Good end to 2023 MIS CABG

We were scheduled to do this next week. Our first MIS CABG (mine too haha) in Sunway Velocity. However, an unfortunate patient who discovered he had severe 3VD during angio was found to be a good candidate by Prof Zamrin. Hence a semi-e CABG with the MIS ( minimally invasive) approach was chosen. It has been around for a number of years - but technique needs patient to fullfill a number of criteria. At the same time, it needs high skillful surgeon to do it as there are a different number of steps which are totally different from the conventional CABG.

For anaesthetist, the number one difference is the incorporation of double lumen tube instead of the normal ETT. The surgeon needs one of the lungs to be deflated during the arterial graft harvesting. That poses a great challenge to ensure it is perfect during the op. The second would be the usage of TEE to visualise the femoral cannula which the tip should pass the RA into the SVC. Kalau tak reti pakai TEE mmg masaklah haha

All the other steps lebih kurang- ada surgeon will do it fully off pump but most would do it on pump or a combination of both. The equipments needed can be very expensive so there are pros and cons of each technique.

Alhamdulillah, our first MIS CABG went well abd I am thankful that with the good teamwork we had, it made the long hours effort worth it. I am very happy with this milestone as wherever I go in my work journey, Ive always started something different from the rest.

To 2024 and beyond!!

Medic Aid team building retreat

One thing for sure in 2023, Ive managed to spend time with the MDQs doing different things. On my weekends sometimes they’ll hang around in velocity as I maybe working during that time. It can be a tight balance but so far i think mutually we are happy with it.

             Baby Eusoff debut

      With High Council MedicAid

Since they have followed me to Cambodia, now they are part of the big team. It was our end of year activity for committee and the volunteers to understand each other more.

The retreat was a day affair - it was in a camp in Semenyih. i am glad 3 of them enjoyed the day amongst the adult crowd. The activities were both physical and mentally challenging. Baby Eusoff made his appearance too and somehow I reckon he enjoys being outdoors and amongst the crowd.

It was a memorable fun and wet event at the same time. The boat challenge was definitely cool and Im sure it opened MDQs eyes to what teamwork and achievement is all about.

Jalan2 Korea Selatan Part 3

There was one thing that we had to do, which was to visit the Gyeongbok Palace. The cool and unique thing is they encourage us to come donning hanboks (traditional dress) where with it your admission will be free. It was like a traditional cosplay ish thing haha but I thought it waa cool to play dress up and take lots of pictures with it. Only then it occured to me why when my friends posted pics of their visit to the korean palaces, all will dress up.

The hanbok shops are readily available near to the palace grounds. In total there are 5 palaces which are interconnected to each other. Got some tips from vlogs on where to rent the hanboks but again if you are bot sure which shop, just follow the flow of hanbok wearers from different nationalities walking to and fro.

After dressing up, we walked down to the main gate. We were lucky we managed to catch the changing of guard ceremony. In the itenary we were told that its as 2pm but that day it went on at 1pm. I guess this a the highlight of any palace visit.

And yes we took tonnes of pictures and we lost track of the time. And we were only on our first palace!! Haha We were to attend the President’s dinner which I almost thought about skipping. But after googling the venue, weh.. cant miss this event. Not easy to get access to Aston House. 

And I share with all of you some of our hanbok pictures at the Royal Gyeongbok Palace!!

Jalan2 Korea Selatan Part 2

Going to Seoul without going to Myeong Dong tak sahlah😊 But going there 2 times to shop was definitely not in the plan. My itenary would have been the go to as many places as you can type of thing! Haha But when you have wifey who is into shopping so one has to adjust one’s plan😆

When i told my kids they instantly said “Oohh.. situ..” haha Ive not been a keen on Korea before (Maybe Squid Games, 100 and another violent game show) haha And when I saw the MD Street food it was a revelation of the stuff you find in our own pasar malam now. Trending la tu hahaha Boleh la pulak whilst walking in the street, suddenly there were barrage of fans waiting for their KPOP star coming out from a shoe store. I just waited lah.. Dunno who really hahah

The famous Busan Jib.. the bbq tak sempat rasa

    Btul2 belasah

       Mesti lalu lah

My food guide was from the vlogs i searched on the net. Totally cool lah these resources so we know where to go. However the apps that I was using did not really show these halal makan places. I had to depend on the crowd.. Nampak melayu jalan then we followed haha survival skills😆

And of course, when in Korea do Korean things. After a night jalan2 jauh out, treated myself to facial spa by wifey😆😆😆😆

Jalan2 Korea Selatan part 1

Yes it was my first time in South Korea.

 The week we arrive the weather suddenly turned super cold. It was anyway the end of autumn but that week when I was there, the freak weather went to 0 with tops of 5o during the day! But of course, this did not hamper us to go around.

Of course it was different as this was my second trip overseas with Eka. Eka really needed to time out after a physically demanding role of a new mum in the last 9 months. She wanted to bring Eusoff initially but in a way it was good only both of us went together. Me time hahaha

I had to adapt in a way because both of us have different perspective about travelling. I was always on a shoe string budget type or travelling- too much I guess that Im only used to that kind of travelling! Haha Wifey is different though, enough said? Haha

It was in between the conference that we tried to get around Seoul. It was easy to travel her as per any developed countries with their integrated transportation system. But being me, i tend to choose the walking ones which kesian tgk wifey kena drag penat jalan kaki hahaha but seriously, when you walk there are more things you see and experience.

               This used to be active rail South to north

Before the conference start, we went for an organized trip to DMZ - Demilitarized zone. It is a very unique area which borders North and South Korea. I didnt know anything much of this place before hand as the vlogs and travel blogs did not really talk or describe about it. However being on this tour, I realize how it is a place where it brings so many sad memories and realization of how their country is divided. Not many koreans talk about it and only during the trip you will understand why.

The relationship between north and south was divided due to the colonial powers who exerted their influence on the Koreans. North or South, they come from the same genetic make up and DNA and for irresponsible imperialists to make them go against each other is bery sad. To fight their war and ideals. It resulted this dodgy suspicious relationship between the same race people. That is very sad indeed and i guess the day Korea is unified again will be time that is awaited by their people. 

Korea Anaesthesia 23

I had the honour to be invited to Korea Anaesthesia this year. It was held in Seoul and yes, it was my first time to the country. I was lucky in a way because the invitation was via MSA and as per our MOU wirh KSA, we were invited as speakers and chairs for their big conference. I was glad i took up the opportunity as for 23/24, I am not in the exco anymore!

Of course my topic was RA and I was in a session with experts from the region. It was an overwhelming experience and I do thank KSA for their kindness. 

Looking back at the video taken of my talk, I certainly must slow down on chill a bit. My passion for my talks never change haha Asyik mcm debate la pulak.

The dinners organized were amazing. In the Gala Dinner we had an orchestra actually playing.For the presidential dinner, it was in Aston House (for K-drama lovers tempat ni mmg no 1!)

     Faculty members

  

               Fellow speakers of the track

      Two super heavy weights in the RA world

     Pick with KSA president and the jacket souvenir

Not sure if ill get the opportunity again but Korea Anaesthesia is certainly one of the best conference I have attended before😊