"Age is not an Issue"

In the first of three bedside teaching sessions today, my tutor group and I were in our new consultant's office, discussing the case history of a gentleman on the ward. At some point, one of my colleagues said something along the lines of "but he was a little forgetful", at which point I chirped in with the sympathetic and harmless "well, he is 91". The consultant promptly leapt up in his chair and said "please don't say that". He went on to explain that the patient's age, on paper, should have no bearing on their care, beside the academic notes and cut-offs for specialist services. If a patient is fit enough for a certain treatment, then they should receive it. He has a very valid point. Beside the fact that my comment was harmless, and he accepted the fact that no apology was necessary, his argument is perfectly correct. I've seen plenty of fit and active 80 year olds, and even more lazy broken 50 year olds to know that some people are significantly older or younger in body than their birth certificate. I myself have a great aunt who is pushing 100 and still to my knowledge accepts absolutely no help from others. Whether it's genetic, involving theories about telomeres, or social, accounting premature or late aging to stress, smoking or booze, the fact remains, that some people, many of us in fact, have ages that differ remarkably to the number printed on our driving licence. Whilst we're on the subject, I have no intention to live any longer than my body can comfortably cope with. Have kids, have grandkids, retire, learn golf or whatever, but when the hips start to creak and I find myself having to sit down on my way to the kitchen even though I'm walking from the hall, someone remind me to go out gloriously by pushing a kid out of the path of a bus, or shielding some disabled people from a suicide bomber. Lord knows that I'm just to proud to have time inflict itself on me in that way.
Wow, moving on, after my teaching sessions I drove to Boldrewood (my first and second year lecture campus) to have an interview with an anatomy doctor about the possibility of me taking up one of her projects next year. The projects on offer weren't wonderfully stimulating, but I have the sense to ask her if she had any vacancies for a student in her own personal research, which is on Alzheimer's disease. She said the thought hadn't occurred to her, but now that I'd mentioned it would be a great idea. She even mentioned that there was a chance of presenting the findings in Scotland or Iceland, all expenses paid (she has funding, well spent!). The possible travel is nice, but to be honest the chance to work as the sole assistant to a leading researcher is incentive enough. Unfortunately, when I asked her, there were 3 other student in the room who promptly jumped on the bandwagon. Hopefully she'll recognise my enthusiasm (I did originally ask). I sent her a follow-up email to confirm my interest.
Hockey in the evening, no better way to relax than to have small shards of plastic hit at you at speeds of around 75mph in cases.