Home :)

Home is where the heart is and a house is where we live ( Go figure)

My mother the artist doing what she loves

This is me with nothing much inspiring to write about, and just bored  in the midst of preparing for exams,can't wait for it to finish though.Can't say i didn't enjoy the week,in fact just the opposite,probably enjoyed it a little too much,hmmm

The unassuming yet interesting girl ....

This post is long overdue.It's about the girl i met during my speedboat adventure to mukah

http://lostsarawakdoc.blogspot.com/2010/12/relieving-mukah-speed-boat-experience.html

She was a very pretty chinese girl,around my age i guess,with her mum and dad.The nice people whom i met at the wharf.Said she just got back from KL,working and living in Mukah.

We started talking while waiting for the boat to leave.She was interested that i was a doctor.She said she was on TB meds for the last 6months for a chronic cough taken at the local hosp,despite the fact that it didnt get better.She was travelling up and down to Sibu private hospital to get second opinions,mind you the roads from mukah to sibu are horrible.could understand her predicament.

She said after the scans they found that she actually had lung cancer,i was truly shocked,in my mind thinking how is it possible for her to get it,she's so young.She continued her story saying she went to KL for a second opinion,at a very expensive private centre.Doctors confrimed the diagnosis with a biopsy,told her she had to do a lobectomy(removing part of the lung),but she was not keen

So after all that she tells me she had enough,she wants to try traditional medication,coz she's scared of the operations.Oh oh alarms start going off in my head,have heard this before so many times and contrary that miracles do happen i'v seen horrible outcomes.

I spent 2 hours trying to convince her that even though she doesnt want the op at least try the chemo or radio.Explained that she still had her whole life ahead of her,her parents and family to think of,she should at least try and not give up without a fight,there must be a reason god wanted her to find out early.Told her to come see me in the hospital so i can refer her to the oncology in Kuching.Even told her i understand the 5stages of grief and how difficult it must be.My mum went through the same thing when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and after all the surgeris,chemo and radio,she's back to her usual self.


I thought i was making progress,but she smiled very sweetly and said she'l try but she's busy.Looking at her i knew i was losing the battle,in desperation i gave her my number to contact at any time.Waited for her a whole week,even msgd to remind but she never came,said she was busy,I guess after this i can only pray for her.

In despair

Few issues here :
1.Again because of the distance and lack of facilities i feel the people are totally shortchanged,i mean if we(the government) have proper screenings facilities,better roads could her mind have been changed.She's terribly frustrated and i can understand she had to travel all the way from Mukah to KL for someone to tell her that she had a terminal illness,which i think is very unfair.After all the running around  she's just tired from all that.Dont get me wrong she has an absolutely positive outlook of life,if i were her i dont think i'l be half as strong,but it was so sad
2.People in Sabah,Sarawak and the rural areas deserve better
3.I'm still in contact with her though she still has not sought treatment yet,i will continue to try,just hope it would not be too late

Unlikely Coincidence

Hmmm call it fate , an unlikely coincidence , when you think you understand people so well they can really surprise you,is that for the better maybe.Seems quite intriguing so i'm definately interested to see how things goes.Things happen for a reason :)


If your wondering it's a personal feeling that's been tugging,might be good or turn out horrible,shall just wait and see

Empowering women

Ladies, let’s make a difference!

I FELT truly empowered reading about Zainah Anwar in A sister steps out (StarMag, March 30) and I really look forward to reading her column (Sharing the nation, in the Sunday Star) in the future.
Although I am not an activist, I do know about gender equality issues but I have always thought that what I have to say will not make a difference.

My sister once told me, “Don’t just think your thoughts, write them down... just because 10 people don’t share the same ideas, that doesn’t mean 100 others don’t either”.

From recent experiences, I have come to understand the plight of women who live with invisible strings attached, holding them back from voicing opinions and making themselves heard. I am truly irked at some people who feel women should not question but just listen.

I feel the people who can make a difference in changing how society treats women are mothers.
If mothers can teach their children – be they boys or girls – from young to respect others equally, that would shape their attitudes when they grow up.
Stop blindly following “culture”. Don’t tell your daughters they can’t be successful just because they are female. Instead, encourage them to strive to reach their full potential.

gTo the women out there, this is my advice: do not simply conform to traditional rules of society and culture. You have the ability to think logically, to question, and know right from wrong. So, exercise that ability!
Of course, we may have some limitations – be they physical or emotional – but that should not stop us from being successful, from fighting for what we believe in, and from not letting people take advantage of us.
It’s hard, yes. But, it’s not impossible.
Dr Sangeetha Siniah, Subang Jaya, Selangor

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/6/lifefocus/20845642&sec=lifefocus&cid=0&ei=o2_4R-esEY30yAS5m4DVDw&usg=AFrqEzeLp4F_7VjNk0AB2XIeWRQd_JYZH 


It's been 2 years since i last wrote this , i still feel the same way about it.Felt like sharing :)

In Pursuit Of Happiness :)

Hello 2011 , It's been a first great day of the year.Was reminded of things i should be proud off.And i started the day travelling,although it was an escort patient from Mukah to Sibu.I must say the roads are so much better then 2years back and heard by next year it will be completed.


I smell something politically fishy behind all that,but then again what would i know,i'm after all "just a small tiny government servant" cough,cough.Guess at least the people here would benefit.At least maybe more children can go to school.Something about the Millenium Develepment Goals,hmmm.

Anyway much to my surprise i had a great time in Mukah,the people are so friendly,patients will be patients but they are so gratefull for whatever little we do,makes me very humbled.Will not forget the amount of fish i had,the yummy grilled meat,good company,good singing:P and the wonderful seaside view.Something my friend said  Being a district doctor is truly being a people's doctor,not just treating the rich,you get satisfaction in doing what you want,because you also see the results(must remember that especially when times are tough)

So cheers to all the district doctors,i shall be joining them quite soon :)

Mukah,awesome view don't you agree??