She came in at about 6.00 p.m. and never delivered until 3.00 or 4.00 in the a.m. That made my mind up for me. No way was I going to stay up at nights labouring with the moms. Nights were made for sleeping. I was convinced about that. I decided I wanted something more glamorous. So then Dermatology was a specialty that I really was keen on. Dr Norma Shim was such a lovely person and made it so glamorous... I could live with that.I never had the chance to pursue that dream but I decided to do something further in my career and so went on to do a diploma in STI’s and then in Family Medicine.
Memory 2
The second most cherished memories were of the bonds we forged”with each other as medical students. I will never forget Pam Steele Richard Valentine and Roy Tilluckdharry. On campus there was Mrs Hillary Dawnes who was my mother figure. Life in Jamaica away from home was made tolerable by these wonderful people I met.
Memory 3
And finally Jamaica itself...what a hauntingly beautiful island! The contrast.. the energy .. the vibes .Every night we studied to the strains and the beat of reggae in the valley. The Blue Mountains cradled us in her arms..And travelling through the countryside to Mandeville to Ocho Rios Negril and other places of natural beauty filled me with a sense of awe that still lingers on in my mind. If I could only return and recapture that ambience that filled my soul....
Jamaica ..you took a piece of my heart away....I long to return.. Till then ..au revoir...) Life Highlights
v My marriage to my husband
v My two sons and daughter-in-law and grandson
v The tranquil last vacation I enjoyed with my husband in 2017
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