A new outlook

Things I will never forget...

I have just had the two most amazing weeks ever. The past two weeks have been mid-semester break. This means no lectures to go to!!!! I have been getting so spoilt doing my independent study paper that I realized how much I love studying and teaching myself in the library rather than actually going to lectures! So although I had no classes, I came in to the library anyway, and worked on my genetics assignment, for all of the first week! My topic for the past two weeks had been genetic counseling.

Last week I had my Wednesday genetics class that forever changed the way in which I look at things. I used to think that genetic counseling is simply a meeting with a person/family where family genetic history is discussed, and advice is given as to whether or not have kids. Simple as that. Well, Wednesday’s ‘class’ changed all that. We discussed genetic counseling and the various aspects around it. Afterwards, all I could say was “WOW”!! I went home in a total daze (forgetting to press the button on the bus at the train station and going all the way up to Lambton Quay, I must add! Oops!).

The following day I read the most amazing book ever. ‘Chromosome abnormalities and genetic counseling’ by Gardner and Sutherland is just about the most extraordinary book ever. At first I wasn’t going to read all of it. But then after Wednesday’s genetics class last week I just knew I had to read it all. So after my overwhelming class on Wednesday I decided I would overwhelm myself even more by spending all of Thursday reading the book. When I finished, all I could say was “WOW”!! It was like nothing I’ve ever read. The issues discussed were just so big, so unbelievably complex. It was about things I would have never dreamt of!! I spent that entire weekend in a total daze. I couldn’t stop thinking about all I’ve been told and all I’ve read.

The following Wednesday I had my ‘counseling session,’ where I was the ‘genetic counselor’. All I can say is that it was an experience that I will never forget. I learnt that being a genetics counselor is an incredibly complicated profession, requiring an extreme amount of knowledge, insight and tact. I cannot choose the words to say how much I had realized and understood. And I have to say, I was very thankful that it was only a role-play and not in actual real life!

That day I also handed in my written counseling report, in which for the first time I designed a pedigree!

Two weeks ago I had been given a piece of paper with this on it:

46, XY, ins (3:2)(q13; p23p24)(N-MYC+, ALK+)

This was the starting point for my road of genetic counseling knowledge. It meant nothing to me. Two weeks later, I see it with new eyes. Accompanying this one line is an 11 page report.

The poem in my previous post was taken from that amazing genetic counseling book. If I had to summarize the entire 478 page book I would just quote that poem. It is a bit sad. But I like it.

In the second week I also completed my media presentation, making a slideshow. That was interesting, and I already had experience making slides when I did my CML/Philadelphia chromosome project. I have to give a 10 minute presentation on a given article, in week 8 (a week from now!). I also started working on my essay for evolution about origin and diversification of birds. I found all the articles and have read through them all, so now I have to write it. Luckily I still have almost 3 weeks until it’s due. …Mmm my life is interesting at the moment; it consists of thinking about mutations (related to genetic counseling) and fossils (origin and evolution of birds supported by fossil records)!!! …although fascinating, it can get a bit depressing…

The university is so peaceful and quiet in the holidays, and there is hardly anyone around. That’s how I like it. But…classes resume tomorrow (finished writing this post on the 31st Aug). Back to lectures. Back to crowded corridors. Back to noise levels in the library…

If I were to reflect on my past 7 weeks I would say this; I feel like what I have learnt within the past 7 weeks, is possibly more than I have ever learnt in all my 3 years of university put together (or maybe even my whole life!!!)!!!