What we think, we become – Buddha
Have a vision
and work towards that goal
with that mindset.
What we think, we become
Beautiful people do not just happen!
Beautiful people do not just happen!
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Quote:-
“I’m not the kind of person who likes to shout out my personal issues from the rooftops, but with my bipolar becoming public, I hope fellow sufferers will know it’s completely controllable. I hope I can help remove any stigma attached to it, and that those who don’t have it under control will seek help with all that is available to treat it.” — Catherine Zeta-Jones
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
“They heal others, who heals them? “
“They heal others, who heals them? “
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In an environment
of healing,
is a “hurting” culture!
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How can bulliers ( supervising medical officers) be healers?
Parkinson’s disease: Three steps forwards and two steps back
Parkinson’s disease: Three steps forwards and two steps back
When I was a student, I met a male nurse walking a patient with Parkinson’s disease to the toilet.
“He is taking ages at the rate he is walking! It’s like taking three steps forward and two steps backward! I told him it would be faster for him to use a urinal on his bed!” Mr. Lee kept quiet at that remark. His mask-like face showed no expression. With a flexed body, he shuffled in a frustratingly slow, yet festinating gait. His thumb and forefinger rubbed in a pin-rolling tremor.
He never wet because he would request to go to the toilet earlier to avoid losing control of his bladder.
A senior walking pass, “Mr. Lee, I see you are walking and exercising. Very good, keep it up!”
Later the senior called a few of us aside, “be careful what you say! For a headmaster, to lose control over his movements can be a depressing condition. He may keep quiet, but he is sharp. He understood what you said! We need to treat patients with dignity and respect!”
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Not long ago, I met a male retired banker in a pottery class with me.
“I have Parkinson’s disease. That’s why I am here!” He was trying to slow down the progression of motor disability. And he was very creative and tidy in his pottery work!
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Research and management of people with Parkinson’s disease have improved a lot since.
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Bedridden: where danger lurks beneath the blanket!
Bedridden: where danger lurks beneath the blanket! ( Haiku)
Clots in brain removed,
blood in condom drainage seen.
Head bandage intact.
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Two nurses sponged him.
Doctors checked his head dressings.
He’s neatly tucked in.
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But right leg swollen!
Three times the size of left leg!
Who noticed his legs?
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There are many complications of immobility. The case above was noticed ten day after brain surgery. It is called deep vein thrombosis ( DVT).
DVT can also happen when sitting for a long time, such as, driving or flying.
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Cancer And The Doctor’s ‘Crystal Ball’
Cancer And The Doctor's 'Crystal Ball'
How many years have I left?
At my stage of cancer,
and according to statistical studies,
the doctor said that I had about two years left!
Mr. Despondent cried.
I cannot afford to be admitted.
For each day without work
would mean no food for my family!
Mr. Suicidal mulled.
Cancer means death.
Cancer means a lot of pains.
My family will worry about more hospital bills!
Mr. Pious calmly accepted.
It's not for the doctor to decide.
Only GOD will determine when he takes me.
Meanwhile, I will continue to do good.
Mr. Philosophical stated.
My young colleague died,
on the spot, in an accident,
and another two,
of heart attack and dengue.
With cancer, I have time to plan 'my future'.
Mr. Fighter scoffed.
That was twelve years ago!
Look at these two scars on my tummy.
I challenged each time the 'Big C' returned!
It’s interesting to note
how some people have greater will-power
to live compared to others.
It is important to have
a nurturing of hope, positive attitude,
stronger determination, better coping skills,
with good family support and love.
Each physician should not look at
his or her own ‘part of the elephant’
but at the client as a whole.
Are there sufficient supports
from nurses, palliative team, social welfare,
counsellors and religious personnel?
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“The cure of many diseases is unknown to physicians
because they are ignorant of the whole.
For the part can never be well unless the whole is well.”
– Plato.
Oh, my kids’ English! – Bananas
Oh, my kids’ English! – Bananas
I grew up in a family where all my siblings were Chinese-educated. But my children grew up speaking English, Malay and Chinese dialect (Hokkien). I started reading the “Peter and Jane” series to them at the age of two. Oh, my kids’ English is about some of the amusing words they used as kids!
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“Mum, mum! Are these bananas cooked?” as they ran in after the evening outdoor games with their neighbours.
“Yes, dear. The bananas are ripe!”
“Dinner will be ready soon. The rice is cooked!”
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Learning English is like duck takes to water for them. They usually scored distinction, even my youngest and special child!
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Fasting: can serve food or not in public?
Fasting: can serve food or not in public?
It is fasting month now.
Some local eatery owners were distressed having to police Muslim patrons in Ramadan.
In a multi-cutural society here, some dark Chinese look more like Malays or Indians, Eurasians, and vice versa! Who dares to pop that rude ‘question’!
I had experienced a patient asking a question to my Malay female colleague in Hokkien. She was standing next to me then.
She replied, “Ah Po (granny), I don’t know how to speak Chinese. She is Chinese!” …pointing to me! I was fair skinned enough. She happened to be fairer than me!
Back to the topic above, I would like a signage like, “Muslim not allowed to dine in here during fasting”. See? They ought to be responsible for their own actions.
Would this be a better signage? “If you have a valid reason not to fast (such as illness or menstruation), please opt for take-outs or discreetly, ‘the back room’!
So,
to serve the food, or not, to eat or not in public?
Oesophageal cancer: “… wanting a taste of food.”
Oesophageal cancer: “… wanting a taste of food.”
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I read “The Taste Of Chocolate (Flash Fiction #35)” by Haoyando. It reminds me of a person with oesophageal cancer who suffered from dysphagia and could not swallow food.
A feeding tube was inserted through the nose straight to the stomach. Liquid food was fed several times a day.
Sometimes, the carer would feed him small spoonfuls of porridge with fish or minced meat. Slowly he would chew and roll the food inside his mouth with his tongue. Then he would spit the chewed food into a bowl.
The carer would strain this mushy food through a siever. This was mixed with the remaining liquid and fed through the naso- gastric tube.
That way he got to masticate the meat with his teeth, stimulated the taste buds on his tongue, and mixed the food with his oral salivary enzymes.
We must grateful for the ability to savour the little moments of joys satiating food!
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Quotes:-
Food is not just eating energy. It’s an experience. – Emoovio
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Breast cancer incidences now the most common…
Breast cancer incidences now the most common…
According to WHO, in 2020, cancer is a leading cause of death.
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The most common NEW cases were breast cancer (2.26 millions)! It has overtaken lung cancer’s place!
New cases of lung cancer is in the second place (2.21 million cases), followed by colon and rectum (1.93 million cases); prostate; skin (non-melanoma); and stomach (1.09 million cases).
Cervical cancer is not in this top list. It used to be higher than breast cancer decades ago. Have systematic screenings and HPV vaccination played a big role?
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The most common causes of cancer DEATH in 2020 were: lung (1.80 million deaths); colon and rectum; liver ; stomach; and then breast (685 000 deaths).
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Breast cancer incidences is now the most common… displacing lung cancer.
Have increased awareness and early screenings increase the number?
Have these strategies conversely lower the number of breast cancer deaths, as compared to the other cancers?
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Chen Song Ping 