So this is it; During the course of this wee blog, I had several ideas about how to wrap it up- the range from just disappearing to a protracted series of farewell posts.

Like a long list of medstudent bloggers, I'm pulling the pin now that I'm finished. My aim with Degranulated was to blog weekly until graduation, and, well, that's where I am.

I started with the aim to keep my creative juices flowing at q time when medicine and pharmacy were all that was rocking around my brain- this endeavor was my creative outlet and relaxation.

As med school rolled on and I experienced more clinically, I tried to apply some of the teachings to life and thinking about the world outside of medicine.

I consciously reduced my writings about patients and clinical settings and in so doing lost the benefit of outlet. Simultaneously, my real-world network of support grew to include people, colleagues and friends, with whom I could share views, stories and frustrations about medicine.

And now I have come to the end of this step and the true beginning of my medical education. Last week, I finished my pharmacy work and, two days later, graduated my Medical Bachelor and Bachelor of Surgery. And so it begins.

I'm excited about returning to full-time employment, thrilled about the lifelong learning that is medicine and the prospect of a few entirely vacant weekends. Right now, I'm on holiday for another month.

This has been wonderful. At times, a lifeline and clarifier. I've been able to set goals and guide my future practice thanks, in part, to this small section of teh internets.

If you've ever been caught up in your thoughts and lacked a clear, coherent way of framing them, then blog.

If you've ever thought about changing careers, work out why that thought enters your head, and challenge it.

And strive for better. For a more informed society, both medically and generally. Strive for health professionals who care, who explain, who give neither credibility nor cash to snake oils.

Seek and enjoy creative, varied writing and congratulate those who produce quality (a selection of excellence is below).

In summary, thanks to my loyal readers, the cast of hundreds, my friends and loving family. I'm going to practice medicine now. Time to rock and roll.

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