Tempestuous ;;

and when she speaks

Saturday, March 07, 2009

I finally met up with a dear girlfriend of mine,who's been a friend for more than ten years since the first year of high school :)

She was complaining how I've met up with everyone else and not her -.-' *laughs*

She took me out and fattened me up :)
We had a crazy time today.

'What do you want to do now?'
'I don't know...' and this went on 3 times at least LOL.

Explored the bazaar and mini flea markets in The Curve. Kenny Rogers lunch with our banana muffins :) Deciding over which false eyelashes we like.
Saw some funky clothes that came in some mind-boggling designs...ie curtain-like. Walked into almost every clothes boutique in the Curve. Got harassed by HSBC people -.-' Tried on every weird looking sunnies and paraded with totally grunge jewelleries from Padini Co :)

Food magnets that made us salivate...: Scoops of colourful Haagen Daz ice-cream in a bowl. Teaspoon of fried rice with a palpable shrimp *hehe* etc...

Our Giordano guy waving to us 'WELCOME' and 'BYE' as we walked into and out and again into and out of Giordano... *laughs* Smelling the delectable & trying to defy our very fallable willpower against the all- unbeatable yummylicious Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies... 'Inhale 3 times and we'll walk away' and we surmountably achieved that feat =)

Had ice-cream rootbeer in A&W. Had CHAM coffee in Kluang Station.
'Just two cham. With two cubes of ICE' ... and then a 'THAT's IT', Kathryn remarked to the waitress who was waiting for more orders to come. I laughed out aloud!
'2 cubes of ice? and THAT's it?'

Bought flowers hair-clip :) *thank U*

Tissue box made up in the shape of a sexy woman's backside with tissues coming out through the butt hole.

Wacking Kathryn inumerable times until she bruised ;)
Admiring doggies at the pet store. Read on the OCtuplet's mum's plastic surgery and Jessica SIMpson's weight gain issue and recipe books in Borders together :p

Bargaining for cheaper prices.
Making so much noise at every store we went.

Finding for kathryn's shoe size 7.5 in two Adidas shoe shops... with no luck.

And then, a promise of meeting up over another meal made :) either fondue chocolate or steamboat, with a big hug and a cheek kiss :)

her
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9:49 PM;;

I'm almost done with geriatrics.

Everyone has been wonderful towards me. And I've learnt a great deal.

Finished one whole notebook during my 3-week stint! Observed how doctors broke bad news to patients' family members; and how they discussed end-of-life issues.

I told myself; I'd watch a lot of these conversations and figure out the best possible way to bring this up with families as supportively and gently as possible. But with the bare truth laid out in the most compassionate way I can.

I've taken the good from all the doctors I've watched here along with the doctors I've observed whilst in Canada and in the US. And I am happy with how I deal with my patient's family members.

Over the past 2 weeks; we've had one family who were complicated and stubborn and selfish.

Our patient was completely paralysed from neck down (paraplegic) with severe Alzheimer's dementia and a weak heart. The children decided on active resuscitation despite our best efforts, which were persistent mind you, to consider a DNR status otherwise for their poor mother.

A few doctors postulated on guilt on the children's behalf; for not taking care of their mother whilst she was going downhill over the past few years, for the reason as to choose an active resuscitation status... All of a sudden, when the mother's on her dying bed, everyone comes by and tries to put on a show on how much they're doing for her.

'You know, I haven't seen my husband for a week' says one of them whilst I rolled my eyes on the inside.

When the cold hard truth was that none of them were ever by her side; all too busy for their own selfish interests whilst their mother lay demented and fully dependent on that one daughter who on the other siblings' accord 'wasn't the most intelligent amongst them'...

Despicable. Disgusting. Selfish. Unbelievably selfish human beings. I couldn't comprehend how they could be like this.

I felt sorry for their mum. For that poor grandma who'd always smile when we came by. Even when we poked her.

They brought in all kinds of people to pray for her. Buddhist people. Christian pastors. Other sorts... I don't understand. Please enlighten me as to how people feel guilty only when she's dying and try to compensate for their mistake by praying so hard for her to 'not die'... when all they've done is chuck her to that one 'dumb' daughter to look after their mum.

What word describes them? ...

Anyway, after many many conversations being held and family meetings being undertaken; they've finally agreed on a ' do not resuscitate' status (DNR) for her.

All I can say is thank god. For what's left of their remaining heart to decide on that.

I've learnt a great deal about people whilst doing geriatrics.
I've learnt how family members really appreciate it when you take some time; even a few minutes, to keep them updated on how their loved one is doing.
I've learnt how a smile and a stroke on the skin and holding someone's hand can do so much. Whilst being surrounded intimidatingly by a bunch of doctors. Whilst being poked. Whilst being discussed like some specimen on display.

I've learnt that it's nothing to be ashamed of when you share the patient's fears and pain when they're going through just that. Nothing needed to be hidden. It only helps you understand what it feels like to be in their shoes and makes you a better doctor.

I've learnt that compromise and closing one eye to small harmless mistakes and cold words can make you a happier person. A person free of any small grudges; a person with bigger heart.

I've learnt that friends in the same boat can make life so much more fun and less isolating when that very someone knows how you feel and can relate to you. Especially when you sit and eat together and throw out all the goss & complaints & experiences on the conversation table :)

A smile can break the ice so easily. And then, that someone helps you in your job :)

How just a few minutes spent on teaching me can make me so happy. I'm going to be a great teacher to my students when I'm a doctor too :)

How sharing aspects of your life and opening your story up can unexpectedly introduce a person who coincidentally knows someone in the field you're interested in, into your life :) Thank you Mr. Loo. He gave me a nephrologist's contact number the very second day I spoke to him! It was extremely wonderful of him :)

They say nurses can either make or break your life in that rotation.
I've learnt how holding it there and bring gracious and respectful to them has helped me gain their trust and confidence; and gained lots of friendly and extremely helpful gestures on their part that have undoubtedly helped me in my work =)

Haslina treated me to lunch on my very last day =) She instructed me 'No diet today ah!' and I was very satisfied with lunch =) *hehe* She laughed when I said I cannot wait to 'cubit' (pinch) your baby's cheeks when I come back home in the future. And she complained 'that will be a long time later' but later lamented 'Don't know who will cubit who..' and gave a cheeky smile. *oh brother* She was hinting her baby might be the one pinching my cheeks once I come back cheekily indicating I might be much rounder coming back from the US -.-' She told the baby 'Not to listen to AUNTIE SUEYI' ... and then 'closed' the baby's ears and I laughed saying 'AUNTIE? What auntie? I'm still so young lah! Baby, please hear no evil' :)

her
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her ALIBIS
8:50 PM;;

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Eugene says being 22 is O.L.D I disagree :) although my 3 younger sisters never fail to make me feel just that ;)

You're only as old as you feel. Some say life begins at 30.

Watching my doctor friends; most who are nearing 30 and some past 30; they show me how acting and feeling young on the inside does wonders to your physical appearance =) Maybe it's because of all that 'young, positive exuberance' they exude that translates out youthfulness on their faces.

Why the need to act serious all the time? Age doesn't dictate the need for that. Looking serious and grim-faced doesn't make you more responsible or mature than you really are..

More importantly is in knowing when to be serious; and when to take yourself seriously.
Let your hair down and enjoy life. There's more fun & zest in life when you are more carefree; mischievous and naughty sometimes; and take things 'chillax-ly'.

Life's too short for petty grievances. We're meant to enjoy the rollercoaster ride :)

I flipped through all my old diaries and laughed at some of the funny things friends said to me and reminisced at some of life's lessons learned through these messages received back in the good ol' days :) No names mentioned of course *cheeky grin*

"Sue Sue, what time's your competition today? Want a pom pom boy for support?"

"I'm so down, just done with CPR on an 85 yo Female, breast cancer stage 4, with pulmonary mets (lung spread)...But I lost her eventually, I was EMOTIONALLY drained." followed by "Thanks sis, I guess as doctors, we really have to guard ourselves at all times... even if Sometimes, we become the wounded healer. I'll just pray for her SOUL." from a dearest big brother doctor of mine overseas.

"Care is the sweetest form of LOVE, so when I say 'take care', it's as good as saying 'I'll keep you in my heart til its very last beat of my life. Take care always"

My dearest naughty baby sister wrote to me on my 18th birthday:
"Happy birthday jie. Im currently shitting" -.-'

"I made a list of special people in my life. I wrote them in pencil and I included your name but I used permanent ink cos I decided to keep you on my list forever" :) *so sweet lah*

From a super cheeky good guy friend of mine:
"Yes? U called me? How may I help u? Besides studying of course...hehe. Oh, maybe U just miss me"

On passing my driving test-finally after re-taking the silly BUKIT exam!
"Haha. Finally, you could reach the clutch! really COngrats. So when are you bringing me for a ride?"

Another evil friend "Wow. What a shocking news. Now I believe ADIDAS motto, nothing is impossible. Ok lah, have to congratulate U for passing after paying a few thousand dollars!" -.-'

"Coming back today? Ok lah, come back soon, nearly forget how pretty you look, haha" - this friend is an extremely mischievous friend of mine. A dearest crazy out-of-this-world funny friend :)

Dr Juriah wrote to me: " Wish to thank you for your term as well. U did a good job leading the CrusAIDSers (in IMU). Dr Ju."

"LoL. You're already nice in person... except when U start to open uR mouth..LoL. Joking."

"Good luck later Sueyi! Score one for you later (in a soccer match) :)"

On my ping-pong skills : "Heh, Y.Y here. My expectations were correct. There really is miracles happening-in girls. Thank god.." -.-'

My buddy "I look at the moon. The moon is beautiful. I look at U... Im...Im... I'd better look at the moon again!"

"Oh yea.. I asked P.S. btw you and me, who will he give his fat cells to. His answer was: I will give Sueyi a little.. and give me all the rest..hehe..Let U become fat and Sueyi just nice" -.-'

So nice.... "Wei, you stay til so late, have u eaten anything? Im downstairs at the cafe, U want me to get anything 4 u to eat? Ice cream for example? Haha.. I still owe U one.."

"You are a bit careless of your things, you just leave them here adn there. Now see what you left when you came to my mind! U left a smile on my face..." *all so sweet lah!*

her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
4:08 PM;;