Monthly update for November

Dearest gentle readers

(those of you who aren't gentle can still read this obviously)

This month's update is done by yours truly, Jeremy. As all of you know, I do partake in a little tongue-in-cheek with my editions. However, as we approach November, we are also seeing many of us preparing for the FS 2026 FCA 1 and FCA 2 exams. Here I plead for a little grace for all exam candidates— a touch more patience and perhaps the occasional cup of coffee slipped our way. We promise to return the favour once we’ve survived the exam season (and regained our circadian rhythms).

As we all know this is closer towards crunch time, we are all trying our best to survive. Our UP circuit has always thrived on an interlinked support structure which we have all benefitted from. My prayer is that we shall continue this spirit throughout exam period into 2026 where we will all thrive.

This rotation is what I believe to be the last towards Kalafong where I spent my last day at Kalafong. It has been a huge pleasure to work with all the consultants, medical officers and nurses at Kalafong. I have been blessed to work as a colleague with each one of you. Hoping for the pleasure to work with the Kalafong team again in the future.

With that said, I will be publishing lesser articles as I focus more on the books these next few months. Please bear with us as we navigate this transition ❤️ below is an attached playlist from Spotify for relaxing piano covers - my wish for everyone to have a relaxing time as this year will soon draw to a close.

As the year comes to a close, we also recently celebrated two colleagues moving on towards greater things having accomplished their goals here with us at Steve Biko. We thank them for their contributions and sacrifices they made throughout this tough time we all understand as registrar and medical officers within the system.

Dear Nolu and Almarie

You will truly be missed. Thank you for your undoubtable strengths in leadership style. Nolu took up the role of call rostering and has been able to try navigate through different hardships. We are grateful for all the opportunities and guidance you have given us through this time. I am grateful for the additional time you allow for me to thoroughly try present cases in a logical and thought-out manner. Almarie seamlessly took on the role to guide her juniors as we progressed through reg time. For all this we genuinely hope someday we will be able to fill your shoes and walk a mile in them.

Birthday month 🎂

Of note we have four birthdays this month. Apologies if I've missed your birthday for the previous editions. We will make sure to include your birthdays timely. In the mean time please feel free to add your birthday to the calendar on level 4 tea room so we can highlight and celebrate your birthday together.

Prof Ooisthuizen

Birthday: 6th November

Prof Ooisthuizen has been the cornerstone of academics for our young minds since his arrival and has helped shaped countless throughout his career. May this day and month bring forth more joys than one can count and numerous blessings life can bring.

Dr Priya Ramgoolam

Birthday: 7th November

This girl has been my bestie and my little sister in Anaesthesia since we started speaking over Facebook on Robert Kieser's posts. Speaking about all the support she has given me throughout my medical officer then to registrar career, I would really not have been able to emotionally cope without her. Geniunely appreciate every little thing she does for me and everyone in the department. Proving gems are also precious no matter the size. From the depths of my heart, I truly wish her a wonderful day and that this month will brighten her year with many more to come. Happy birthday month to the victim-sized friend of mine and my favourite flower child.

Dr Mata Ramutsindela

Birthday: 25th November

Mata joined us in April seeking to learn more skilled from our anaesthesia team. It has been mere months since her arrival and she already feels like family. A little note - she was in the same class as many of us you know in the department. Me, Justin, Anri, Lionel, Yolandi, Rindze and Mata all graduated together in 2017. Talking about a small world where we all unite back into UP Anaesthesia. Here's to making our workplace a better place one step at a time as fellow UP Alumni. Wishing you the best month ever so far and that this birthday will be fantastic.

Dr Danielle Ingham

Birthday: 28th November

I met Danielle when I first rotated through to Kalafong where I first experienced her vibrant and outgoing personality. She is passionate about learning and does put her patients before everyone else. We witnessed two major transitions in her life: namely from Dr Mouton to Dr Ingham and from a medical officer to a registrar. Through all the chats and support towards and from the whole department, she is a deeply rooted figure within our unit. Of course she is here with her two achievements winning prizes for both DA and FCA part 1. Here's to wishing you all the achievements you'd like to achieve and that we all grow older and wiser together! Happy birthday month!

Readings for the week

(weak) however you want to take it

As I am going through the different domains, I've noticed that there are certain aspects that we haven't been thorough enough about. The PDF's are from Anaesthesia Tutorial For The Week (Since this is a monthly edition, I shall supply a few topics I think is useful)

Functional capacity assessment

Through Dr van der Merwe's talk on functional capacity assessment, I found myself learning things I thought I have been doing well. When last have you done a DASI questionnaire or asked about a 6 minute walk test? What is your patient's VO2 peak? With that said - may we all improve together 🥰

For those of us that are unaware, Dr van der Merwe and the various members from the part 1 team are having regular tutorials on Thursday morning which are available on blackboard learn. Please feel free to attend - the hard work that each of them put in is very much appreciated.

Hypoxia and hypoxemia

Don't even lie and tell us when Dawid asks you about this that you feel confident and prepared to answer whatever he has in mind for you. Instead of "do you even lift bro" - I hear-by mention "do you even examine the Aa gradient bro". Below is an attached one pager from OnePagerICU - an amazing resource for us.

Regional anaesthesia

This tutorial of the week is about regional techniques. Those of you that have worked with me know that I do love a good block (not on WhatsApp if that's what you have in mind - but do keep checking my profile picture, if it's gone you know)

This tutorial focuses on what to do when our hand blocks fail and what we can do. Distraction techniques is what I have based my MMed on 🫶🏻

Vasoplegia and vasopressors

Have you been fighting for your life with hypotension and vasodilation in patients with ?vasoplegia ? Nolu sent us an article with highlights very important details re vasoplegia from BJA education. The second file included here will be on vasopressors in an ICU setting which does summarise this for us.

Recipe for the time being

Look, I barely have time to cook due to all this studying I am doing. The recipe I am to share is as follows:

Well if the above button doesn't satisfy:

🍯 Recipe Inspiration — Air Fryer Char Siu Pork Bites (叉烧)

As you all know, I am cantonese. Therefore this month’s kitchen pick is a lighter take on the Cantonese favourite — Char Siu Pork, but made quick and guilt-free in the air fryer. Sweet, savoury, glossy, and just the right amount of smoky. Perfect for post-call dinners or Sunday meal prep.

Serves: 3 | Prep: 15 min + marinate | Cook: 20 min

🧄 Ingredients

• 500 g lean pork shoulder or fillet, cut into 3 cm cubes
• 1½ tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• ½ tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

🔥 Method

1. Marinate everything for at least 2 hours (overnight if you’re planning ahead).
2. Preheat air fryer to 180°C.
3. Arrange pork pieces in a single layer on parchment or lightly oiled basket.
4. Air fry 10 minutes → brush with extra marinade → flip and cook another 8–10 minutes until caramelised.
5. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

🥢 Serving idea

With jasmine rice and a quick cucumber salad (rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chilli flakes).

⚖️ Macros (per serving, pork only)

Calories: ~280 | Protein: 32 g | Carbs: 14 g | Fat: 9 g

💡 Tip

Swap pork for chicken thighs for our halal or kosher friends— same marinade, 16 minutes total cook time.

Friday academic meetings

Here's the academic meetings as listed PER the roster. This is NOT decided by me. I am but the sharer of the schedule 🥰

November

For those of you reading and not signing up - link below 👇

For those of you that have a talent for writing and not joining