Temptations & Ambitions

"A111010, Wong Yee Ming."


That was the only thing I heard this evening that would calm my furiously beating heart. The callout of the seemingly never ending list of names began as soon as our newly appointed Dean (and Director), Prof Raymond reached the gallery. I was glad that it was all over. The medical student's life. And yet I knew I would miss them in the future, I look forward in life for what awaits me. 

I guess I can never really get used to the title that comes with the course, but it signifies the 5 years journey of enduring the roller coaster ride. I had my ups and downs, in a place which humbled me, to show me how inadequate someone like me can be, to learn, to grow up, and to be seasoned with the valuable experiences that comes with the journey. I would have given myself a pat for completion of this long marathon, but I realize that this is just the beginning of yet another journey far more challenging. It is not just about a career in this line, but to juggle it with the reality of life, and to start a family as we go. I would like to plan far ahead, but would my plans proceed smoothly as it goes?

P.S: For those who know me well, I would be more comfortable if I'm being called by my very own name, Yee Ming. For others, it is optional, call me whatever you want, as long as it is my name. I wouldn't mind "handsome" though. :P

The air out of the window seems calm. After some 5 years, and hopefully the final gasping grasping moments, now comes the calm before the storm.



The long path seems never ending, walking on the narrow path of sturdy planks. You hope that you would reach the end all these while. In line with the school of what you may call compatriots, gliding down the last journey for most of us. To embark on a new journey.



 But then, all you see is yourself doing this:



And so, the question is, are we going to take this very leap of faith? Or to hold it for maybe, another 6 months for some unfortunate some (hopefully me not included).


All the best to everyone who would be facing the same fate as me. May God(whichever yours may be) bless you. All the best of luck.

 

Gossips and rumors are lethal, and yet they are attractive. Though I have not been taken part in the active search for them for years too many beyond countable, my passive receptors still work. Of course, I am to be blamed if anything got out of the mouth, but no one asked where did I got hold of such information in the first place. Most of the time, I am the nth person to know, usually not the top 100 on the list. The best friend that had been told of is usually the first to leak to many, or sometimes, the perpetrator himself/herself told one story too many times to everyone, and assumes that it is a secret.

Maybe that is why I love so much of the term "cifrado en un cifrado". To hide it in your words, and to cover with another layer of meaning. The art of doubt and deception is not as sinful as one would have thought. It is just a tool to sharpen your mind. To doubt is to concern. We doubt because we want to know more of a person. We doubt if we really know enough of them. And so, trust is not merely believing wholly in someone, it is when we had stopped(finished) doubting. Blind trust after all, may lead to blind thrust. 2 full moons and a thrusting projectile? You get the gist of the impending doom.


But heck, do not expect me to keep your petty stories away from public. I am public. I am private. That is for me to decide. For every story told, there is at least another story untold. :P

Some oral ulcers never seem to go away, with no signs (and symptoms) of healing. Of course, the stages may pass from a small bump to a small ulcer and subsequently to a bigger one, and possibly swelling. Then the swelling decreases as the ulcer gets even bigger, before it slowly heals thereafter.


There are all sorts of causes for your ulcer, from trauma, stress, dehydration, mouth breather to causes like SLE and inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment may varies, but I'm sure you know your usual treatment.


Being a typical mouth breather (and also because I seldom had enough fluids), I had all sorts of reason to have mouth ulcer. Various attempts had been made, from non-intervention (control sample), Listerine, salt water, drinking more fluids, ice-cream, watermelon frost to Bonjela. Sometimes this work, sometimes that work, sometimes all doesn't work. And that leads to frustration.


The worst ulcer progression would be those which swells and show no signs of it resolving as the ulcer enlarges. Those are usually the typical ones with the worst prognosis. It usually stays on for 1 week+ before it starts to resolve. So all in, the ulcer may stay for 2-3 weeks, being an annoyance for all sorts of oral activity.

And so I've found the most radical treatment that works for me. The ulcer usually resolves within 2-3 days totally, even if it's at its largest and swelling. The reasoning behind:

Step 1:
Apply salt on the ulcer. Yeah, salt on wound is sure painful. It stings too. But it burns through the whitish layer on top of the ulcer. Til it bleeds just a bit. Too profuse bleeding may indicate that you are overdoing it. Beware some may get high from the pain. If you can't stand the pain, try using salt water. The effect may differs depending on your salt concentration in the water.
Action: - reduces the swelling through osmotic effect + thins the protective whitish layer beneath to expose possible underlying infection


Step 2:
Use listerine. Gargle your mouth with the antiseptic. Kill off any underlying bacteria on the ulcer. Don't worry, at this stage, Listerine wouldn't hurt anymore. The salt had numb out all the possible pain. Make sure the oral ulcer is sterile.
Action: -Antiseptic

Step 3:
Apply a layer of watermelon frost just enough to cover the ulcer. It's rather cooling and it actually protects the ulcer just like how your whitish layer would do. Plus, it also has some osmotic effect to reduce any further swelling (though not as strong as your pure salt application).
Action:- protect ulcer base + mild anti-swelling effect.


With this, your ulcer will heal rapidly. Of course, remember to drink enough fluids, take enough vitamin C as well as other general preventive measures. You wouldn't want them to come back. :P


Disclaimer: This is not medically proven, just sharing some experience. Possibly just a cure to your normal (infected?) aphthous ulcer. The severity of pain may vary between people, so take your own risk should you attempt this method. n_n" Do see a doctor if you have recurrent mouth ulcers or if it is associated with any fever or rashes. You may have some sort of medical illness that requires medical attention. :P

PS: The author had just done this right before blogging on this.

And so here goes a story of a hospital far far away, somewhere in Malaysia.

A new medical officer was transferred to the O&G department. And NEW is almost always TROUBLE, especially when you were equipped with extra skills from land abroad where the people were more forgiving. How forgiving, you ask?

There was a day when the medical officer was to do an elective caesarean section on a full term mother. All she care was "Today, I am going to beat my personal best time."

The patient was on spinal anesthesia, which would take half an hour to work. Before the time was up, coupled with the excitement of beating her very own personal time, she proceeded.

A touch on the abdomen with the forceps, and no question asked. A slice went through immediately, and there were cries from the mother. The pain was unbearable, and definitely traumatic to the mother. The kind anesthetist had to resort to general anesthesia, to put the mother out of the pain, just in case. Indication? A retard medical officer was trying to beat her own personal best time.

Of course, the timing was quick. A blind slice or two, direct to the rectus abdominis. I wonder if the abdominal muscle was hurt. The baby was got out in no time, without the mother realizing it.

At the end of it, the nurse complimented the doctor. "Wow, doktor hebatlah, 20 minit dah siap."

The medical officer replied, "Tidak, ianya 19 minit. Yes, I've beat my own personal best time." With such pride going to her head, I'd no idea how many screws in her brain had been lost to get such screwed up.

And this happened because of personal pride takes over the rationale aspect of the brain. When doctors really think that they are God. I know such incidence happens everywhere, where people love to boast of their speed. But please do make sure that you are competent enough to make it quick, and at the very least, show some guilt or sympathy for what you've done wrong. There's nothing to prove in such speed, only stupidity.

But do not be despair, not all doctors act that way. Most doctors are competent despite our not-so-sane attitude due to the prolonged working hours. I am just highlighting an incident I heard from a person who witnessed it. You know how stories can change when it is passed on from one to another, so it is up to you to believe it or not. I'd only hope that future doctors would take homethis message:

 Long Live The Kings: