Seems like some friends are with me because I'm "useful" to have around.
Probably over-thinking again.
Must be the lack of sleep from working night shift.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Exciting Night
What started of as a boring first day of night duty turned out to be the most exciting that ever happened in my 2 years of working life! It may just be ordinary events but at least it made my night shift a little more unpredictable.
So here I was, arriving for duty as usual at 10.30pm. And since this was the first day that the ward was open after the renovation and CNY holidays, I didn't expect it to be a full ward. Well, I wasn't that spot on. I came to find only 2 patients...... It was kind of a shock, but I didn't mind the lack of patients (because I know the ward will be full again within the next day or so). So I started vital signs as usual and completed my usual routine within half an hour. By 12am, I found myself too free. So we did some cleaning up and re-labelling of the drawers. The ward was still kind of messy because we were lacking some dividers (in the cabinets and drawers) and so, many documents haven't found their rightful homes yet.
While we were organizing the ward, some of the renovation workers (on night duty) started their work too, hoping to complete their last round of work by the coming morning. And so everything was smooth sailing.
Then at 3am, the lights went off with a pop and suddenly there was a loud beeping sound from the medication room (no worries, no bombs to be found). At first I wasn't worried, coz' I thought the workers accidentally caused the power trip and they will restore it ASAP. So I was surprised when the friendly worker came out and asked me, "Oi, apa jadi??? Kenapa tak ada electric?" To which I replied, "Hah? Bukan lu potong ka itu electric? Aiyo! Why no electric wan??!"
And so Mr. Friendly Worker said, "Oh, tak apa. Saya tolong kamu switch back itu electric." And so he went into the switch room and did his stuff. I thought, maybe give him 15 minutes. So friendly worker toiled in the switch room for some time. And when he came out like 30mins after, he said "Aiyo! Cannot flip back la the switch!! What's wrong ah?!"
"How I know?! Aiya...." my reply came.
And so began my night in total darkness. I groped for the phone and called the engineering on-call staff and located my night supervisor and told her my predicament. I really thank God that there were only 2 patients! And my female patient freaked out because the power went off with a loud pop. The other male patient slept like a baby (thank goodness..). And so we waited for the engineering staff to come. And my supervisor told me that the staff (Mr. Yee) stayed in Balik Pulau! That's like 13km away from my hospital!!! So in the meantime, we got out torchlights from the dusty storeroom. And the supervisor got some fluorescent lamps from security base. Both lasted 2 minutes because they had not been charged. And she got some more lamps from the nursing office. One worked well because it was new. The other 3 torchlights used up a total of 8 "D" sized batteries and still could not be used! They were ancient........... God bless them.
45 minutes later, Mr. Yee arrived! Hallelujah! I thought this interesting event would be over fast. Lo and behold he could not find the source of the power trip! (p/s: we could not use the generator because this was a local power trip, meaning confined only to my ward) And in the meantime, my patient was sweating profusely because it was hot and stuffy and the mozzies were killing us, literally. So I found another bed for her to camp on temporarily while we suss out the problem. And I sat alone in the darkness with a single light for company while kungfu fighting all the mozzies.
It was a silly sight to behold as I lugged along a fluorescent lamp to check my patient's vital signs and the patient gave me a "look". Who wouldn't? Funnier more was when I emptied his urinary catheter and held the jug up to the lamp to see the amount and colour of the urine I emptied. I felt like I was in the pre-war era, a single Florence Nightingale with a kerosene lamp along the hospital corridor. Horror movies anyone?
And the house supervisor said that if the power failure could not be sorted out, my two patients will have to be transferred out to other wards. So I started booking rooms from the next ward. Oh did I mention my PYXIS station (electronic medicine dispenser and supplies stock-cupboard thingy) were making loud beeping noises?? As in LOUD BEEPING NOISES. It was damn loud and I found out the reason for these beeps was because they were now running on battery power. They were reminding you that they need AC support! And just before they went out, the beeping got persistently frequent and louder!! And finally they went out too. Which I was grateful for because the beeping simply stopped! Hallelujah I sang ^__^
After what seemed like a decade, the smart man finally got the power supply back! It was 5am by then and I had almost fell asleep in the darkness. And I forgot to mention that my infusion pump also went out of battery life and could not be charged because the power supply was out. So I decided to change to another pump. When I tried all the pumps in the cabinet, all those in the "reachable" cabinet were out of battery life too! And those higher up, I could not reach! Sigh... Luckilly I had one with 2 more bars of battery life. Sigh.... (these things make a loud beeping noise too when the battery is dying...)
Why am I telling you this story? Because I'm trying to stay awake as best as I could while flitting through web pages online. And I hate mozzies. And I think this was an interesting night. And because I will never have only 2 patients ever again.
I found that a singer by the name of Jane Zhang Liang Ying from mainland China is a super singer with a pitch that is in the whistle register (that's like the highest register of the human voice, even higher than the falsetto!) (e.g. Mariah Carey, Minnie Riperton - who sang Lovin' You). Well, she sings well too! Catch her latest duet with my beloved Wang Lee Hom.
p/s: I thought it was the electric guitar, till I realized that it was HER singing! OMG!
So here I was, arriving for duty as usual at 10.30pm. And since this was the first day that the ward was open after the renovation and CNY holidays, I didn't expect it to be a full ward. Well, I wasn't that spot on. I came to find only 2 patients...... It was kind of a shock, but I didn't mind the lack of patients (because I know the ward will be full again within the next day or so). So I started vital signs as usual and completed my usual routine within half an hour. By 12am, I found myself too free. So we did some cleaning up and re-labelling of the drawers. The ward was still kind of messy because we were lacking some dividers (in the cabinets and drawers) and so, many documents haven't found their rightful homes yet.
While we were organizing the ward, some of the renovation workers (on night duty) started their work too, hoping to complete their last round of work by the coming morning. And so everything was smooth sailing.
Then at 3am, the lights went off with a pop and suddenly there was a loud beeping sound from the medication room (no worries, no bombs to be found). At first I wasn't worried, coz' I thought the workers accidentally caused the power trip and they will restore it ASAP. So I was surprised when the friendly worker came out and asked me, "Oi, apa jadi??? Kenapa tak ada electric?" To which I replied, "Hah? Bukan lu potong ka itu electric? Aiyo! Why no electric wan??!"
And so Mr. Friendly Worker said, "Oh, tak apa. Saya tolong kamu switch back itu electric." And so he went into the switch room and did his stuff. I thought, maybe give him 15 minutes. So friendly worker toiled in the switch room for some time. And when he came out like 30mins after, he said "Aiyo! Cannot flip back la the switch!! What's wrong ah?!"
"How I know?! Aiya...." my reply came.
And so began my night in total darkness. I groped for the phone and called the engineering on-call staff and located my night supervisor and told her my predicament. I really thank God that there were only 2 patients! And my female patient freaked out because the power went off with a loud pop. The other male patient slept like a baby (thank goodness..). And so we waited for the engineering staff to come. And my supervisor told me that the staff (Mr. Yee) stayed in Balik Pulau! That's like 13km away from my hospital!!! So in the meantime, we got out torchlights from the dusty storeroom. And the supervisor got some fluorescent lamps from security base. Both lasted 2 minutes because they had not been charged. And she got some more lamps from the nursing office. One worked well because it was new. The other 3 torchlights used up a total of 8 "D" sized batteries and still could not be used! They were ancient........... God bless them.
45 minutes later, Mr. Yee arrived! Hallelujah! I thought this interesting event would be over fast. Lo and behold he could not find the source of the power trip! (p/s: we could not use the generator because this was a local power trip, meaning confined only to my ward) And in the meantime, my patient was sweating profusely because it was hot and stuffy and the mozzies were killing us, literally. So I found another bed for her to camp on temporarily while we suss out the problem. And I sat alone in the darkness with a single light for company while kungfu fighting all the mozzies.
It was a silly sight to behold as I lugged along a fluorescent lamp to check my patient's vital signs and the patient gave me a "look". Who wouldn't? Funnier more was when I emptied his urinary catheter and held the jug up to the lamp to see the amount and colour of the urine I emptied. I felt like I was in the pre-war era, a single Florence Nightingale with a kerosene lamp along the hospital corridor. Horror movies anyone?
And the house supervisor said that if the power failure could not be sorted out, my two patients will have to be transferred out to other wards. So I started booking rooms from the next ward. Oh did I mention my PYXIS station (electronic medicine dispenser and supplies stock-cupboard thingy) were making loud beeping noises?? As in LOUD BEEPING NOISES. It was damn loud and I found out the reason for these beeps was because they were now running on battery power. They were reminding you that they need AC support! And just before they went out, the beeping got persistently frequent and louder!! And finally they went out too. Which I was grateful for because the beeping simply stopped! Hallelujah I sang ^__^
After what seemed like a decade, the smart man finally got the power supply back! It was 5am by then and I had almost fell asleep in the darkness. And I forgot to mention that my infusion pump also went out of battery life and could not be charged because the power supply was out. So I decided to change to another pump. When I tried all the pumps in the cabinet, all those in the "reachable" cabinet were out of battery life too! And those higher up, I could not reach! Sigh... Luckilly I had one with 2 more bars of battery life. Sigh.... (these things make a loud beeping noise too when the battery is dying...)
Why am I telling you this story? Because I'm trying to stay awake as best as I could while flitting through web pages online. And I hate mozzies. And I think this was an interesting night. And because I will never have only 2 patients ever again.
I found that a singer by the name of Jane Zhang Liang Ying from mainland China is a super singer with a pitch that is in the whistle register (that's like the highest register of the human voice, even higher than the falsetto!) (e.g. Mariah Carey, Minnie Riperton - who sang Lovin' You). Well, she sings well too! Catch her latest duet with my beloved Wang Lee Hom.
p/s: I thought it was the electric guitar, till I realized that it was HER singing! OMG!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thinking Too Much
Going house visiting with some relatively new friends got me thinking a lot. Oh well, me thinking unnecessary things isn't new as well. So I won't write much about it. Many things in life won't change just because I crack my head. And even if I got to choose once all over again, I probably won't change much of my choices.
Anyway, this is a lovely song by Lee Hom. Heartbeat. 心跳. Enjoy^_^
Anyway, this is a lovely song by Lee Hom. Heartbeat. 心跳. Enjoy^_^
Friday, January 23, 2009
Red Cliff (Pt. 2)
Today I went to watch Red Cliff Part 2. About the movie, it was really great! As usual, Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro were both superb. I thought the supporting cast was great too! Some of them were really scene stealers! Especially during the fighting scenes
But watching that movie really made me ask questions. Questions like, is war really worth it when millions of lives are sacrificed? What does the winner get/achieve in the end after so many lives are killed? Half an army annihilated fro what purpose/greatness?
In the end, when the war has ended, Tony Leung's character had this to say:
"Today, everyone loses."
I really agree with him. Both their armies suffered great losses and yet, nothing was gained. It was a sad moment. Families were torn apart and many will never get to see their loved ones forever.
It is scary to think that war is raging in some parts of the world now. To know that people (innocent people) are dying everyday, children are starving, and families are torn apart.
Sigh... What a depressing subject.
Anyway, on a brighter note, I painted my toes red today, and boy are they HOT! Smokin' if I would say.. But, really. Red Cliff 2 is really a great anti-war movie. I think the message is clear and the acting is great. Anyhow, watch it for Takeshi Kaneshiro if nothing else! He's hot hot hot! And funny too!
Baby!!!
But watching that movie really made me ask questions. Questions like, is war really worth it when millions of lives are sacrificed? What does the winner get/achieve in the end after so many lives are killed? Half an army annihilated fro what purpose/greatness?
In the end, when the war has ended, Tony Leung's character had this to say:
"Today, everyone loses."
I really agree with him. Both their armies suffered great losses and yet, nothing was gained. It was a sad moment. Families were torn apart and many will never get to see their loved ones forever.
It is scary to think that war is raging in some parts of the world now. To know that people (innocent people) are dying everyday, children are starving, and families are torn apart.
Sigh... What a depressing subject.
Anyway, on a brighter note, I painted my toes red today, and boy are they HOT! Smokin' if I would say.. But, really. Red Cliff 2 is really a great anti-war movie. I think the message is clear and the acting is great. Anyhow, watch it for Takeshi Kaneshiro if nothing else! He's hot hot hot! And funny too!
Baby!!!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Nostalgic 90s
Recently found myself missing the nineties. It was an interesting time back then. There was the economic meltdown, the chipmunks, transformers cartoon, thunderbirds (goodness, anyone care to remember??), the Hong Kong-China handover, the infamous David Beckham red card event, George Soros and Malaysia (scary times..), rollerblades, and the music.
I miss the music scene back then. Boybands dominated the scene mostly with BSB leading the pack and the emergence of other bands like The Moffatts, Hanson, 911, 98 Degrees, Simply Red, Boyzone, Boys II Men. Girls too had girl power from TLC, Eternal, Mariah Carey (I used to admire her songs and her ooh-lala vocals), Whitney Houston, and the mother of them all, Celine Dion (Titanic!). Also not forgetting the (un)forgettable Spice Girls, and *GASP*, Cher!
So, I find myself now searching and downloading songs from this wonderful era! Yes, I am now listening to Bodyshakin' from 911, MmmBop from Hansons, Butterfly from Mariah and etc etc etc. Shamelessly! :p But to me, it was really a great time. Anyone missing the 90's too??
So here I have the cheesiest song from 911: Bodyshakin'!! Yee-har! Dare I say, enjoy?? :pppp
I miss the music scene back then. Boybands dominated the scene mostly with BSB leading the pack and the emergence of other bands like The Moffatts, Hanson, 911, 98 Degrees, Simply Red, Boyzone, Boys II Men. Girls too had girl power from TLC, Eternal, Mariah Carey (I used to admire her songs and her ooh-lala vocals), Whitney Houston, and the mother of them all, Celine Dion (Titanic!). Also not forgetting the (un)forgettable Spice Girls, and *GASP*, Cher!
So, I find myself now searching and downloading songs from this wonderful era! Yes, I am now listening to Bodyshakin' from 911, MmmBop from Hansons, Butterfly from Mariah and etc etc etc. Shamelessly! :p But to me, it was really a great time. Anyone missing the 90's too??
So here I have the cheesiest song from 911: Bodyshakin'!! Yee-har! Dare I say, enjoy?? :pppp
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Aargghhh!!!
Why does there seem to be so much sadness at the begining of the year? Another of my patient has passed away! Yesterday night at 2am! Sigh.... I just sent her back home and thought she was going to live another year or so.. Fine, maybe her prognosis isn't so good after all, but she was still fine when she went back 3 days ago!
Aargh... Now I'm starting to grow depressed. I should shut up. And my friend is leaving! Why is everyone leaving??? Fine. Whatever "lah"!
Cheers people.
Aargh... Now I'm starting to grow depressed. I should shut up. And my friend is leaving! Why is everyone leaving??? Fine. Whatever "lah"!
Cheers people.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Times like these..
My patient passed away yesterday. No pain, no blood, no struggles. Just died peacefully and finally released from his suffering. No longer has he got to feel the pain of the daily dressings to his multiple ulcers, no longer has he got to endure the pricks from setting IV lines every 3-4 days. It was sad, but having witnessed so many deaths, I'm sad (and sorry) to say that I don't really feel sad. I empathize, yes, but do we cry? I guess I can't.
But this is not what I have come to write about today. It just struck me that not many of us will have the chance to see a person die in front of us. Literally. Not dropping dead dramatically, but slowly decrease in breathing, blood pressure falling slowly, not responding anymore, and closing the eyes, and then the heart just stops. No more beating, no more pumping.
If you have, then you will realize that you can sense when the person is leaving. I can't explain it. You just know that something is amiss. Perhaps it's the colour of the patient or his lack of responsiveness (but how about comatose people?), but you just know it when you've been with the person long enough. You will know when it's time. Yesterday when I clocked in for duty, the night nurses said that it wasn't time yet, even though his blood pressure dropped to 60-some. We just now that the patient is not going to pass away yet.
But around 1pm yesterday, even though the Oxygen level in his body was only 85% (the normal is supposed to be >90%), I think I sensed something.
That he was ready to leave.
You may find it stupid that I think it is a great.. I forgot the word....
How do you say it? I think it is a great "chance/opportunity" (whatever word is supposed to go here..) to be able to send people off. Put it simply, I think not many people will have the chance to help a patient die. And I'm thankful for the moments I can spend with the deceased. It is really humbling to watch a patient die. To know that his/her journey this life has ended and now they are ready for a great adventure somewhere else (to quote Dumbledore..), and to know that a greater force than we ourselves exist, and is in power (regaredless of what religion you believe in).
I'm not depressed, just humbled and thankful for the moments I have right now. It is indeed true when they say "Live the Moment". Live "now" we'll all have a great journey in life. Thank you Lord, for that dying patient has touched my life.
But this is not what I have come to write about today. It just struck me that not many of us will have the chance to see a person die in front of us. Literally. Not dropping dead dramatically, but slowly decrease in breathing, blood pressure falling slowly, not responding anymore, and closing the eyes, and then the heart just stops. No more beating, no more pumping.
If you have, then you will realize that you can sense when the person is leaving. I can't explain it. You just know that something is amiss. Perhaps it's the colour of the patient or his lack of responsiveness (but how about comatose people?), but you just know it when you've been with the person long enough. You will know when it's time. Yesterday when I clocked in for duty, the night nurses said that it wasn't time yet, even though his blood pressure dropped to 60-some. We just now that the patient is not going to pass away yet.
But around 1pm yesterday, even though the Oxygen level in his body was only 85% (the normal is supposed to be >90%), I think I sensed something.
That he was ready to leave.
You may find it stupid that I think it is a great.. I forgot the word....
How do you say it? I think it is a great "chance/opportunity" (whatever word is supposed to go here..) to be able to send people off. Put it simply, I think not many people will have the chance to help a patient die. And I'm thankful for the moments I can spend with the deceased. It is really humbling to watch a patient die. To know that his/her journey this life has ended and now they are ready for a great adventure somewhere else (to quote Dumbledore..), and to know that a greater force than we ourselves exist, and is in power (regaredless of what religion you believe in).
I'm not depressed, just humbled and thankful for the moments I have right now. It is indeed true when they say "Live the Moment". Live "now" we'll all have a great journey in life. Thank you Lord, for that dying patient has touched my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
