How I celebrate my Monday morning

Big queue at the toll booths at DUKE. They need to build more lanes.

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Tried to Leave Early

Jam coming out of University Malaya, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

Was on call yesterday. Managed to get home for Berbuka, then came back to UMMC for my evening rounds. Luckily, the bed situation was reasonable. We did not have to struggle too much except from the usual difficult cases. I reached home at around midnight.

The queue at the DUKE toll plazaWas rather late getting up this morning after a heavy sahur. Sorted out my referrals in the morning as I will be tied up in the afternoon. We had our two-monthly 'Transplant Meeting', followed by the Medical Department Meeting. This will be the last for Prof Wan Azman as he is stepping down from the end of the month. The meeting finished just after 4.30, and I went straight home, thinking that I will be early enough to escape the traffic.

Unfortunately the traffic has started building up. However, I still managed to reach home, have a shower, then went to Pasar Ramadhan. After Berbuka, I went out to Bukit Bintang to pay up my credit card bills at branch of UOB there. The crowd was quite heavy, and surprisingly, the majority was from the Middle East. I would have thought they like to stay back during Ramadhan since there are feast almost every night. Sorted out my bill, and felt peckish. Had coffee at Starbucks, then some ice-cream, and before I know it, it was already 9.30. Time to head home. In the meantime, I managed to do some window shopping as Anita's birthday in coming up on 9/9/9. Better get something good for her.

DUKE the time saver.

DUKE Highway, on the way to work, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

After being off work for nearly 2 months, there have been a major development around where I live. The DUKE (Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway) was opened.

It links the Ulu Kelang area straight to Jalan Duta and most importantly the PLUS Highway. Taking the entrance from Seri Gombak/Batu Cave interchange which is 5 minutes away from home, it takes me only around 12 minutes to reach Jalan Duta. I then take Jalan Semantan and the Semantan entrance straight into UM. All done within half an hour. Minimal jam.

This contrasts to my usual route. For the last couple of years, I leave home at around 6.40, and if I am lucky, I will reach the Faculty by 7.20. Lately, traffic has been worsening. I really need to rush out around 6.30, and there is no guarantee I will be able to make it before 7.30. I routinely get out of bed around 5.45. Rush through, no breakfast.

Take this morning for instance. After Subuh, I had a lay in until around 7.10. Get my boys out of bed. A quick shower, back down by 7.30, some toast and coffee. Then leave the house at 7.45 and I was already in my room at the Faculty by 8.15. I am not sure about you, I find this arrangement to be much better. I will then be in the ward by 8.30.

I am still trying out different routes to get home. The one I took yesterday was again via DUKE, driving towards Mont Kiara, coming out at Seri Gombak. Home within 40 minutes despite heavy traffic.

Idlan and his Assessment

Idlan practicing his sumsAnita has been up all night last night thinking of Idlan's assessment this morning. Bear in mind he is only 5, and it is for kindergarden. I think she is a tad over-reacting. Anyhow. She got him up and early and ready to go by 7.30. As usual, our driver was late, and Anita had to do the driving herself.

I used the new DUKE highway today and left the house at 7.30. Traffic was cool on the highway with only a minor hick-up at Jalan Duta exit. Reached the Faculty by 8, and already up and running in my room at 8.15. Quick check on the feeds and email. This is when I learned that Ida Nerina is in the ward after taken a tumble the night before. She had spinal injury but the details about what happened was rather sketchy.

Got a shock when I turned up when I saw that there are 8 Medical Officers now attached to my ward. This is what I call total care for the patient. The ratio is around 1 doctor every other patient when you count out the 5 lecturers as well. So we were practically tripping on each other during Grand Ward Round yesterday. Myself and Bee gave up during Day Care where there were no seat for us. We ended up trouble-shooting then left early to start the Transplant Clinic.

We then had a discussion about our future plan for the Unit over tea. Then head home and looking forward for the usual badminton session. I must confess that I was rather tired and all. I left after 3 games and already ready for bed soon. Guess I am getting old.