Xiao's Blog

The optimist would say…

xiao_zhai — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:21:29 +0000

“Don’t be too downhearted for you didn’t lose anything – she’s the one who lost someone who love her.What did you lose? Someone who didn’t love you.”

Principles of Rehabilitation

xiao_zhai — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:23:54 +0000

I met one of my favourite consultant on the ward today, let’s call him Ben, on my ward round this morning. He works in the rehabilitation medicine despite qualifying as a physician.

I have much respect for him. Actually a lot of respect for him. Partly because while I was his registrar, he actually did a PR exam on the patient while my resident was writing notes and the NUM was cleaning up the mass. And me? I just stood there, whistling.

It was quite funny alright.

Well, my hunch was right about the pathoneurology then – a spinal cord compression, which Ben and a bunch of brain doctors missed. He probably felt bad for overlooking such an important and simple diagnosis. Hehe…. definitely keeping this in my pocket for a long time.

“To achieve rehabilitation objectives, patient must have what I call the 3R’s – Relearn, Retain and Repeat. Thus the ability to absorb new information, retain them and put them into practice regularly.”
-Xiao_zhai-

“Faith is not believing that He can, but knowing that He will.”

xiao_zhai — Sun, 13 May 2012 12:14:03 +0000

Sometimes, there’s a limit to what science and we, the physicians can do. Especially when a friend is currently still in the intensive care unit for a week now.

Details are as vague as they are irrelevant to what’s happened to him.

Pray that He will grant him the strength and resilience to live through this.

Godspeed, my friend.

Arrivederci.

Another round of Gen Med

xiao_zhai — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:48:05 +0000

I almost made a major major mistake today.

A fever and a rash and a headache. How can I, as a medical registrar, say it’s not meningitis without having a lumbar puncture?

Didn’t really matter if she’s been febrile at the subacute site for the last 48 hours.

The abnormal liver function test was a red herring, well, almost.

Saved by the LP that was clear. Otherwise, it would be a contact tracing for possibly hundreds of people.

Another lesson learnt.

Just when you thought you are doing well, particularly, as an experienced (i.e. failed RACP exam) medical registrar.

Shall keep that in another locker in my brain.

“Gen Med is very simple. There are always three issues with each patients. One, the reason they come in. Two, the reason they still have to be an inpatient. Three, the reason preventing them from their discharge destination”

-Xiao_zhai-

“….you don’t get it, do you….”

xiao_zhai — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:29:29 +0000

That was her texted reply.

I was saddened, infuriated yet disappointed at what was said.

I hate having to explain myself, what more to her. Friends do not need it, foes do not hear it

No,I don’t get it. I don’t get a lot of things

Why some people have to work so hard and yet failed?
Why the best intentions are often fraught with disappointment?
Why the good people often die young, yet those who intentionally abuse themselves with drugs, food and smoke tend to be more durable and survive longer?
Why some people are never given the chance to prove themselves?
Why do I always lose my tongue talking to you?
Why did the injury occur when I’ve got probably the best team this season?
Why him but never me? Why me but never others?
Why you of all people?
Why do I not have the right to chase my dream?
Why do I have this nightmare instead of my dream?
Why is the knee hurting now?
Why do you not let me in?

But all these questions do not matter much really.

Because I do not need to get it. Just need to keep believing and doing what I have been doing. Fight.

Arrivederci.