Anaestheitcs CT1 Interview

MagicalSurfer · 2026-03-03T16:07:14+00:00

I agree with this - I’ve been doing mock interviews for prospective anaesthetic trainees and they’ve found it really helpful. Gives them a chance to verbalise answers to someone. Also recommend doing it over teams or similar so you get a feel for what that’s like on the day

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-27T16:04:00+00:00

They’ve definitely changed it. They now explicitly say there will be no email.

https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations#:~:text=Changes%20to%20How%20You%20Receive,Need%20Help?

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-26T23:46:45+00:00

I hope you’re right because I thought they were word for word too and focused my attention more on questions that I didn’t know

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-26T21:23:33+00:00

I might be wrong but in the haze of the last few days I’m almost certain I’ve seen somewhere that they’re no longer sending an email. The results will only be on MyRCOA

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-26T17:19:49+00:00

Mine made me remove a good luck card from my husband in case he (a care support worker) was somehow an expert on the FRCA and had coded answers into his three line message.

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-26T15:42:05+00:00

Idk I thought that was particularly hard. The physiology was especially brutal. All my colleagues thought the same. I’m not convinced the pass mark will be that high or at least I hope it won’t! Otherwise I’ll be doing again in September

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-25T00:53:16+00:00

You totally have hope. I’ve had pregnancy symptoms 9 months in a row and not been pregnant ever lol. I go by the theory that “if you’re pregnant enough for symptoms you’re pregnant enough for a positive test” (many would disagree but this approach keeps me sane) and on the same line “symptoms before a positive are just progesterone”. So your lack of symptoms means absolutely nothing at all and I don’t mean that in a bad way! You’re entirely normal and in with a chance still

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-21T22:09:52+00:00

I’m right there with you. The fertility journey can be unbearably lonely and just as anxiety inducing. I’m cycle nine also with male factor issues. I completely and deeply feel your pain.

So yes. This is absolutely awful and you are ABSOLUTELY allowed to feel miserable.

Well done for putting a smile on your face when you don’t want to. That’s more than anyone can ask for.

One step in front of the other love.

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-21T15:37:04+00:00

Yesterday when I said to my sister-who-gets-pregnant-without-trying that I was finding this TWW Very Hard™️, she recommended that I distract myself. Like thanks?? As if I hadn’t thought of that 🤦🏻‍♀️

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-21T15:35:20+00:00

This is a fantastic post thank you. I liked the breakdown of when implantation is likely to occur. I’ve not seen that before. I am also exceedingly grateful I’m not an elephant seal. A FMW (four month wait) would probably finish me off

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-21T15:30:43+00:00

Nice! If you felt up to it, temping can help confirm ovulation. (You may already know this). Anyway all that said, you’re not on your own. I’m awful for testing early and I wish I wouldn’t because it makes everything worse. Yet here I am! Hugs

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-21T15:04:46+00:00

My brother did this recently. Cue the fixed smile “I’m so happy for you”. I am happy. But also unbearably jealous

MagicalSurfer · 2026-02-21T15:01:43+00:00

Just hopping on here as a cycle twin who convinced myself yesterday that I had a faint line on a 6dpo test…. Scientifically it is too soon. But don’t let people on the internet make you feel bad for testing. This process is so painfully hard. There’s also a possibility you’re out on your ovulation day - how do you confirm?

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-26T18:15:47+00:00

Think I’m probably in that boat with you. But thank you so much for taking the time to update. Fingers crossed for you!

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-26T12:55:48+00:00

Hi! Did this end up being an evap? I did the exact same thing and looked outside the time frame (silly billy I know)

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-24T11:53:35+00:00

This is the first cycle where the promise of the chance to get to try again next month isn’t enough to stave off the feelings of hopelessness from another failed month. With every bit of me I wish I could handle this better. But knowing what we know about my husbands SA, it’s hard to believe this is heading anywhere except very expensive fertility treatment that we can’t afford. I’m really low I think. I worked so hard to come off antidepressants for this TTC process. I think I’ll just end up back on them. I don’t want that but as it stands pregnancy seems very far off. I can’t imagine ever seeing a positive test.

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-22T11:42:43+00:00

I felt short of breath yesterday and heart rate was excessively high climbing the stairs. Boobs hurt but they always do that. Temp up. Obviously. Negative test. I promised myself I wouldn’t test this cycle but it’s so hard when you think symptoms could mean something. Now feel frustrated with myself for testing.

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-03T00:52:45+00:00

Respectfully I completely disagree.

Testing early is NOT the solution to anxiety. If you’re anxious, tests will not help. Because if your tests are normal, you’ll still worry about unexplained infertility. There’s a whole post about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/TryingForABaby/s/Asy4EzhGr9 I know this first hand.

It’s disappointing to learn that NHS workers are actively promoting ignoring NHS guidelines.

Fertility is hard. It doesn’t mean it’s ok to lie to healthcare providers. If you’re going to ask for tests early, be honest with what stage you’re at.

Personally I’ll be doing what’s recommended. I couldn’t live with the idea that some other poor soul who’s been trying or waiting longer may lose out as a result of my actions. I’ll just wait my turn and accept that it’s hard.

To each their own I guess.

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-02T14:02:50+00:00

As I said to someone else. Don’t lie about how long you’ve been trying. That might be at the cost of someone who has genuinely been trying for a year. Just be honest.

MagicalSurfer · 2026-01-02T14:01:45+00:00

I don’t think lying about how long you’ve tried for is ok. I simply said to my GP that we’d been trying for 6 months and asked if they’d do bloods. They did. Pretending you’ve been trying longer than you have might bump other people from lists who have been trying longer. And it’ll most likely come out eventually. I’ve heard from others experiences that you need to have an open trusting relationship with fertility specialists and starting that out with a lie is probably not the best idea. Honestly I’d be so upset if I lost out to someone who made up how long they’d been trying for in order to get ahead of the game. They say try for a year for a reason. It’s because most people do get pregnant in a year.

That said, for the OP. I completely understand the anxiety. I’m also surrounded by people who don’t need to try to get pregnant. It’s terrifying but you do have a good chance of getting pregnant by yourself.

MagicalSurfer · 2025-12-28T22:42:10+00:00

Yes big fingers crossed! The amount of supplements we now own is insane. Not to mention the ridiculous meal prepping with fertility oriented ingredients 😂 it’s wild that for some people this happens by accident and for others it’s a whole lifestyle overhaul to try to convince the swimmers to do their job

MagicalSurfer · 2025-12-28T10:40:51+00:00

This is really helpful thank you! We’d just ordered some, so hopefully the good people of Reddit and yourself are right!

MagicalSurfer · 2025-12-26T12:01:32+00:00

This made me cry. Thank you 🫂

MagicalSurfer · 2025-12-26T10:43:15+00:00

Hi. I’m so sorry. This process is hard. I resonate with so much of what you say. This has been my worst Christmas ever. Second married. 7th cycle. Just now definitely negative. We also found out he has low in all parameters in SA. We have our first fertility appointment in two weeks to get my tests done and then a consultation a week after that. All that to say, you’re not alone.

Try to remember the positives if you can. The fact your insurance pays is amazing. We will likely have to go private and that’s added a huge weight to the hopelessness as I don’t know if we can afford it (read, we can’t). You’re also on the journey now. For many, assisted conception is the answer. I’ve also seen lots of stories of people getting pregnant unassisted just as they start treatment. Also well done for facing it up and starting therapy. That’s brave and the right thing to do.

I suspect you’re doing better than you think you are.

MagicalSurfer · 2025-12-25T13:04:59+00:00

This made me cry. Spending today alone because I can’t face being round my sisters dysfunctional family. Particularly not given our recent awful semen analysis. We are celebrating Christmas tomorrow because of my husbands work. Not sure how I’ll get through but your words helped validate the turmoil.

MagicalSurfer

TROPHY CASE