Malaysian medical student goes Aussie

Day 2 of neurosurgical posting

Registrar: Eh you, later you scrub in ya, assist me with inserting a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. You know how to scrub in, right?
Me: (blur look since I last enter an operating theatre half a year ago) Err..yeah? U mean the handwashing and gowning part right? *proceeds to show handwashing gesture*
Registrar: .....*horrified look*.... Oh.my.lord..
Nevertheless, I remembered a bit here and there, and managed to assist during the surgery.

Next we witnessed a craniotomy for a patient with small cell lung cancer metastasised to the temporal lobe. My consultant supervisor joined in and operated.
Registrar: Gary, come over here and help me with the computerised CT scan.
Me: Ok! *rushes over and pressed the monitor screen a few times*
Everyone: *again, a horrified look*
Registrar: Ehem.. Hello dude, its not touchscreen lar.. the mouse is over there.

I put a stool behind the surgeons who are operating so that I can stand on it to have a clearer look. Another medical student who was assisting didn't see it, and tripped, and..... (on 2nd thought, never mind)

Nearly walked into the glass wall of the emergency department.

Registrar said nothing much in the wards, so can go home early - 4.30pm.

Triple post

Back to the start, where a new beginning awaits (I hope)
It has been a journey back to where it all started.. Before I came to Australia, one thing shared that has been a struggle and prayer point for me on behalf of my shepherd and caregroup in JB is the need to learn to listen and be humble. So happened that somehow that point hit home when the 1st Sunday service I attended here - the topic was none other than, 'Putting on the mantle of humility'.. How God works in higher ways I just could not comprehend :-) I'm only here for 12 weeks, still seeking God of what I should do (or can do) in those 12 weeks, and also in terms of decision-making. Things I observed of what people do, and listened of what some said, actually made me ponder on why we do the things we do..

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Currently listening:

改變我，改變世界 (Change me, change the world)
讚美之泉 (by: Stream of Praise)

許多次，我就像是那浮雲，不知要往哪裡去。
(Many times I wander with no future, without a place I could go)
而如今我可以停止追尋，
(Now I know it's Your voice calling out to me)
是你的愛填滿我心，引領我與你同行。
(You've touched my life, filled me with hope, drawing me closer to You)
耶穌我懇求你，來改變我的生命，
(Jesus I ask of You, come change my life forever)
使我在患難之中喜樂與剛強。
(And when all my hope is gone, let me take joy in You)
耶穌我懇求你，使用我來改變這個世界。
(Jesus I ask of You, change me to love and to change the world)
賜我信心與勇氣，邁向這新的世紀，
(With faith I can live each day, to stand and proclaim your name)
願你榮耀的國度早日降臨。
(Establish Your kingdom here full of glory.)

Food outing
We went to Sofias - this Italian restaurant in Camberwell.. and to show you how large the portions are, check my Facebook later when I upload the pix.

Why I nearly KO on Day 1 of Australian posting
My posting is in the city, so since the orientation briefing starts at 8am, to get there required me to wake up at 5.45am (didn't get a good night sleep though, woke up at 2 and 4 am respectively), take the 1st bus from the Halls at 6.37am to Clayton. By the time I got dressed its already 6.30am, so I had to dash to the bus stop although was feeling super sleepy like a zombie.. Upon arrival at the hospital, after a short orientation briefing, we were sent to look for our supervisors. Mine for cardiothoracic surgery was away, so we decided to look for the neurosurgery one instead.

As we entered the seminar room, he was seated there, and looked at the 3 of us one kind.
Consultant: Now, I might as well be honest and give you the shock treatment now, so that you guys can work harder later. Firstly, I don't care what you think of me, but I will not hesitate to fail you if I'm not happy with your performance - and I will not apologise for it, for I am a very hard person to impress. You should count yourselves privileged that this is the most sought after rotation in the whole of Monash, with over 100 students fighting for it, and sorry to say that we can only accomodate limited students at any 1 time (around 3-4). Is this your 1st choice?
Me: No, we were allocated (do we have a choice? apparently Australians do have a preference).
Consultant: Ok.. tell me, what will the patient with L5 radiculopathy present with?
A group member: Foot drop.
Consultant: Yes, foot drop! Both of you knew it but hesitated. I don't like that. This will not be tolerated. I'm going to give you both homework - pick 1 of back pain or neck pain. 1stly, come up with a 20-minute presentation on the topic regarding causes, reasons for referral, evidence-based treatment etc. And I want PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS.. Don't copy and paste from textbooks or websites coz that insults our intelligence. 2ndly, clerk a patient, follow that patient pre-op, during the surgery and review him post-op, then present to me a detailed long case. These 2 will contribute to me marking your PIA assessment, clear?
Me: *swt*
Later got clinic from 2-4.30pm, and I asked the registrar whether we are done for the day, and he told me to ask the consultant.
Consultant: What? Eh, you come here.. *points to registrar* Medical student wants to make a move wor.. How ar? Not yet even 6pm.. I tell you what, this hardworking registrar of mine came and slept overnight at the hospital previously when she was a medical student, and she got to see all the late night exciting cases.. She is on call tonight. You follow her to the wards now, and do whatever she asks you to do, until she decides to dismiss you. And make sure you come in before 7am for rounds every weekday morning (meaning I have to wake up at 4.45am for the next 6 weeks, since cardiothoracic surgery rounds also start at 7am)..
Registrar: *sympathetic* I think ar, you better not plan anything or go out for the next 3 weeks. Neurosurgery is fun, you see.. but it is only so if you know your stuff.

My quiet time and plans would have taken a beating, and I'm not really the smartest of students (neuro is my weakest point), but as I sneaked in a short devotion over lunch fast and pray, I got reminded of a line from the movie 'Facing the Giants'..

David Childers: Why would God make me so small and weak?
Larry (father): To show how mighty He is.

I know it's a challenging 3 weeks, but I wanna believe that I will pull through by God's grace.

Psalm 121:1-3; I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber.

Busy holidays

26-29 November - Malaysia National Convention, Putrajaya
4 December - Go back hometown, Kuantan
7 December - Back to JB: helping someone with exams
9 December - Down to KL: HIV Summit in Sunway from 10-12 December
14 December - Medical checkup in KL for visa, then back to Kuantan
18 December - Back in JB: Farewell my housemate
23 December - Christmas caregroup
24 December - Hope JB Christmas countdown
26 December - Fly down from JB to Penang
27 December - Cousin's wedding in Ipoh
29-30 December - Down in JB: Moving stuff out of Samudera
1 January 2010 - Go down KL
2 January - Bruce and Elene's wedding, then go down JB in the evening
9 January - Go down KL to buy stuff and pre-departure briefing
10 January - Back in Kuantan