and when she speaks
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Breaking bad news.It's heart-rending, to see how the patient takes it all in, whilst trying not to break down in front of us.My HIV patient was told he had GI lymphome (cancer) which had metastasized to his liver = incurable.He shook all over and looked so lost upon hearing -cancer-spread-incurable-.. And my resident was amazing. She brought out everything in her to deliver the news in the most compassionate way. Doctors have been known to be apprehensive or cold when it comes to this; that they speed through everything they're saying without realising the patient's mind has already gone blank from hearing the life-sentence that will ultimately change the whole course of their life.It's high time they stop thinking about their own feelings and do what's best for their patient.Enough said :)---Sugah Sugah Sugah=my favourite sweet tooth haven here. I need my ice cream fix this weekend, for a reward to meself :)Last night, I caught the JAZZ Fest. If the winds weren't that cold and if I wasn't shivering so much, I would have just thrown my jacket aside... And let loose with all that crazy dancing on the streets.Dance as if nobody's watching.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
9:10 PM;;
Friday, July 13, 2007
Realised I'm getting used to being in the wards. Getting to know the system.Feeling accomplished by the end of the day, albeit, all sapped out of energy.But feeling good, nevertheless. My doctors and residents have been such a great bunch. I truly owe this wonderful experience to them. And the sweet folks who've let me poke and prod here and there :)It's almost 9pm and already, I am so exhausted, I am ready to hit the sack.I've been up since 7am and came back at 6.30pm. I know, it's something I shouldn't be complaining about but it's been awhile since i've worked like this for 5 whole days in a week. Tomorrow's Friday. You'd be surprised how fast these two weeks have flown by for me. Where did my week go? LoL :)Oh OH. I had such an interesting patient today!He was shot in the buttocks by his friend. He blew his sacrum (my resident calls it the 'tail bone'), his bladder perforated, he had 2 ureteric stents put in, they took out his large intestines, yada yada yada. I saw him. OBviously, I only got the front view when they pulled down the blanket covers, so I saw his *ahem* genitals sOoooooo swollen, they were the size of tennis balls. With friends like these, really now... who needs enemies?;) Sweet dreams everyone.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
7:39 AM;;
Thursday, July 12, 2007
"If he's an asshole, he's an asshole. Not you.Don't get upset. Don't take it personal."---"If I was like him, with heart failure and tubes stuck all over and needles poked everywhere- I don't want to be saved. Let me die. Let me go."---"Why do they want to torture her?" There is no more quality of life for her. It's inhumane."---"I had a patient who was dying in pain from cancer. And the morphine wasn't allowed near her- we were forced to put a 10 foot pole between her and her serenity. Why?"------Today I witnessed how they tried to revive a dying woman at the Coronary ICU unit. Nurses were fleeing into the scene, one jumped onto the patient's bed and started CPR. She must be new because her timing was all wrong, she was pumping harder and faster til' one doctor told her to slow down. Anesthesiologists were called in, an attending doctor was paged, and an emergency resident as well. My residents suggested I go closer and learn from this. I edged closer.A nurse nearby was told to notify her family members. She anxiously flipped through the patient's charts and asked What do I say to them?I stood by, observing. My residents were by my side. They said the old lady should be freed from all the suffering. She's gone through more than enough. Finally, a pulse. I had mixed emotions. I thought that's what doctors are for - to save lives. - sometimes, saving a life means letting them go -
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
6:01 AM;;
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
A simple smile. Even better if you have that sincere sparkle in your eyes.
...A pat on the shoulder. Just to let them know you care.
......A touch on the leg. Showing them you are there for them..........Or just lend a listening ear. So they feel heard.
You can do so much just by doing so little...so, why not start- now?
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
7:04 AM;;
Monday, July 09, 2007
---Dragon Boat Fest yesterday---
We're going to row too, next year :)Got to start building those upper arm muscles.Today:
--- Caught the finale of the Tatoo Festival---Wicked.---Lunch at Shipwreck Pub---
Cold winds. Seagulls. Ocean view.
Great ambience with lovely friends.
What more can I ask for on a Sunday noon? Ans: More sun or a pair of warm arms. Lol.
P.S. Greek food= s.o.u.r.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
6:13 AM;;
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Let's run away to a place where the air tastes like rain and the sun shines like Sunday morning.You bring your laugh and I'll bring my sense of humor, and we can taste the days, one week after another.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
5:20 AM;;
