DAY 364/365

Aug 30 & 31

1) Today (Aug 31st) is a very special day for Malaysians everywhere. It represents 60 long years our nation has been free from the shackles of colonialism. 60 long years since the chants of "Merdeka!" (Independence) rang across the then newly completed Merdeka Stadium. Fast forward today and Malaysia is a thriving tourist destination, known for its white, sandy beaches, medical tourism, and lest we forget - the FOOD!

2) But Aug 31st signifies something else for me as well. It marks exactly 365 days since I waved goodbye to my family at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). Thinking back, it was really strange, and I remember asking myself why I wasn't feeling too emotional when leaving everyone for Dublin. In fact, all I was thinking about at that time was making new friends and starting a new life abroad, as a medical student.

3) And then, as days turned to weeks, and weeks to months - it hit me. The nights became longer; the once cheery and sunny weather replaced by dark, freezing winter. The fact that this was my first winter did nothing to improve my overall mood. I remember laying down to bed at night, reminiscing about the good old times with my family, and all we used to do together. Then it occurred to me - I wasn't thinking properly, was I? When we try to remember fond memories, we usually mentally highlight the best moments, and conveniently neglect the not so good ones. Thinking back now, I remember clearly all the times I felt confined at home, or bored out of my wits with nothing to do (in the weeks leading up to my departure).

4) As the new semester approaches, I have made peace with my inner self. I miss my family, friends and teachers just as badly as before (if not more so), but I know I will return to see them soon. And right now, my mind has to be in its rightful place for me to make full use of the time that I have left here. More than anything, a year abroad has taught me independence - the ability to live and thrive by oneself without relying on others. Perhaps this is in a way quite fitting, that the end of my first year should fall on the very day, 60 years after the Union Jack fell and the flag of Malaya rose to grant our country independence.

5) Aug 31st signifies yet another milestone for me. It symbolises the end of my time as a researcher, and the continuation of my education as a medical student. Today, I said goodbye to Prof. Kathleen Bennett and Dr. Catriona Cahir, both of whom have been exemplary in guiding me in their respective projects. Unfortunately I was not able to get a photograph with Dr. Cahir, but rest assured I shall return to Beaux Lane House to meet up and discuss future proposals soon. At the same time, I'm looking forward to a new semester - with all my old friends, a whole host of eager and bubbling juniors, a new academic building, and the same long-suffering lecturers.

To a new and better Malaysia, to yet another great year, and to ever higher aspirations and achievements! Cheers! ^^

Happy 60th Independence Day Malaysia! ^^

My last day doing research under Prof. Kathleen Bennett, 

HRB Leader and Associate Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology,

Division of Population Health Sciences, Beaux Lane House,

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

When you know the staff at AK Henry's too well :)

DAY 360/361/362/363

Aug 26, 27, 28 & 29

1) The past four days have passed by so fast. Tomorrow is the second last day of "work" for me, and that gives me a couple of days respite before school reopens (5th Sept). Also, this week has been much warmer, so that's a welcome change.

2) On an unrelated note, the Dispensary has opened, selling Starbucks drinks as well as biscuits and snacks! It's a bit sad they opened so early, because that means the end of my free coffee/tea as well! Now I'm just waiting for the renovations in the main building to be completed. It certainly looks promising.

3) For the most part, I'm looking forward to starting with my studies again. Any longer and my knowledge will become rusty, and my study ethic dull. So I guess it's back to burying myself in my work... not! And since nothing exciting or unusual has happened this past four days; nothing new or worth talking about, I'll end on this note. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day. Cheers!

The Dispensary has officially opened!! ^^

Selling Starbucks here too... :)

The work doesn't end

Thankful for cheap and delicious food at Dunnes

AK Henry's has some of the best fish pie I've tried

(plus if you know the servers well you could ask for "lots and lots of chips" XD)

DAY 358/359

Aug 25 & 26

1) As the days count down to a new semester, so too am I closer to finishing my posters/ abstracts. Yesterday I met up with Dr. Griffith to discuss on the progress of my poster, and he brought me down to the tea room where everyone was having some doughnuts. Turns out my friends from Soochow University are returning to China next Thursday, and this was a sort of "farewell" for them. I'll miss you guys!

2) For the most part, I've been in the library - grinding away at my research. There's not much interesting to talk about here; it's same old same old. So I'll be utilising a narrative technique which I hope will keep my blog going: I'll talk a bit about what I've learnt. This is mostly stuff I've read on Facebook - one of the most reliable sites for information after Wikipedia. All jokes aside, here we go.

a) Malaysia managed to hit a home run by getting Indonesia's flag wrong in the SEA games, then getting 8 out of 11 flags wrong in a medal tally broadcast, before finally getting it's own flag wrong. But hey, at least they get a cookie for consistency. Still, we're doing a great job in the games so let's keep fighting!

b) It's McGregor vs Mayweather tonight! Notorious vs Money; Ireland vs USA; UFC Lightweight Champion vs Quintuple Boxing Champion. My thoughts? My heart says Conor, yet my brain says Money May. Either way, the hype is REAL and I can't wait.

c) If the hype falls flat, where do I go next? Why, to Dragon Ball of course! A good way to maintain some semblance of proficiency in Japanese, while simultaneously enjoying one of Akira Toriyama's most cherished works. Dragon Ball Super streams live at around 1:30am, with subtitles about an hour or so afterwards.

d) Most importantly, I've got a pretty good feeling that the so-called "Dispensary" in the new building is going be converted to Starbucks! Or at the very least, it's going to sell Starbucks drinks, amongst other food items. Not too shabby, I must say XD

3) And that's about it. I've exhausted everything I've wanted to say, so on that note, I wish you all a very good weekend ahead. Thanks for reading, goodnight!

With Eolann, Judge, Flora, and the other Soochow University summer exchange students :D

The cookies were from the RCSI Alumni Meeting which took place recently

Waste not want not, as they say ^^

Back to Coronation Chicken haha

I've never been to the Tea Room before; glad that I have now :)

DAY 356/357

Aug 23 & 24

1) They say things happen for a reason. What were the odds that the random person I asked for help with taking a photo (the one with me and the Head Porter in front of RCSI) would turn out to be Martin, first year student at RCSI (under the PMC programme) come September? And he was extremely lucky himself, for both he and his mom came just that morning, and by evening had been taken through an extensive tour of the College.

2) We decided to meet up over a cup of coffee today. Together we went to Cafe Nero, just outside St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. We sat down for some hot beverages, and chatted about life in Ireland and how to survive medical school. I don't think I'm the best person to ask for advice on study strategies etc, but hey, I'm still in one piece, right? XD Jokes aside, I tried to recount my experience living in Dublin for the past year, and staying back for research and other opportunities. In return, I got to learn more about Martin and his mum, and how he ended up coming to RCSI.

3) As evening came, we took a casual stroll down Grafton St, and onto Trinity College Dublin. After a brief turn, we reached Temple Bar. Feeling a little peckish, we opted to try out Banyi Japanese Dining, the self-stylised "Best Japanese Restaurant in Dublin for hand-crafted sushi, fresh sashimi, and traditional Japanese dishes". The food came served in elaborately decorated sushi plates, complete with liquid nitrogen in a bowl for that extra smoky effect. Fancy to say the least ^^

4) Good food, even better company - I almost lost track of the time! Before I knew, it was almost 10:00pm, and then it dawned on me that I had left some of my belongings in the library, which was closing soon. Cue mad dash back to the library, muttered some apologies to the security officer to let me in, and retrieved my stuff just before the library was closed. As it was getting late, we decided to call it a night, and I made my way back to the LUAS station. That was an awesome evening out for me, and a welcome reprieve to my otherwise mundane (and repetitive) daily routine. That's all for my blog today, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Have a nice day, cheers!

A lovely Japanese style dinner with Martin and his mom :D

Hot chocolate and brownie at Cafe Nero

A quick visit to Trinity College Dublin

Sashimi and sushi platters ^^

Pleasure making new friends :)

DAY 354/355

Aug 21 & 22

1) As part of the National Heritage Week 2017 at RCSI, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has opened its historic doors to the public for three days, from Monday to Wednesday. Free tours of the building will take place at 11am, 2pm and 5pm on each day departing from the main entrance to the College on St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. As a student here, I thought it would be nice to learn a bit more about the history behind such an old and prestigious school.

2) The tour that I attended today was conducted by Mr. Bryan Sheils (Front of House Manager, RCSI) and Mr. Frank Donegan (Head Porter, RCSI). We started off at the entrance to the College (the old part of the building), as Mr Donegan explained more about the history behind our surroundings. We then proceeded upstairs to the Board Room, and subsequently the College Hall. We were especially lucky this time around as the RCSI Mace was on display for the week - something that doesn't happen save for really special occasions.

3) We passed through the Atrium and around the corridors as the tour drew to a close. In summary, we learnt the history behind the College Arms of RCSI, how it was founded after a Royal Charter granted by King Louis III, and its construction on an abandoned Quaker burial ground. As Mr Donegan so rightly pointed out, many of the pioneering inventions in surgery/ medicine can be traced back to Fellows and Members of the College. All in all, it was a great experience, and one that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Here's the website if you would like to book a tour for yourself, but be warned - the last tour ends tomorrow. http://rcsi.ie/heritageweek

Thanks very much for visiting, and enjoy the pics. Cheers!

With Mr Frank Donegan, Head Porter of RCSI

The main entrance to RCSI, 

with the Robert Smith Room to the left, and Abraham Colles Room to the right

(medical students might remember a Smith's fracture and a Colles' fracture, attributed to both of these surgeons respectively)

Exact replica facsimile of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Charter,

granted by King George III

Consilio Manuque - scholarship and dexterity (Motto of RCSI)

Apparently the artist commissioned with painting the portraits of the past RCSI presidents, also does the Royal Family portraits as well

Mr Donegan has been serving RCSI for 23 years 

(here he is explaining the significance of the patterns on the steps)

Barber poles - due to the fact that since medieval times, the practice of surgery was licensed by the Barber-Surgeons' Guild 

(red represents blood, and white represents the bandages used to wrap the wounds)

The Board Room

According to Mr Donegan, when First Lady Nancy Reagan visited RCSI, she fell in love with the three large carpets covering the hall (accordingly, she commissioned the exact same carpets to be made and they now adorn the Ambassador's office in the U.S. Embassy in Ireland)

The College Hall

Apparently the College Mace is not as heavy as it looks

The Council Chambers -where the various Heads gather for meetings

The Council Chambers - usually strictly off limits, except for today ;D

Mr. Harry O'Flanagan, 

whose namesake we derive the O'Flanagan Lecture Theatre from

Some pics of RCSI as it was when occupied by insurgents in the 1916 Easter Uprising (below)

Some well-preserved specimens

Not something I'd be interested in if I'm honest... XD

End of tour :)

DAY 350/351/352/353

Aug 17, 18, 19 & 20

1) Nary a blink of the eye and four days have passed. I've completely forgotten to update my blog, for reasons I know not. All I know is in less than two weeks, one full year will have passed, and many if not all my friends will be back. And of course, along with the familiar faces will be a host of new ones, all eager and bubbling to begin their adventure here in Dublin.

2) As the summer break draws to a close, I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to do research in different departments, and to work under so many wonderful people. Not forgetting my parents, who have been ever so supportive of my staying back while others left for home, and who even encouraged me when I was undecided between coming back or remaining here.

3) These past few days, I've been hard at work tying up loose ends, so to speak, on the remaining projects and posters. It'd be nice to finish everything before things get busy again. At the same time, I'm well aware that today (Sunday) was the Pre-Departure Orientation for the PMC freshers. I would have loved more than anything else to be there in person to help out, but circumstances dictate otherwise. Nevertheless, I'm offering to help you guys out if you have any trouble/ queries. First question is free as always, subsequently a charge of one question for €1 applies. All jokes aside, just pm me if you have any nagging questions/doubts. Looking forward to meeting all of you soon :D

4) In the meantime, what have I found out these past couple of days? Warning: random, inconsequential facts incoming. a) unknown player Noroma beat JDCR in the Korean Masters (Tekken 7); b) after a long while Dr. Pagalavan has finally updated his blog; c) Dragon Ball Super streams live YouTube every Sunday morning at around 1.30am, with subtitles available about an hour afterwards; d) the New Mercedes Maybach Concept is a 20-foot-long convertible; e) YouTuber "Blackpanthaa" just can't post his last NFS Most Wanted (racing game) video play-through, can he? And on that note, I bid you goodnight. Thanks for reading through my blog, and have a nice day. Cheers!

I've gone from this....   

     

To this.... (and vice versa)

Nothing some ice cream wouldn't cure XD

For the record, I did get my free burrito ^^

DAY 346/347/348/349

Aug 13, 14, 15 & 16

1) I've been really busy at the start of the new week, and today (Aug 16th) only served to exemplify it even more. I had made an appointment to do an observership under Professor Arnold Hill, Professor and Chair of Surgery in RCSI. An observership is where you shadow a doctor Lesson learnt - Dundrum (where I live) to Beaumont (where he is based) is NOT close by any means. I'm very fortunate to have allocated 1.5 hours to arrive, as I began my journey from Dundrum and reached Beaumont Hospital with barely any time to spare.

2) I met up with Dr. Gozie Offiah (herself a Senior Clinical Lecturer at RCSI) at the RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital. She introduced me to Bob, who brought me down to the Men's Changing Room so I could change into my scrubs (the outfit that hospital personnel wear). Then I was led into the operating theatre. My first experience ever of being in an operating theatre, and the experience was surreal.

3) 8-10 men/women crowded over one patient, whose head was covered and torso bare. Behind a plastic screen, an anaesthetist was sitting in front of a monitor, looking at the patient's vitals. At the corner of the room were two physician associates, who coincidentally had come in to observe the operation as well. Turns out the patient was having a mastectomy, which is removal of the entire breast (usually as a surgical method against breast cancer).

4) But that wasn't the whole story. There were actually two teams here - one was working on removing the breast, while the other was working on breast reconstruction. The method used for reconstruction is called a DIEP flap, a type of breast reconstruction in which blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP), as well as the skin and fat connected to them, are removed from the lower abdomen and transferred to the chest to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy without the sacrifice of any of the abdominal muscles. The procedure would ultimately take around 10 hours, which reflects its extreme complexity.

5) After around 1.5 hours, the first team had successfully removed the entire breast (along with the tumour). That left the plastic surgeon, Mr O'Sullivan, and his team to continue with his microsurgery to reconstruct the breast. My newfound friends and I watched as he deftly made the incisions, and at different stages of the operation he even found the time to explain what he was doing to us. Needless to say, it was a lot to take in.

6) We stayed on until around lunchtime. Went up to have lunch at the staff cafeteria, and then my friends had to leave for their clinic session. I returned to meet Dr. Offiah, explained to her that I'd like to return the following week if possible, and then grabbed my belongings before heading back to the library. It has indeed been a long day for me, but I've managed to see and experience a lot. I'll be back to work at Beaux Lane House from tomorrow onwards, so it's non-stop for me haha. Anyway, that's been my past couple of days, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Have a nice day, cheers!

Illustration of the DIEP flap breast reconstruction procedure

Scrubs, with cap and shoes

An illustration of the orientation/ layout in the operating theatre

RCSI Education and Research Centre

The motto is a quotation from the Latin poet, Virgil: "Miseris Succurrere Disco," which can be translated as "I learn (or endeavour) to succour the distressed" 

or more simply, "I learn to help those in need."

Pizza et frites, in the hospital cafeteria XD

Model of Beaumont Hospital

All the scrubs/outfits in the changing room

One of the many wings of the hospital