Sunday, April 27, 2008
Do I Walk Funny? It could be just me reading too much orthopaedic material over the weekend, but....my left lower limb appears more externally rotated (by 5 degrees, perhaps?) and a tad shorter than my right. So how on earth did I start noticing this? Umm, let's just say that I've been habitually reading on my sister's bedroom floor, sitting erect with my back leaning against the bed, legs straight at the front. From time to time, I tend to look up from my books and ponder on what I've just read. So.... you could say that I noticed the "defect" during one of those "reflective moments". heh.Would anyone care to examine my left lower limb? =P------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The additional holiday we had (ie: Anzac Day) plus weekends have been therapeutic. For one, I managed to catch up on much needed sleep, to the expense of my revision schedule! hehe. I've never felt better, nevertheless. At the very least, I won't be lurking the hospital ground this week looking like the "undead". =PAnd now, back to my final PBL trigger and anaesthesiology....*groans* Labels: Random thoughts
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Thursday, April 24, 2008
Had my plastering session today. IT WAS AWESOME!!! Ken Lewin, the plaster cast technician, gave us a really informative "run-down" on the types of casts as well as the principles of treatment and management before we got down to "plastering" each other's forearms. Good fun, but the plaster mould I made for Jules didn't turn out nicely though. =P Not smooth enough, a tad short and Jules could not bring his little finger and thumb together! It didn't help too when he kept laughing at me throughout the procedure!! LOL. The sawing, prying and cutting part was gruelling, to me at least. haha. There were just so many instances when I thought I was going to cut through Jules' arm with the electrical saw! Can't help but wonder how it will be like plastering an actual patient's forearm. I personally think it won't be as simple, firstly because the patient might still be in considerable pain. Also, one has to take into account the type of fracture he/she has, what kind of plaster mould should one do, and whether or not the patient should keep his/her wrist and forearm in neutral position. Would really like to attempt plastering again....but given that we are already at the end of week 4 (of the 6-week block), I guess I don't have much time left. =(Apart from the odd pathology lecture and professional development (PD) tute, today was pretty much "full-on Ortho". Went for the morning WR with the Orthopods from 7am, had two very interesting ortho tutes with Mr. Pirpiris and Mr. Bucknill, and as I've already mentioned before, attended a plastering session. Haven't got the time to see patients up in the wards or view recommended X-rays at all....but had a quick chat with a patient (whom I clerked and examined yesterday) after patho lecture. She's doing pretty well, and if things are smooth-sailing, she'll be wheeled to theatre this Tuesday. Speaking of surgeries, I haven't scrubbed-in since that one-day-shadowing-stint with Ms. Pitcher at Sunshine Hospital last year. Tony (ortho registrar) and Glenn (ortho resident) suggested that I should one of these days. As Tony quipped before, "How would I know that you can scrub-in properly if I don't see you do it in the first place?" Hmmm. Very true. Given the fact that I'm a klutz when it comes to anything "hands-on", I better make an effort to brush-up!Next Wednesday or Thursday might be a good time to go into theatre. I'd like to know what cases will be on first though. I wouldn't want to attend one so I could merely scrub-in. It'll be a great opportunity to catch up on some anatomy plus surgical principles and treatment options before the operation....also, I don't want to look like an idiot in front of the surgeons. =PJust a sideline - ever had those times when you go, "Wow, I've never thought of that before....but since I do now, I'd like to know more!" when someone questions something first? Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
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Saturday, April 19, 2008
To everyone currently residing in Australia, you might have known by now who these two people are. To the uninitiated, however, let me give you a run-down on their story first:
Meet John and Jenny Deaves. He is 61, she 39. They have been a couple for 8 years running, had a son, Jackson, in 2001, who died just days after he was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (ie: a congenital heart defect), and a healthy daughter, Celeste, who is currently 9 months old. They are pretty much contended with what they have at the moment - a seemingly happy family on the outside. There is a twist to their story though - John is Jenny's BIOLOGICAL father.
I kid you not. John Deaves separated from Jenny's mother when she was just a year old. Jenny had little contact with her father over the next 30 years....right until 8 years ago, when she decided to "track him down". Both met, and two weeks down the line they began a sexual relationship. As mentioned earlier, John fathered two of Jenny's children, one of them is currently 9 months old.
Their story was made public on the 9th April, when it was aired on Channel Nine's 60 minutes.
"John and I are in this relationship as consenting adults. We are just asking for a little bit of respect and understanding..." (Jenny Deaves)
"John is my father and he's also my partner. We don't see each other as 'father and daughter'. I don't see John as my father, even though he is my biological father...." (Jenny Deaves)
"I class myself as a man who has met a woman and we got romantically involved...." (John Deaves)
"The way I look at it, it's just like if I was married to Jennifer and she was not my biological daughter and we had a child. It's exactly the same thing. The child is not deformed. It had no mental difficulties. Quite normal, healthy child...." (John Deaves)
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When I first realized what was unravelling before me (on Herald Sun - I haven't the time to watch proper TV programmes in the last few weeks), I was shell-shocked. Then came disgust, rage and pity.
I was stunned by the fact that these two people would consent to a sexual relationship, knowing very well that they are biologically related.
I felt sick to the core whenever I think of them sharing the same bed.
I was aghast that they (still) think it was okay for them to do so.
I was enraged by the fact that Celeste and Jenny's two other children (from her previous marriage) were all aired on this programme.
I was not happy with the way Channel Nine handled this story - based on their transcripts, I was under the impression that they were "normalizing" the situation.
My heart goes out to those who were hurt by these two incredibly selfish individuals - Jenny's mother, John's 2nd wife and the children he fathered from his 2nd marriage, Jenny's ex-husband and the two children she bore from this union, and especially Celeste....who will bear the brunt of this incestuous relationship in years to come.
Some links to this scandal:
Forbidden Love, from 60 minutes
Incest began 'on business trip', from Herald Sun
Deaves incest couple say: Don't blame us, from Daily Telegraph
Labels: Events, Random thoughts
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
I'm DEAD TIRED.
This block's one hell of a ride - so much to do, so little time....
Why did they ever lump FIVE major specialties in six weeks is still beyond my reasoning...but don't get me wrong. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CLINICAL BLOCK (surprise, surprise!). To be exact, this is one of the better surgical rotations I've had so far. Everyone I've crossed paths with are approachable (a few in a scary, sort of way =P), extremely passionate about their work, and are really keen teachers/mentors.
If only we didn't have to rush through.....I'm always up on my toes!!
On a side-note, if any of you medics are wondering which medical specialty "suits" you, check out the medical self-assessment at www.mymedicalcareer.com.au. I've taken the test, and the following are my "top 2o" specialties I could consider in the near future:
1. Nephrology
2. Medical oncology
3. Infectious disease
4. Cardiology
5. Radiation oncology
6. Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine
7. Neurology
8. Child neurology
9. Paediatrics
10. Physical medicine and rehabilitation
11. Family practice
12. Haematology
13. Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism
14. Neurosurgery
15. Gastroenterology
16. Orthopaedics
17. Medical genetics
18. Urology
19. Child and adolescent psychiatry
20. Geriatrics
The results are what I've expected somewhat. As I'm more medically-oriented at the moment, it's no wonder that so few surgical speciaties are on my top 20. I'm really, REALLY surprised that nephrology and oncology topped the list though.
Oh, and if you guys are wondering which specialties are at the bottom of my list:
5. Preventive medicine
4. Anaesthesiology
3. Emergency medicine
2. Pathology.....and lastly,
1. Diagnostic radiology
To my IMU friends who knew I've taken another medical aptitude test in the past, let me tell you that unlike the former, I did not have to answer 130+ questions. It was quicker, and the questions were not repetitive.
I'll definitely retake this assessment at the end of next year, just to see how much (or little) my options change with time. =P
Labels: Just for fun/Meme, Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
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Friday, April 11, 2008
What's in a nameEver had your name mispronounced before? I have on many occasions, and I must confess, the results can be both amusing and exasperating at the same time. Granted, my Chinese name looks "confounding" to many in the first place (ie: Sze Yuen), so I can't blame them entirely. Since my transfer to Melbourne last year, many people I know have grown accustomed to addressing me as Yuen (pronounced "Yin"). The others, however, still tend to call me: 1. Zee2. See/Sii 3. Sue 4. Sei 5. Sei-Yoon *cringes*6. Yoo-en/Yoo-an 7. Yune/Yoon 8. Iiiing (!!!)Naturally, a few were so "off the mark" that I simply do not respond when they call. =P Labels: Random thoughts
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Monday, April 07, 2008
I admit, surgical rotations have never been my forte. This is partially due to my general "disinterest" in anything surgically-related. Henceforth, the clinical block I'm currently undertaking shall prove to be challenging for me, not only because it is surgically-oriented in many aspects (we have Orthopaedics, Perioperative Medicine and Plastics this term), but also because this rotation deals with subjects that we barely cover back in preclinicals (Dermatology, Anaesthesiology, *Rheumatology). [*A few key topics in Rheumatology were dealt with adequately during preclinicals though. Topics covered then include OA, RA and gout!] I am looking forward to a great rotation, nevertheless. Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
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Friday, April 04, 2008
I got "tagged" yet again....this time by our one and only - Leng Hui! =P I figured since I have some time to spare, I might as well get this done with. heh. [Note to Leng Hui and fellow readers: What do you WANT from me anyway??? =P I mean....8 RANDOM FACTS!!! You guys know me in person already, so what more would you like to know? *grins*]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Rules1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. List eight (8) random facts about yourself.3. Tag eight people at the end of this post and list their names.4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving them a comment on their blogs.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Right-o. Now moving on to 8 random facts about *coughs* yours truly: Random fact 1:
I talk in my sleep. How did I find that out in the first place? When I was younger, I used to sleep in the same room with my parents. Thereafter I shared a bedroom with my younger sister for a while. They discovered my "sleep-talking". Not sure if I still do that though. [Question to my IMU-KKB buddies: Did you guys notice anything "out of the ordinary" when I bunk in your rooms? =P]
Frankly speaking, I didn't really bother to find out what I've said during such episodes.....I finally asked my sister yesterday, and her reply - there were times when she couldn't comprehend as I was rambling nonsense; on other occasions I was "happily" rambling about friends from school!
Hmmmm.....
Random fact 2:I've lost 14-15kg in total since I started my weight reduction regime in 2005, right after EOS-3. So far, I've managed to keep those kilos off. Am I proud of it? You bet I am, so hear me gloat. =P
It was NOT easy at the beginning though. Old habits certainly die hard, so it took me a while to adjust my behavioural lifestyle. I loved food then (I still do), I was an emotional eater, and I was pretty much a couch potato. Top that off with mental stress during my preclinicals, and my general well-being went downhill: I slept late, I ate more junk, I was chugging down mugs of coffee to keep myself awake, I became even more sedentary. The wake-up call came when I started getting breathless after climbing just three flights of stairs in IMU. That was not a good sign when you are 20 years old. My BMI was 27+ then (which was considered OBESE by SouthEast Asian standards). Looking back, I definitely have come a long way. My BMI is currently around 22, I make sure that I eat properly (although I allow myself to indulge every now and then), I feel fit and healthy, and I've never felt happier. Random fact 3:I have "stage fright", which may come as a surprise to fellow Trinitrians out there as we did drama during our foundation year. Perhaps not so much when I KNOW I'm on stage with my drama team. I notice, however, that my fear escalates when the spotlight's specifically on me.It was really debilitating when I first started clinical school - I found myself tongue-tied whenever a question was directed to me, more so when there were at least 10 pairs of eyes staring back at me. I also had trouble articulating my thoughts, and hence presenting a case/clinical findings was never smooth-sailing. [Matt and Wee Jie, you do remember how it was like then, don't you? =P]
Do I still get those "panic attacks"? Yes, I do....although they are (thankfully) not as frequent as before. Regular interaction with people at hospitals over the last six months did improve my confidence and communication skills. I am, at the moment, more at ease with the way I present myself. I think I am calmer in the face of "adverse events", although I still get uptight whenever something unexpected (or unpleasant) occurs. My clinical group helped me along the way too.Random fact 4: Yes, I am single and still loving every minute of it. XD It irks me sometimes how a few of my extended family members and friends tend to gasp in horror and go, "What?? Already 23 and STILL not attached?!!!"They made it sound as though I've committed a cardinal sin or something.... =PFirst off, I'm 23, not 32. My mother married my father when she was 29, and had me when she was 31. Therefore, I'm absolutely in no hurry to start a family. Secondly, I love my freedom too much. Sure, I do have my fair share of fantastic male friends (and I admittedly fancied one of them in the past), but the point is....I don't think I am ready to commit just yet (sorry guys!). [Note: Anyone who would like me to change my mind could try...but be warned that I'm a full-fledged Taurean/Wood Ox (lethal combo), so I'm difficult to budge! =P]Random fact 5:I'm terribly shy by nature, and I get embarassed very easily [First sign to look for: REALLY RED EARS and CHEEKS!] It's quite a vicious cycle, really. When I'm embarassed, I blushed. Then when someone pointed out that my cheeks were red-hot, I blushed even more!!! ><" A few people thought that was cute though. Whatever people may say, I do not think they are good traits to have when you are in med school. heh. Looking back, I guess I have progressed a fair bit in the last six months. Perhaps it's because I am perpetually surrounded by loud and "larger-than-life" medics/docs during the week? =P Random fact 6:
I bruise easily. No, I do not think I have bleeding disorders. I guess it's more of the fact that my veins are very superficial, so whenever I knock into something, purpuric rashes form frequently, no matter how mild the "trauma" was. There are even many occasions where I discover bruises (particularly over my legs), and I don't recall knocking myself into anything! Hmmm.
I believe there is a benign condition afflicting young women, whereby they have bruising tendencies (it's somewhere in Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine, I swear by it!), so.....perhaps I have that medical entity?
(Note: I'm quite a klutz too, by the way. =P)
Random fact 7:
I still have my "security blanket" (more like a mini-pillow actually) *grins sheepishly* I've had it since I was 3, I think. My maternal grandmother made it for me. =)
Random fact 8:
If Leng Hui's vice is shopping, then mine would be food. To me, food is more than just sustenance. Often I find them a delight for the senses - from the interplay of contrasting colours on the platter, the aroma of wondrous spices right down to taste and texture as one savours something for the first time. Admittedly, I liked food too much for my own good in the past (refer random fact 2), so I watch my portions whenever I eat now. =P
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Finally, my turn to tag 8 "lucky" people (!!): 1. Sidd 2. Ken 3. Johan 4. Christabel 5. Ionie 6. May Ying7. Evie 8. Chuks! =P Anyone else who wants to share 8 random facts about themselves are also welcome to do so! Labels: Just for fun/Meme
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Thursday, April 03, 2008
[Clockwise from top right: Jeanne, Yuen, Matt, Wee Jie, Julian, Belinda, Ali. Jom was not present when this photo was taken. Picture courtesy of Prof. Greenberg, our Professional Development (PD) tutor]
This is my clinical group at RMH. We totally rock....seriously. =P
Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
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Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The following article is taken from Yahoo! 7 News:
[Note: I've decided to "cut-and-paste" this article here simply because it sums up much of the current weather here in Australia. I couldn't elaborate on the situation better....plus, I have a radiology tute to revise tonight! =P]
Woman dies as winds cause chaos
(Wed April 2, 8.41pm)
One person was killed as winds of up to 130km/h caused mayhem across Victoria and South Australia.
The powerful winds cut power to more than 200,000 homes in Victoria and prompted warnings to people to get out of central Melbourne.
The wild weather cost the life of a woman killed when a brick wall collapsed in Mentone in Melbourne's south this afternoon.
An ambulance spokesman said the woman, 57, was walking in a laneway beside shops when the wall fell on her, burying her under rubble. She died at the scene.
WorkSafe and police are also investigating whether wind played a role in the the death of a rigger, killed when steel girders and scaffolding collapsed on a building site in Melbourne this morning.
The State Emergency Service (SES) in Victoria said it had responded to more than 2,200 calls by 6pm (AEDT) with hundreds of trees falling across roads and on houses, cars and powerlines.
The severe weather was caused by an intense cold front which crossed South Australia and Victoria behind strong northerly winds.
Roofs were blown off houses in Port Fairy and Edenhope in Victoria's west, while 10 people were taken to hospital following a three-car accident in a dust storm near Buangor, also in the west.
By 5pm (AEDT), power had been cut to around 200,000 households and businesses across western and central Victoria and in Melbourne, according to electricity suppliers.
Power supplies could be cut for more than 24 hours, a spokesman from energy distributor Alinta said.
Metropolitan Ambulance Service spokesman Paul Bentley said officers also treated people who had simply been blown off their feet.
Police appealed to commuters and visitors to leave central Melbourne as soon as possible during the afternoon in anticipation of peak-hour transport chaos.
"We are asking people who are in the city, who don't need to be here, think about moving out," a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
"And for those who are here for some time, they need to think about planning alternate routes."
The strong winds forced the closure of Melbourne's West Gate Bridge to trucks, motorcycles and caravans for about three hours this afternoon.
By evening police had reopened the bridge to all traffic, but outside lanes remained closed and a 40km/h speed limit applied.
A ban on trucks and caravans remained on the Bolte Bridge until after 6pm, with a 40km/h speed limit in force.
Suburban trains were badly disrupted, with rail operator Connex advising of widespread cancellations on all lines because of damage from falling trees and debris.
"We are asking people to ... find alternative transport," said Connex spokesman John Rees.
SES spokeswoman Jilly Charlwood said the worst affected areas were the Melbourne suburbs of Northcote, Nunawading and Eltham.
"Almost all of the calls for assistance are for trees on houses or roof damage, like falling tiles," she said.
The winds forced Wednesday's race meeting at Sandown to be called off after two races and caused the closure of the Melbourne International Flower Show, which opened.
Powercor spokesman Damien Batey said the company was expecting the situation to worsen before getting better.
"The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) are telling us that after these severe gusty winds there will be a storm front, rain, lightning and hail coming through later on."
Powercor also said at least one roof had been blown off a house and onto powerlines in Edenhope, near the Victoria-South Australia border.
BoM meteorologist Matt Pearce said wind gusts of up to 132km/h hit Colac near the state's west coast, while in Melbourne winds of 100km/h were reported.
The wind also whipped up dust storms from parched areas of Victoria's north-west, which reached Melbourne during the afternoon.
In South Australia, winds gusting to 137km/h were recorded at Cape Willoughby in the state's south-east.
About 10,000 homes were left without power as winds reached 90km/h in areas stretching from Goolwa, south of Adelaide, to Kapunda, north of Adelaide.
In Tasmania, winds damaged roofs around Hobart but the rest of the state escaped largely unscathed.
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First, it was the heatwave. Then there were sudden dips in temperature. Now this. Up next - possible storms and hails. *sigh* Talk about PMS-ing weather.... ><" Labels: Events
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Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A "tall-order"
Is it just me, or did anyone ever had trouble passing through those automatic, sliding glass doors at RMH? I've experienced it a couple of times already. If you are wondering whether I'm referring to a specific (and dysfunctional) glass door, let me tell you that I am not: I've had it twice at the RMH main entrance, and once at both Cafe Kaz and Ward 9E.
I still don't know why this happens. ><" One person offered an explaination to me though. It was a medical staff, who saw me being "shut in" while I was trying to make my way OUT of 9E. I had to push a green button on the left to reopen the doors....and as I did so, he flashed that cheeky grin of his and said, "Oh, the sensor above couldn't detect you because you don't have the height!!!!"( T_T )
[Thanks a lot, friend....I've never felt better. *sniff*]
Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
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