Ooo...angrydoc is really angry today...
Like it or not, Medicine is a business now.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Young At Heart
I turn 42 in a few weeks. I certainly don’t feel 42 in my head, although my body & its various parts beg to differ & remind me of that fact constantly. And I sometimes need my sons to help me read the date on my watch :).
I can still appreciate contemporary music & don’t limit my selection of listening pleasure to songs from the 70’s & 80’s. Matter of fact, the radio stations that are “memorized” in my car’s stereo system play contemporary & rock music. Michael Buble, Linkin Park, Green Day, Maroon 5, James Blunt, count among some of my favourite musicians to listen (& even sing along!) to. Admittedly, I don’t do research into these artistes bio-data & memorise their dates of birth, favourite food, names of pets etc. like I used to do as a teenybopper screaming over Donny Osmond’s purple socks.
I occasional drool over hunks like Brad Pitt, & enjoy looking at nicely toned 6-packs (& hubby is OK with it. Really.)
I can still empathize with my teenage & pre-teen sons, nephews & niece. I know all the angst (ha! One of my favorite words!) that they feel during this hormone-filled phase of their lives.
Just the other day, my husband commented amusedly, “You’re still such a kid!” when I almost jumped up & down with excitement upon seeing a documentary on ‘How Star Trek Has Affected Technology ‘ on the Discovery Channel. During one of hubby’s usual channel surfing sessions, I had caught a glimpse of William Shatner narrating while clips from the various series of Star Trek played. I forced him to stay on that channel while I watched the two back-to-back episodes that night. I am a closet Trekkie (actually just ST:TNG or Star Trek: The Next Generation for the uninitiated; & to a lesser degree, ST Voyager); in fact, only my immediate family (i.e. hubby & sons) knows that I have watched every single episode of ST:TNG thanks to syndication in the US ☺, have actually attended two Star Trek conventions while living in the US (and no, I did not dress up as a Klingon nor a Ferringhi☺) & went to the Star Trek exhibition in Suntec City when it came to Singapore a few years ago.
Yeah, I still feel like a kid sometimes. I am not going to conform to society’s perception of what a woman approaching middle age is supposed to look like or be like. My motto in life now is "Live & Let Live". That’s the great thing that comes with maturity, life experiences & growing older – self-confidence and a greater appreciation for life.
Oh, and one more thing…I don’t need reading glasses yet. Really.
I can still appreciate contemporary music & don’t limit my selection of listening pleasure to songs from the 70’s & 80’s. Matter of fact, the radio stations that are “memorized” in my car’s stereo system play contemporary & rock music. Michael Buble, Linkin Park, Green Day, Maroon 5, James Blunt, count among some of my favourite musicians to listen (& even sing along!) to. Admittedly, I don’t do research into these artistes bio-data & memorise their dates of birth, favourite food, names of pets etc. like I used to do as a teenybopper screaming over Donny Osmond’s purple socks.
I occasional drool over hunks like Brad Pitt, & enjoy looking at nicely toned 6-packs (& hubby is OK with it. Really.)
I can still empathize with my teenage & pre-teen sons, nephews & niece. I know all the angst (ha! One of my favorite words!) that they feel during this hormone-filled phase of their lives.
Just the other day, my husband commented amusedly, “You’re still such a kid!” when I almost jumped up & down with excitement upon seeing a documentary on ‘How Star Trek Has Affected Technology ‘ on the Discovery Channel. During one of hubby’s usual channel surfing sessions, I had caught a glimpse of William Shatner narrating while clips from the various series of Star Trek played. I forced him to stay on that channel while I watched the two back-to-back episodes that night. I am a closet Trekkie (actually just ST:TNG or Star Trek: The Next Generation for the uninitiated; & to a lesser degree, ST Voyager); in fact, only my immediate family (i.e. hubby & sons) knows that I have watched every single episode of ST:TNG thanks to syndication in the US ☺, have actually attended two Star Trek conventions while living in the US (and no, I did not dress up as a Klingon nor a Ferringhi☺) & went to the Star Trek exhibition in Suntec City when it came to Singapore a few years ago.
Yeah, I still feel like a kid sometimes. I am not going to conform to society’s perception of what a woman approaching middle age is supposed to look like or be like. My motto in life now is "Live & Let Live". That’s the great thing that comes with maturity, life experiences & growing older – self-confidence and a greater appreciation for life.
Oh, and one more thing…I don’t need reading glasses yet. Really.
Just Being Random
angst
noun a profound feeling of generalized anxiety or dread.
ORIGIN German, ‘fear’.
(Definition from askOxford.com)
Don't you think the word "angst" is so apt in describing the emotions that one goes through no matter how old you are? It is so much more versatile than "anxiety" or "fear", don't you think?
Childhood separation anxiety, teenage hormonal-induced mood swings, puppy love, first love, broken hearts, pre-marriage jitters, maternal worries, empty nest syndrome...it's all so angsty.
noun a profound feeling of generalized anxiety or dread.
ORIGIN German, ‘fear’.
(Definition from askOxford.com)
Don't you think the word "angst" is so apt in describing the emotions that one goes through no matter how old you are? It is so much more versatile than "anxiety" or "fear", don't you think?
Childhood separation anxiety, teenage hormonal-induced mood swings, puppy love, first love, broken hearts, pre-marriage jitters, maternal worries, empty nest syndrome...it's all so angsty.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
At the Crossroads
In today's papers, Dr Huang gives us his take on the practice of Medicine today.
He writes: "The tragedy with the mantra, 'Medicine is now just another business', is that some among us are beginning to believe that it is true."
Let's be honest here...if one were to take a poll among medical students now on why they want to become doctors, what proportion would indicate "Want to earn a good living" as a major reason? I suspect a large percentage would.
Realistically speaking, being a doctor is like "having an iron rice bowl" (鐵飯碗 - a Chinese idiom referring to an occupation which guarantees job security & a steady income) - you would probably not end up among the statistics of the unemployment rate. Quantum of income would vary, but I sincerely doubt that any established, fully trained doctor would be classed in the lower or middle income groups. Unfortunately, the "business" end of Medicine has become, in many instances, the bottomline for many doctors & the "companies" they own or have a share in.
He also writes: " Many now strut around like some centrefold media superstar in the most unlikely magazines. 'Glam' sells and these coffee-table tabloids naturally fly off the racks."
I think he probably refers to the (mostly) aesthetic physicians/surgeons who are featured quite regularly in magazines targeted at the female population, as well as the well-heeled. Let's hope that we won't end up with the local version of "Dr 90210" (an American TV series on the gossipy E channel which features real-life cases of plastic suregeons in Beverly Hills).
Dr Huang also states that "The challenge facing us is how the medical profession is going to harness the tools that modernity affords us and, by self-regulating moderately, ensure that the 'outliers' in our profession do not tarnish the good reputation that our forebears had so painstakingly built over the centuries."
A challenge indeed. I anxiously wait to see where & whether the Powers draw the line with some of the more dubious practices we see.
He writes: "The tragedy with the mantra, 'Medicine is now just another business', is that some among us are beginning to believe that it is true."
Let's be honest here...if one were to take a poll among medical students now on why they want to become doctors, what proportion would indicate "Want to earn a good living" as a major reason? I suspect a large percentage would.
Realistically speaking, being a doctor is like "having an iron rice bowl" (鐵飯碗 - a Chinese idiom referring to an occupation which guarantees job security & a steady income) - you would probably not end up among the statistics of the unemployment rate. Quantum of income would vary, but I sincerely doubt that any established, fully trained doctor would be classed in the lower or middle income groups. Unfortunately, the "business" end of Medicine has become, in many instances, the bottomline for many doctors & the "companies" they own or have a share in.
He also writes: " Many now strut around like some centrefold media superstar in the most unlikely magazines. 'Glam' sells and these coffee-table tabloids naturally fly off the racks."
I think he probably refers to the (mostly) aesthetic physicians/surgeons who are featured quite regularly in magazines targeted at the female population, as well as the well-heeled. Let's hope that we won't end up with the local version of "Dr 90210" (an American TV series on the gossipy E channel which features real-life cases of plastic suregeons in Beverly Hills).
Dr Huang also states that "The challenge facing us is how the medical profession is going to harness the tools that modernity affords us and, by self-regulating moderately, ensure that the 'outliers' in our profession do not tarnish the good reputation that our forebears had so painstakingly built over the centuries."
A challenge indeed. I anxiously wait to see where & whether the Powers draw the line with some of the more dubious practices we see.
Friday, March 03, 2006
If Only They Knew
The recent spate of letters related to high cost of medicine, alleged wrong prescription of medicine, & expectations of how doctors should practise medicine, have me reflecting again, on the varied reasons why I decided to take a break from clinical practice more than a year ago.
I see how patients' expectations have become so unrealistic (their ignorance is not entirely their fault, I have to add; it's just that their idealistic views have not changed with the times) that many expect their doctors to be at their beck & call, at the expense of the doctors' personal lives.
I see how money plays a huge factor in how doctors practise medicine. Unfortunately, the advent of managed health care, and medical groups becoming publicly listed, or bought over by listed companies which have to answer to their shareholders, have resulted in the dollar sign becoming a top priority when running a clinic. I know that there are ways of practising medicine (NOT negligently) which can improve profits for the company, and oftentimes, these methods are encouraged so that profit margins look good for the shareholders. However, some of these methods go against the grain of one's soul as a doctor (and no, you don't have to be negligent to practise "profit-geared" medicine).
It's a vicious cycle really, since the average patient expects that a doctor is there to look after his/her health, not thinking that the person whom they have placed on a pedestal would try to squeeze extra dollars out of him/her in doing so. Extrapolate this to corporate clients with some of these expectations who sign contracts with medical groups or managed health care companies (eg. some end up with packages which include unneccessary health screening tests with huge profit margins)- you are looking at potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars ( and I am only referring to primary care, not even specialist care here). And there ARE other ways of "making more money" which I will not mention here...
So there it is. The disillusionment sets in. Maybe eventually, the mindset of the patients will change & they will start to really question whether their healthcare needs are being taken care of cost-effectively or not ( I stress - "COST EFFECTIVELY" - not CHEAPLY). Maybe eventually the patients will also realise that doctors are far from angels (we'll gladly relinquish that image to the nurses *GRIN* who really do deserve that accolade) & are not gods & actually do have personal lives too :).
One day. Maybe. But not soon I think...
I see how patients' expectations have become so unrealistic (their ignorance is not entirely their fault, I have to add; it's just that their idealistic views have not changed with the times) that many expect their doctors to be at their beck & call, at the expense of the doctors' personal lives.
I see how money plays a huge factor in how doctors practise medicine. Unfortunately, the advent of managed health care, and medical groups becoming publicly listed, or bought over by listed companies which have to answer to their shareholders, have resulted in the dollar sign becoming a top priority when running a clinic. I know that there are ways of practising medicine (NOT negligently) which can improve profits for the company, and oftentimes, these methods are encouraged so that profit margins look good for the shareholders. However, some of these methods go against the grain of one's soul as a doctor (and no, you don't have to be negligent to practise "profit-geared" medicine).
It's a vicious cycle really, since the average patient expects that a doctor is there to look after his/her health, not thinking that the person whom they have placed on a pedestal would try to squeeze extra dollars out of him/her in doing so. Extrapolate this to corporate clients with some of these expectations who sign contracts with medical groups or managed health care companies (eg. some end up with packages which include unneccessary health screening tests with huge profit margins)- you are looking at potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars ( and I am only referring to primary care, not even specialist care here). And there ARE other ways of "making more money" which I will not mention here...
So there it is. The disillusionment sets in. Maybe eventually, the mindset of the patients will change & they will start to really question whether their healthcare needs are being taken care of cost-effectively or not ( I stress - "COST EFFECTIVELY" - not CHEAPLY). Maybe eventually the patients will also realise that doctors are far from angels (we'll gladly relinquish that image to the nurses *GRIN* who really do deserve that accolade) & are not gods & actually do have personal lives too :).
One day. Maybe. But not soon I think...
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Hear, hear!
Some quotes from letters in today's newspaper in reply to a recent complaints from patients regarding doctors not seeing patients if they go to the clinic close to closing time, & high prices charged etc...
"I believe that doctors have a duty to attend to medical emergencies at all times but I'm afraid I will have to disagree with the assertion that I'm obliged to deal with any patient with any kind of complaint at anytime." Dr Sim Sze Keen
Well said, Dr Sim!
"There is currently no strain of pathogen causing the influenza or common cold that's acutely present just a few minutes before midnight. Most of the patients would have been experiencing symptoms in the preceding hours and there is no reason for them to be attended to when they decide to turn up at the clinic at closing time." ">Tan Shian Ming
I wish more patients had the consideration & common sense shown by Mr Tan.
" Let us not publicly complain or accuse without a clear understanding of doctors and the constraints they face. We should also refrain from giving comments to the media on certain medications and their prices without clarification." Miss Adeline Ng Su Mei
Thank you, Miss Ng, for voicing your support & understanding. Your sentiments echo what many doctors feel, and goes to the heart of the cause of many complaints - lack of communication or misguided reluctance of patients to speak directly to their doctors/nurses regarding their concerns. For some reason, they think that writing to the newspaper, or even their MPs & Ministers will solve their problems.
"I believe that doctors have a duty to attend to medical emergencies at all times but I'm afraid I will have to disagree with the assertion that I'm obliged to deal with any patient with any kind of complaint at anytime." Dr Sim Sze Keen
Well said, Dr Sim!
"There is currently no strain of pathogen causing the influenza or common cold that's acutely present just a few minutes before midnight. Most of the patients would have been experiencing symptoms in the preceding hours and there is no reason for them to be attended to when they decide to turn up at the clinic at closing time." ">Tan Shian Ming
I wish more patients had the consideration & common sense shown by Mr Tan.
" Let us not publicly complain or accuse without a clear understanding of doctors and the constraints they face. We should also refrain from giving comments to the media on certain medications and their prices without clarification." Miss Adeline Ng Su Mei
Thank you, Miss Ng, for voicing your support & understanding. Your sentiments echo what many doctors feel, and goes to the heart of the cause of many complaints - lack of communication or misguided reluctance of patients to speak directly to their doctors/nurses regarding their concerns. For some reason, they think that writing to the newspaper, or even their MPs & Ministers will solve their problems.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
An Open Letter
Dear I.M. Sik:
First, let me say that I understand you are not feeling too well, & can empathise with your feelings of anxiety over your medical condition. I hope that you will be able to take the sentiments expressed in this letter with an open mind, and hopefully be able to appreciate that practising Medicine in the modern world is not as easy as you may think.
Doctors go to work everyday with the hope of making their patients feel better. I don't think anyone of us have intentions of killing/maiming/injuring their patients. In a perfect world, everything would come up rosy & everyone would live happily ever after. However, as you know, this is not a perfect world, & unfortunate things do happen, often beyond the control of us mere humans (yes, even doctors are human & not gods!). Whenever possible, safeguards & contigency plans are in place to try to minimise or rectify these unfortunate incidences, but not everyone can be saved due to factors like age, concurrent medical conditions & just sheer bad luck.
In this material world, the question of cost often comes up. Everyone expects excellent medical care with minimal cost. But surely you must understand that logically speaking, that is not possible. There will always be trainee doctors, who will eventually take over the role of their senior & more experienced consultants & professors. If they are not given the chance to learn (under the supervision of their teachers) how will they ever achieve the expertise needed in the future?
It is also not possible for everyone to be under the direct care of a consultant otherwise these poor doctors would not even have time to take a meal let alone do ward rounds, or surgery or spend time with their own families!
Ultimately, there needs to be a relatively fair way of distributing the healthcare needs without compromising on healthcare standards nor on the morale of the healthcare workers. And one way which the institutions have done so is to allow the subsidised patients to be seen by Medical Officers with supervision from their superiors. You have to admit that the amount of subsidy given by the government is not small, and the amount that each subsidised patient has to pay for consultation, drugs, investigations, surgery etc. is a small fraction of the actual cost! It is hard to fathom that many people don't blink an eye about spending hundreds & sometimes, thousands of dollars on slimming treatments, massages, facials etc at the spa & yet gripe about the cost of seeing a doctor when they have a health problem. I sometimes wonder if they have their priorities right.
I hope that you will also understand that doctors have personal lives outside the hospitals and clinics. They have spouses, children, and even hobbies to even out the balance of an otherwise stressful life. So please do not begrudge a doctor for closing his/her clinic on time if it's not a dire emergency or urgent condition. Do take note that locally, we are, indeed, extremely fortunate that there are clinics open 24 hours even on Saturdays & Sundays & public holidays. (Doctors often spend their evenings & weekends with their patients instead of with their own children.) Not so in some of the developed countries. They open from 9 to 5, Mondays to Fridays. If you catch a cold or a flu outside office hours, you can jolly well get your own medicine from the local supermarket. Urgent cases & emergencies would go to the ER. Locally, we are actually spoilt for choice; unfortunately, this is largely unappreciated.
Finally, a humble word of advice - take charge of your own health. Know your medical history & the drugs that you are taking or allergic to, so that when you next see a doctor, he doesn't have to guess or trace records which would take time away from the consultation. Don't be shy to ask questions about your management, your condition, and your treatment. If in doubt, get a second opinion. Most of us wouldn't mind (this is not a matter of losing face; it is your health we are talking about). Remember that risks are inherent in everything we do, including crossing the street! Same thing with medical procedures - do not take for granted that risks are non-existent. Risks vary depending on the treatment/procedure/surgery. Ask your doctor what they are & what are the chances of developing complications; know what the possible complications are. Success rates are also variable depending on the medical condition; and although we would like to be, we are in no way, miracle workers! Discuss all this with your doctor. In this way, you would be able to make an informed decision on how you want to be treated & managed.
Wishing you all the best,
Sincerely,
Doc MD
First, let me say that I understand you are not feeling too well, & can empathise with your feelings of anxiety over your medical condition. I hope that you will be able to take the sentiments expressed in this letter with an open mind, and hopefully be able to appreciate that practising Medicine in the modern world is not as easy as you may think.
Doctors go to work everyday with the hope of making their patients feel better. I don't think anyone of us have intentions of killing/maiming/injuring their patients. In a perfect world, everything would come up rosy & everyone would live happily ever after. However, as you know, this is not a perfect world, & unfortunate things do happen, often beyond the control of us mere humans (yes, even doctors are human & not gods!). Whenever possible, safeguards & contigency plans are in place to try to minimise or rectify these unfortunate incidences, but not everyone can be saved due to factors like age, concurrent medical conditions & just sheer bad luck.
In this material world, the question of cost often comes up. Everyone expects excellent medical care with minimal cost. But surely you must understand that logically speaking, that is not possible. There will always be trainee doctors, who will eventually take over the role of their senior & more experienced consultants & professors. If they are not given the chance to learn (under the supervision of their teachers) how will they ever achieve the expertise needed in the future?
It is also not possible for everyone to be under the direct care of a consultant otherwise these poor doctors would not even have time to take a meal let alone do ward rounds, or surgery or spend time with their own families!
Ultimately, there needs to be a relatively fair way of distributing the healthcare needs without compromising on healthcare standards nor on the morale of the healthcare workers. And one way which the institutions have done so is to allow the subsidised patients to be seen by Medical Officers with supervision from their superiors. You have to admit that the amount of subsidy given by the government is not small, and the amount that each subsidised patient has to pay for consultation, drugs, investigations, surgery etc. is a small fraction of the actual cost! It is hard to fathom that many people don't blink an eye about spending hundreds & sometimes, thousands of dollars on slimming treatments, massages, facials etc at the spa & yet gripe about the cost of seeing a doctor when they have a health problem. I sometimes wonder if they have their priorities right.
I hope that you will also understand that doctors have personal lives outside the hospitals and clinics. They have spouses, children, and even hobbies to even out the balance of an otherwise stressful life. So please do not begrudge a doctor for closing his/her clinic on time if it's not a dire emergency or urgent condition. Do take note that locally, we are, indeed, extremely fortunate that there are clinics open 24 hours even on Saturdays & Sundays & public holidays. (Doctors often spend their evenings & weekends with their patients instead of with their own children.) Not so in some of the developed countries. They open from 9 to 5, Mondays to Fridays. If you catch a cold or a flu outside office hours, you can jolly well get your own medicine from the local supermarket. Urgent cases & emergencies would go to the ER. Locally, we are actually spoilt for choice; unfortunately, this is largely unappreciated.
Finally, a humble word of advice - take charge of your own health. Know your medical history & the drugs that you are taking or allergic to, so that when you next see a doctor, he doesn't have to guess or trace records which would take time away from the consultation. Don't be shy to ask questions about your management, your condition, and your treatment. If in doubt, get a second opinion. Most of us wouldn't mind (this is not a matter of losing face; it is your health we are talking about). Remember that risks are inherent in everything we do, including crossing the street! Same thing with medical procedures - do not take for granted that risks are non-existent. Risks vary depending on the treatment/procedure/surgery. Ask your doctor what they are & what are the chances of developing complications; know what the possible complications are. Success rates are also variable depending on the medical condition; and although we would like to be, we are in no way, miracle workers! Discuss all this with your doctor. In this way, you would be able to make an informed decision on how you want to be treated & managed.
Wishing you all the best,
Sincerely,
Doc MD
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Boys are ALSO from Mars & Girls from Venus
My 14 year old son recently suffered a bout of viral GE, with fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, the works. Threw up all over the bathroom except the toilet bowl (must be a guy thing, trying to will himself not to vomit or suppress the feeling till he couldn't tolerate it anymore, hence, did not make it in time to the aforementioned receptacle).
He went back to school & described his illness to his friends. I believe the words "Projectile Vomiting" were mentioned, probably with a rather graphic description of the state of his bathroom in the aftermath.
The reaction from his female friends : "Eeewww!!!"
And from his best friend (a guy): "Awesome, dude!"
Go figure.
He went back to school & described his illness to his friends. I believe the words "Projectile Vomiting" were mentioned, probably with a rather graphic description of the state of his bathroom in the aftermath.
The reaction from his female friends : "Eeewww!!!"
And from his best friend (a guy): "Awesome, dude!"
Go figure.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here's a cute poem my son wrote for his Math Valentine's Day assignment:
You are the coordinates of my coordinate plane,
Showing me the way so I don’t go astray.
You are the equal sign of my equation
The exponent of scientific notation
You’re also the parentheses that keep things together
A binomial we shall be forever.
If you were mine,
I’d be just fine,
Will you be my valentine?
Happy V Day, everyone!
You are the coordinates of my coordinate plane,
Showing me the way so I don’t go astray.
You are the equal sign of my equation
The exponent of scientific notation
You’re also the parentheses that keep things together
A binomial we shall be forever.
If you were mine,
I’d be just fine,
Will you be my valentine?
Happy V Day, everyone!
Saturday, February 11, 2006
True Colors
Self esteem.
Something that all of us struggle with. From childhood, especially through adolescence & even as mature women, self-doubt & poor self-image affect the decisions we make & how we live our lives.
Watch this.
Something that all of us struggle with. From childhood, especially through adolescence & even as mature women, self-doubt & poor self-image affect the decisions we make & how we live our lives.
Watch this.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Drugs!
Hah! The wonders of medicine...say what you may about the COXIBs but within hours of ingesting the first dose of Celebrex, the pain had reduced by 90%! Hallelujah, I don't have to hobble around the house like an old lady anymore!
One of my pet peeves is the misconception by patients that analgesic drugs (more commonly known as "pain-killers") are bad for you & makes you rely on them (I'm not talking about the opiates even). Some are averse to taking even Panadol, let alone 'stronger' NSAIDS like mefenamic acid, ibuprofen or a COXIB.
More often than not, I have to explain to them that pain is caused by inflammation, & if you make the inflammation go away with the above mentioned drugs, voila! the pain disappears too. So the drug is not PURELY a pain killer, but it acts on the inflammation causing the pain. Of course, at the same time, you would need to elucidate the cause of the inflammation, & address that problem at the same time.
I am not advocating prescribing analgesics or anti-inflammatory left, right & center, but if indicated, the results can be wonderful (as personally experienced recently *GRIN*), & leaves one with a much better quality of life.
Now, back to my softball game......
One of my pet peeves is the misconception by patients that analgesic drugs (more commonly known as "pain-killers") are bad for you & makes you rely on them (I'm not talking about the opiates even). Some are averse to taking even Panadol, let alone 'stronger' NSAIDS like mefenamic acid, ibuprofen or a COXIB.
More often than not, I have to explain to them that pain is caused by inflammation, & if you make the inflammation go away with the above mentioned drugs, voila! the pain disappears too. So the drug is not PURELY a pain killer, but it acts on the inflammation causing the pain. Of course, at the same time, you would need to elucidate the cause of the inflammation, & address that problem at the same time.
I am not advocating prescribing analgesics or anti-inflammatory left, right & center, but if indicated, the results can be wonderful (as personally experienced recently *GRIN*), & leaves one with a much better quality of life.
Now, back to my softball game......
Monday, February 06, 2006
My Left Foot
Man...I did something to my left foot. Since starting softball 3 weeks ago, my left heel & base of 5th metatarsal has been tender. I know, probably a bad case of plantar fasciitis. But the pain on the lateral part of my foot is a bit worrying...I hope it's not a stress fracture.
I know, I know, I should go see a podiatrist or an orthopod or at least get an X-ray done. But I hate going to see doctors. Yeah, sounds strange, me being one & all.
Maybe it's just me but it feels awkward when I consult a doctor. It's like, I feel like I should be able to diagnose myself already (sic). Even the other way around, if I happen to see a doctor who has come in as my patient for something as simple as an insurance check-up, I feel uncomfortable.
They say doctors make the worst patients & I think I am a classic example. Sigh...if the pain goes on much longer, I'll have to call up one of my orthopaedic colleagues for a consult.
I know, I know, I should go see a podiatrist or an orthopod or at least get an X-ray done. But I hate going to see doctors. Yeah, sounds strange, me being one & all.
Maybe it's just me but it feels awkward when I consult a doctor. It's like, I feel like I should be able to diagnose myself already (sic). Even the other way around, if I happen to see a doctor who has come in as my patient for something as simple as an insurance check-up, I feel uncomfortable.
They say doctors make the worst patients & I think I am a classic example. Sigh...if the pain goes on much longer, I'll have to call up one of my orthopaedic colleagues for a consult.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Memoirs of a Geisha (which I think, should have been renamed Memoirs of Bitchy Geishas)
Just caught the above movie tonight. Haven't read the book yet, so maybe that's why at the end of the movie, I didn't quite get the point of the movie. That geishas have hard lives? That love triumphs in the end but you still may not get the guy? That women can be real bitches? (I think the last point stood out the most, with all the catfights & backstabbing shenanigans that was going on throughout the movie).
Zhang Ziyi did a great job, as did the young actress, Suzuka Ohgo, who played the younger version of Chiyo. Felt that Michelle Yeoh's performance was lukewarm, and she sounded rather out of place with her semi-Japanese semi-Singaporean accent. Gong Li as THE bitchy geisha also played her role well. There was also a hodge-podge of other Asian actors (my husband & I call them the recycled Asians, as they take turns appearing in various movies & TV series as the token villian/Asian gangster/gung-fu master/wise old man, such is the sad state of affairs for Asian actors in Hollywood)). Ken Watanabe, as Chiyo's love interest gave a credible performance. What stood out for me, as far as the acting talent was concerned, was that it was understated, which was refreshing; many Chinese/Asian movies tend to have overly done, melodramatic performances by its stars, & this was a nice change.
Was it a good movie? Yeah, I think so - wonderful cinematography, costumes & make-up, which should garner it some Oscar nominations in their respective categories. Didn't think too much of the storyline though. In any case, it was interesting watching an ex-patient star in her first BIG Hollywood production...
Now I need to decide whether the book is worth reading or not...
Zhang Ziyi did a great job, as did the young actress, Suzuka Ohgo, who played the younger version of Chiyo. Felt that Michelle Yeoh's performance was lukewarm, and she sounded rather out of place with her semi-Japanese semi-Singaporean accent. Gong Li as THE bitchy geisha also played her role well. There was also a hodge-podge of other Asian actors (my husband & I call them the recycled Asians, as they take turns appearing in various movies & TV series as the token villian/Asian gangster/gung-fu master/wise old man, such is the sad state of affairs for Asian actors in Hollywood)). Ken Watanabe, as Chiyo's love interest gave a credible performance. What stood out for me, as far as the acting talent was concerned, was that it was understated, which was refreshing; many Chinese/Asian movies tend to have overly done, melodramatic performances by its stars, & this was a nice change.
Was it a good movie? Yeah, I think so - wonderful cinematography, costumes & make-up, which should garner it some Oscar nominations in their respective categories. Didn't think too much of the storyline though. In any case, it was interesting watching an ex-patient star in her first BIG Hollywood production...
Now I need to decide whether the book is worth reading or not...
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Patient Safety
Thank you, Dr Kee & Dr Lee for voicing so eloquently, their views about changes that need to happen in order to improve clinical quality. I wish that these letters had been printed in the newspaper, with a greater audience, instead of just on the online forum. It would be one small step towards a greater understanding by the general public that medical errors do happen but a great deal can be done to reduce risk of these errors happening.
It will take a nudge from the people to get The Powers That Be to get things moving in the right direction where this issue is concerned.
It will take a nudge from the people to get The Powers That Be to get things moving in the right direction where this issue is concerned.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Stee-rrrike!
I put on a softball glove, & picked up a softball bat today for the first time after a lapse of almost 20 years. I can already feel my muscles protesting & I dread tomorrow morning when I am SURE that I will have trouble crawling out of bed...groan.
In medical school, I played softball for my year (remember the FMS shield? Hmm, I wonder if the annual competition is still being held, with the grand finale of a play which made up a huge chunk of the total score!), & also for the faculty. It was always the same group of people taking part in the various sports. I, myself, not that I am a great athlete, did softball, tennis, squash (go figure) and basketball, in addition to lending a hand in making the props/costumes for the play.
I remember in our final year, everyone was very "boh chap" about taking part in the FMS games because we were all panicking & busy trying to revise for the finals. So not surprisingly, our year was at the bottom of the scoreboard once all the games had been tallied. All that was left was the final play.
24 hours before the day that the plays were supposed to be performed, the "usual" group of us decided, what the h***, this is our final swansong, might as well go for it. A very talented classmate put together a play, inspired by the successful British comedy "'Allo 'Allo", with music & lyrics even. We rehearsed into the wee hours of the night, put together a medley of costumes (some loaned from the Franciscan monks!), & used minimal props for the performance.
Well, guess what? We won the Play section of the competition! Quite unbelievable, eh? I think our juniors must have been pretty pissed off! Unfortunately, because of our "poor" performance in the sporting events, our overall score only managed to get us 2nd place. But we were happy anyway. Nothing beats the euphoria of putting together a successful performance.
Come to think of it, I think the most enjoyable times of med school were actually the extra-curricular activities!
In medical school, I played softball for my year (remember the FMS shield? Hmm, I wonder if the annual competition is still being held, with the grand finale of a play which made up a huge chunk of the total score!), & also for the faculty. It was always the same group of people taking part in the various sports. I, myself, not that I am a great athlete, did softball, tennis, squash (go figure) and basketball, in addition to lending a hand in making the props/costumes for the play.
I remember in our final year, everyone was very "boh chap" about taking part in the FMS games because we were all panicking & busy trying to revise for the finals. So not surprisingly, our year was at the bottom of the scoreboard once all the games had been tallied. All that was left was the final play.
24 hours before the day that the plays were supposed to be performed, the "usual" group of us decided, what the h***, this is our final swansong, might as well go for it. A very talented classmate put together a play, inspired by the successful British comedy "'Allo 'Allo", with music & lyrics even. We rehearsed into the wee hours of the night, put together a medley of costumes (some loaned from the Franciscan monks!), & used minimal props for the performance.
Well, guess what? We won the Play section of the competition! Quite unbelievable, eh? I think our juniors must have been pretty pissed off! Unfortunately, because of our "poor" performance in the sporting events, our overall score only managed to get us 2nd place. But we were happy anyway. Nothing beats the euphoria of putting together a successful performance.
Come to think of it, I think the most enjoyable times of med school were actually the extra-curricular activities!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
S, M, L, XL
God.
I hate clothes shopping in the local stores. Talk about a blow to one's self-image. Most of the clothes seem to be made for stick-thin models. Looking for new clothes for Chinese New Year here is an annual nightmare. The "Women's Plus" sections have clothes seemingly designed for the fashion impaired. The "Normal" sections have clothes which would probably fit just one limb on my body.
Not that I am morbidly obese - I shop in the "Regular" sized departments in the US. I guess being born with a genetic disposition to being "big-boned" in Asia is a real detriment as far as trendy clothes are concerned.
Oh well, come summer, Woodbury Commons, here I come!!!
I hate clothes shopping in the local stores. Talk about a blow to one's self-image. Most of the clothes seem to be made for stick-thin models. Looking for new clothes for Chinese New Year here is an annual nightmare. The "Women's Plus" sections have clothes seemingly designed for the fashion impaired. The "Normal" sections have clothes which would probably fit just one limb on my body.
Not that I am morbidly obese - I shop in the "Regular" sized departments in the US. I guess being born with a genetic disposition to being "big-boned" in Asia is a real detriment as far as trendy clothes are concerned.
Oh well, come summer, Woodbury Commons, here I come!!!
Monday, January 16, 2006
simple pleasures
~ hugs & kisses from your child/children
~ finding life in a rock pool at low tide
~ the smell of a freshly bathed newborn
~ reading a good book while enjoying the ocean breeze & sounds of the waves crashing
~ discovering the first daffodil shoot peeking through the soil in between patches of snow in the waning days of Winter
~ coming home to your own comfortable bed after a vacation
~ laughing till tears roll down your cheeks
~ a girls night out with your best friends in the world, reminiscing about school, teachers & life in general
~ the first snow of Winter
~ the long days of Summer, when you can still enjoy daylight at 8 o' clock in the evening
~ finding life in a rock pool at low tide
~ the smell of a freshly bathed newborn
~ reading a good book while enjoying the ocean breeze & sounds of the waves crashing
~ discovering the first daffodil shoot peeking through the soil in between patches of snow in the waning days of Winter
~ coming home to your own comfortable bed after a vacation
~ laughing till tears roll down your cheeks
~ a girls night out with your best friends in the world, reminiscing about school, teachers & life in general
~ the first snow of Winter
~ the long days of Summer, when you can still enjoy daylight at 8 o' clock in the evening
So romantic, can die
Call me crazy, but I sat through a second viewing of "Pride & Prejudice" today, and liked it even better the second time around. Matthew Macfadyen as the dashing Mr Darcy certainly grows on you, as I had said before. There's just something about the Mr-Darcy-striding-through-the misty-meadow-towards-Elizabeth-Bennet scene that stirs my innards. *YUM*
After the last couple of weeks, I needed a "feel good" movie, and nothing lifts the spirits up like a good old historical romance with a happy ending.
Footnote: They showed the "Coming Soon" trailer of "Casanova" starring Heath Ledger & Sienna Miller- hmm...looks like my cup of tea :).
After the last couple of weeks, I needed a "feel good" movie, and nothing lifts the spirits up like a good old historical romance with a happy ending.
Footnote: They showed the "Coming Soon" trailer of "Casanova" starring Heath Ledger & Sienna Miller- hmm...looks like my cup of tea :).
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Hormonal Swings
Well. So much for the life changing event. It’s not going to happen after all. I must admit that I am a bit disappointed. This seemed like the last chance for us after all. Oh well. C’est la vie, as they say. At least I won’t be peri-menopausal, and post-natal at the same time. I am sure that many women out there will agree with me that hormones are powerful things & can produce all kinds of strange emotional reactions/responses/behaviour when they ebb & flow like the tides.
When I saw that second stripe appear on the test kit two weeks ago, my heart truly felt like it sank into the toilet bowl upon which I was sitting at the time while waiting for the result. It was a total shock. Why did I do the test? Well, any self-respecting doctor would tell you that one of the first things one has to test for in a female of child-bearing age who is overdue (no matter which end of the spectrum she happens to fall into!), is for pregnancy. So, as per my own medical know-how, I dutifully went out & bought one of those generic tests, not expecting to see a positive result at all. After all, I have been experiencing what I thought were peri-menopausal symptoms on & off for the last year (although I am rather “young” relatively, but still…) or so I thought. But this particular episode of amenorrhoea had gone on for a bit longer than usual, and hence the saga began.
In my mind, my family is complete. Hopes of having a third child had diminished after a prior blighted ovum & with advancing age. I had given away all the baby stuff, which I had stored & carted all the way from the USA with the intention of re-using them one more time. We have two great kids, had started planning for college for them, & had just gotten rid of the MPV.
So when the positive test came about, it really threw me for a loop, to say the least. It was a conflux (read: conflict + flux) of emotions; I was shocked, petrified, happy, anxious, cautious all at the same time. Thoughts of night feeds, diaper changes, strollers, weaning, toddler tantrums came flying through my mind simultaneously…with the associated flash of panic & depression. I was then cautiously happy but not hopeful, as the symptoms did not feel the same as when I was pregnant with my 2 boys. Much like with the previous failed pregnancy, I didn’t have the hyperemetic feelings, though there were fluctuations of appetite loss & occasional nausea. There was also the strange hypersensitivity to the smell of garlic (!!!).
I think when you, yourself, are the patient, being a doctor is a curse. You know too much. You know & can research into the risks & possibilities & complications of whatever medical condition you have (in this case, being an elderly multip – yeah, sounds awful, but that is the term used for pregnant moms above 35). And true enough, subsequent scans showed a non-viable pregnancy. My gynae said that most commonly at my age, this is caused by a chromosomal abnormality like trisomy 21. It was probably better to lose it now than to have to go through amoniocentesis & find out in the 2nd trimester.
I know it may sound cold to some, but I have tried to remain detached emotionally from what has been happening, in preparation for the ultimate diagnosis. Call it intuition, a “feeling”, a sixth sense, but deep down inside, I just knew that it wasn’t meant to be. So, no, I don’t feel depressed by what is happening. Admittedly, I’m a bit sad for the baby-that-never-was, & for unfulfilled hopes that have been re-awakened. But I know I will get through this. We, women, are resilient creatures!
When I saw that second stripe appear on the test kit two weeks ago, my heart truly felt like it sank into the toilet bowl upon which I was sitting at the time while waiting for the result. It was a total shock. Why did I do the test? Well, any self-respecting doctor would tell you that one of the first things one has to test for in a female of child-bearing age who is overdue (no matter which end of the spectrum she happens to fall into!), is for pregnancy. So, as per my own medical know-how, I dutifully went out & bought one of those generic tests, not expecting to see a positive result at all. After all, I have been experiencing what I thought were peri-menopausal symptoms on & off for the last year (although I am rather “young” relatively, but still…) or so I thought. But this particular episode of amenorrhoea had gone on for a bit longer than usual, and hence the saga began.
In my mind, my family is complete. Hopes of having a third child had diminished after a prior blighted ovum & with advancing age. I had given away all the baby stuff, which I had stored & carted all the way from the USA with the intention of re-using them one more time. We have two great kids, had started planning for college for them, & had just gotten rid of the MPV.
So when the positive test came about, it really threw me for a loop, to say the least. It was a conflux (read: conflict + flux) of emotions; I was shocked, petrified, happy, anxious, cautious all at the same time. Thoughts of night feeds, diaper changes, strollers, weaning, toddler tantrums came flying through my mind simultaneously…with the associated flash of panic & depression. I was then cautiously happy but not hopeful, as the symptoms did not feel the same as when I was pregnant with my 2 boys. Much like with the previous failed pregnancy, I didn’t have the hyperemetic feelings, though there were fluctuations of appetite loss & occasional nausea. There was also the strange hypersensitivity to the smell of garlic (!!!).
I think when you, yourself, are the patient, being a doctor is a curse. You know too much. You know & can research into the risks & possibilities & complications of whatever medical condition you have (in this case, being an elderly multip – yeah, sounds awful, but that is the term used for pregnant moms above 35). And true enough, subsequent scans showed a non-viable pregnancy. My gynae said that most commonly at my age, this is caused by a chromosomal abnormality like trisomy 21. It was probably better to lose it now than to have to go through amoniocentesis & find out in the 2nd trimester.
I know it may sound cold to some, but I have tried to remain detached emotionally from what has been happening, in preparation for the ultimate diagnosis. Call it intuition, a “feeling”, a sixth sense, but deep down inside, I just knew that it wasn’t meant to be. So, no, I don’t feel depressed by what is happening. Admittedly, I’m a bit sad for the baby-that-never-was, & for unfulfilled hopes that have been re-awakened. But I know I will get through this. We, women, are resilient creatures!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Eating Wind
To those who have been wondering if I have dropped off the face of the earth, please be assured that I am still around & have not gone over to the Dark Side :). This especially so after my last rather cryptic post.
Reasons why I haven't been around are:
a) Have been chillin' out on a nearby Indonesian island for the last week;
b) Been dealing with a potentially life-changing event which caused
c) Writer's Block
Thankfully, I think I am over (c); (b) I am still dealing with & may write more about in a later post if I feel up to it.
As for (a), I admit that I would have enjoyed it more if I were still working full-time :). I think it is true that we don't appreciate what we have until we don't have it, in this case, leisure time - to just laze by the pool/on the beach/in the spa. Eight months ago, I would have enjoyed this holiday a lot more, eager to leave the hectic deadlines & rat race of work & just doing absolutely nothing. I know that my kids enjoyed themselves just being in the pool as they had worked hard all semester in school. Hubby the workaholic was happy just hanging around the hotel, & having aromatherapy foot massages, and not having to answer phone calls & emails.
Maybe it's time for me to start looking at going back to work....well, at least on a part-time basis...I guess a "tai-tai"s life is not for me.
GREY'S ANATOMY
I taped the 2nd episode of this new series & just watched it tonight. I must say that this was definitely a more uplifting episode than the 1st one. Seeing Meredith Grey turn around from drawing lines between herself & the rest of the world, to drawing people into her circle was refreshing. This episode certainly reminded me that the practice of medicine can do some good after all, especially if we practice medicine for the sake of the patients.
Reasons why I haven't been around are:
a) Have been chillin' out on a nearby Indonesian island for the last week;
b) Been dealing with a potentially life-changing event which caused
c) Writer's Block
Thankfully, I think I am over (c); (b) I am still dealing with & may write more about in a later post if I feel up to it.
As for (a), I admit that I would have enjoyed it more if I were still working full-time :). I think it is true that we don't appreciate what we have until we don't have it, in this case, leisure time - to just laze by the pool/on the beach/in the spa. Eight months ago, I would have enjoyed this holiday a lot more, eager to leave the hectic deadlines & rat race of work & just doing absolutely nothing. I know that my kids enjoyed themselves just being in the pool as they had worked hard all semester in school. Hubby the workaholic was happy just hanging around the hotel, & having aromatherapy foot massages, and not having to answer phone calls & emails.
Maybe it's time for me to start looking at going back to work....well, at least on a part-time basis...I guess a "tai-tai"s life is not for me.
GREY'S ANATOMY
I taped the 2nd episode of this new series & just watched it tonight. I must say that this was definitely a more uplifting episode than the 1st one. Seeing Meredith Grey turn around from drawing lines between herself & the rest of the world, to drawing people into her circle was refreshing. This episode certainly reminded me that the practice of medicine can do some good after all, especially if we practice medicine for the sake of the patients.
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