So not only are we a bunch of noisy people, we smell bad too. This from my consultant in palliative care.
"We've been getting feedback from some of our patients. Try to keep the noise levels down when you have discussions. Also, they have mentioned that they cannot tolerate your BO."
Stunned looks all around the table. Suddenly, we're the group that stinks, literally. Well, at least some of us, but she's not telling who.
Later on, while talking about gangrene:
"So, what's the patient's main worry going to be?"
Silence
"Anyone ever smelt gangrene before?"
Adnan, our resident joker pipes up, "Well, it's us that are going to smell worse anyway..."
Monday, December 04, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Palliative care 1
On the oncology unit, talking to this elderly man with prostate ca and bilateral legs full of fluid(oedema). Not a nice time, as he became emotional more than once as we discussed his condition. Hearing about the puddle of fluid that burst out of his leg every morning from the swellings that had formed overnight.
As I was about to leave, I patted him on the back. "See you around then."
He looked me straight in the eye. Soberly, while pointing upwards, he said "I'll be up there soon, just so you know."
Silence for a while.
"Erm, I'm sure you'll be around a while yet..." I started to say.
"What do you mean?", he cut in. "They're transferring me to the medical ward on the 5th floor, aren't they?"
....sometimes, I really don't know where to hide my face....
As I was about to leave, I patted him on the back. "See you around then."
He looked me straight in the eye. Soberly, while pointing upwards, he said "I'll be up there soon, just so you know."
Silence for a while.
"Erm, I'm sure you'll be around a while yet..." I started to say.
"What do you mean?", he cut in. "They're transferring me to the medical ward on the 5th floor, aren't they?"
....sometimes, I really don't know where to hide my face....
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Watchdog
Just watched this programme on TV called Watchdog or something similar.. They do a good job of exposing scams and warning the public about potential cons. This segment they did a slot on mobile phone companies offering cashback, in particular a company called mobs (mobile solutions online).
Having friends who were on similar schemes and having been interested before, I leant back with a glass of mango cum orange juicy bits and watched as they exposed mobs' schemes.
Apparently what the whole cashback offer is based on the assumption that only around 1/3 of customers would claim their cash back(for those unfamiliar to the cashback scheme, its an offer where people get a mobile phone and pay a monthly tariff. They then receive a voucher from the company every 3 months and theoretically when they return this voucher, they will receive a certain percentage of their cash back). When more people claim their cash back than the company expects, they have to delay the returning of the cash.
Watchdog even interviewed a former employee who told viewers the numerous strategies the company told her to use to delay the customers. Excuses ranged from "the money's in your account already" to "our computers are undergoing a upgrade" to "cash will be deposited in the next 1 week".
Watching this, I found it interesting because I was actually considering signing up for it at one point. In a sad sort of way, it reinforced my underlying assumption (from past experiences) that everytime eveyrone approaches me for something, its definitely a scam, and I treat them appropriately. This extends to giving to charities and beggars on the street, based on the premise that most of them are part of a huge money making scheme.
How in the world it's supposed to reflect God's love is something I've not yet reconciled though, as there really ARE people in need out there.
Anyways, on a parting note, mobile online solutions are liquidating, so it seems those still waiting for their money back will not be getting it anytime soon.
Having friends who were on similar schemes and having been interested before, I leant back with a glass of mango cum orange juicy bits and watched as they exposed mobs' schemes.
Apparently what the whole cashback offer is based on the assumption that only around 1/3 of customers would claim their cash back(for those unfamiliar to the cashback scheme, its an offer where people get a mobile phone and pay a monthly tariff. They then receive a voucher from the company every 3 months and theoretically when they return this voucher, they will receive a certain percentage of their cash back). When more people claim their cash back than the company expects, they have to delay the returning of the cash.
Watchdog even interviewed a former employee who told viewers the numerous strategies the company told her to use to delay the customers. Excuses ranged from "the money's in your account already" to "our computers are undergoing a upgrade" to "cash will be deposited in the next 1 week".
Watching this, I found it interesting because I was actually considering signing up for it at one point. In a sad sort of way, it reinforced my underlying assumption (from past experiences) that everytime eveyrone approaches me for something, its definitely a scam, and I treat them appropriately. This extends to giving to charities and beggars on the street, based on the premise that most of them are part of a huge money making scheme.
How in the world it's supposed to reflect God's love is something I've not yet reconciled though, as there really ARE people in need out there.
Anyways, on a parting note, mobile online solutions are liquidating, so it seems those still waiting for their money back will not be getting it anytime soon.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Equality
Biker chick stands beside kindly old grandma, stands beside tall lanky possibly basketball player stands beside petite college student. Lawyer beside doctor beside patient beside dock worker. Rough bouncer together with redneck, black, brown, tanned, fair. Conflicting stereotypes glaring along the row. Long haired standing beside tattooed and pierced standing beside Mr. Studious Spectacles. Racial polarities lose their magnetism as Indians stand with Malays with Chinese nearby and countries lose their borders with British standing by Africans holding hands with Jews and Russians.
In a time of worship, everyone's no different. When the focus is off us and onto someone far greater, we take our hands out of our pockets, stop brushing our hair and checking our reflection in the mirror, or worrying about how our breath smells like, because its no longer about who we are. No longer about what we've done, or what we could have done. What can anyone possibly do that can matter, when you're approaching your Maker?
Hands stretch forth, heads are bowed. Everyone's confronting Him in their own way. Worry, guilt, contentment, uncontained joy, quiet happiness, fear, apprehension all chasing each other. At some point though, when our faces have relaxed, our hands no longer clenched and our feet no longer tense in our shoes, we know we're there. At peace with Him, relaxing in His presence. We've accepted His presence and all it entails. It's then that the real worship starts; from this point on, He is truly the centre of our current existence.
Different people, from different lives and speaking different languages, all declaring
"Jesus I believe in You. Jesus I belong to You."
In a time of worship, everyone's no different. When the focus is off us and onto someone far greater, we take our hands out of our pockets, stop brushing our hair and checking our reflection in the mirror, or worrying about how our breath smells like, because its no longer about who we are. No longer about what we've done, or what we could have done. What can anyone possibly do that can matter, when you're approaching your Maker?
Hands stretch forth, heads are bowed. Everyone's confronting Him in their own way. Worry, guilt, contentment, uncontained joy, quiet happiness, fear, apprehension all chasing each other. At some point though, when our faces have relaxed, our hands no longer clenched and our feet no longer tense in our shoes, we know we're there. At peace with Him, relaxing in His presence. We've accepted His presence and all it entails. It's then that the real worship starts; from this point on, He is truly the centre of our current existence.
Different people, from different lives and speaking different languages, all declaring
"Jesus I believe in You. Jesus I belong to You."
I've seen.
"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." Ps 31:19
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Blind?
The last 10 years of her life have not been kind to her. A rapid descent in fortunes, from being relatively well-off to having next to nothing. A father-in-law whom she loved and respected, a husband whom she adored, all gone. Dust to dust. And now, faced with a move to an alien country together with her mother-in-law, whose people would regard her as an outcast. But more than that, facing the prospect of dying childless, with no one to carry on her family name, to remember her by.
Her mother-in-law saw her consternation and urged her to stay behind. Why join in her bitterness? Why stay and continue to experience hardship one after another? Far better for her to stay back and try to look for another husband and rebuild her life.
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.' " Ruth 1:16
Amazing that even after 10 years of seeing how God dealt with her mother-in-law (Naomi), Ruth, who was not an Israelite, would say such a thing. Why associate herself so strongly with someone whose God seemed to bring nothing but misfortune? What caused her to stay on?
Her mother-in-law saw her consternation and urged her to stay behind. Why join in her bitterness? Why stay and continue to experience hardship one after another? Far better for her to stay back and try to look for another husband and rebuild her life.
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.' " Ruth 1:16
Amazing that even after 10 years of seeing how God dealt with her mother-in-law (Naomi), Ruth, who was not an Israelite, would say such a thing. Why associate herself so strongly with someone whose God seemed to bring nothing but misfortune? What caused her to stay on?
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Manc Weekend
Today was one of those days which come too few and far between. Met up Sam, Prakash, Bobby, Jessica, Nadeesh and Pooja plus all the Liverpudlians and Mancunians in Manchester. I finally got to taste the dim sum that everyone has been raving about since last year. 16 people at a table is a sight not many waiters have seen before apparently, cos they just kept coming and coming with fresh plates of food for us.
All the newcomers spent the afternoon visiting Old Trafford, home to the Man Utd team. Initially , I thought the stadium was smaller than I'd expected. Walking around the grounds though, it was larger than it looked. It was pretty interesting seeing where players would bathe, where the VIPs had their pre-game lunch and where the press conferences were held etc etc. The climactic big run onto the pitch, complete with cheering recorded from an actual game, was hampered by the fact that the pitch was, pitch dark, owing to the time. Not many have seen it at night though.
Tourism in Malaysia is definitely well publicised.
A Christmas present for the fans out there?
All the newcomers spent the afternoon visiting Old Trafford, home to the Man Utd team. Initially , I thought the stadium was smaller than I'd expected. Walking around the grounds though, it was larger than it looked. It was pretty interesting seeing where players would bathe, where the VIPs had their pre-game lunch and where the press conferences were held etc etc. The climactic big run onto the pitch, complete with cheering recorded from an actual game, was hampered by the fact that the pitch was, pitch dark, owing to the time. Not many have seen it at night though.
Tourism in Malaysia is definitely well publicised.
A Christmas present for the fans out there?
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Never again
Four pairs of eyes.
Gazing at a sentence on a piece of paper about half the size of an A4. A consultant, his registrar and two medical students. The registrar speaks first. "She's your patient from before isn't she?" Consultant doesn't look too happy. It's hard, telling someone that she may be terminally ill.
Patient in the room, consultant explaining the results to her. Watching a woman suddenly break into tears is something I've not become used to seeing yet. Found myself wishing I was elsewhere, that I suddenly intruded in on a private moment that I had no right to witness. While I'm dwelling on things, the patient is being told she needs to stay for another test to determine extent of the disease.
Patient exits, and consultant makes the call for the test. It is then that he realises his mistake. Being slower than usual (afternoon post lunch syndrome), it takes me a while to get it. When I do get it, I feel even worse than before.
Four pairs of eyes..
Gazing at the test results, all failing to spot the unfamiliar name at the top of the page. The consultant throws the notes on the floor in anger. We've gone and told the patient she's had something she doesn't have. And someone else is in for some bad news.
There may be mistakes that I'll definitely make later on, but this is one which I hope will not happen again.
Gazing at a sentence on a piece of paper about half the size of an A4. A consultant, his registrar and two medical students. The registrar speaks first. "She's your patient from before isn't she?" Consultant doesn't look too happy. It's hard, telling someone that she may be terminally ill.
Patient in the room, consultant explaining the results to her. Watching a woman suddenly break into tears is something I've not become used to seeing yet. Found myself wishing I was elsewhere, that I suddenly intruded in on a private moment that I had no right to witness. While I'm dwelling on things, the patient is being told she needs to stay for another test to determine extent of the disease.
Patient exits, and consultant makes the call for the test. It is then that he realises his mistake. Being slower than usual (afternoon post lunch syndrome), it takes me a while to get it. When I do get it, I feel even worse than before.
Four pairs of eyes..
Gazing at the test results, all failing to spot the unfamiliar name at the top of the page. The consultant throws the notes on the floor in anger. We've gone and told the patient she's had something she doesn't have. And someone else is in for some bad news.
There may be mistakes that I'll definitely make later on, but this is one which I hope will not happen again.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
And yet
Sometimes I forget I have plenty of what I need. And I want more. Which just makes me happy for a while before I start wanting more again. So, in an effort to help others get their 'more', I've started filling shoeboxes.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Wait a minute..
Me: Well, am goin out tmrw night with a Malaysian couple I met last week.
A : Hahaha so it's a little Malaysian gathering is it? How did you meet these people anyway?
Me: Oh I met them at church last Sunday.
A : Ah you go to church? Was it interesting?
Me: Yup, pretty much. And its great to see young people there too. Most churches here seem to be made up of older folk.
A : Haha, well, that's pretty normal actually in the UK. There seems to be 2 types of people in church, the old ones who go because church is something they are used to, and the younger ones who are all crazy, which you don't really seem to be.
Me: Crazy? How do you mean?
A : Oh, you know, they won't shut up about believing in Jesus, and keep inviting you to church though you say you've been before.
Me: ???
A : They seem pretty evangelical, you can tell they're Christians pretty easily. It's funny how they won't can't seem to stop talking about what they believe in.
A : Hahaha so it's a little Malaysian gathering is it? How did you meet these people anyway?
Me: Oh I met them at church last Sunday.
A : Ah you go to church? Was it interesting?
Me: Yup, pretty much. And its great to see young people there too. Most churches here seem to be made up of older folk.
A : Haha, well, that's pretty normal actually in the UK. There seems to be 2 types of people in church, the old ones who go because church is something they are used to, and the younger ones who are all crazy, which you don't really seem to be.
Me: Crazy? How do you mean?
A : Oh, you know, they won't shut up about believing in Jesus, and keep inviting you to church though you say you've been before.
Me: ???
A : They seem pretty evangelical, you can tell they're Christians pretty easily. It's funny how they won't can't seem to stop talking about what they believe in.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Sunset Story
Boy, all alone, contemplating future and other meaningful tidbits.
A girl appears, also in search of answers.
Having met, they decide to continue their journey together.
Had a great day accompanying Jane and Jan Hoong from Preston around Barrow's coasts, where I took the pics above(haha couldn't resist!), and ate the best fish and chips I've ever had since coming here.
At the town hall.
After a long day, some stony pillows to sit on.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Jon sucks
There are days when everything seems so instinctive, when all the patients seem to present with familiar symptoms, when that last insignificant little bit of knowledge is so easily recalled and when naming the different things that could be wrong with the patient seems second nature.
There are also days when the brain seems to have taken a holiday and when your knowledge seems to have been lost along the wayside; when you cough and whisper your answers instead of speaking confidently, afraid to show your apparent lack of knowledge, when suddenly you find you're not so secure and able a student that you thought you were.
Today's been one of the latter days.
There are also days when the brain seems to have taken a holiday and when your knowledge seems to have been lost along the wayside; when you cough and whisper your answers instead of speaking confidently, afraid to show your apparent lack of knowledge, when suddenly you find you're not so secure and able a student that you thought you were.
Today's been one of the latter days.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Must see for IMU folks
If you have a couple of free minutes, check these videos out at Esther's blog.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
What's my house look like?
"This is what the Lord says, 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?'" Isaiah 66:1
"Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Haggai 1:4
"In a large house, there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes, and are for ignoble." Tim 2:29
"Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Haggai 1:4
"In a large house, there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes, and are for ignoble." Tim 2:29
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Spotted in the tea room of the Psychiatric Ward
Translations in Chinese
Why is it so dark in here?
Wai So Dim
That's a small horse
Tai Ni Po Ni
Get over here ASAP
Kum Hia Nao
Thought you were on a diet
Wai Yu Man Ching
Why is it so dark in here?
Wai So Dim
That's a small horse
Tai Ni Po Ni
Get over here ASAP
Kum Hia Nao
Thought you were on a diet
Wai Yu Man Ching
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
I lied today
Scene 1(to set the scene):
At my GP's. I'm sitting with my partner after lunch.. She practices taking my blood pressure: 80/40. She goes, "Wow, Jon, your blood pressure is reaaallyy low. Maybe you should eat more!" And all because I had just one Cornish Pasty instead of combining it with a pie and/or a sausage roll.
Scene 2:
Gp consultation is starting. A patient comes in, and with her, comes the post-prandial gush of sleepiness I always have to deal with in the first hour or two after lunch as I digest my food. She drones on and on, and my eyes, desperately trying to look interested as I try to keep them from looking droopy..."Jon, are you alright?" from my GP all of a sudden.
Great. A dilemma. Options;
1. Tell the truth. Sorry, I was feeling a bit sleepy. And have the patient look at me like I'm some jerk who doesn't give 2 cents about her problems.
2. Which was-
"Er..(Rubbing forehead to conceal my suddenly awake face and frown) I just had a bit of a headache. Sorry doctor.."
Scene 3:
My GP partner going, "You know Jon, you should really eat more. Let me feel your pulse." And my GP going, "Jon I have some paracetamol and some ibuprofen here. You sure you don't want some?"
At my GP's. I'm sitting with my partner after lunch.. She practices taking my blood pressure: 80/40. She goes, "Wow, Jon, your blood pressure is reaaallyy low. Maybe you should eat more!" And all because I had just one Cornish Pasty instead of combining it with a pie and/or a sausage roll.
Scene 2:
Gp consultation is starting. A patient comes in, and with her, comes the post-prandial gush of sleepiness I always have to deal with in the first hour or two after lunch as I digest my food. She drones on and on, and my eyes, desperately trying to look interested as I try to keep them from looking droopy..."Jon, are you alright?" from my GP all of a sudden.
Great. A dilemma. Options;
1. Tell the truth. Sorry, I was feeling a bit sleepy. And have the patient look at me like I'm some jerk who doesn't give 2 cents about her problems.
2. Which was-
"Er..(Rubbing forehead to conceal my suddenly awake face and frown) I just had a bit of a headache. Sorry doctor.."
Scene 3:
My GP partner going, "You know Jon, you should really eat more. Let me feel your pulse." And my GP going, "Jon I have some paracetamol and some ibuprofen here. You sure you don't want some?"
Saturday, October 07, 2006
FYI
Among the interesting things I learn in psychiatry are how to make coffee...indian style. According to my SHO, what you do is you put the coffee beans in the cup, then add your milk. Mix thoroughly till most beans are dissolved. Then add hot water and sugar (if needed). Apparently the milk added to beans at teh start is supposed to get rid of the bitter taste of the coffee beans.
If you ever go to my SHO's house for a visit, she'll offer you coffee made in a even more different way. She'll boil water mixed with milk first till it's frothy, then add coffee beans/powder and sugar. Will try that when I get back to liverpool. Am in michelle's and ben's place in liverpool now...They have rooms bigger than our living room in barrow!
Full day out tmrw with basketball, football, frisbee all in, so an early nite is in order.
If you ever go to my SHO's house for a visit, she'll offer you coffee made in a even more different way. She'll boil water mixed with milk first till it's frothy, then add coffee beans/powder and sugar. Will try that when I get back to liverpool. Am in michelle's and ben's place in liverpool now...They have rooms bigger than our living room in barrow!
Full day out tmrw with basketball, football, frisbee all in, so an early nite is in order.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
That time of year
Nope not Christmas, but a special time nonetheless.
Miss Chong Hsu Pheen, or Josephine as she likes to be called in the UK. Why, I don't know. Seen here with Alice at the food fair in IMU, for those of you who are going 'hey when was this?'
Aiky Goh, who I'm sure has grown since this. Pictured with David at ChikIan's surprise bday
And lastly, TNF aka Tan Nam Fei who eats a lot and yet doesn't gain weight, unless he hides it really well. Caught stealing food from WenChyi's bday dinner.Happy birthday guys.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)