My final degree results!

After the last meeting which was more than difficult to handle, I was so sure i was still pretty upset.

My son and i had been somewhere which escapes me now.  As we pulled up outside the house I said.
"ohhh." and he asked what?  I was looking at my phone.  A group chat told me that our final results of our final public health exam was in. I knew this was make or break.

Looking at the phone frantically the minute we were inside the house, I was trying to log in. There it was.

"YESSSSSS!!!!" I said quietly and punched the air at the same time.
"yeah?" My son asked?  "Yes son, public health exam was 59%. That means a good overall mark and I passed my degree!" 
"Yes mum." He fist bumped  me. 

Quickly I reached for the scientific calculator and began to punch in some numbers. 
Turned out well.  A really strong 2:2 at 57%.  I wouldn't imagine they will add in adjustments to the tune of 3% to make it a 2:1 but given the journey I have had the miracle of 'just finishing and not quitting' then 'not getting a 3rd' was achieved.  I was happy and totally proud of myself. 

A long load of group chats followed as we discussed our results.  Everyone was on a 2:1 and one lovely friend on 69% which I hoped they would increase for her.  Of course, a Facebook status followed.  100 likes and many comments.  I was proud and chuffed.  
Then my body began to ache. I could hardly breathe out.  A fever followed and a heart pumping so heavily at 120 beats per minute.  Did I have the flu? I thought so and was tempted to try and get myself to the hospital but didn't have the energy. Instead I took paracetamol and waited.  

24 Hours later I was almost right as rain so I can only imagine this was a release of all the negative energies coming out. I'd also had an indian head massage earlier in the day so perhaps that didn't help. 

Feeling very happy and relaxed now, I have done it!

Onto the next chapter which I will tell you more about in the next blog post. Suffice to say there is a slight swerve in direction. 

Year 3 going swimmingly?

Year 3 is well and truly in swing now.

Is it going well?  ~I would like to say yes. I'm feeling so really.  Typing here on an unfamiliar keyboard with big ol' keys (as opposed to my little Mac ones) while drinking my coffee kind of suggests I can't keep away from the place.

Usually, I would be taking this time to walk my fluffy dog and take him into Starbucks, using their wi-fi and dog friendly service to begin a week of catching up on coursework.  Yet the grey clouds built hard and fast and I left Harley pining at the front door while I grabbed a hooded coat to protect me from the rain.  Leaving to take my daughter to the college close by, I decided to head on in here and start an update for my PDP.

Loving to write, I had a very interesting conversation with some collegues on SAturday as we worked the university open day in our ambassador role.
"Maybe I chose the wrong degree." As those words left my mouth I actually shocked myself.

WAnting to be a dietitian is a life long dream.  Yet.  This was to work with people, be empathetic and help them with their life struggles.  I am not sure I can see this happening now with the route my career seems to be naturally flowing.  Partly due to the lack of interaction with the members of the public.  This course isn't about that.

Strangely, I feel life definitely takes its own twists and turns in order to keep me on my toes

Revision - Main characteristic of Viruses.

NB this is my own revision and I cannot promise accuracy - do research.

Question:
a)  Discuss in depth the main characteristics of viruses

Viruses are not classed as living things as they cannot replicate without a host.  They do not have a metabolism.
Viruses spread using cells.
They have a protein coat called a capsid.
Viruses are very small, much smaller than bacteria.
They are difficult to treat.

b) Give a detailed account of the main events involved in a typical virus life cycle

A virus enters the body and locates a host cell.  As it fuses, it uses the protein coat to enter the cell.  Here,  it enters either a lytic cycle or a lysogenic cycle .  Nucleic acid will be used to reform DNA/RNA and change the genetic material of the cell.
The lytic cycle then sees the cell erupt making copies of the other cells.  Leaving holes in the cell membrane gives ease to apoptosis of the cell as it cannot survive without the membrane.
The lysogenic cycle uses DNA to hide in cells until immune comprimisation occurs.

c)  List factors contributing to viral pathogenicity and to the nature and severity of viral diseases.

Pathogenicity refers to the ability of an organism to cause disease (i.e. harm the host).  This ability represents a genetic component of the pathogen and the damage done to the host is a property of the host-pathogen reactions.

Natural killer cells are lymphocytes, they recognise this virus and kill.
The severity of viral diseases is dictated by the immune response. In several immune deficiency diseases including AIDS NK cell function is abnormal.
NK cells binds to cell and releases toxins which produces holes int he target cells membrane creating apoptosis.
NK cells may also contribute to immunoregulation by recreating high levels of influential lymphokines.

Seminar at Kings College London

Seminar at Kings College London

About This Experience

Looking at cardio vascular health and saturated fats.  Held at Kings College London and supported by the Alpro Foundation.  

Much evidence was shown in respect to the above.  Cohorts had gathered information in support of plant based eating and the link of cardio vascular health.  

When Did The Experience Take Place?

10 March 2016

Supporting Evidence

Product brochures containing much dietary information. Photo graphs of the slide presentation and of the outside of Kings.  Plus the confirmation email of my booking.

0

Overall Reflection

This synopsisum was informative to me in relation to my studies.  More and more I am realising the benefits of eating a diet lower in saturated fats and higher in PUFAs.  This demonstrated that a plant based diet may make these nutrients more readily available.  

A plant based diet does not exclude meat.  Rather is a diet focused more on consumption of vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds and certain unsaturated oils. The recommendation was to include around 1/3rd meat and 2/3rd plant based.  

The speaker was keen to point out that this diet can be subject to error by the consumer.  If he were to consume more wholegrain bread in the diet, this may be bread which needs carving; making the consumer prone to carving a larger portion of 50g rather than the recommended 30g.  Shop bought bread may contain higher levels of salt than desirable.  Therefore, a risk may be imposed to consume more salt.  

While every diet discussed seems to have arguments for and against, I can clearly see the benefits of eating a full spectrum of colour in a plant based diet.  Variety and balanced, this diet may well have convinced me that a lower intake of animal based fats may be beneficial to health.  Also, I am keen to get out and buy a Nutribullet!

A final side note to take away from the evening,  there is some limited studies on menopausal women and symptoms of  menopause such as hot flushes.  Soya bean products are thought to lower the symptoms in these women.

While watching the speakers and taking mental notes, I could see how the knowledge they have may have come across to the audience as easy to understand with one speaker, yet less easy to understand with the next speaker.  This has also helped with my own presentation skills for the future and any speaking I may need to do.

My results are all in

So it seems somehow, I passed.

Amazing news isn't it?  There was just one disappointment which was Biochemistry in my exam.  22%

22%? Well I felt I had done so so so much better than that.  Yet, worry not, I do feel I understood the content and I also passed the module as the other elements were great marks.  Pleased for sure!

Overall a 50% pass for Biochem.  Not bad as I missed so much of that.

The other results were amazing.  My PDP (the thing I added blogs to) got a whopping 85% which I was really so super glad about. I was hoping for a great score there.

Nutrition exam came away with 67%.

All modules were at the very least a 2:2 and most a 2:1.

This first year doesn't count towards the final grade marks yet I have learnt so much about what I may need to do to get a first (I'd love one of those!) and to be honest, I know it's not going to be handed to me on a plate.  Yet it seems incredibly possible depending on what else you might have going on in life.  For me, I need to work a little less on people's hair styles and spend far more time reading and in the library.  This coming year should be far far more interesting. Much less about the core science and more in which I'm hoping to relate to.  Immunology, cancer, metabolism etc.  I am doubly sure I will be learning so much about myself too and how I can help myself with my own health and diet - she says as she takes a sip of her latte - which would be amazing.

Emailing my tutor who was going to show me some good examples of well written papers and essays got no reply.  Well, it is the summer holidays.  My brain is a little tuned out too!

Yesterday I took a call from my mental health advisor from uni who is quite on the ball in all departments.  She is keen for me to continue to take care of my mental health and feels my physical health is all part of the difficulties dealing with the mental.

To be totally open on this blog though, I have definitely realised that I need to be comfortable in the skin I'm in.  I'm a person who loves to be at home, sitting at my desk and not being overly social in public.  That's just me.  It's who I am.  Realising that has enabled me to create a much better inner peace.  Ok, so here's the hippy in me showing through now.

I have so many super ideas on how I can create my ideal life and living from the beauty of my laptop. I am super keen to make this happen.  It just may mean some more late nights, which I am not so great at.

Today, my son takes his last GCSE and in two days, my daughter finishes too (did I mention they are twins?)  I cannot help but feel like punching the air saying "I've done it!" as I realise I actually lived long enough to watch them grow up!  Sounds daft now but when they were tiny I was an anxiety filled mess who really wanted to live long enough.  I would lie awake counting my heartbeats as it pounded with palpitations (these are the days before I knew I was allergic to gluten!).
Next year (early) they will be able to drive which will give me so much more free time.  Although leaving school, they are going to be at college which is directly next to the university! Amazing.

Hoping this will all work out well, I am continuing with putting as much time as possible into my blog posts and youtube videos in the hope that it really doesn't matter how many slipped discs I'm dealing with or what level of arthritis.  I can still work and keep myself doing all the things I love.

I'm excited for the future.  Just wishing I wasn't filled with doubt about me actually being able to make it all happen.

What about you?  How is your future looking?  Are you confident?

Bank Holiday revision

After much panic (needed panic?)  I am sat at university on Bank Holiday Sunday.

The weather is streaming sunshine outside.  Yet here I am revising.  Thankfully things are starting to click into place and I feel like this is what I need to do.  To just brave it out!

At university we have been discouraged from using  the internet.  Especially you tube.  Yet last year I felt it really helped so much.  Two friends of mine (one from last years uni and one from this year) both suggested I use Youtube.  So I have.  Sitting here with my headphones on and watching youtube.  Making notes and hoping to get around to writing up some bullet points.

All the while I am sharing these videos over on my Science of Nutrition Facebook page.  I hope it will help some of you guys too.

After previous disappointing results, I have really been going to town beating myself up about this.  Silly.  Silly me.

Yet the family have needed me as we have been taking Scott through a series of heart operations, tests and issues.  Of course I'm still there for mum as we get used to life without Dad and now on top of these types of dramas my car has gone wrong.  Not good as I need to pay a small fortune to fix it.  But good as I am now getting a new one!  Wonderful.  Excited.

Meeting up with my personal tutor and the mental health team on Thursday.  Just to get some support.   A little rub on the arm and a 'come on Louise, you've got this' will help massively.

Panic.  Breathe.

Really losing it - poor results

Ok sit tight for a bumpy ride on this blog.


There is  a desperate need and desire inside to actually share a load which is a burdensome load.  Things at university are not going well.

Last year in London, I was an A student.  Except for chemistry which was tricky.  Then I still passed with 56%.

This year, not so. 

i'm struggling with silly results and if I pass, I will only just pass.  This is not the way I operate.

Results today were from a nutrition essay.  Nutrition.  And Essay.  My thing.  My thing?
The title was "What are the role of

Things are looking up (even if just for today)

As you may have seen on my last blog post here, I am struggling.

There have been a few moments of epiphany. One was the dream i had where a nurse saw me in my lab coat and called me "Dr".  Right after a wonderful conversation with Sharon, a new friend who is studying a Phd in nutrition.  She said she is happy for me to spend some time in the lab with her.  I still want to see what this phd stuff is all about!

We had a great day at uni on Thursday and I understood EVERYTHING! This is the first time I have felt like this in absolute ages.  I am getting to the point of knowing who I can turn to and who I absolutely shouldn't at uni.

Still been struggling with the lady who is more political than me and sent me insults recently.  Yet I have decided to not be too involved with her and instead I just am polite and pass the time of day.

The past 3 weeks I have not been in to the Biochemistry lectures.  I just can't face it.  IT's all too hard.  I did consider sitting at the back of the room just to sign the register and spend some time reading through the lecture notes of the weeks I have missed.

Biochemistry is my toughest subject. Last year it was chemistry but I 'get' that this year.  And I'm even starting to love it.  The way that we have learnt it comes into food composition and makes the food what it is has been fascinating.

Finding out out that we only have 5 more teaching weeks of uni was really the deal breaker for me.  5 weeks of struggle or a lifetime of regretting giving up on university. I would far rather struggle through for 5 weeks.

Speaking to my osteopath (more on that shortly) who was also a mature student with other commitments, I realised that she totally validated how I am feeling. She also made me realise that what I am doing (taking each deadline ahead and dealing with that one) is exactly what I need to be doing.  To try and plan too much in advance seems too tricky.  And so this is how I am going to work things.  One deadline at a time.  Feels like I want to type "sweet jesus" in there after the 1980's song "One day at a time" but I guess that would make me seem
1. slightly crazy
2. quite old

I want to write so many blog posts on here that I think I will be around for quite some time in the next few days.  It's great revision and it will show you guys some more technical stuff too!

This weekend has made me feel brighter.  As I write this on a Saturday morning (and I'm publishing this way off in the future) I can let you into a secret! The lovely Scott and I have decided to give things another go after several years apart.  He really is my rock and I couldn't be happier to have him in my life.  This morning he has to go for an Echocardiogram as he has problems with his heart.  WE are both worried obviously.  They feel he has an enlarged heart muscle.  His BP is high and his heart rate is floating around 95-110 constantly.  We already know there is a leaky valve there which is likely to have caused these issues.  So after we have gone through that we are off to London O2 arena to see the X Factor tour! We go every year and I'm so excited about that!  
Sunday is mothers day.  Yesterday, driving through the sunshine I felt happier than I have in a very long time.  I remembered to be grateful that I have my mum who is being just delightful right now (she needs me to help with the Dad stuff) and also I am very very lucky to be a mum.  After years of endometriosis and infertility I have 2 wonderful IVF twins who are my world.  So mothers day promises to be a day of eating well and loveliness.

So nice to be able to write more positively. Although as promised, I must post here about the Osteopath news!

Meanwhile,  sending best wishes

Essay over, next essay begins while I take steroids

Thank goodness for that.  

The meiosis essay has been handed in and lets await the mark.  I can definitely see areas for improvement but it was like pulling teeth writing that essay.  However, I have learnt loads from writing it and I see loads of research needed is to do with genetics so I guess I might have to learn even more.  I'll keep you posted and update the last blog post when the result comes through.  I usually float around 50-60% so hope for another.... I'd love to improve my scientific essay writing.  Poles apart from blog or novel writing and it's been such a massive eye opener for me!  Not my favourite thing.  It's all Facts, Facts, Facts.  No creativity.  Needs evidence base to back it up!  None of this imagination stuff.  

That said, I spent a little time yesterday afternoon doing a bit of research to decide where I may like to take my career in the field of study.  Would I go do a masters in dietetics?  Or another thing to add into the mix is learning that a PGdip (post graduate diploma) is enough to get registered as a health professional (HPC) as a dietitian.  This still takes lots of placement time running around hospital wards and I'm just not sure how much I'm up to that. Been working on my health and fitness but more about this shortly!  Looking at a PhD I could see that some PhD's didn't require either registration with HPC or a masters degree.  A good mark in a BSc honours would do the job. I really want to be one or the other or both.  Realistically I can see it being a PhD.  London met where I studied last year do one that you can do partly distance learning.  That sounds fantastic.

The government are setting up a new system to take on more health professionals.  It will enable a loan rather than a bursary which will free up a little more money to be able to be spent on tuition fees. Great news for the NHS who need good people.  

So I definitely need to knuckle down and get those grades better to enable me to apply to continue my studies.  Research into Crohns disease excites me.  Relating to food perhaps? Maybe more niche as in the effects of sugar on crohns disease...

Talking of which.  It saddens me to say I've had to resort to taking steroids for the first time in my life.  Between events in my personal life and that time of year at uni (perhaps coupled with food I would be better off not eating) my Crohns is heading into a flare up.  This means act fast, get rid of it.  I always have controlled this with diet before but I will accept that little bit of help.  I'll keep you posted. Watch this space.  

Meanwhile, the next essay begins.  The role of fat in the diet.

Not coping well

Having not written here for way, way too long, I have just woken from a dream that sent me here to let me fingers do the talking. 


Since I last blogged in this journal, my lovely father has passed away.  

Very long story.  One of neglect once again from the medical system.   As this blog isn't about that I won't dwell too much on it. You can read about it in my personal blog here. 

However, obviously this has been a very difficult time on a practical level as well as an emotional level.  University have been less than helpful and I'm at a point (hopefully a temporary point) of thinking I might have to leave.  Despite sending many emails, reaching out for help etc I have had no support.  They have something you can apply for called extenuating circumstances. I've applied and not even had an acknowledgement.  It's been awful.  My programme leader and personal tutor have only replied with condolences.  No offer of help.

Getting to a point of realisation and acceptance, I had decided to just do my own thing as they were not going to help me.

Yet I had missed two weeks of lectures on DNA replication.  Trying to catch up for the third week was near on impossible.  The lecturer was speaking Spanish into my ears.  So I busied myself trying to read all the 'stuff' I had missed.  When she came over and tore a strip off me for being distracted, I found it very hard indeed.  The following week (this week) a woman who should know better tore another strip off me.  Both weeks I had to leave as I was in tears, came home and totally lost the plot with emotions.  

So what do I do now? 

I want to leave.  Correction, I don't want to.  I feel I'll have to.  

While I don't really NEED this degree for the job I want to do, it will give credibility and knowledge second to none.  I want this degree.  Yet can't sit in lectures crying with my anxiety and depression issues.

My wonderful friend has offered to phone the university for me and see if I can do a little distance learning.  If they say no, heaven knows what I will do.  I need to be home more.  Things are not good.  

Sad times.

Chronic disease epidemiology

What is chronic disease epidemiology?

It is a way of investigating a link between dietary behaviour and chronic diseases.

Epidemiological studies used:

* 24 hours recall
* Diet history
* Food frequency questionnaire

Types of chronic disease:

* type 2 diabetes
* Heart disease
* Stroke

Ways to investigate the link between dietary behaviour and chronic diseases

* Anthropometric
 Using body weight, height, skin folds, waist and hip circumference

* Biochemical tests

Blood, urine, faeces, tissues are rested to deter subclinical deficiencies

* Clinical observation

Observation of pallor,  hair, nails, skin, eyes, lips, mouth , muscles, joints

* Dietary assessment

Obtain report of food items consumed, portion sizes, frequency, calculation of nutritional intake

Presentation skills workshop

Attending a presentation skills workshop seemed a no brainer when the invite arrived in my inbox via the employability office. 

Many times we have been encouraged as a class to get used to the idea that we would be presenting many times over. At my last university, in year Zero, I was fortunate enough to be encouraged to speak at many of their events which were well attended by industry experts.

Most of us felt as though this was more of a practice as opposed to learning workshop, which was fine, yet I did feel I would have loved to go further into detail.  Perhaps as a mature student with experiences already I was expecting too much.  As a note to myself, I wondered how I should be learning more about my presenting skills.  Perhaps this is something I could look further into very soon. I know there will be many videos on the internet helping with the finer details of making a good presentation.

Nevertheless, this was not a waste of time as I met a couple of new students who I could now smile and wave at on campus, as well as fulfilling a requirement of attendance towards my own course credits.

Win/win.

Diary of a Nutrition student

Throughout my research into becoming a nutrition student, I found it so hard to Google anyone who had shared the thoughts, feelings, photos etc. 

I wanted to know how it was.  Was it hard?  What was involved?  What do you wear to uni?

So I have created a blog and Youtube channel which will detail week by week how things are for me on my course.  

I'm taking a BSc Hons in Human Nutrition.  Possibly going on to do masters,  not sure yet!

Throughout my time I will keep videos and blog posts but standby as they will be released at a later date!

I'd love you to get in touch if you are a student too!

Subscribe to follow my video diary here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQZXrIPkeBlbaCD3xveQbA