RA Workshop UMMC 2015

It was a hectic schedule leaving work. I would have stayed in BAngkok for the weekend if not for a workshop that i have committed to facilitating in UM that Sunday. It was jointly organized by SIGRA and it had been some time since we all last met and do a workshop together. Pak Dan came down from SIngapore while the rest are local anyway. It was good to be back together teaching. I do miss regular teaching I must say! And i guess the reason why i totally went overtime during my talk! Hahaha 

It was the regular RA knowledge to be imparted. The hands on station that afternoon was really taxing as we had to do it for 8 times! Hahaha Penat gile! Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly and we had a casual dinner in Serai catching up and planning for our next big project! 

CVC Arrows in Bangkok

This was the training for trainers course where Arrows spefically chose us to be the bulk of trainers according to their Vascular access team in the US. The faculty was specially brought from US and we were exposed to their methods and standards. It was a good refreshers course for me as it was quite sometime back since i updated my knowledge in this. 

 We had participants from most ASEAN countries. Vietnam and Myanmar pulled out at the very last minute because of the bombing inicident. Singapore apparently had issues regarding the contract that they were supposed to sign. It was much fun having counterparts from ASEAN and we did exchange a lot of our experiences in this course.

 The highlight of this course was our visit to Siriraj hospital, perhaps the biggest hospital in BAngkok.We were priviledged to watch live cases inserted by their expert, Dr Praterp who i have met in a cardiac conference in Singapore back in 2013. He is a definitely the top guy in Bangkok and i am impressed with all his achievements. He was a good teacher as well. It would have been fun if i have had a stinit in this hospital during my training. 

The unfortunate Bangkok incident

It had been quite sometime since i took time off to attend courses or conference. This particular training in Bangkok was something not to be missed. However, i was due to fly on Tueday but on Monday evening the breaking news on CNN showed a public bombing done! It was at the Erawan shrine during peak hours. When i was watching the news, i thought.. eh.. my hotel is nearby! Ratchaprasong area along Ploenchit Road! Quickly i called Steven and he later replied that the programme was to proceed as planned. 

 It was nerve wrecking as upon arrival to Bangkok, there was news about the 2nd bomb on that day. Obviously it can be worrying to roam around in Bangkok during this period. However, we were reassured that the 2nd attack was at a very small scale and nobody was injured.

 We passed the bombed area before arriving at our hotel. It was still sealed but the road was open to public. Unfortunately 21 people died and they were really blown as according to the locals , body parts was all over the area.

Steven and I visited the area that night. It was the start of their vigil respect. The mood was sombre. It was sad as how innocent people were killed because of this act. Until today however, nobody has claimed responsible and the suspect is still at large.

Costochondritis la pulak

I had a bad knock on my chest during Futsal last week.I was floored and had difficulty to take in deep breathes then. Thus resulting me having intermittent chest pain til now.. haha no worries! bukan MI ek.. but this thingy called costochondritis.

I can tell you that the pain is significant! U'd feel pain upon taking deep breaths. What makes it limiting is when you want to laugh hard and sneeze! Maak ai..sakt woo.. 

Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Multimedia

• 
  Costochondritis

Costochondritis (kos-toe-kon-DRY-tis) is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). Pain caused by costochondritis might mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

Costochondritis is sometimes known as chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome or costosternal chondrodynia. Sometimes, swelling accompanies the pain (Tietze syndrome).

Costochondritis usually has no apparent cause. Treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for the condition to improve on its own, which can take several weeks or longer.

Costochondritis usually goes away on its own, although it might last for several weeks or longer. Treatment focuses on pain relief.

I used to get patients during my medical days patient whose results were all negative for heart issues and we would spell out to them the diagnosis as costochondritis. Some came without any precipitating factor as compared to mine which was a trauma blow. Apparently it can take up to 6 weeks for it to really heal and not feel the pain. 

Waahh... 6 weeks! haha Apparently it did not stop me to play futsal again yesterday. Reaffirming myself that it is not ischaemic heart disease as I managed to exert myself without having obvious chest pain.

However, during the night.. waah, of course i made it recur and it was more painful than before! Hahaha Sendiri cari pasal, sendiri mau ingat.

Malaysia current issues : to just worry or to do something about it

Malaysia is dwelled into a crisis upon another. SInce the disappearance of MH370, it was catastrophy all the way. We may not have an outright natural disaster hitting us, but a collective exponential disasters is faced by the country. The worrying economic state and the moral turmoil of leadership would be the main topic which is being discussed by every Malaysian. 

If one noticed, I've not really commented on any of these issues. Too many keyboard warriors around and making unsubstantial claims and accusations. Some maybe too good to NOT be true, some scandalous and with conspiracy shadows behind every move and action. The demise of the DPM became a bit of dejavu to the 1998 debacle.

Neither side is winning this time, Its not a win-win or win-lose situation. Its totally lose-lose at the moment. We are all flabbergasted with the situation and perhaps wishing that we all wake up from our sleep and consider this just as a dream or nightmare. 

Unfortunately it is not. Unfortunately we are all involved. Unfortunately it will be our children and future generation who will suffer if we let all this nonsense to continue. It is easy to blurt it out but unfortunately, the power is not within our means. We have all forgotten what people power mean, we have all neglected the need to stand up for our rights. We are too comfortable in our deskjob middle class society that was strongly rooted in the past few generations.

What can we do about it? Start somewhere.. just start.. 

The journey getting closer

After attending the Kursus Asas and intensive, it was time for Kursus Perdana. The state level course was held in Shah Alam Mosque early August. TH organizes such courses every year and it gives a realistic simulation of what to expect during Hajj in Makkah. There were about 2000 jamaah who came and I thought that was already a lot. I cannot imagine the overwhelming crowd of hundred thousands during the peak time in Makkah at that time. Subhanallah :)

                                                      mini kaabah

                                                    Safa to Marwah

We were simulating the Tamattu way of hajj. We started of with umrah in our ihrams and then proceeded to the hajj rituals.I thought it was cool for TH to have a mini Kaabah and area of saie for us to do the routine. It felt real and i guess when we are there, there is no time to think but just do it! 

 I felt humbled being present in the thousands, all equal wearng white cloth wrapping our bodies. I cannot imagine later being there in the spirit of submission. Subhanallah. May Allah ease my journey.

Doing the jamratul at night was equally cool. This is the usal time TH would encourage their jamaah to proceed with the rituals. I had my go at throwing haha 

Met Lanud and Johan. Lanud - who will be one of the medical officers in charge of us in Makkah and Johan, my colleague in UiTM who will be joining the Muassasah. Masha Allah. 

Insha Allah, may Allah easen my journey which should begin soon in mid September as Wukuf would be the last 1/3 of September.

BUX adhoc reunion 2015

It was a totally last minute thingy. We were in the midst of kursus haji perdana but the idea of our get together was too good to be missed. Ady was coming down from Qatar and asked if we could all meet up. Doner picked up the idea and organized a whatsapp group and within hours , we had our definitive plan! BUX to meet up again.. and some of us who had not seen each other for at leaat 20 years? Wow...

                                          the early birds

                                         the early mums

 It was just within 24 hours that we decided to do our simple reunion at our place in Bukit Jelutong. We reckoned it was convenient for everybody as we had ample of space for everyone. It was hardwork to arrange the food and the bouncy castle within 24 hours! Alhamdulillah, it was made easy.

                                         Happy burst

                                          catching up

                                          Seronoknya

                                         Yeah!

                                         night crowd

The event started at 4pm and it was good to see the once familiar faces again. We may not have the whole group but whoever was around did made an effort to be with the group. It was totally last minute so only those who can accommodate were present. haha 

Some of us did not change a bit, some changed a degree that we did not expect! Having bouncy castle was the greatest idea as it gave the kids the space to let out and for them to play amongst themselves whilst the parents catching up on the 20 years throwbacks :) I reckon it is better than keeping the child on the touchpads or gadgets.. Let some steam out!! 

Farid and Fahja actually drove all the way from Batu Pahat to be with us despite just travelled from KL the day before. And they were due to go back to UK the next day! Haha i guess the longing to meet up with your teen friends is an urge not to be missed. I would have done the same if I was in their shoes. 

Thank you BUX who made it! It was worth the last minute effort and Insha Allah, perhaps we should do this a yearly affair.