Yesterday I went along with Laura D. to a talk at the Barts Pathology Museum on the topic of ‘Making the Monster- The Science of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’. The talk was presented by Dr. Kathryn Harkup and was around an hour long with a Q&A at the end. Laura asked me if I would like... Continue Reading →
Decimation of Pomegranate
It’s been an eventful week in the mortuary, I’ve been cracking on with learning the ropes of ‘receiving’ and ‘releasing’ patients either into the mortuary or out of it into the care of funeral directors. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s hugely important to ensure that the correct paperwork is in place and that... Continue Reading →
Why you should have heard of ‘Alkaline Hydrolysis’
Have you? Really cool if you have! If you haven’t, please let me to give you a brief introduction to the process which is also known as ‘water cremation’. We all know about burials and cremations, and the fact it’s quite accepted to decide to have either happen to you once you die. I happen... Continue Reading →
Halloween, a Death Cafe & The Animals of Farthing Wood
Another week is nearly complete and I’ve officially been working at the mortuary for an entire month. It’s weird because in some ways I feel like I’ve been there a lot longer, and in others I still feel like an imposter who’s snuck in and will be found out at as a fraud. I think... Continue Reading →
Groove is in the Heart…. Part 2
Sadly, each year a number of young people will pass away. It's not uncommon in the mortuary to have a patient who is under 30 but an adult. Obviously there are a number of reasons young people could die, but in my time at the mortuary (either when on my work placement or in the... Continue Reading →
Groove is in the Heart… Part 1
This week I got a bit obsessed with the human heart. It's a bloody wonderful and powerful little thing we often take for granted until it malfunctions or stops. I had the great opportunity to watch another pathologist work again this week. I've discovered there's more than one way to not only eviscerate (they like... Continue Reading →
Eau de Mortuary
It is a truth universally acknowledged by all tube commuters that some people are just plain stinkier than others. Stinkier and less pleasant to be stuck under the armpit of. Bad smells were not something I thought I would exactly escape by going to work in the mortuary, although I don't get the tube anymore... Continue Reading →
And I’m Wondering What I’m Doing in a Room Like This
Week three in the mortuary is complete, and it's been eventful. For a brilliant start, this blog hit 850 views and that is so incredible. Thank you so very much for reading, following and supporting me. In other news, this week had me attending Corporate Induction at the hospital, doing numerous online courses, and some... Continue Reading →
Sweetcorn, Foie Gras & the Flu Jab
Week two is done and dusted, and I'm more confident than ever that I've found the career I always wanted. I summarised my week to a friend via text message today and it went as follows 'Honestly I have no idea where to start...'. That's still very much the feeling, but apart from a sweetcorn... Continue Reading →
Week One: What not to say… and when!
There's something I've realised this week and especially over the weekend it's become very apparent. I have no filter regarding when it's okay to talk about my work and when it's not, but let me elaborate on my week and what I mean by that. I had a really great first five days at the... Continue Reading →