Another night on-call

Tuesday. 12 May 2009. My 3rd day on-call.

Morning
1. Let's start off with what the morning has to offer. Sat in with a specialist during gynaecology clinic. Was looking for a patient to clerk, when one Chinese lady approached me, as if she somehow knew that I was looking for patients to clerk, and those I chose probably can have their waiting time shortened. So I clerked her, she presented with primary subfertility for 4 years post-marriage, and she was in a hurry to 'go to work', and didnt want to end up coming back for another appointment 2 months later. When I presented her to my specialist, got abit of a earful, coz there were other patients with conditions deserving more attention than people like her who refuse to wait.

Then when the specialist eventually looked at her investigation results, it was found that she was not ovulating due to low progesterone levels. One of the MOs who came in was asked this question and got grilled badly coz he could not figure out the problem staring at him through the investigation results, coz he did not attend to the clinic often enough. I think he hated me from then on, when he scolded me for accidentally taking his patient's card.

2. 2nd week in O&G, tired, but coping lar I suppose with the workload, tutors seem to be hinting that my knowledge, history taking and case presentation seems to indicate as if it's my 1st day in O&G. And I need to somehow squeeze time to study and finish my assignments and logbook!!

Evening
3. Not many cases. Most of those in the labour ward were experiencing poor progress of labour since morning, and eventually scheduled for C-section. So couldn't really perform normal deliveries. I did sat in with one of the patients who was supposed to undergo trial of scar, but eventually it was decided that she will undergo C-section. Nevertheless, all the medical and midwifery students missed a normal delivery while we were away momentarily following the specialist on rounds. It happened so quick that it was not on the whiteboard list of admissions.

4. There was a teenage preterm pregnancy. Police report cant really be made coz the perpetrator was 17 years old.

5. Sat in the room trying to study while accompanying that patient of mine. She wanted somebody by her side so that she could grab hold of somebody's hand or scrubs, for reassurance and support whenever she feels pain. Had a chat about family, whether I am Malaysian Chinese (to her, I somehow looked Indian Muslim) etc. Prayed that I will somehow manage to do normal delivery for her, but most importantly; the mother and baby's safety lar.. seems like it was not my day when she got confirmed for LSCS surgery at midnight, to be performed at 4am. So I initially thought of going home for the night, since I was super tired from classes since 7.30 am, and I have to wake up early again the next day. As I went to say goodnight and all the best to my patient for her surgery, suddenly I realised there was a new case in the next room.. So rushed in and asked for permission to conduct, and there! I got my normal delivery!! Finally can go home to rest after assisting her episiotomy..

Next day as I walked through the obstetrics ward for ward rounds, I heard somebody snapping her fingers shouting out "Doktor! Doktor!" Turning to my right, there was my patient from last night, smiling and waving to me, asking me to come over to see her baby.. Cute little baby boy, asleep from a long night.. Successful operation, mother and baby safe :-)