Plan for the Week

It was the week before Xmas, when colleagues and patients were away on holidays. The clinics and wards are usually quiet but since I was not celebrating, I would be hanging around the hospital most of the time, covering for colleagues. I could feel things were slowing down since last week and hopefully things would not be so busy as I could do with some chill out time as well.

Morning meeting in AraEarly lunch in BangsarMonday started with a meeting at Ara Damansara, followed by ward round in Subang and clinic later in the afternoon. I have booked for tickets to watch Star Wars with Anita and the boys later this evening and we would be enjoying the time since from Wednesday, our maid would be away until the New Year. Anita was already dreading that.

Coffee after lunchPlanning for the week ...Parents-in-law would still be around with their maid to help Anita about. Dad was still weak and I thought the effect of some of the medicine didn’t quite agree with him. He had been feeling dizzy all morning.

Looking forward to some down time and hopefully some photography ...

Not the Best of Starts

It was a Monday morning. And just before 6, I got a phone call from our ICU to inform me that one of my patient was rapidly deteriorating. I jumped out of bed, changed clothes and drove to the hospital.

No shower. Groggy and hair all over the place. Unfortunately the patient did not make it.

There went my Monday. I went on to do my ward round, followed by a quick procedure before heading back home for a shower after the morning traffic had subsided.

I had the coming weekend off originally planned but changed the plan somewhat after Dad took ill. Maybe I could do with a day or two without clinics and free from the hospital. With the Xmas season coming up, I could see myself spending more time in the hospital doing calls and covering for colleagues who will be away.

Hopefully the rest of the week will go on smoothly ...

Third Ramadan

First day back to work during Ramadan and to be honest, I was feeling rather tired. Luckily I didn’t have many inpatients and my clinic was only in the afternoon. A long list though, and added to that a meeting which would run until after berbuka once it was done.

I had some time in the morning to sort out some reading and go through some emails. Hopefully the rest of the day would be too taxing as well. Idlan is on his midterm and was still enjoying his sleep.

Happy Monday!

A Sad Monday

I finally made it to my bed at 3 am after a quick stop at McDonald’s on the way home from the hospital. Typical of Sundays, the admissions tended to come during ungodly hours after they had enjoyed their weekends. After going through the admissions, I was peckish and decided for a quick burger on the way home.

The sleep then also wasn’t a particularly good one, being interrupted every half an hour or so. But the call just after 6 am woke me up. My Mum rang to tell me that one of my Aunt took the turn for the worse overnight and was fighting for her life in Intensive Care.

I made plans to visit her later that morning, since I had to sort out my post-call chores. Anita went to pick up my parents after dropping Irfan at school. They plan to go earlier. Then the news broke that she was no longer with us.

My parents and Anita arrived as the body was being cleaned. I couldn’t finish my work in time and by the time I reach the apartment, they were already transporting my Aunt in the hearse heading back to Penang. They plan to lay her to rest later in the afternoon. My parents then drove back to Penang, but I wasn’t able to go at such short notice, especially on the day post-call.

It was only a couple of weeks back that her son - my cousin - got engaged. The wedding was planned next month in Terengganu and Penang. It looked like it would be a sombre affair. Alfatihah ...

Glorious Monday Morning

I must say that I was stunned when I was heading out to send Idlan off to his school bus this morning. Such a glorious sunrise, and in snapped this from my balcony.

I could almost make out Venus right in the Centre of the frame. After my shower and breakfast, the light just kept on getting better. I couldn't resist it but to start snapping around the apartment.

A great way to start the week I thought. The ward round could wait that just a bit longer ...