The Music Shuffle Meme
1. Put your iTunes/ music player/ phone on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must put down the song name no matter what.
After you’ve answered all of the questions, tag 5 other people and then let them know they’ve been tagged to the meme themselves.
*******************
1.What would best describe your personality?
Sar-vivor - Phua Chu Kang
2.What do you like in a guy/girl?
Forever - Hillsong
3.How do you feel today?
Don't say you love me - M2M
4.What is your life's purpose?
All for love - Hillsong
5.What is your motto?
100 years - Five for Fighting
6.What do your friends think of you?
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Jewel
7.What do you think of your parents?
Inside Your Heaven - Bo Bice
8.What do you think about very often?
I'm Just a Kid - Simple Plan
9.What do you think of your best friend?
Dreaming of You - Selena
10.What do you think of your crush?
My Immortal - Evanescence
11.What is your life story?
The First Noeal - Charlotte Church
12.What do you want to be when you grow up?
Hymn to the Sea - James Horner, OST Titanic
13.What do you think when you see your crush?
Hallelujah - Hillsong
14.What do your parents think of you?
You are Awesome in This Place - Hillsong
15.What do strangers think of you?
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
16.What will they play at your funeral?
The Time has Come - Hillsong United
17.What will you dance to at your wedding?
My God - Hillsong United
18.What is your hobby/interest?
****Selah - Hillsong United
19.What do you think of your friends?
Amazing Grace (bagpipe instrumental)
20.What song do you listen to when you are sad?
Oceans Will Part - Hillsong
21.What song do you air guitar to?
Heart of Worship - Matt Redman
22.What should be your signature karaoke song?
We Fall Down
23.What is your greatest desire?
Through It All - Hillsong
24.What does next year have in store for you?
Superman theme - John Williams
25.What's your outlook on life?
Ye Qu (Nocturne)- Jay Chou
26.How will you die?
If I Let You Go - Westlife
27.Do people secretly lust after you?
All of My Days - Planetshakers
28.The best advice you will ever get
Let Us Adore - Hillsong
29.What will I be doing for the next 3 months?
Ordinary Day - Vanessa Carlton
30.What do you think of the person who tagged you?
Every Move I Make (Na Na Na)
31.What will your future mother-in-law be like?
Ni Bu Jai (You're Not Here) - Wang Lee Hom
32.What is the favourite song of the doctor who will help deliver your baby?
Sovereign Hands - Hillsong United
33.If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
The Polar Express - Tom Hanks
34.What sort of world ruler would you be?
Southampton - James Horner, OST Titanic
35.Will you ever get a dog or cat?
It is You - Hillsong
36.What would you say at your Oscar/Nobel prize acceptance speech?
If We Hold On Together - Diana Ross, OST The Land Before Time
37.What is your superpower?
You're the Only One
38.Why are you attracted to enigmatic brooders?
All Rise - Blue
************************
I tag anyone who reads this blog.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My 1st mock paper :p
Leong GWK, Looi JK (2008), A case study on laughter - The best medicine? Or a potential cause of death? Annals of MED3062, 1:1-2
Abstract
Laugther has long been considered as an activity to stimulate the release of endorphins (endogenous morphine) in our body, which brings about a sense of happiness. In our case study, the effects of laugther were examined as it is unusual that an intense bout of laughing will cause syncope. Syncope can be considered as a natural protective mechanism which kicks in when cerebral perfusion is reduced. By falling onto the floor, the effects of gravity is eliminated and hence more blood can be channeled to our brain. Our evolution has not caught up with the current living environment, where the presence of many sharp objects might pose hazards when fainting occurs.
Aims
The study was devised when the 2 researchers had nothing better to do after returning home from a dinner cum talk on asthma, and felt inspired to conduct an experiment on the respiratory and neurological system.
Method
A 20 year old female patient was stimulated via MSN with a statement that she likes lalas. This was followed up by another statement that she has old taste, since the researchers were told that she was excited to meet up with a distinguished guest of our university from Australia (who happens to be an elderly gentlemen), so much so it was rumoured that she wanted to hug him if possible. The researchers waited for the subject to respond.
Results
True enough, the subject called up one of the researchers and started laughing and hyperventilating non-stop. The duration of the incident was recorded to have lasted 2 minutes before the subject hung up. The incident was witnessed by the subject's housemate, who was at hand to provide assistance when the subject experienced syncope as a result of hyperventilation, laughter and suspected vertigo attack preceding the syncope. The researcher's consider themselves fortunate that the subject did not refer the incident to an ethics committee, which would have barred the researchers from conducting such nonsensical experiments in the future.
Discussion and conclusion
A literature review conducted reviewed that the only related study so far was performed on a man. Findings from this case study may prompt the need to find out more about the effects of laughter (good or bad) in females via a larger study, since it was shown that women handle stress better than men. Also, there is also a need to exclude the diagnosis of hysterical attack in this case which fits the above description.
No doubt the benefits of humour cannot be denied. However, the risks of inducing intense laughter in a patient with a medical history of vertigo cannot be ignored. More studies will need to be conducted before laughter is being labelled harmful to health in these and other related groups of patients. All in all, we hope that this case study will not discourage people from laughing more.
Also, the researchers will bear in mind to take a proper history and perform a thorough physical examination, to ensure that the subject does not have any risk factors if recruited for future studies, which may include pregnancy, allergies, chronic alcoholism or altered mental function. The researchers may also consider some form of mass stimulation with rescue medication back up to improve the power of such studies if ever conducted in the future. No confidence intervals / statistical methods were employed because the researchers did not fully understand the principles of evidence-based clinical practice as classes on it were conducted too early in the morning.
References:
1. http://yougotanna.blogspot.com/2008/07/1.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lala_%28disambiguation%29
3. Bloomfield D, Jazrawi S, 1995, Shear Hilarity Leading to Syncope in a Healthy Man, JAMA, 293:2863-2864
4. Taylor, S, 2000, Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight, Psychological Review, 107(3):411-427
Abstract
Laugther has long been considered as an activity to stimulate the release of endorphins (endogenous morphine) in our body, which brings about a sense of happiness. In our case study, the effects of laugther were examined as it is unusual that an intense bout of laughing will cause syncope. Syncope can be considered as a natural protective mechanism which kicks in when cerebral perfusion is reduced. By falling onto the floor, the effects of gravity is eliminated and hence more blood can be channeled to our brain. Our evolution has not caught up with the current living environment, where the presence of many sharp objects might pose hazards when fainting occurs.
Aims
The study was devised when the 2 researchers had nothing better to do after returning home from a dinner cum talk on asthma, and felt inspired to conduct an experiment on the respiratory and neurological system.
Method
A 20 year old female patient was stimulated via MSN with a statement that she likes lalas. This was followed up by another statement that she has old taste, since the researchers were told that she was excited to meet up with a distinguished guest of our university from Australia (who happens to be an elderly gentlemen), so much so it was rumoured that she wanted to hug him if possible. The researchers waited for the subject to respond.
Results
True enough, the subject called up one of the researchers and started laughing and hyperventilating non-stop. The duration of the incident was recorded to have lasted 2 minutes before the subject hung up. The incident was witnessed by the subject's housemate, who was at hand to provide assistance when the subject experienced syncope as a result of hyperventilation, laughter and suspected vertigo attack preceding the syncope. The researcher's consider themselves fortunate that the subject did not refer the incident to an ethics committee, which would have barred the researchers from conducting such nonsensical experiments in the future.
Discussion and conclusion
A literature review conducted reviewed that the only related study so far was performed on a man. Findings from this case study may prompt the need to find out more about the effects of laughter (good or bad) in females via a larger study, since it was shown that women handle stress better than men. Also, there is also a need to exclude the diagnosis of hysterical attack in this case which fits the above description.
No doubt the benefits of humour cannot be denied. However, the risks of inducing intense laughter in a patient with a medical history of vertigo cannot be ignored. More studies will need to be conducted before laughter is being labelled harmful to health in these and other related groups of patients. All in all, we hope that this case study will not discourage people from laughing more.
Also, the researchers will bear in mind to take a proper history and perform a thorough physical examination, to ensure that the subject does not have any risk factors if recruited for future studies, which may include pregnancy, allergies, chronic alcoholism or altered mental function. The researchers may also consider some form of mass stimulation with rescue medication back up to improve the power of such studies if ever conducted in the future. No confidence intervals / statistical methods were employed because the researchers did not fully understand the principles of evidence-based clinical practice as classes on it were conducted too early in the morning.
References:
1. http://yougotanna.blogspot.com/2008/07/1.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lala_%28disambiguation%29
3. Bloomfield D, Jazrawi S, 1995, Shear Hilarity Leading to Syncope in a Healthy Man, JAMA, 293:2863-2864
4. Taylor, S, 2000, Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight, Psychological Review, 107(3):411-427
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My brain is among the clouds
1. Was sick yesterday. Have been feeling tired and the urge to sleep alot too lately.
2. Was stressed over post-V&P interview, now have to decide whether to return the membership form on Wednesday.
3. MCR (ie monthly practical exam) went on longer than expected as there were 2 students doing it today (examiner was busy last week due to AMC visit.. but the case we were assigned was GIT / abdomen. How do you find an abdominal case in an outpatient clinic of which majority of patients come in with hypertension . diabetes?)
4. As a result of the MCR, I was unable to attend bedside teaching today. Our surgical bedside tutor was damn pissed coz as a result of some miscommunication, other group members didn't clerk patients beforehand 2 be presented. As a result, all had to bear the brunt of various not so nice words coming out from him lar.. "atrocious, unprofessional, worse than the group before this, horrible, lazy, not seeing enough patients, how are you going to become good clinicians, disappointing, last time we all camp out in the wards to look for cases and now u guys would rather sleep instead of showing up for ward rounds etc" And needless to say, there was a lot of explaning to do lar, since he also walked from the wards all the way up to the clinical school to hammer the faculty staff..
Overall, a lousy day for me.
Addendum: Thank you to someone (you know who you are) for cheering me up with this:
Ah Beng was asked to make a sentence using 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Not only did he do it 1 to 10, he did it again from 10 back to 1. This is what he came up with...
1 day I go 2 climb a 3 outside a house to peep. But the couple saw me, so I panic and 4 down. The man rushed out and wanted to 5 with me. I ran until I fell 6 and threw up. So I go into 7-eleven and grabbed some 8 to throw at him. Then I took a 9 and try to stab at him. 10 God he run away.
10 I put the 9 back and pay for the 8 and left 7-eleven. Next day I called my boss and told him I was 6. He said 5, tomorrow also no need to come back 4 work. He also asked me to go climb a 3 and jump down. I don't understand. I am so nice 2 him but I don't know what he 1.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Dark Knight
Went to watch The Dark Knight with a few batchmates last night. Although it's super long (2.5 hours), I must say it was money well-spent on an awesome show. Never knew that watching Batman can be this exhilirating.
However unknown to many, residing in Sri Samudera was someone, who at one point in time back in Melbourne probably (or at least he thinks he does) bore some resemblance to our favourite cape crusader lolz
Umm.. ok, maybe not..
However unknown to many, residing in Sri Samudera was someone, who at one point in time back in Melbourne probably (or at least he thinks he does) bore some resemblance to our favourite cape crusader lolz
Umm.. ok, maybe not..
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Of conversations and a run in the gym
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. says:
holidays was abit redundant
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. says:
ie no work done
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. says:
though i tried.. lol u had fun?
S says:
i had a very good break
S says:
didn't study much, however got lots of time to think
S says:
and lots of time to change myself
S says:
so, ya...i'm done being a fool and i'm done acting stupid too
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
oh?
S says:
yeah, believe it or not... i have changed
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
in terms of?
S says:
everything...
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
except height haha..
S says:
yeah...that's true
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
i was expecting a "GARY!!!"
S says:
haha....it will come soon...sometimes soon along our conversation
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
ya, haha.. bt wats d reason lar
S says:
well, i was thinking too much, i was very childish and as the result...i hurt those people who really mean alot to me...i don'T want to be like that anymore
S says:
all those were just foolish acts
S says:
now that i got second chance, i will not ruin it anymore
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
*nods* hehe.. wish we all think like dat
S says:
why? what makes you say that? it seems like you had similar experince...
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
haha.. at times lar i guess
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
knowingly or unknowingly..
S says:
you mean you did act childish and hurt lots of people feeling, or...someone who means alot for you...hurt your feeling?
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
i think it cuts both ways
S says:
definitely...and it hurts so much
S says:
when i feel hurt, the other person felt the same way...
S says:
it's not fair for them
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
its give and take lar
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
whether u like it or not
S says:
again, you are right
S says:
Gary, congratulations! I'm really impressed with you and your way of thinking
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
thinking and putting it into action are 2 different stories ya
S says:
it is
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
slowly lar.. it has 2 start sumwhere
S says:
of course
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
n besides, nobody's perfect
S says:
i think you have grown up alot
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
ya.. and fatter too
S says:
not really, la...a bit only
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
bt still haf my own childish mindset on certain things
S says:
it's ok to be childish sometimes
S says:
you know...correct me if i'm wrong, but one thing that i notice last semester and all this long, was that you were actually someone who felt very insecure from time to time, do you think so?
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
in a way yes
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
but learning 2 deal with it lar day by day, 1 step at a time
S says:
yes, i can see that
S says:
i saw it today how you can slowly managed your feeling of insecurity
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
?
S says:
you know when people are insecure, they are unstable
S says:
that's how i felt when talking to you all this long...but i felt that you were much more stable today
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
u'll b surprised if i tell u dat past few months or so my emotional instability fluctuates
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
haha
S says:
yeah...i don't think i need to say much, you know yourself best
S says:
but no, i'm not surprised, i knew it all along that your emotional instability fluctuates a lot
S says:
that's why i didn't talk much with you last sem
S says:
i wasn'T in a very good emotional state as well...
S says:
i wasn't trying to avoid anyone, but i need my own time and i don't want to make anyone worried....that's why i withdrew myself from everyone
S says:
Gary, r u back?
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
yea.. bt wanna to sleep dy.. tired
S says:
ya, me too
S says:
i was about to tell you that i want to go to sleep too
S says:
maybe we can talk again some other time
S says:
good night
S says:
bye
____________________________________________________________________
I can usually only run 1.5 km on the gym's threadmill, but for past few weeks (despite some weight gain), I've been desiring to run more. I clocked up 2.8 km on a few attempts. Duno lar.. on those few occasions, just felt like wanting to keep on running more and more, despite my legs giving in already. And surprisingly the more I ran, the leg power seemed to somehow have a backup source of energy just when it appeared to be running out of steam. Got reminded that in the race we are currently running now - no matter what comes our way, how hard, hopeless, empty and miserable it may seem, it is in such times that one realises that there is a need to press on and go for broke until the end of the finish line.. There is a need to desire to see some things come to past at the end of the day.
Reminded of my theme song at the beginning of the year..
holidays was abit redundant
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. says:
ie no work done
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. says:
though i tried.. lol u had fun?
S says:
i had a very good break
S says:
didn't study much, however got lots of time to think
S says:
and lots of time to change myself
S says:
so, ya...i'm done being a fool and i'm done acting stupid too
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
oh?
S says:
yeah, believe it or not... i have changed
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
in terms of?
S says:
everything...
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
except height haha..
S says:
yeah...that's true
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
i was expecting a "GARY!!!"
S says:
haha....it will come soon...sometimes soon along our conversation
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
ya, haha.. bt wats d reason lar
S says:
well, i was thinking too much, i was very childish and as the result...i hurt those people who really mean alot to me...i don'T want to be like that anymore
S says:
all those were just foolish acts
S says:
now that i got second chance, i will not ruin it anymore
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
*nods* hehe.. wish we all think like dat
S says:
why? what makes you say that? it seems like you had similar experince...
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
haha.. at times lar i guess
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
knowingly or unknowingly..
S says:
you mean you did act childish and hurt lots of people feeling, or...someone who means alot for you...hurt your feeling?
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
i think it cuts both ways
S says:
definitely...and it hurts so much
S says:
when i feel hurt, the other person felt the same way...
S says:
it's not fair for them
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
its give and take lar
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
whether u like it or not
S says:
again, you are right
S says:
Gary, congratulations! I'm really impressed with you and your way of thinking
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
thinking and putting it into action are 2 different stories ya
S says:
it is
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
slowly lar.. it has 2 start sumwhere
S says:
of course
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
n besides, nobody's perfect
S says:
i think you have grown up alot
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
ya.. and fatter too
S says:
not really, la...a bit only
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
bt still haf my own childish mindset on certain things
S says:
it's ok to be childish sometimes
S says:
you know...correct me if i'm wrong, but one thing that i notice last semester and all this long, was that you were actually someone who felt very insecure from time to time, do you think so?
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
in a way yes
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
but learning 2 deal with it lar day by day, 1 step at a time
S says:
yes, i can see that
S says:
i saw it today how you can slowly managed your feeling of insecurity
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
?
S says:
you know when people are insecure, they are unstable
S says:
that's how i felt when talking to you all this long...but i felt that you were much more stable today
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
u'll b surprised if i tell u dat past few months or so my emotional instability fluctuates
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
haha
S says:
yeah...i don't think i need to say much, you know yourself best
S says:
but no, i'm not surprised, i knew it all along that your emotional instability fluctuates a lot
S says:
that's why i didn't talk much with you last sem
S says:
i wasn'T in a very good emotional state as well...
S says:
i wasn't trying to avoid anyone, but i need my own time and i don't want to make anyone worried....that's why i withdrew myself from everyone
S says:
Gary, r u back?
GaryLWK86 - Making a difference. Dream big. Public holiday. says:
yea.. bt wanna to sleep dy.. tired
S says:
ya, me too
S says:
i was about to tell you that i want to go to sleep too
S says:
maybe we can talk again some other time
S says:
good night
S says:
bye
____________________________________________________________________
I can usually only run 1.5 km on the gym's threadmill, but for past few weeks (despite some weight gain), I've been desiring to run more. I clocked up 2.8 km on a few attempts. Duno lar.. on those few occasions, just felt like wanting to keep on running more and more, despite my legs giving in already. And surprisingly the more I ran, the leg power seemed to somehow have a backup source of energy just when it appeared to be running out of steam. Got reminded that in the race we are currently running now - no matter what comes our way, how hard, hopeless, empty and miserable it may seem, it is in such times that one realises that there is a need to press on and go for broke until the end of the finish line.. There is a need to desire to see some things come to past at the end of the day.
Reminded of my theme song at the beginning of the year..
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
So wrong..
Went to the surgical ward for the 1st time today.. and being just the 2nd day back from holiday, felt like the blurrest person on the face of the planet.. It was a female surgical ward, and I was clerking patients for an afternoon bedside teaching. It was an old Malay lady who was admitted for appendicitis lar.. due for surgery that evening. Took her history but later realised that I needed to do a physical examination on her too.. At the same time, she requested to borrow my handphone, which I said I didn't bring, so she turned to another stranger who happened to be a relative of another patient in the ward and kindly lent her his phone. She even offered to pay that guy back, which he refused.. Duno lar, as much as a friend told me that we are bound by professional guidelines, coz if anything happens we could be dragged into the mess, still feel not so happy lar, as in - "Why the barrier of being afraid that this elderly lady doing something to your phone? Couldn't it be practised as a simple act of showing kindness, rather than sticking to a rule which even sounds vague and subject to debate.."
Anyway, back to the physical examination. The surgical ward is unlike the medical ward (beds in medical wards are crowded into cubicles surrounded by blinds each, while surgical wards only have screens, and the beds are lined up parallel against the wall like a corridor). Before I proceed, I approached one of the staff nurses and HO's on the wards. "Hi, *trying very hard to smile* and act innocent good morning ya, I'm a medical student, and I'm posted here for the next few weeks or so.. I was wondering ar, coz you guys don't have blinds right? So how ar if I wanna do physical examination, coz it's a female ward.. any idea how the previous batch of students did it?" The female houseman said she doesn't know, the staff nurse commented that if it's only minimal exposure, then the patient probably won't mind lar..
So I proceeded with my last minute abdominal examination 15 minutes before the supposed bedside teaching, without a chaperon (coz it's abit last minute for me to save face from getting scolded by the tutor..) and with the patient's permission, exposed her from the lower border of her breasts all the way down to the pubic region.. The thing is, it was visiting hours. Relatives of the patient just beside us, and other patients ended up turning their heads towards our side as if there was some kind of free show.. and hence, got told off by the Ward sister for not using the screens.. super embarassing..
And on another note,
Me (holding an X-ray film): Hi Dr R, I'm a medical student. It's my 1st day and I'm abit lost. I was wondering whether could you tell me where is the X-ray..box.. Oh, it's there behind you.. (*swt*)
Dr R: It's not working. Maybe you can hold it up against the sunlight with the window as the backdrop..
Oh well, and to top things up, here are some photos from JB which somehow to me seem just either 'sesat' or wrong..
Acknowledgement: Photos courtesy of Anna
Anyway, back to the physical examination. The surgical ward is unlike the medical ward (beds in medical wards are crowded into cubicles surrounded by blinds each, while surgical wards only have screens, and the beds are lined up parallel against the wall like a corridor). Before I proceed, I approached one of the staff nurses and HO's on the wards. "Hi, *trying very hard to smile* and act innocent good morning ya, I'm a medical student, and I'm posted here for the next few weeks or so.. I was wondering ar, coz you guys don't have blinds right? So how ar if I wanna do physical examination, coz it's a female ward.. any idea how the previous batch of students did it?" The female houseman said she doesn't know, the staff nurse commented that if it's only minimal exposure, then the patient probably won't mind lar..
So I proceeded with my last minute abdominal examination 15 minutes before the supposed bedside teaching, without a chaperon (coz it's abit last minute for me to save face from getting scolded by the tutor..) and with the patient's permission, exposed her from the lower border of her breasts all the way down to the pubic region.. The thing is, it was visiting hours. Relatives of the patient just beside us, and other patients ended up turning their heads towards our side as if there was some kind of free show.. and hence, got told off by the Ward sister for not using the screens.. super embarassing..
And on another note,
Me (holding an X-ray film): Hi Dr R, I'm a medical student. It's my 1st day and I'm abit lost. I was wondering whether could you tell me where is the X-ray..box.. Oh, it's there behind you.. (*swt*)
Dr R: It's not working. Maybe you can hold it up against the sunlight with the window as the backdrop..
Oh well, and to top things up, here are some photos from JB which somehow to me seem just either 'sesat' or wrong..
Acknowledgement: Photos courtesy of Anna
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Don't quit
One day I decided to quit.
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
'God', I asked, 'Can you give me one good reason not to quit?'
His answer surprised me.
'Look around', He said. 'Do you see the fern and the bamboo?'
'Yes', I replied.
'When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. 'But I did not quit on the bamboo.' He said.
In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. 'I would not quit.' He said.
'Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
'I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.'
He asked me, 'Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?'
'I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others.' He said.
'The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.'
'Your time will come', God said to me. 'You will rise high'
'How high should I rise?' I asked.
'How high will the bamboo rise?' He asked in return.
'As high as it can?' I questioned.
'Yes.' He said, 'Give me glory by rising as high as you can.'
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never give up.
For the Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!
Thanks Chloe for the encouraging message at a time when I needed it.
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
'God', I asked, 'Can you give me one good reason not to quit?'
His answer surprised me.
'Look around', He said. 'Do you see the fern and the bamboo?'
'Yes', I replied.
'When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. 'But I did not quit on the bamboo.' He said.
In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. 'I would not quit.' He said.
'Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
'I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.'
He asked me, 'Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?'
'I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others.' He said.
'The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.'
'Your time will come', God said to me. 'You will rise high'
'How high should I rise?' I asked.
'How high will the bamboo rise?' He asked in return.
'As high as it can?' I questioned.
'Yes.' He said, 'Give me glory by rising as high as you can.'
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never give up.
For the Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!
Thanks Chloe for the encouraging message at a time when I needed it.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Modifying a previous recipe (although not so pretty, still can eat)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
2/3 weeks of holidays - I'm bored
1st week
Slogging to help finish compiling the AMC report
Recover from a sleepless night of food poisoning + high fever
Driving from Sungai Petani (Kedah) to Kuantan
2nd week (this week)
No friends back yet, so bored..
EMO-ing
Oversleeping
Euro 2008 fever (annoyed that Holland got knocked out, but at least Russia was fun to watch)
Trying to somehow finish reading:
- Chest X-ray Made Easy
- ECG Made Easy
- Robbins Basic Pathology (whatever that is relevant for sem 1): but due to thickness, probably won't finish..
- 3 Narnia books (will continue into week 3 if can't finish)
Practise driving mum's manual Toyota Corolla (while Kuantan traffic is still manageable)
New car for JB in a few months time? I like the Persona, but I try not to complain as I don't need such a big car now (harder to park + 1.6 = higher fuel consumption right?), so maybe a MyVi. (As a cost cutting measure in conjunction with petrol price increase, manual has less fuel consumption right? But that means I can't multitask while driving as compared to auto.. pfft)
Thinking of what to wear for friend's brother's wedding
Attempting to clear my laptop of tonnes of junk
Photo uploading spree on Facebook
Exercising everyday (forcing myself to jog a few rounds around the park; at least one round non-stop 15 minutes)
Treated a friend for birthday
What I'll probably do in Week 3
Go KL
Buy Surgery at a Glance (and ECG Made Easy if the new 7th edition has arrived, yes I know I'm obsessed with getting latest editions of books)
Go Monash to finish up my print quota from sem 1 (since JB does not have print quota)
Try to catch up with friends from Monash (CF or Year 2's or whoever lar I can grab hold off or who wants to grab hold of me) and Hope PJ..
Slogging to help finish compiling the AMC report
Recover from a sleepless night of food poisoning + high fever
Driving from Sungai Petani (Kedah) to Kuantan
2nd week (this week)
No friends back yet, so bored..
EMO-ing
Oversleeping
Euro 2008 fever (annoyed that Holland got knocked out, but at least Russia was fun to watch)
Trying to somehow finish reading:
- Chest X-ray Made Easy
- ECG Made Easy
- Robbins Basic Pathology (whatever that is relevant for sem 1): but due to thickness, probably won't finish..
- 3 Narnia books (will continue into week 3 if can't finish)
Practise driving mum's manual Toyota Corolla (while Kuantan traffic is still manageable)
New car for JB in a few months time? I like the Persona, but I try not to complain as I don't need such a big car now (harder to park + 1.6 = higher fuel consumption right?), so maybe a MyVi. (As a cost cutting measure in conjunction with petrol price increase, manual has less fuel consumption right? But that means I can't multitask while driving as compared to auto.. pfft)
Thinking of what to wear for friend's brother's wedding
Attempting to clear my laptop of tonnes of junk
Photo uploading spree on Facebook
Exercising everyday (forcing myself to jog a few rounds around the park; at least one round non-stop 15 minutes)
Treated a friend for birthday
What I'll probably do in Week 3
Go KL
Buy Surgery at a Glance (and ECG Made Easy if the new 7th edition has arrived, yes I know I'm obsessed with getting latest editions of books)
Go Monash to finish up my print quota from sem 1 (since JB does not have print quota)
Try to catch up with friends from Monash (CF or Year 2's or whoever lar I can grab hold off or who wants to grab hold of me) and Hope PJ..
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Random holiday blues
1. I do not recommend taking the express bus from JB to Kuantan via the winding, uneven Mersing coastal road, especially if the driver thinks he is Kimi Raikonnen on a wet day.
2. I hate doing redundant work during holidays. (people I know will know that I mean)
3. I want a new car.
4. It's disheartening to realise that in the midst of my busy-ness, I kind of lost touch with a lot of people from my yesteryears, not to mention missed birthdays and forgotten faces as well..
5. I think I prefer to do work and remain in denial during the semester, than spend my holidays revisiting certain headaches that just won't go away.
6. After 1 semester, I just can't help but have the tendency to ponder whether during our 1st 6 months here, have we truly made a difference..
7. But I left JB last Sunday with a sense of hope that certain things which start small will bear fruit at the end of the year.
2. I hate doing redundant work during holidays. (people I know will know that I mean)
3. I want a new car.
4. It's disheartening to realise that in the midst of my busy-ness, I kind of lost touch with a lot of people from my yesteryears, not to mention missed birthdays and forgotten faces as well..
5. I think I prefer to do work and remain in denial during the semester, than spend my holidays revisiting certain headaches that just won't go away.
6. After 1 semester, I just can't help but have the tendency to ponder whether during our 1st 6 months here, have we truly made a difference..
7. But I left JB last Sunday with a sense of hope that certain things which start small will bear fruit at the end of the year.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Things future doctors do in their mock OSCE
Station:
Mr X is a 53 year old asthmatic who came in to your GP. (followed by other patient details etc)
1. In 2 minutes, take the patient's history and try to elicit the severity of his asthma.
2. Measure the patient's peak flow.
3. Educate the patient on the use of an asthma medication.
Comments from tutors:
1. Use of medical jargon. (eg asking the patient things like, "How's your respiration?", "..inhale, exhale, peak expiratory flow etc"
2. Question: There is a glass of water here. What do you think it's for?
Correct answer: To rinse the mouth after using the inhaler, ie get rid of corticosteroids etc
Some of the answers given by students:
a) "Oh, if the patient feels thirsty ar, after the peak flow test and medication taking, he can drink it lor."
b) "If you don't know whether the inhaler medication is empty, you can put it into the water and see whether it floats or sinks."
Mr X is a 53 year old asthmatic who came in to your GP. (followed by other patient details etc)
1. In 2 minutes, take the patient's history and try to elicit the severity of his asthma.
2. Measure the patient's peak flow.
3. Educate the patient on the use of an asthma medication.
Comments from tutors:
1. Use of medical jargon. (eg asking the patient things like, "How's your respiration?", "..inhale, exhale, peak expiratory flow etc"
2. Question: There is a glass of water here. What do you think it's for?
Correct answer: To rinse the mouth after using the inhaler, ie get rid of corticosteroids etc
Some of the answers given by students:
a) "Oh, if the patient feels thirsty ar, after the peak flow test and medication taking, he can drink it lor."
b) "If you don't know whether the inhaler medication is empty, you can put it into the water and see whether it floats or sinks."
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The usual end of semester clinical skills log book + assignment rush
Of old people and venepunctures..
The thing with knowing a little bit more Mandarin (now that I'm in JB), is that you know what patients say about you (especially when it comes to criticism).
Went for blood taking today (coz of the mad dash to fill up the log books for physical exam and procedural skills before end of semester.), and did quite ok lar (for someone whose last venepuncture was 4 months ago), success rate of around 60%, (minus thom I pass to the staff nurse because their veins were hard to find).
There were 2 stations in the procedure room, and patients were lining up beside the tables lar.. 2 funny things happened lar:
1. While pricking the finger of a lady for glucometer testing, she jumped up of the chair. That was how sensitive she was to pain.
2. Second lady whom I pricked for glucometer asked me why am I shivering when I held her hand.
Then there was this Chinese lady who brought her mother for blood-taking. As me and a few of my group mates were practising, the lady (cradling a child), was standing at the door, complaining / nagging "Ni kan, chuen pu shi shue de leh.. chuen pu san ge shi shue de leh.." (ie Aiyoh, you see.. all 3 of them are students leh, students learning how to do stuff).. She repeated that same phrase at least 5-6 times that even while taking blood from other patients, that I felt annoyed having to listen to such distractions (we know who we are, so shut up and let us do our work lar). Then her mum's turn came and she sat beside me lar. Her mum asked me, "You doctor ar?" The staff nurse clarified to her that I'm a medical student doing my practical in blood taking. Her 1st reaction was to jump out of her seat and say, "Har??? Pelajar saya tak mau, saya mau missy cucuk" (Huh, I don't want students to poke me? I want the nurse to do it!). The nurse persuaded her that if she doesn't let us learn, how are we going to become competent doctors in the future.
I mean, fine lar.. if she doesn't want me to do, I can proceed with other patients, it is her right to refuse. What did she end up doing instead? On the spot, she went on ranting and grumbling in Mandarin on 101 reasons why she doesn't want students to do procedures on her (eg students don't know how to do procedures lar, painful lar etc etc). Even when I was changing into a new pair of gloves since there was blood on the old one (but I wasn't in a hurry to do so) she remarked that I don't know how to put on a glove properly - in plain sight of everybody lining up. *sweat*
And you have patients who tell you bluntly in the face, "Sorry ya, I want the nurse to take my blood, I don't want to become your guinea pig today."
Anyway, on a lighter note, bumped into a fellow church member from family group, who was visiting her father in Ward D for cancer and TB I think. Found it amusing for her young son to call me 'kor kor'.. (eh, at least he doesn't call me 'Uncle')
Today at the clinic, we saw a female Indian hypertensive patient. She had her whole uterus and ovaries removed, and apparently was rather depressed lar coz her husband divorced her after she could no longer fulfil his sex drive. Found out that she was a towkay (boss), maybe doing business. I was walking back and almost reaching home when she pulled over and offered me a ride, in her Mercedes E320! (quite some time already lar the model, but still..!! I kindly turned it down lar though, since I'm arriving at the front gate of my apartment already :p lolz).
The thing with knowing a little bit more Mandarin (now that I'm in JB), is that you know what patients say about you (especially when it comes to criticism).
Went for blood taking today (coz of the mad dash to fill up the log books for physical exam and procedural skills before end of semester.), and did quite ok lar (for someone whose last venepuncture was 4 months ago), success rate of around 60%, (minus thom I pass to the staff nurse because their veins were hard to find).
There were 2 stations in the procedure room, and patients were lining up beside the tables lar.. 2 funny things happened lar:
1. While pricking the finger of a lady for glucometer testing, she jumped up of the chair. That was how sensitive she was to pain.
2. Second lady whom I pricked for glucometer asked me why am I shivering when I held her hand.
Then there was this Chinese lady who brought her mother for blood-taking. As me and a few of my group mates were practising, the lady (cradling a child), was standing at the door, complaining / nagging "Ni kan, chuen pu shi shue de leh.. chuen pu san ge shi shue de leh.." (ie Aiyoh, you see.. all 3 of them are students leh, students learning how to do stuff).. She repeated that same phrase at least 5-6 times that even while taking blood from other patients, that I felt annoyed having to listen to such distractions (we know who we are, so shut up and let us do our work lar). Then her mum's turn came and she sat beside me lar. Her mum asked me, "You doctor ar?" The staff nurse clarified to her that I'm a medical student doing my practical in blood taking. Her 1st reaction was to jump out of her seat and say, "Har??? Pelajar saya tak mau, saya mau missy cucuk" (Huh, I don't want students to poke me? I want the nurse to do it!). The nurse persuaded her that if she doesn't let us learn, how are we going to become competent doctors in the future.
I mean, fine lar.. if she doesn't want me to do, I can proceed with other patients, it is her right to refuse. What did she end up doing instead? On the spot, she went on ranting and grumbling in Mandarin on 101 reasons why she doesn't want students to do procedures on her (eg students don't know how to do procedures lar, painful lar etc etc). Even when I was changing into a new pair of gloves since there was blood on the old one (but I wasn't in a hurry to do so) she remarked that I don't know how to put on a glove properly - in plain sight of everybody lining up. *sweat*
And you have patients who tell you bluntly in the face, "Sorry ya, I want the nurse to take my blood, I don't want to become your guinea pig today."
Anyway, on a lighter note, bumped into a fellow church member from family group, who was visiting her father in Ward D for cancer and TB I think. Found it amusing for her young son to call me 'kor kor'.. (eh, at least he doesn't call me 'Uncle')
Today at the clinic, we saw a female Indian hypertensive patient. She had her whole uterus and ovaries removed, and apparently was rather depressed lar coz her husband divorced her after she could no longer fulfil his sex drive. Found out that she was a towkay (boss), maybe doing business. I was walking back and almost reaching home when she pulled over and offered me a ride, in her Mercedes E320! (quite some time already lar the model, but still..!! I kindly turned it down lar though, since I'm arriving at the front gate of my apartment already :p lolz).
Friday, May 30, 2008
Congratzz
to Jason, my ex-shepherd in Melbourne for his scholarship
Read more here
and to Joseph (ex-unit leader in PJ) and Christine on their wedding
and yay, found the video I wanted for a previous post :-)
Read more here
and to Joseph (ex-unit leader in PJ) and Christine on their wedding
and yay, found the video I wanted for a previous post :-)
Friday, May 23, 2008
3 days..
Currently listening:
Wednesday
Because of my headache, I slept early at 10 pm, but woke up at 3 am. Thought to myself why the heck did I wake up so early for.. Slept back until 5.30 am, then attempted to do a bit of reading for bedside teaching and PBL. Was supposed to do quite a bit of things which somehow ended up not getting done anyway.
Went to the female wards for bedside teaching. Since our Professor was not there yet, went to look for a few patients to clerk. 1st thing that greeted me at the entrance was the wrapped body of a dead patient being wheeled to the mortuary.
Anyway, came across an old diabetic lady, whom I was having difficuty clerking coz she spoke some Kelantanese Malay dialect (which I can't quite grasp what she was saying, but we both laughed since I can't understand her, and she looked at me one kind. at least i tried..). Then there's this lady houseman who came along for her rounds, and looked at me one kind. Duno lar what was her problem that day, she asked me whether I'm a medical student, and what year I am in, but in an apparently snubbing type of manner before going back to the old lady's case files (I'm inclined to think that she looks cocky lar, but shall give her benefit of the doubt, maybe it's just me being too sensitive).
It's a bit harder to do physical examination at the female ward if you are a guy, as you need a chaperon, and patients tend to be reluctant to allow you to examine them. But it's a nicer ward (in terms of being less hot and stuffy, and also more eye-friendly and relaxed, can spend time talking to patients).
Wanted to clerk a particular patient whose bed was at the corner of the ward. Somehow she doesn't seem to be in the mood to entertain me, but she tried to smile lar. When asked of her reason for admission, she told me that she was a housewife married to a police officer with 2 kids, she came in for overdose of sleeping pills. Apparently she was stressed over 'family problems', and the husband always goes out at night after work. Couldn't get much information from her, so looked at her case files. Under Family / Social History; 'Domestic abuse by husband'. I was quite stunned, but not sure how else to respond to her (or what to say), so I just smiled and wished that she gets well soon. *walks away, as much as I want to do the right thing for her, not sure what else I can do*
At night, watched American Idol.. both finalists were outstanding on the way to the final, but on this night, I really liked David Archuleta singing from the bottom of his heart. From the songs he chose, I mean (Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, by Elton John; In This Moment written by Ryan Gilmore; and Imagine by John Lennon).. I guess it reflected what he feels lar.. his performance gave me a hair-raising moment :p (seriously, don't laugh!)
Thursday
3rd day of headache, but getting better I guess. I walked into the Long Case discussion rather unprepared.. and like my tutor forewarned, "You come unprepared, you DIE." lolz I mean, it turned out ok lar in the end, we like our tutor, and since it was our last class with him (probably for now), he took a photo with us :-)
p/s: Tutor's comments after looking at photo: "Umm.. what is Gary trying to do ar?"
Night time.. rushed back from CG to watch American Idol. David Cook won. Ok lar.. I try to be neutral, I support both of them. It's just, not really a fan of Cook's song choice for the finals. But you have to admit that he is a risk taker to be admired. And somebody was screaming the roof off last night + got high until cannot sleep :p
Ok lar.. at least the final song was nice :-)
Friday
Slept early, but still felt tired when I woke up at 7am. Supposed to wake up at 5 am to study for MCR (ie practical exam). Stressed, havent' really studied for it, but I don't want to re-do, coz not much time already, plus the backlog of work no thanks to my procrastinating. Since 10am til 1pm, stuffed myself into 1 of the clinical skills room, trying to somehow study.. but nothing seems to be going into my brain, so pacing up and down the corridor to the washroom and drink water (signs that I'm stressed).. can I not have the practical exam today? Sick and stressed lar..
When the time came, don't know what to do, just prayed and surrender it to Him, as long as I try my best. Initially, I thought I'm doing the respiratory exam wrongly, but it turned out ok, was surprised myself at how well it went.. The examiner gave feedback that I should be more authoritative (ie not hesitate too much with the patient) and confident. Just need more practice and put in more relevant positives, instead of relevant negatives. I'm happy with my scores!! I PASSED!!! With higher marks than the previous MCR, not coz I'm smart or what, but by God's grace (thank you :-)).. and the sight that greeted me when I exited the staff room was this Indian girl in the cardio ward pointing her finger at me as she walked past hand in hand with her mother, telling her mum, "Mummy, doctor.. doctor.." lolz so cute.
Wednesday
Because of my headache, I slept early at 10 pm, but woke up at 3 am. Thought to myself why the heck did I wake up so early for.. Slept back until 5.30 am, then attempted to do a bit of reading for bedside teaching and PBL. Was supposed to do quite a bit of things which somehow ended up not getting done anyway.
Went to the female wards for bedside teaching. Since our Professor was not there yet, went to look for a few patients to clerk. 1st thing that greeted me at the entrance was the wrapped body of a dead patient being wheeled to the mortuary.
Anyway, came across an old diabetic lady, whom I was having difficuty clerking coz she spoke some Kelantanese Malay dialect (which I can't quite grasp what she was saying, but we both laughed since I can't understand her, and she looked at me one kind. at least i tried..). Then there's this lady houseman who came along for her rounds, and looked at me one kind. Duno lar what was her problem that day, she asked me whether I'm a medical student, and what year I am in, but in an apparently snubbing type of manner before going back to the old lady's case files (I'm inclined to think that she looks cocky lar, but shall give her benefit of the doubt, maybe it's just me being too sensitive).
It's a bit harder to do physical examination at the female ward if you are a guy, as you need a chaperon, and patients tend to be reluctant to allow you to examine them. But it's a nicer ward (in terms of being less hot and stuffy, and also more eye-friendly and relaxed, can spend time talking to patients).
Wanted to clerk a particular patient whose bed was at the corner of the ward. Somehow she doesn't seem to be in the mood to entertain me, but she tried to smile lar. When asked of her reason for admission, she told me that she was a housewife married to a police officer with 2 kids, she came in for overdose of sleeping pills. Apparently she was stressed over 'family problems', and the husband always goes out at night after work. Couldn't get much information from her, so looked at her case files. Under Family / Social History; 'Domestic abuse by husband'. I was quite stunned, but not sure how else to respond to her (or what to say), so I just smiled and wished that she gets well soon. *walks away, as much as I want to do the right thing for her, not sure what else I can do*
At night, watched American Idol.. both finalists were outstanding on the way to the final, but on this night, I really liked David Archuleta singing from the bottom of his heart. From the songs he chose, I mean (Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, by Elton John; In This Moment written by Ryan Gilmore; and Imagine by John Lennon).. I guess it reflected what he feels lar.. his performance gave me a hair-raising moment :p (seriously, don't laugh!)
Thursday
3rd day of headache, but getting better I guess. I walked into the Long Case discussion rather unprepared.. and like my tutor forewarned, "You come unprepared, you DIE." lolz I mean, it turned out ok lar in the end, we like our tutor, and since it was our last class with him (probably for now), he took a photo with us :-)
p/s: Tutor's comments after looking at photo: "Umm.. what is Gary trying to do ar?"
Night time.. rushed back from CG to watch American Idol. David Cook won. Ok lar.. I try to be neutral, I support both of them. It's just, not really a fan of Cook's song choice for the finals. But you have to admit that he is a risk taker to be admired. And somebody was screaming the roof off last night + got high until cannot sleep :p
Ok lar.. at least the final song was nice :-)
Friday
Slept early, but still felt tired when I woke up at 7am. Supposed to wake up at 5 am to study for MCR (ie practical exam). Stressed, havent' really studied for it, but I don't want to re-do, coz not much time already, plus the backlog of work no thanks to my procrastinating. Since 10am til 1pm, stuffed myself into 1 of the clinical skills room, trying to somehow study.. but nothing seems to be going into my brain, so pacing up and down the corridor to the washroom and drink water (signs that I'm stressed).. can I not have the practical exam today? Sick and stressed lar..
When the time came, don't know what to do, just prayed and surrender it to Him, as long as I try my best. Initially, I thought I'm doing the respiratory exam wrongly, but it turned out ok, was surprised myself at how well it went.. The examiner gave feedback that I should be more authoritative (ie not hesitate too much with the patient) and confident. Just need more practice and put in more relevant positives, instead of relevant negatives. I'm happy with my scores!! I PASSED!!! With higher marks than the previous MCR, not coz I'm smart or what, but by God's grace (thank you :-)).. and the sight that greeted me when I exited the staff room was this Indian girl in the cardio ward pointing her finger at me as she walked past hand in hand with her mother, telling her mum, "Mummy, doctor.. doctor.." lolz so cute.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Not again..
I had a throbbing headache today, and was not in a very good mood. And just when I thought I had buried something 2 Sundays ago and decided to start anew..
Anyway, we had our last dermatology clinic posting today. Skin diseases are rarely life-threatening, but it's hard to believe that the stigma associated with it can lead to patients with psoriasis commiting suicide. There was an incident when the dermatologist whom we were with got into trouble with a fellow nephrologist when she prescribed a cytotoxic drug for psoriasis, but it led to renal impairment. But what to do? The patient was begging that if the skin condition doesn't get treated, she doesn't want to live anymore.
On a separate note, there was a lady who came in thinking that she has lupus, was diagnosed with lichen planus, but her husband is refusing to sleep with her because the last time they had sex, his genitals became itchy and he assumed that she has a form of STD. The doctor offered to do a vaginal examination, and it turned out she did not have signs of STD. Good lar in that case, hopefully her domestic problems get resolved soon. One of the many ways a disease can cause problems in relationships.
Anyway, we had our last dermatology clinic posting today. Skin diseases are rarely life-threatening, but it's hard to believe that the stigma associated with it can lead to patients with psoriasis commiting suicide. There was an incident when the dermatologist whom we were with got into trouble with a fellow nephrologist when she prescribed a cytotoxic drug for psoriasis, but it led to renal impairment. But what to do? The patient was begging that if the skin condition doesn't get treated, she doesn't want to live anymore.
On a separate note, there was a lady who came in thinking that she has lupus, was diagnosed with lichen planus, but her husband is refusing to sleep with her because the last time they had sex, his genitals became itchy and he assumed that she has a form of STD. The doctor offered to do a vaginal examination, and it turned out she did not have signs of STD. Good lar in that case, hopefully her domestic problems get resolved soon. One of the many ways a disease can cause problems in relationships.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ramblings over a long weekend
Friday
In the afternoon, helped cover for a friend in terms of examining a patient for Long Case discussion this coming Thursday. The patient was a child psychologist, who apparently had an episode of headache and fainting. We talked abit, for 2 hours (disappointed lar, missed the Thomas cup badminton semi-finals between Malaysia and China). Being very stressed, he tried to convince me why 2-3 cigarettes a day is good for your health. But I guess, he shared it coz I tried to see things from his point of view lar, non-judgementally..
I think it is a rather tragic story that his mum fainted while he was in India studying, and passed away of unknown causes. Then, after he flew back the next day, his dad fainted while nagging him about the fact that he is the only bachelor left in the family, and passed away at that moment. Learnt he hard way not to try to be funny with patients when asking questions, coz I kind of joked with him earlier about him being single.
It was a rather long time spent there.. Imagine lar a patient offering to share his tea break cake and Milo with you. He was upset that the nurse gave him panadol on an empty stomach, he told me he scolded the F-word at the doctor.. *swt* Then, he asked me to say Hi to one of my HK classmates who was 'cute'.. *swt*
He was commenting that the tutor who took them was a very good teacher. You can see that he was really determined in imparting what he knows to his students wholeheartedly. Of course lar I know, coz that tutor happened to be my tutor also for long case. Initially when I 1st met him, he seemed to be a rather strict, no-nonsense person. But I guess, it's only at the end of your posting, when you are swapping tutors that you appreciate nice people like him.. Respect lar..
Went for gym later with a few friends, and had a chat when we finished. A friend was sharing about a young patient with a terminal disease in the wards, comforting his crying mum in the wards, trying his best to remain calm even though his prognosis is poor. It reminded her of an incident from the past (I'll not mention what). And as much as I don't want to, I got reminded of Year 1 Australian rural week, when I got news of a fellow secondary school classmate dying after a fall from the 18th floor of his university hostel. Then a few weeks later, an uncle whom I was very close to (just spent time with him during Chinese New Year that year, and he seemed fine then before I flew off), passed away 2 days before my mid semester 2 exam due to terminal liver cancer Time span of say, 5 months? The fragility of life.. Here today, gone tomorrow.
Anyway, duno lar how I would have reacted in her shoes in that case, or is it that I have already been desensitised already from a previous incident..
Saturday
After a short interrupted nap, went and watched Narnia at Pelangi. I was lazy to change my Monash t-shirt, so I just put on a pair of jeans. To my horror, somebody who came along decided to copy me (NO, I HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF MAKING YOU MY FASHION ROLE MODEL). Pfft.. Well, minus all the hoo-hah about the Susan + Prince Caspian love scene, it was a pretty good film. I enjoyed it. I guess there are a few things I can sum up from the movie:
1. There is a need to be wise and plan ahead, otherwise rushing into doing something may result in disastrous consequences not only for us, but people around us.
2. The need to be united and humble.
3. It pays to have a simple, child-like faith, even if adults don't believe you (ie go and talk to trees more :p lolz).
4. Sometimes when the going gets tough, it is so easy to want to cheat / take the easy way out.
5. Look at what you have, not what you don't have.
6. God is never late, even at the last minute. And hope never fails.
7. Rodents can be so funny :p
Ok lar, kidding for the last part.. but at the end of the movie I was getting a little emo / high (gazing up at the cinema ceiling).. nothing really lar. As much as I shouldn't be worrying, just reflecting long and hard on a few things lar.. among them was myself having come quite a long way since Melbourne, where I am now at this point, having transited here and there (ie my current state, things I'm going through in JB), and like the movie, me going back there in my final year (kind of completes the full circle right, of a journey which kind of started there). How is it going to be like? What will I bring with me over there? Looking back at that time, what will I see? And what next after that?
Ok.. better stop, thinking too much :p Move on.
In the afternoon, helped cover for a friend in terms of examining a patient for Long Case discussion this coming Thursday. The patient was a child psychologist, who apparently had an episode of headache and fainting. We talked abit, for 2 hours (disappointed lar, missed the Thomas cup badminton semi-finals between Malaysia and China). Being very stressed, he tried to convince me why 2-3 cigarettes a day is good for your health. But I guess, he shared it coz I tried to see things from his point of view lar, non-judgementally..
I think it is a rather tragic story that his mum fainted while he was in India studying, and passed away of unknown causes. Then, after he flew back the next day, his dad fainted while nagging him about the fact that he is the only bachelor left in the family, and passed away at that moment. Learnt he hard way not to try to be funny with patients when asking questions, coz I kind of joked with him earlier about him being single.
It was a rather long time spent there.. Imagine lar a patient offering to share his tea break cake and Milo with you. He was upset that the nurse gave him panadol on an empty stomach, he told me he scolded the F-word at the doctor.. *swt* Then, he asked me to say Hi to one of my HK classmates who was 'cute'.. *swt*
He was commenting that the tutor who took them was a very good teacher. You can see that he was really determined in imparting what he knows to his students wholeheartedly. Of course lar I know, coz that tutor happened to be my tutor also for long case. Initially when I 1st met him, he seemed to be a rather strict, no-nonsense person. But I guess, it's only at the end of your posting, when you are swapping tutors that you appreciate nice people like him.. Respect lar..
Went for gym later with a few friends, and had a chat when we finished. A friend was sharing about a young patient with a terminal disease in the wards, comforting his crying mum in the wards, trying his best to remain calm even though his prognosis is poor. It reminded her of an incident from the past (I'll not mention what). And as much as I don't want to, I got reminded of Year 1 Australian rural week, when I got news of a fellow secondary school classmate dying after a fall from the 18th floor of his university hostel. Then a few weeks later, an uncle whom I was very close to (just spent time with him during Chinese New Year that year, and he seemed fine then before I flew off), passed away 2 days before my mid semester 2 exam due to terminal liver cancer Time span of say, 5 months? The fragility of life.. Here today, gone tomorrow.
Anyway, duno lar how I would have reacted in her shoes in that case, or is it that I have already been desensitised already from a previous incident..
Saturday
After a short interrupted nap, went and watched Narnia at Pelangi. I was lazy to change my Monash t-shirt, so I just put on a pair of jeans. To my horror, somebody who came along decided to copy me (NO, I HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF MAKING YOU MY FASHION ROLE MODEL). Pfft.. Well, minus all the hoo-hah about the Susan + Prince Caspian love scene, it was a pretty good film. I enjoyed it. I guess there are a few things I can sum up from the movie:
1. There is a need to be wise and plan ahead, otherwise rushing into doing something may result in disastrous consequences not only for us, but people around us.
2. The need to be united and humble.
3. It pays to have a simple, child-like faith, even if adults don't believe you (ie go and talk to trees more :p lolz).
4. Sometimes when the going gets tough, it is so easy to want to cheat / take the easy way out.
5. Look at what you have, not what you don't have.
6. God is never late, even at the last minute. And hope never fails.
7. Rodents can be so funny :p
Ok lar, kidding for the last part.. but at the end of the movie I was getting a little emo / high (gazing up at the cinema ceiling).. nothing really lar. As much as I shouldn't be worrying, just reflecting long and hard on a few things lar.. among them was myself having come quite a long way since Melbourne, where I am now at this point, having transited here and there (ie my current state, things I'm going through in JB), and like the movie, me going back there in my final year (kind of completes the full circle right, of a journey which kind of started there). How is it going to be like? What will I bring with me over there? Looking back at that time, what will I see? And what next after that?
Ok.. better stop, thinking too much :p Move on.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Father And Mother I Love You (F.A.M.I.L.Y)
Sunday School kids performing the song 'Thank You' last Sunday. Sorry for the quality though. Happy Mother's Day :-)
Fruit Coketail
Ingredients:
1 mango, sliced
1 seedless navel orange, peeled and divided
1/2 cup kiwi fruit-flavoured (actually any flavour also can) nata de coco, remove the accompanying juice / fluid
1 can of vanilla coke, chilled (any soft drink will do)
Just mix everything together :p I made the mistake of putting ice (dilutes the soft drink) and some people may not like mango, so yeah..
Dermatology (ie skin clinic) posting
Just a couple of things passing by..
Part 1
My Mandarin still suck, but slowly picking up (I think progress 1%, despite having learnt quite a bit). And just when I thought knowing little Mandarin is bad enough, my group asked me if I could help translate for them a Chinese patient whom they were clerking (had a feeling it's going to turn out to be like the blind leading the blind, but nevertheless, I agreed to sit in and try lar). Guess what? Patient decided to speak to us in Hokkien. *swt*
Part 2
An extremely thin, wasted old lady came in for review. Apparently had quite a bit of bruising lar.. she was super thin to the extent that it was as if it was just a layer of skin covering a skeleton. She wasn't eating much lar, coz she is a diabetic, and according to her son, was not happy to be asked to refrain from her favourite foods (ie roti canai, cakes, noodles, sweets etc). So old already still have cravings for such things :p Don't feel like growing old leh, if not then this and that cannot eat pfft..
Then she looked at me as I smiled at her, and thought I was the dermatologist whose name was written on the door. When the actual dermatologist said I'm not, she was like, "This is which doctor ar? Doctor Tan ar?" *swt* My reply: Dr Leong, in a few years time lar :p lolz"
Part 3
16 year old Down syndrome girl lives in Putrajaya, presented with psoriasis. Her mum was sick, and she didn't have a referral letter for Putrajaya hospital, so the aunt had to bring her down all the way to JB for treatment. No follow up, so last treatment was more than a year ago.. Accoring to aunt, she seemed rather depressed and withdrawn lar.. no longer looking forward to going to school. Joint involvement meant that she required a cane to walk, and took a very long time to try to stand up and balance herself in the midst of the pain..
Makes one wonder how lucky we are, especially in a rather pampered, rights-demanding generation who complains a lot at times..
Part 1
My Mandarin still suck, but slowly picking up (I think progress 1%, despite having learnt quite a bit). And just when I thought knowing little Mandarin is bad enough, my group asked me if I could help translate for them a Chinese patient whom they were clerking (had a feeling it's going to turn out to be like the blind leading the blind, but nevertheless, I agreed to sit in and try lar). Guess what? Patient decided to speak to us in Hokkien. *swt*
Part 2
An extremely thin, wasted old lady came in for review. Apparently had quite a bit of bruising lar.. she was super thin to the extent that it was as if it was just a layer of skin covering a skeleton. She wasn't eating much lar, coz she is a diabetic, and according to her son, was not happy to be asked to refrain from her favourite foods (ie roti canai, cakes, noodles, sweets etc). So old already still have cravings for such things :p Don't feel like growing old leh, if not then this and that cannot eat pfft..
Then she looked at me as I smiled at her, and thought I was the dermatologist whose name was written on the door. When the actual dermatologist said I'm not, she was like, "This is which doctor ar? Doctor Tan ar?" *swt* My reply: Dr Leong, in a few years time lar :p lolz"
Part 3
16 year old Down syndrome girl lives in Putrajaya, presented with psoriasis. Her mum was sick, and she didn't have a referral letter for Putrajaya hospital, so the aunt had to bring her down all the way to JB for treatment. No follow up, so last treatment was more than a year ago.. Accoring to aunt, she seemed rather depressed and withdrawn lar.. no longer looking forward to going to school. Joint involvement meant that she required a cane to walk, and took a very long time to try to stand up and balance herself in the midst of the pain..
Makes one wonder how lucky we are, especially in a rather pampered, rights-demanding generation who complains a lot at times..
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Let the rain of Your presence fall on me
Every day that I live
With every breath I breathe.
Let the rain of Your presence fall on me
Everywhere that I go.
Lord, let Your presence flow.
Rain on me.
Love divine, joy unspeakable,
Overflowing in my soul.
This heart of mine is refreshed and at rest
In Your presence, in Your presence,
In Your presence, in Your presence.
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