Page 96 - UWI Class of '74 Memory Lane

Memories
Memory 1
Always late for class! My father was known as “ the late Mr. Powell!” I got so much hassle arriving late to 1st MB lectures, and to the hospital for early morning ward rounds. Especially from Prof. Reg Carpenter who knew my father. “Oh Miss Powell, thank you for joining us!” when I was 15 mins late. My mother solved the problem!She bought me a little green Mini Minor car for my 21st birthday. I was never late again! And I used to pick up Provi (Tim Providence ) in Mona on the way to the hospital every morning. Happy ending!
Memory 2
This memory didn’t have such a happy ending! Walking up around the ring road one lunchtime from my 1st MB classes, on my birthday. I was heading to my aunt’s office, who was secretary to the Chancellor of Taylor Hall. I was distracted due to an argument with a close friend ( enough said!) I missed my footing and fell into the acquaduct in front of Taylor Hall’s
entrance! I managed to climb out, scraped and bleeding and limped into my aunt’s office! So much for my birthday, and I still have the scars on my elbow and knee as a reminder!
Memory 3
It was my first day on the wards in Internal Medicine. There was a patient with a large pleural effusion who needed a chest tube insertion for fluid drainage. As medical students, we eagerly watched as the Registrar performed the procedure under the guidance of the Consultant. It was then that I realized how the sight of blood affected me- and I nearly fainted! Cold, clammy and dizzy! At the time, the Consultant said: “You’re not cut out to deal with blood! You should choose a specialty where there is no blood to deal with!”
So what did I do? I chose Anesthesiology, dealing with Surgery and blood every day for the next 35 years! All’s well that ends well!!
Life Highlights
v My 2 darling precious children, Phil and Laura, now both doctors
v Guiding visible minority female high school students- one went into med
school
v Taking up competitive Ballroom Dancing
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