DAY 2047-2060

Apr 11 - 24

1) Where to even begin - the relief of finishing our surgical OSCE examinations was matched only by the anxiety that preceded it for the past two weeks. It is no big surprise that I've not quite been myself recently, becoming easily stressed, frustrated, and quick to anger - being in final year tends to have that effect. Of course, there were many milestones which we achieved along the way, which led to our final OSCE examinations today.

2) Firstly, we had our last bed-side teaching on Friday, and who better to wrap things up than the Professor of Surgery himself. I had never gotten Prof. Bikram for clinicals before, and I was really taken aback by his reassurance for our upcoming exams, as well as his career advice for the future. In general, I've noticed that the lecturers and consultants are more easygoing towards the final year students (as compared to third years), which is contrary to what I would have expected. Nevertheless, I learnt a lot during the session, even if we were made to stand a couple of hours more than I would have liked.

3) Secondly, we had our last online tutorial on Wednesday, and it was none other than the ex-Head of Department of Surgery himself, Dato' Manjit. Strangely enough, only in final year (and in the final week no less) did I find out that there was actually a book where our online tutorials were taken from, and that it was written by a previous professor of surgery in our college. If only I had known about it sooner, I would have gotten it for myself. Regardless, I have found the online tutorials to provide a useful framework for our revision.

4) Fast forward a few days, and it was our surgical OSCE examinations today, which consisted of seven stations - four active, one passive, and two rest. I have no idea how I fared, and I definitely would have done certain things differently if I could, but all that is in the past. For now, I'm just really glad that this is over, and we have a period of 13 days before our final finals. That would consist of our medicine and surgery long cases, as well as the medicine and surgery written papers. 

5) Everything that has a beginning has an ending - and that would soon apply to medical school as well. One thing I hope it won't apply to is my blog, as I intend to continue updating it for as long as I can. And with that sappy saying out of the way, I'll end my blog post here. Thanks very much for visiting as always, and have a great week ahead. Take care and stay safe, cheers! 

Group photo with the legend himself - Dato' Manjit

Taken in an undisclosed location somewhere in Penang General Hospital

Of course I wouldn't pass up an opportunity for a photo myself :)

An extraordinarily long day in the orthopaedic clinic :)

Group picture in front of the surgical wards, C9 and C10

(L-R: Esther, Rachel, Midun, Ting Ying, Myself, Helmi, Penny, Faizul)

It's been a while since we had Sri Ananda Bhawan's banana leaf rice!

That's breakfast, lunch, and dinner right there

Arati Villas for lunch today

Stare at the orange enough and it becomes a hernia

One more for good measure :)

DAY 1929-1941

Dec 14 - 26

On this very Christmas Day, I have quite a bit to say. 

Public Health has been a pleasure, with each passing day a new adventure.

Despite long rides in the morning, no lecture was ever boring,

Of course I jest - by afternoon we were all a-snoring.

Our two weeks off was a blast, if only it would last

Then I'd be able to wake up late, and wouldn't that be great

But things have to move on I suppose, as our semester draws to a close,

And we bid our goodnight's sleep adios.

From McDonald's breakfast runs, to afternoon lunches in the scorching sun,

Friendships were made along the way, and I'm hoping that will stay

For in a course where everything moves at speed, and nothing is ever guaranteed, 

A friend in need is a true friend indeed.

I make light the long hours of our rotation, but in truth it exceeded our expectation,

We learnt about the different levels of care, and even took my friend's car for repair

For when the brakes of a car malfunction, we all know that's a clear indication

That the next junction might be our final destination.

Thankfully things got sorted overnight, and wasn't that a delight

But then my laptop decided it had enough, even though I never treated it rough

But where there's a will there's a way, or so they say,

And luckily my laptop is holding on, at least for today.

My trivial laptop issues aside, there were far larger issues nationwide

We were devastated by yet another tragedy, the largest we've had in recent memory

Of a flood that claimed 46 lives after it started, and left many questions unanswered, 

As it crashed through the east coast unabated.

This Christmas has been marred by the recent flood, a tragedy that left many devastated,

But from initial despair and grief, to the subsequent aid and relief

The rakyat have proven time and time again, when there is nothing to lose and everything to gain

We the citizens of Malaysia will prevail - no matter the pain!

Group photo of everyone posted in Seberang Perai Tengah

(With the lovely matron, nurses, and supporting staff)

Photo taken at the Kampung Pertama District Clinic

Back in the ACC building (Penang General Hospital) after a long break

With my good friend Gary

Disclaimer: I'm not a houseman yet, but just tagging along as a final year medical student

A full day of academic and practical sessions

Making new friends in my cohort 

(thanks to Covid-19 and the physical restrictions I've not met many of my peers)

L-R: Tina, Jiji, Gary, Nazhan, Myself

What a beautiful morning to cross the Penang Bridge

Crossing the bridge on our way to Seberang Jaya Health Clinic

(our main destination for the public health rotation)

Public Health Rotation attendance card

Kak Sal Kelate Restaurant - famous for their nasi kerabu

An incredible assortment of flavours, with a very uniquely coloured rice, dyed blue from the petals of butterfly pea flowers

Lunch time is always a good time
With my good friend Tenisha :)

Lunch with (almost) everyone in our rotation!

L-R: Tina, Mira, Tenisha, Sabrina, Alin, Liyana, Myself, Jiji, Nana

Trying another shop recommended by our friends - LoMaQ Coffee

Their specialty is masak lemak cili api (i.e. bird's eye chilli in coconut cream)

You can pick your meat and it gets slow-cooked in this really rich creamy and spicy sauce, served with rice and a side dish of fried anchovies and ulam

As promised: here's a shoutout to my good friend Helmi for recommending this for my "good eats" review!

My "good eats" score: 8/10

Rich and smoky flavour, but would have preferred if it was spicier :)

A three-hour extended break on Friday meant a trip to Sunway Carnival Mall, where a huge Christmas tree made of presents was on display :)

A better view of the towering Christmas tree of presents!

Bawal bakar (charcoal-grilled pomphret) @ Dapur Penyet, an Indonesian cuisine franchise 

in Sunway Carnival Mall

Saturday lunch with my buddy Sim @ Gurney Plaza :)

Another one for the memories :)

DAY 1670-1674

Mar 30 - Apr 3

1) X-rays were first discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, when he discovered that the cathode radiation he was experimenting on passed through human tissue, leaving bones and metal visible. Fast forward to today, and X-ray radiography remains one of the cheapest and fastest non-invasive imaging techniques available. We use X-rays for a variety of diagnostic purposes, as a screening tool to exclude fractures or foreign objects, and to visualise the proper placement of various lines and tubes. The reason for this brief history of the origin of X-rays is because, for the past week, we have been posted in the department of radiology, at Seberang Jaya Hospital.

2) There are four commonly used imaging modalities in the current hospital i.e. radiography (X-rays), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). Each imaging technique serves a different purpose. For example, X-rays are really cheap, fast, and convenient, and can easily detect most bone abnormalities e.g. deformities, fractures, and some tumours. Ultrasound and MRI are more useful at detecting soft tissue abnormalities e.g. specific organ damage, tears, and ligament injuries. They also do not expose the patient to any radiation, compared to X-rays. Regardless of their strengths and weaknesses, each imaging modality has a role to play, and the expert radiologist only selects the test(s) based on what is absolutely necessary to answer the clinical question.

3) In radiology, each one of us was assigned a different station each day, such that by the end of the week, we had covered all the imaging modalities in the department of radiology. In addition, we had afternoon lectures/tutorials to consolidate all that we had seen in our practicals. I was indeed fortunate as all the doctors and technicians that I observed were very happy to teach, and as a result I was able to learn a lot. Fun fact: when I was quite a bit younger, I had somewhat of an aspiration of becoming a radiologist - as that would mean secluding myself from everyone, interpreting scans and just writing up radiology reports. Having been through the rotation, however, I realise that radiology, much like other departments, is very much a team-based effort, in the same vein as emergency medicine.

4) For the past week, I observed as medical officers, radiographers, and technicians worked together to coordinate the entire process of preparing patients for imaging. For example, someone has to set up the X-ray machine and place the patient in the correct orientation (e.g. standing or lying down) and at the appropriate distance away. Someone else has to key in the patient's details, select the correct body part to be analysed (e.g. chest), the view and orientation, as well as ensure the appropriate level of radiation exposure, including any precautions (especially for children). Next, someone has to interpret the test results, and write a radiology report with the impression of what the scan shows. This would sometimes involve discussion with the specialists if the case was more complex. As you can see, a lot of people are involved in the wellbeing of just one patient. And there would be a long line of patients from morning till lunch time. 

5) Having finished yet another rotation, we have a one-week break for "self-directed learning" before continuing with the next two rotations in this multi-specialty block - ENT and ophthalmology. That would lead to the final rotation of fourth year which is obstetrics and gynaecology. For now, however, we get a break. And it couldn't have come any sooner. Thanks very much for visiting my blog as always, and have a great weekend. Cheers! :D 

Trying out the hospital cafe (Aariz Cafe) for lunch :)

(l-r: Myself, Wen Hui, and Jia Min)

Study session with my good friend Kuhan ended with a wonderful lunch

Indian-style lunch @ Arati Villas

(That's biryani rice with curry chicken, cucumber, and hard-boiled egg)

Seberang Jaya Hospital

(the seminar room where we have our afternoon tutorials)

The sunrise in Penang is to die for :')

(What a lovely view to end the rotation!)