Category Archives: All in a days work

as a medical officer

The old, lonely road

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“Seven Ages: first puking and mewling
Then very pissed-off with your schooling
Then fucks, and then fights
Next judging chaps’ rights
Then sitting in slippers: then drooling.” 
― Robert Conquest

Once in a while we chance upon an elderly patient with a sad story. 

He who has neurofibromatosis and lives alone till old as no one wants to marry him because of his appearance.

He who was an ex addict and now is paying his penance by living in isolation as his own family members think HIV is contagious from a simple touch.

She who losts her husband in an accident and refuses to leave the house she’s staying in because of the memories it stores throughout their married life.

She who bore 10 children and yet not even one turned out to be someone of great use.

Them who couldn’t have children since the early days and the only adopted child they had,  passed away earlier.

Them who depends on the charity of others to live because the world just moves faster than them. And they don’t know how to ask for help.

Of pulling ones own weight

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“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” 
― Helen Keller

 

A New Year is synonym to CHANGE or IMPROVEMENTS. Most people make resolutions – all in the name of becoming a better person as a whole. At an organization level, the same thing applies.

Recently we had an informal meeting with our leader and as he reinforced ‘new rules’ that were to be made regarding the common practices within the unit, I couldn’t help noticing a few individuals scoffing and exchanging quiet, meaningful glances at each other. I seem to be able to read their minds.

“It won’t work”

“It has been done before. In a few days.. people will forget about it”

Sad enough these are the people who could actually make the changes take place if they would just give it another try and be CONSISTENT. Even Tony Robbins would agree.

I like to believe that if everyone pulls on their weight, the better good can have an effect on the current common practice. I like to believe that old dogs can be taught new tricks. I like to believe that as a healthcare provider, we are doing this because we care for our patients. Even though they themselves don’t give a damn of how bad their diabetic control is.

 

Being Oncall. Part of the responsibility really.. like it or not. Yet hygiene and beauty is a must. My oncall bag – part 2

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.. Now its time to have a sneak peek into my toiletries bag for oncall.

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  1. SKII Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel – this is part of my most expensive hygiene products I have on my vanity. The SKII product. I also have the Pitera Miracle Water Essence. But its not something that I would bring to work.
  2. Sleeping eye cover – just in case I have to leave the room lights on after a dose of horror stories of ghost that haunts the hospital.
  3. INTIMATE pantyliners. I have been getting them in boxes lately as I find them very comfortable to wear. No need to wear double.
  4. Face mask from SASA. On a good postcall day, if my colleagues allow me an hour rest.. I’d do a mini facial early morning before I meet the public again for another round of work.
  5. Face cottons and cotton buds
  6. Mini toothpaste
  7. Toothbrush
  8. The red pouch to hold it all in
  9. REXONA deodorant to freshen up
  10. Contact lense multipurpose solution and case
  11. Mini shower gel and hair shampoo – although I rarely shampoo during oncall.
  12. CLINELLE Eye Bright – helps to reduce eye bags, dark circles and fine lines
  13. CLINELLE purifying toner – a satisfying substitute for SKII Treatment Essence
  14. ELLGY Corns & Warts treatment solution  – key is persistence they say

 

Yup, enough hygiene for a medical doctor to wade through her day.

 

 

Being Oncall. Part of the responsibility really.. like it or not. Yet hygiene and beauty is a must. My oncall bag – part 1

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“To the world you may be one person, but to  one person you may be the world”

– Dr Seuss

Honest be told. Doctors are not paid a lot to be oncall. But we still do it as its part of the job description. On a good call, you’d have fun colleagues to work with, interesting cases to heal, time to eat, pray and rest and no patients die. On a bad call, you get the opposite of the above.

We’re not paid much but we are expected to work like robots for the whole night and again expected to function the day after till at best 12 pm, at worst 5 pm or longer. But we still love it, cause we love medicine and our patients. For now. Hehe.

Hence, with the expectation that I always get busy nights, translating into minimal amount of rest,I normally don’t bring an extra change of clothes for the night since I know I wouldn’t have time for an evening shower anyway. Instead, just bring a fresh pair of clothes for the next working day where I’m expected to have a morning bath prior to resuming my duties for the new day.

So I bring the minimum essentials for my call.

oncall bag

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Her name is Saraswathy

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“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names”
Chinese Proverbs quotes

And by calling people as how they were baptised.

I make it a rule upon myself to learn the names of the staff  and my own colleagues I work with by heart. I feel it is very fundamental in creating a harmonious environment which in turn would stimulate motivation and enthusiasm in giving the best output ever. Furthermore, it is more polite to address one by name rather than just a ‘Kak’ or “Bang’ eventhough they’re just a staff nurse or a medical assistant.

Despite my best ruling, I tend to forget two groups of people in the unit. While they come from a private organization, I still see them day in, day out as we both perform our duties to the patients. That would be the Cleaners and The Security Guards. Our contacts would be a mere Hi or Selamat Pagi.Occasionally, they would shyly come up to me requesting a prescription for Paracetamol or cough syrups to which I would happily oblige.

One fine day, after a cup of coffee to start the day.. I was approached by a young female security guard.

“Tigers die and leave their skins; people die and leave their names”
Japanese Proverb quotes

I have had written a few prescriptions for her in the past for what I regard as trivial illnesses and had thought that she would want a repeat of that. Instead, it turned into a brief moment of awe.

[translated version]

She : Dr, I was meaning to ask you something about organ donation

ME : Yes, how can I help you

She : I registered myself as a donor a year back to give all my organs away. however, I had a change of heart recently.. and was wondering if instead giving away all of my organs.. can I choose which to give away?

As mentioned, I was struck with awe. Here, in front of me was a young female security guard from a not priviledged background who has a very big heart. Who had the conscience to donate something back to the living once shes dead. Nevermind the fear of the thought of giving away all of her organs, the act of signing up as a donor in the first place was something to be applauded on.

Thus, I was inspired.

And I learnt her name. Her name is Saraswathy.