You are currently browsing the monthly archive for September, 2008.
I finally finished my 3rd day duty.After a long and hectic Friday,with roads closure due to the F1 and the massive jams all over the expressway,i finally managed to get a breather.Thankfully,i managed to break my fast in the ambulance at the hospital,after registering the patient.
I went back to station to handover to the night crew,as usual,i would always open up the door of our office and just say a very loud,
“HELLOOOO EVERYBODDYYY!”
sounding all gungho.But little did i realized,there was actually a very important person in our office.Our big boss,our Chief Medical Officer,was actually sitting down talking to one of the paramedics and the other day crews.I went,”whhoooops!”and laughter filled the office,including our big boss shared a laughter.He was even asking me why i was so happy.I smiled and laughed and told him that it’s been quite a hell of a day and i was glad to be back here at base.So we sat down and chit chatted with him for a while before he made a move.
I’ve always believe that i signed on the papers to be in a very serious business and we need to be taken seriously.But sometimes,we should not try to take ourselves seriously.We’re a bunch of people whom sometimes people would think that we’re machines,our actions are based on protocols-memorized.We don’t have to think sometimes because we would always fall back to our protocols.
But as a paramedic,we need a freedom to exercise our brains and fool around a little.I always thought that people in Central Fire station are just mean and they are too darn serious.Actually,that’s not true,actually it’s a lie.The people here in Central are those you want them to be at home if something happens,they’re serious when they need to,otherwise..not!
Laughter in the hallways is a sign of a health in any organizations,but especially to the Emergency Ambulance Services.It tells you people are having fun.We all need that.
God knows,we don’t do this for money.
Finally my MC for my wisdom tooth surgery is over and i’m back at work.But somehow,on my first night shift,i had difficulty in getting back to my usual self of working.For instance,my very first call,i became quite panicky,the same feeling i have when i attended to my first case when i just passed out as a full fledged paramedic.The same,anxious cum nervous feeling overwhelms me and both my NSFs medics were pretty much aware of it.They even asked me whether i was alright?
I just told them,i had the jitters.It has always been like this if firstly,on a very long MC or lastly after a very long leave.Hence,thats why i rarely apply for leave.And if i do,i don’t take more than 1 block of leaves.Even though it was quite a night on that particular shift,i managed to scrape through,telling myself,i’ll be fine the next night.
It went fine.Not much calls anyways.
I don’t know whether should i be considering it a privilege or not.I was called back to HQ to be involved in a focus group with a few other paramedics from different stations.There we were sitting and the presenter was there sharing us about a particular survey we had during the early months of the year.He was there,to gather,(hopefully confidential) feedbacks from us.
It was however a wrong choice cause,all hell broke loose.
Almost all the paramedics have something to say about improving the system.It’s like,that particular focus group thingy that’s happening,it’s like you’re opening the pandora’s box.Every single thing that has been bothering the paramedics,were let out.Every single thing.Everybody seems to be agreeing with one another,whenever a topic was brought out.It’s safe to say that,paramedics all over Singapore,have the same problem.
But one main problem i would like to stress out here is,
Public awareness of us.
We,paramedics,do not get enough,
- Respect
- Appreciation
Some of the Singaporean are still oblivious about our existence.I seriously,blame Mediacorp for airing Lifeline.I mean,if you want to make a show on Civil Defence,don’t involve a love triangle storyline.It just will look bad on real paramedics out there.Why not emphasize more on the skills and the challenges a paramedics faces.For instance,there are many ways,
A trapped casualty is one good way.Paramedics have to be there to do spinal management.With no rescue background,we still have to lie down,do our head grip,apply C-collar on the patient,and note,with broken glasses.
How can we earn the respect and appreciation when all the TV,shows Paramedics smiling while waiting for calls,playing pool!?Oh my god.Which is so totally not true.We,have tons of work to do.And there is no time to even hold the cue stick.
We do deserve at least a bit of respect and may be a little appreciation,or just a normal thank you would do just fine.We don’t ask much.
We’re here to help those in distress.At any cost.
the world is just awesome.
I love this video from discovery channel.
Yes!The sweetest scene in my favourite show “Third Watch”,i found it.Carlos finally proposed to Holly!I always thought this was one of the sweetest scene ever and how his friend tried to help him.Man.
That is just sweetness.
After a year of torturous gum swelling,i finally decided that enough is enough.I’ve been having terrible migraines and sleepless nights trying to bear with the pain.But,last night i told myself,no more.i need to get it remove as soon as possible.The gum swells up and it comes to a point that it’s really became more irritating than painful.
So,after my first night shift,i went straight to SGH Emergency Dept,see a doctor and get myself a referred to the Dentals.Was triage by dearest and since there wasn’t any body around in the morning,it was pretty fast.
So,i went straight to the dental and got myself checked.The doctor comfirmed the swelling and told me there was pus coming out and the decay has gotten bad at the area which i can never see.Took an oral x-ray and noted that my 3rd molar on my right lower jaw was the root of it.He advised me to have it removed immediately because,i did told him that the pain is unbearable.So,i agreed and he scheduled me to have it removed today.
With me being sleepy after a very good night work which i was unable to sleep due to the pain,i sat quietly at the surgery waiting room after finishing all the paper works.I’ve never been to any surgery beside circumcision,so i was pretty much tachycardia due to anxiety.But,the nurses and the doctors there were extremely friendly,made me feel comfortable.
When my name called out,i went up to the chair sat down and was greeted by the anesthetists.She told me that,she need to do local anesthetisia on that particular spot.I was actually pretty terrified of needles.Now i know how my patients feel.It was quite painful at first when my lower right jaw just became numb.And i began to talk slurred.
The next 20minutes,the surgery went underway.With drillings and washing and sucking of the blood.All i can think inside my head was the song by Jason Mraz Absolutely Zero while thinking of dearest.I was even thinking of what to eat later.The doctors were friendly asking me every now and then is everything ok.It wasn’t dat painful of procedure but the sounds of drilling is quite irritating.
It was over.The nurse showed me what was my wisdom tooth which was cut in two.quite big actually.haha.Gauze was placed on the site to stop the bleeding.My right jaw still felt numb.And the bleeding is quite bad.Can see the stiching marks.Quite okay i guess.But the pain is gone.Now is more of the surgery pain rather than off the swelling.I felt better,no migraines.
Prescribed some medications mostly painkillers and antibiotics.Going for another appointment on 16th to remove the stiches.
Now im on MC for 5days.I feel bad lah.Some colleagues of mine have to cover for me.That sucks,never did like that feeling of indebtedness.Well,for now,i just need to rest at home and make sure the bleeding stops.As for now,i won’t talk much or laugh much as its causing to much pain.
Please eh.
First there was Sheila on 7.
Then there was Peterpan in KL.
Padi showcase at hard rock cafe.
Next up.
Ungu at Esplanade.
Even though i can be a hardcore guy,but deep down inside,i’m actually a sucker for old school malay rock hits.Don’t ask me why,but songs back then,were much more meaningful,even though they can be quite sappy.Even with colourful spandex,bandanas,over sized shirts,long curly hair.Well,after all,rock never dies.
One of my favourite bathroom songs i like to sing,is this particular song.The song was used in a movie with the same title,Isabella.The lyrics,superb.I never knew malay can be such a beautiful language.
Isabella adalah kisah cinta dua dunia (Isabella is a love story of two worlds)
Mengapa kita berjumpa namun akhirnya terpisah? (Why must we meet when eventually it’s not going to last)
Siang jadi hilang ditelan kegelapan malam (the day becomes night)
Alam yang terpisah melenyapkan sebuah kisah (that phenomena buries another story)
Terbayang lambaiannya (i visioned her waves)
Salju terbakar kehangatan(as the snow melts)
Dunia dipenuhi kehangatan(the world becomes much more nicer)
Warna berseri bunga cinta(with the colours of love)
Kita yang terlena (we are the one sleeping)
hingga musim berubah (till the season changes)
Mentari menyepi (when the sun is silent)
menyalalah api cinta (to light up the love)
Dia Isabella (she is Isabella)
lambang cinta yang lara (the icon of pure love)
Terpisah kerana adat yang berbeza (separated due to different ethics)
Cinta gugur bersama (the love dies)
Daun-daun kekeringan( like dried leaves)
Haluan hidupku terpisah dengan Isabella (my life journey ends when i’m seperated with Isabella)
Tapi aku terpaksa demi cintaku Isabella (but,i must persevere,for my love for Isabella)
Moga dibukakan pintu hatimu untukku (hopefully,your heart will open up for me)
Akan tebentang jalan (so that the road is set)
Andainya kau setia (if you’re faithful)
Oh Isabela
