that time Pali craniectomy a Urea 30 plus

I have major respect for Fadhly after assisting him tonight. 

Patient was bleeding, tachycardic, BP dropping. His hands were shaking and he was cursing. Once I told him to istighfar but he didn't hear me and kept the F and S word when the bleeders kept on spurting. So I istighfar for the team instead.

And his hands were shaking. I told him to rest his hands on something to steady them and offered my knuckle. It's something I learned from Boss because I have tremors too.

We were five scrubbed in and we have no surgeon in Lahad Datu. We have no backups. We only have each other. So yeah, Fadhly can unintentionally get me into trouble with Miss and I would take it for him because I have major respect for him and he would back me up any other day.

Also because he apologised to me, haha.

It was a 58 years old gentleman with severe CAP intubated for few days with poor GCS recovery. ICU noted ICB today with midline shift. They referred to Miss who told Fadhly to go in. Fadhly didn't want to because of the poor prognosis but he didn't voice out to Miss. We ended closing in a hurry.

Dija and Fadhly closed the dermis with glial and I started closing the skin even before they finished their layer because Xi Jin and Arif already commenced CPR. It was my first time closing with CPR ongoing. We cannot let the patient die on table. He ROSC after 15 minutes and we pushed him back to the ICU.

We did what we could. And he died 4 hours post op.

Let's not scream at each other

One time in the labour room of Kasrel Ainy, the resident helped by two seasoned nurses tried to inject LA for episiotomy but he failed all his three attempts. Three bloodied syringes of LA went to waste, the patient was already tearing and time was ticking. He did what he had to do and immediately cut. The Egyptian lady screamed in sheer agony.

Her scream was distinctly more agonising than her previous cries while pushing. I, the student watching over his shoulder, cringed at this ugly reality. Baby was soon delivered.

---

One time in Surgical OPC, I observed our assistant lecturer removing a patient's toenail. He injected the needed amount of LA and after waiting for the drug to take effect, gently poked her toe with the needle.

"Do you feel pain?" He asked. She said negative so he proceeded to poke through her toe with said needle. I cringed at the ugly reality. But the patient, blocked from the view of what really was going on, merely cringed slightly.

"Doctor it hurts," she groaned and complained throughout him pulling her toenail out. It was like a torture scene from a movie, except gangs usually don't have the decency of using LA.

(On another note, I remember Double Agent Ward removed Agent Bobbi's fingernails under LA as he gleefully and evilly explained to her that he wanted her to feel all the pain in one go as he didn't plan on supplying her with subsequent doses of painkiller.)

Our doctor turned to me with a grin. "No it doesn't. What she felt was pressure. If it really does hurt she would have jumped out of this bed."

---

Sometimes I picture myself throwing a patient's relative out for verbally lashing out on hospital staffs. I can really see myself losing patience with morons. But at the same time, image of our very gigih Vascular assistant lecturer who was yelled at by a patient's relative in front of us students came to mind.

That one time in Department 29A, he very calmly handled the situation. He explained briefly what we were doing and asked him to sit and wait outside. Then he turned back to us and resumed teaching like nothing happened.

Animal lover

I remember once Dr. Hussein was telling us the diagnosis for a certain infection.. haha I forgot the title. Fine I'll scrounge for my notes in the morning. Anyway, as usual we have serological study, blood cultures bla3 and last but not least inoculation into animal.

Usually any professor will just mention "mycobacterium leprosy into banded armadillo" and begone with it, but Dr. Hussein was different.

He mentioned the bacteria and the animal inoculated (guinea pigs I think), and then he stressed how overdone the procedure is. How he is against us using animals inoculation and we shouldn't be doing it. Poor cute souls inoculated just for a confirmed diagnosis.

He spent close to a minute to get that message across. I grinned wider and noted him. That day was 34 weeks ago. A summer class not in the usual hall but in Dr. Saeed Gomaa's usual hall instead. Sir had three caped pens lined up in his shirt pocket. It was amusing. Why would anyone need three pens lined up in his shirt pocket?

One of my favourite thing to do, if you haven't figure out by now, is to analyse him.

المحبة لا تسقط أبداً

سنة حلوة يا جميل يا ابونا يا قدوتنا يا دكتور أحباء كل مخلوقات الله
كل عام حضرتك بخير وأقرب إلى الله
طول عمرك في حفظ الله و عقبال 100 سنة سعيدة وصحة قوية وسلامة ونجاح مع كل ما عندك
سهل الله لك في كل مسؤولية

هسافر ماليزيا بعد قليل من اسبوعين و إن شاء الله هشوف حضرتك في المستقبل القريب
اللهم آمين

Khamasin otherwise known as Gaara-on-a-rampage Day

Sir was writing down the day's syllabus on the board when I took my seat. He then started teaching without noticing me. He was in the middle of describing to the class when he looked sideways and saw me.

He chuckled in the middle of his sentence. Hahaha yes I made it! This was very rewarding.

---

Sir asked the class what was the term for an intervention given prior to a complaint. Some student answered prophylactic, but he wanted another term.

Preemptive?

"It is widely used in anaesthesia.."

"Preemptive," I answered.

"Correct." Of course I could answer correctly, if I couldn't it would have been a disgrace. For the next few minutes he kept repeating the word's usage to emphasise its meaning. All those time I was feeling extra proud of myself. Haru was "don't grin, don't grin."

---

After dismissing the class, sir immediately went to Kie's row and I was standing nearby waiting patiently to greet him. I overheard him requesting a list of the names of Malaysian students attending his class. I grinned. It was definitely from last night when he said he regretted not knowing all of our names.

He was showing true sincere dedication. I have to do my best too.

Sir turned around and smiled at me. After exchanging pleasantries, his first sentence was how grateful he was for last night's event.

Gaaaaaaaaaaa I love our professor!

Tonight tonight kono omoi

Tonight, among others, I told Dr. Hussein that I enjoyed his emails to the official school mailing address very much. I really did. He smiled warmly and said "I'm really glad you enjoyed it."

I should have told him that I especially liked his email wishing us the best for our final exams and when he wished to see us in the near future as colleagues. It really sparked my perseverance to study. I truly am looking forward to be his colleague, inshaAllah.

Tonight was beautiful. I am grateful eternally for the best seat in the house; next to Dr. Hussein, opposite Dr. Heba who was between Dr. Souad and Dr. Ahmed. Four of my most beloved teachers in Egypt. Thank you Bahiran, Hafizi and Mat for giving me the opportunity to co-host the event.

At the end of the night, I noticed how warm Dr. Hussein's smile was as we chatted. And I told him "I will see you inshaAllah at your class in my usual seat in front of you, sir."

"Ya riit (I hope)." He chuckled.

Haha. It's half past twelve. I better sleep now.

P/s: Title is from CNBLUE'S Still lyric. It meant "tonight tonight all this feelings".

Puppy

I saw Dr. Hussein taking the turn from the courniche to the campus's bridge this morning as I crossed the road and you know what I did, of course I ran across it (expertly to avoid being run over by Cairo's traffic) and excitedly took a paparazzi shot from behind to commemorate today, a little peeved that he was walking alone without being greeted by anyone on the street, don't they know he is THE Dr. Hussein?

But I quickly matched my step to casually fall beside him and I turned to him, "Assalamualaikum Dr. Hussein, good morning sir."

He smiled, nodded and greeted back the standard "Izzayyik, akhbarik eeh."

"Alhamdulillah, doing fine." I grinned back and "Have a good day today sir," and he nodded gratefully, a small smile and "You too."

I was on hyper mode, super hyper, high and euphoric. To meet him on my way to O&G; a posting I am not that keen on and with a rather nasty mood from a message I received this morning. It was a blessing, alhamdulillah, my day was brightened and nothing can ruin my day now.

I was actually two steps ahead of him then as I didn't want to bother him so that's why I went for a greet-and-bye, but we're going in the same direction and I was really really really excited, have you ever seen me super duper excited? Of course I matched back our pace and asked him the one thing that bugged me from the last week I saw him.

Sir then was going to ask something as I was also going to say something so we both paused and sir said, "Go on, what were you saying?" And I happily blabbed away and sir answered all my hyper ques.

Truthfully I wanted to silently and respectfully walk beside him because I didn't like seeing him walking alone. I didn't want to be friendly because though I love him, I don't think he even remembers me and he seemed a little awkward at my hype. It's the peril of a one-sided love bordering on creepy stalking. But I was really really really so very happy to see him I didn't know what to do with myself.

We parted at the main gate because I had to take the students entrance (yesterday I was already at the patient's entrance on the far right but the effing guard shooed me to the far left student entrance and I was so pissed off I swore to never deal with the stupid stupid restricted entrance rule), and I walked backwards as I wished him a happy day before I ran off excitedly. I kept my eyes on sir and noticed only one guard at the gate saluted him a good morning and it made me so angry. I passed through my gate flashing the guard my ID without so much as a glance at him, mark me I'm never this rude before.

Inside the ground, I kept my eyes on him. It was five to nine and I smiled fondly thinking it was quite a change of pace to see him clocking in by nine instead of usually seeing him making his rounds on the campus before seven. But I quickly wondered; was it a good thing?

I noticed no one greeted him as he steadily walked along the main campus road towards the old Manial Hospital, same place I was going. I wondered if he would be taking the dean's building entrance but he walked pass it towards the north entrance, same entrance I was taking.

I wondered why sir didn't use that entrance. It connects with his Department 29 much faster and I used that route everytime I walk from his lecture to his clinical session. In fact, the dean's building is the fastest route to use if you're going to any middle part of the 2nd or 3rd floor of the Manial Hospital.

But I no longer take it because few days ago when I walked through it, the man standing guard in front sighed but let me pass anyway probably because he was too late to stop me. Sighed and not shouted because I am a Malaysian and not an Arab student. I still use it as an exit route though, buzz off anyone stopping me.

I hate the nowadays strict entrance rule, it made the campus less friendly.

As I observed him walking steadily towards the north entrance, silently passing people with a solemn look, I wondered why no one greeted him. He's the ex dean... Coupled with him not using the dean's building entrance, it felt like he was couped out of his title.

Yeah.. he was.

With him was an electric kettle box and his coat hung on his arm. Did the department's kettle broke down and he bought one to replace it? Turned right at the north entrance and I walked straight for my O&G Hospital, my eyes caught him taking the stairs. I skipped and charged forward to one of the happiest day of my life.

Until I realised we parted without me giving sir the chance to say what he was going to say. HARUUUUU YOU STUPIDDDDDDD!!!

I cursed my retardation. This was more retarded than forgetting to prescribe diuretics to a nephrotic patient in my written MBBCh Batnah!! (I laid out a lengthy case management but after I got back did I realise I forgot Lasix FML.) I went exactly like a puppy yapping excitedly whenever I see him. Where did all my cool gone to?

Please Allah give me the chance to run into him again please please please I promise I will behave and be remembered properly.

If you look up the lyric translation of Can't Stop, you'll understand what I'm saying

Just now housemate came into my room, smiling cheerfully, clad in her going-out pieces. I looked at her expressionless, sorry I was sleepy.

"Hana Hana, I want to show you something. But don't get mad," she grinned with her phone in her hand.

"What." I said expressionless. Urgh today I was really lethargic. Even mom's post on my wall "CNBLUE has arrived home" made me super happy inside but on the outside all I could manage was a small smile.

She showed me her phone and I immediately spotted Dr. Hussein in the center of the picture, looking content, flanked by said housemate and two other friends.

I looked up to see housemate grinning proudly.

"We took this picture and I thought of you."

It was obvious the picture was freshly taken today. "What did you guys go to campus for?"

"We went to visit (insert friend's name)."

"Oh."

I think she could tell I was sleepy and my reaction was not the normal reaction an Hana will throw at the sight of Dr. Hussein. She left my room. And I returned to my Surgery book.

Normally I would throw a "whaaat no fair I want to meet him too!" and I do feel so. They met him outside school hour so they probably got to talk to him, which doubled my jealousy. But more importantly, I was jealous they went to visit our friend. I guess they went when I was asleep.

Despite the multitude of jumbled feelings, on the outside I was still today's scruffy (I would have stubbles if I could grow a beard), messy top-knotted haired girl in an oversized scrub, staring at my book like esophagus rang any bell.

It's either my jealousy has been tamed, or I felt unthreatened due to already have a personal picture with him (oh should I post it here?) or possibly the happy effect of mom's caption still lingered.

Right now, I'm thinking of Yonghwa-sama crooning "miss you~" in the opening line of Can't Stop.

---

She shared the picture in our usrah WhatsApp group and I got a closer look of Dr. Hussein.

"Ah. He smiled." I said. A rare one.

"Because as I was taking the picture, I said "1, 2, 3, smile."" She replied. She later told me she remembered me saying Dr. Hussein very rarely smile for the camera as she snapped that picture.

"I will crop that smiling face." I replied with a blow-kisses face.

6 years don't change a sloth

So Surgery paper 1 was today. I was hoping Dr. Hussein would come visit us in the hall to cheer us up, but he didn't. Maybe because he felt he lost the privilege since he is no longer the dean or perhaps he's busy. I think he's busy. We love him and will always be welcoming and he knows that.

Back to the exam. It had a reputation of being a killer and I really was scared of the paper. It didn't help that I like Surgery more than I like Batnah plus the so many good memories I have of our Surgery classes, I really want to do well. Except I was, am, and probably will always be lazy. Ah, excuses.

I played out a lot of scenarios for the outcome of the exam. Will I walk out in tears? Will I be reminded of my Biochem first year viva where I so much wanted to throw myself into the Nile? Will I be singing CNBLUE's I Don't Know Why, I'm Sorry or Can't Stop after the exam?

Engku sitting on my right asked me as we waited for the exam to start. "What to do if you can't answer a question?"

"I will answer it with something else I know. If the question asks anatomy of some artery I forgot, I will write in the answer sheet anatomy of another artery I remember better."

He nodded.

That was my last desperate card for the day's exam. My principle is to never leave the paper blank. I don't want to disappoint the doctor thinking that his student knows nothing, because I do know something. It just happens to not be the one you were asking, can't be helped.

To be fair, I never purposely change the question in a written exam. But I did misread rabies as tetanus during my third year finals and diligently wrote down every single prophylaxis shit on that matter. It was at the end of answering that que after cursing such a long answer for only 4 marks before I realised I read the question wrong. But there's no way I'm changing my answer at that point. Ain't got no time for that, ain't got no ink for that, ain't got no space for that.

---

I received the question paper and read all the questions. First time in my exam life I read with a serious face, sitting straight up, ready to receive my punishment. There were some question on topics I completely forgot to study for (ingrown toe nail among others) but I decided to not give up and to attempt all questions.

Gave a small smile and started answering.

---

In the middle of the exam I was jolted up because I thought Dr. Raafat came to visit the hall. I nearly shot up from my seat turning to see who was at the door. It turned out to be Dr. Yahya Safwat. He's a soft-spoken nice chap despite his sharp gaze who taught us Burn lecture (I wrote a post on it, I'll link later) and vivaed my end round Surgery exam.

I like him, I want to grow handsome like him.

---

After the exam, I saw Ume venting to Pait how the exam was hard and all so I came near her.

"Hi Ume."

She ignored me and went on venting. I stood there for a while but she still ignored me so I got bored. I headbutted her arm and then walked away.

Outside the exam hall, I greeted a few friends, patted Syak's big baby bump ("Pray for me Syak. You sit for the exam with two brains you are sure to graduate with a mumtaz." "But the baby's brain isn't helping!") and saw Ume again.

"Hi Ume."

She glanced at me unamused. I headbutted her chest and walked away.

"Woi!"

Times like this I don't mind being shorter. Hahah.

One term is three years

I didn't write that we got a new dean last week. His name is Dr. Fathy Khodair, 25th November 2014, the day after our Batnah Paper 3 (MCQ). No wonder I didn't see Dr. Hussein doing his round in the exam hall.. 

I forgot when Dr. Hussein took office but it was three years ago. Us Gen08 have lived through three deans; the first was a shadow of a name who we never met, second Dr. Hussein who opened his dean door for us faculty family and the third is Dr. Fathy.

Good luck sir. And well done Dr. Hussein, we are eternally grateful of you.

We also are getting a new JPA officer since Ustaz Zikril is leaving Egypt for good this 16th. He reported for duty on 19th December 2011. Nearly a whole three years. He is the second JPA officer ever sent to Egypt, the first officer was Encik Hazam. He visited us in INTEC and flew to Egypt before any of us and handled the students during the 2011 Mubarak-ousting revolution. Very high respect for this person. And Ustaz Zikril was second, he really took care of us. Even his sons are well behaved and brought up with proper Islamic core values.

All the best ustaz. Thank you for everything, for coming to our burnt apartment that same night with your whole family, for inviting us for Raya at your place and for everything. I'm sorry for bullying Wafi your youngest. Good luck, get a raise and may Allah place you at the best placement possible.

---

They didn't wait for our graduation this February. Ustaz Zikril said he will try if he could but in case he couldn't, he wished us congratulations in advance and will pray for us from afar. Haha. There was a Sesi Ustaz Zikril Raikan Kami Makan Nasi Lemak earlier this morning that I took notes on his speech. I'll post about it later.

Dr. Hussein will definitely come. We love him down to our bone medulla, down to last nucleus, he has to come.

Here I present you his last emails to the official school mailing. No more looking forward to his emails again...

Dr. Hussein's last official email. 

Argh damn now I remember he was supposed to write us a speech for the yearbook! I'll reask him again post exam.

The email announcing the new dean.

Dr. Hussein's wishing us for the exam. It was one of the best booster speech I ever received. "We wait for you as doctors in the near future" ahhh the feels! 

Man my speech has been internet-slanged. Damn Americans.

There's also his Eid wishes that I held dear. I'll post it up later as well. Haru don't forget.

LubDub made a meme. Man I'm missing his no-smile-for-the-camera face.

Bias

We don't routinely screen for a disease that we haven't got a treatment for. It reminds me of information bias, whereby further information won't change the course of a management.

---

Before writing down my name on the exam sheet, I will ask my neighbour "What date is today?"

Today Baher scoffed at me after answering.

"Sorry. It seems information are getting overriden. I've forgotten many of our colleagues' name."

I think that's also why I take few seconds during the exam to pray for the people I see in my view. To remind myself of my comrades' name. Haha.

---

Dr. Hussein stood in front of Adakun's seat when he greeted the doctors in the hall today. He was wearing green with white narrow stripes. I saw him shaking hands above Adakun's table and sat there shocked at her simply answering her exam like nothing happened.

Back home I confronted her about it.

"Not fair! Dr. Hussein stood in front of your seat! And you did nothing!!"

"Oh," she seemed unfazed. Haru was going mad What is this ingrate? "I looked up and then carry on writing."

"Argh! If it was me I would grin and greet him Sir how are you, pray for us, have a good day!"

They laughed at me. Man. They need to love Dr. Hussein more.

---

Yesterday it was only us four superseniors for dinner and as usual we ate in the tray. We finished eating and nobody raised from the makeshift table. I was sucking on a piece of tomato. Tasnim was idling. Jiha was scraping bones to a side.

Adakun was drawing circles on the tray. She broke the silence without looking up. "Want to lat-tali-lat to decide who does the dishes?"

It was a first. Usually someone would just volunteer somehow and carry the tray back to the kitchen. Although the day before it was me, as I sucked on my tomato I did entertain doing the day's dishes.

Tasnim quickly agreed and we all raised our hand. Tasnim called.

"Lat tali lat, tam plong!"

Three palmars and one dorsum. The dorsum was Adakun. I laughed the loudest, childishly pointing a finger at her.

"Bet you proposed this because you didn't want to do dishes right?" Tasnim said.

"Aaah! I knew it was going to be me!"

When a mime gets mad

We had our first paper today. As usual, give me the paper and I will write down all the headings for my answer in the booklet one page per question, regardless it was only an "Enumerate 5 causes" type of que, so that I wouldn't miss a que and I would have jotted down the important part of the answer before I come back and write down additions at my leisure (more like according to my memory, haha.)

Not sure if this is the best way to go, but I had friends complaining they missed the last que because short of time spending nearly half an hour to explain one question.

The questions were easy but it was me who didn't remember. Remembering is all Allah's doing and out of my control, so all I could do was istighfar, pray, istighfar a whole lot while skimming through other answers until the right one came to mind. 

Added points to treatment of acute severe asthma. 

I was seated next to the window and threw my attention to the Physio building, admiring the good weather we had today. Surrounded by friends I haven't seen in a long while. 

Some more answers for causes of paraplegia with a level. 

May Allah make ease and grant wisdom to Nisa, to Fadzlin, to Humairah, to Rai... The angels are going to say "ameen" and pray for me the same thing, right?

Although I was obviously in trouble, I take pride in being able to relax. Must be the parents and everyone praying for us. I was thinking how true what Dr. Hussein said, that the best way to be decongested was to sit for the exam. I had a rough 12 hours pre-exam with psychosomatic symptoms all flare up, but now look at me. Haha.

Jotted some down for medical causes of cholestasis.

And as I was skimming, Dr. Hussein came into the hall. The loyal fangirl I am, I stood up straighter and just observed him, who cares what are the diagnostic criteria of RA? (This was easy but stupid me, I forgot what it was hahaha...) He was wearing his pink shirt today with the sleeve rolled up. Electrified hair as usual. He was whispering madly at this one staff who just stood there staring at a point in the ground while the dean gestured extra wildly.

I guess the wild gesture was to compensate for his toned down voice. He was in his rage mode yet respected us being in an exam. Funny place to get mad at a subordinate, but it was very amusing. I snickered.

He finished venting and turned to leave the hall. I was hoping he would have his normal apathetic expression back on but he was definitely still pissed. I followed his movement until he stepped out of the hall.

Sir, aren't you supposed to be sight for our sore eyes? His rage mode is terrifying sometimes but I admire him very much and haven't seen him in a long time. I will take whatever I can.

Now where was I? Ah yes diagnostic criteria of RA.

---

After the exam, I tweeted about the sir being emo today and Ame gave me a sneak picture he snapped during the day's morning class.

Sugoii ne Ame-kun! See the dean and his who-called-me-what-he-want face. Hahah.

Things not to do in a viva

One of the rumoured-malignant professors we have in Internal Medicine is Dr. Aysha Badawi. Despite the rumours, I like her. She gave us lectures in Cardiology and Rheumatology. Her lectures are usually very long, 2 hours minimum-

She started her Rheumatology lecture with "ihna 3andina a very long lecture" haha that got me chuckled defeatedly

-and she likes to ask and when answered correctly will give you a "right you are" or a glare if you answered like one of the lay men.

And yes, she is strict and kind of scary like the rumours say, but I like her. Because I learn.

I was examined by her during my Internal Medicine end round exam. I was ushered in by the resident and the station I got was Cardiology. Just me, the patient and time. I don't like Cardiology, mind you. Never easy on me. But I was to examine the patient within the minutes allocated, so it was relatively easy and my patient was a kind old chap so it was enjoyable.

No idea who was going to examine me, so I did the full examination and rehearsed my history. More than ten minutes had passed. I even had time to borrow a friend's sphygmo to check the patient's BP (I never bring one to an exam, too bulky to carry around. So I like to go without it and just tell my examiner "I didn't check his BP because I don't have a sphygmo" but maybe I have to change for the final exam).

And then Dr. Aysha came in. I foresaw being butchered.

She went ahead and examined the patient before turning to me asking me to take his pulse. I did and commented it fully.

"..equal volume-"

"What are the causes of unequal volume?" She interrupted me.

"Coarctation of aorta, pancoast tumor, and the rest I forgot. Sorry." I grinned.

Okay maybe I shouldn't have said that.

She wasn't amused. Dr. Aysha gave me the deadliest death glare I had ever seen.

Scratch that, I really shouldn't have said that. Haru was screaming in my head "Why did you have to be stupid do you want us to fail???" and that froze me up from otherwise blurting out "Justjokingpleasedon'tfailme."

It was plain wrong for me to enumerate only two and said "and the rest I forgot" because I was clearly showing no effort. That question can be answered logically by simply analysing what would obstruct or compress just one side of the upper limb. I was lazy and it showed. It served me right to be death-glared, I wouldn't even be surprised if Dr. Aysha sent me away at that point.

But she didn't. Instead she went on and asked me other things and made me do the full cardiac examination in front of her and had me explain the basis of each one of them.

That moment I thought how very forgiving of her to overlook my lapse of judgement. I was sheepish for the reminder of the exam, being humbled by her. She was tough but her questions were clear and didn't deviate from what we studied in the curriculum. She really is a good professor. I learned what professionalism means.

We discussed the management in brief and then I got to "patient will be on life-long anticoagulant."

The atmosphere then was of finality, that I had just answered my last question and would be dismissed uneventfully. But she kept firing.

"What is the dose for the anticoagulant?"

Inside my head, Haru went "Oh shit."

Don't take a leaf out of my book kids, but I don't like numbers so I didn't study the dose before the exam. The patient told me he took 5mg of Warfarin when I clerked his history earlier, but there is the risk of the patient being mistaken. I was tempted to answer 5mg, but I can't risk that.

When you don't know, offer another related answer. So I did this trick I last used in my Ophthalmology final viva when the prof asked me the name of the condition but I forgot and gave him the pathogenesis of that condition instead. Basically I answered a 2-word answer with a 2-sentence.

I smiled confidently and answered Dr. Aysha. "I don't know the dose but I know his INR should be kept 2-3."

She nodded. "Very good. You may go."

"Thank you doctor. Have a good day."

I skipped on my way out. Safe with a "very good" from Dr. Aysha! Alhamdulillah.

P/s: The dose for oral Warfarin is what keeps his INR 2-3, usually around 5-15mg daily.

---

Goofing around is fun but not exactly respectful. Here's another tips for you guys:

1- avoid using Egyptian ammi with your professors especially "eeh" or "aiwah". Use the standard Arabic "na3am".

2- address them respectfully as "sir" or "doctor".

3- be thankful and wish them good day.

4- SMILEEEE. A butchered smiling face is always better. Makes outsiders think you die as a hero.

Fat and tired, Bobby is pregnant

I went over to Umair's today and finally had a proper chat with her after a week coming back to Egypt. The first time I saw her after coming back was after our meet with Batnah HOD and all I did was pat her on the back and without a greet or anything, asked for a favour.

I am a genius at friendship. Kah3.

Anyway, going over to her place means I have to pass Bobby on my way up. Part of me was scared she will pounce on me again. I'm not usually this sissy but I somehow have this motherly respect towards her and since I didn't know what I did to piss her off back then, I have to be extra respectful. Back to me on the stairway, what is up with all the circumstiality? I was on my toes all the way on the lookout for her and when I caught a glimpse of her on the very step she once pounced on me, I flinched and took a step back with a small yelp.

She simply stared at me like I was some kind of an idiot. Well, yeah, I am. But I needed to pass her, so I took very small tentative steps nearer with her staring at me warily all the time. At the same landing, she flee.

That's when I saw her full belly. No wonder she didn't pounce on me. Should I reflect upon this? She's younger than me yet she's into her second pregnancy already.

Idiot, Bobby's a cat.

The second point to this post is talking to Umair led to several topics and one of them was how some seniors kept and became even cooler now that they're real doctors. One of the name that came up was Warouq. I didn't think Umair is familiar with Bayep so I left his name out.

But really. We need to graduate and be a cool doctors like them. Pray for us please.

How the super busy dean keeps his cool and going

"How many days are there in a week? Seven? Five?"

Grins.

"Actually there's only one day in a week. Just Sunday. Because when Monday comes, you start thinking of next week or the end of the week. When Wednesday comes it's already the end of the week.

When you think of it that way, it makes things a lot easier."

Another cool grin.

Serendipity has left me

As mentioned in the previous post, we had a day-trip to Alex yesterday. Instead of taking a microbus back, we stowed away on the 5pm train to make it back in Cairo by dusk. We already missed Saturday's impromptu class so we didn't want to miss Sunday.

And this morning, we just received the news that class was cancelled for today, tomorrow, and day after. At that news, I simply went flat and spineless. My day seemed bleak. I hate ironies.

But the reason class be cancelled must be because sir was super extra busy. So I should get up and celebrate today's extra-business by being super extra productive...

I need to grow some spine.

---

I don't want to go back to Malaysia yet. Or at all. But going back is to honour my family's love for me, so I must. I bought the tickets way earlier was to ensure mom that I really am coming back.

Guys, see how much I love you here? If anyone dares complain I'm not doing enough I will smack their heads.

A hypocrite in love

I skipped class today. Because I slept in at 6 plus because it was too early to shower. I know it was stupid and I would never wake up by 7 plus, but I slept in anyway. Woke up way too late for class.

Felt terrible, but maybe accustomed to it already. Today was a Thursday. Last class for the week. I think for every night I went out to the hospital, there will be difficulty the next morning.

As it was, we planned to go to Alex this weekend. Friend made appointment with the doc on Saturday. She messaged me just now and said "Sorry we're going to miss Dr. Hussein's class on Saturday."

"Miss Saturday's class?" Did she mean Sunday?

"He just mentioned there will be class on Saturday. But I've already bought the train tickets."

"It's okay. Proceed."

But I feel like crying. It's one thing to miss because of own stupid circumstances, it's another when you're made to miss.

---

It's less than a month to going back to Malaysia but I'm terribly missing him already. This is a twisted love confession of mine. Just saying without doing is not love. I'm terrible at this.

God, if it wasn't for the fact I've bought the international and domestic tickets, I'd plead mom to let me stay in Egypt a little longer.

He's like this so I really must do my best, break time is over

He started his class around 8.30 and discussed complications of peptic ulcer while ending incessant calls. We finished the comparison table at 9.30 and upon stressing its convenience and importance, said we will continue class until five past ten. He then gave us a break to call back some few important people.

A colleague ask for help and I've to go see a patient, he said. Wait for me twenty minutes and I'll be back by five past ten.

He grinned, grabbed his cup of coffee brought dutifully by Mr. Samy and ran off.

This guy so busy yet still have time for us. God bless our beloved dean and He ease him in his every responsibilities. 

A good day for observing

Walked out of lecture hall towards Dept 29 and saw Dr. Ahmed Hassan the HO who taught us skill lab. Then I noticed that lady Radiologist was hitting on Dr. Hussein (they were three meters apart and I overheard her asking if he was okay) but as usual he totally ignored her and focused on his phone. I giggled quietly. Partly amused at her persistence and partly feeling sorry for her.

She walked, keeping an eye on him while he turned around to face us students.

"Cases in Dept 29," he told me.

"Okay."

She looked on with a dissatisfied look before marching forward towards Dept 29.

Saw our bubbly Tropical resident walking in front of Hall B, the guy with an impressive command of Malay language. What was his name again? Syaimaa called him Dr. Perky. Greeted him with a salam. He smiled and greeted back.

I suspect he is Dr. Tariq Kaddah our anaesthetist nice guy's son. He mentioned he has one son resident Orthopedic, another resident Tropical and his youngest if I remember correctly is in second year Kasr el Ainy.

Arrived in Dept 29. Saw Dr. Mohamed Rafeeq our humblest assistant lecturer of vascular surgery following a grand round with an unfamiliar professor. Updated FB to inform Ara and Humaici of it, they were fangirls. Thought of tagging Tasnim in the status as well but she might kill me for it.

And then I realized Dr. Mohamed Ali was in the crowd as well.

Cases today were traumatic AV fistula behind the parotid gland and another traumatic AV fistula of the popliteal.

Class dismissed. I handed the dean the formal letter to request for his speech for our yearbook. He stood and listened to me with a tired face, saying not a word. I felt really awkward, guilty of taking half a minute of his and flabbergasted.  Urgh.

Poor him. It was only 11am and he was already that spent. If Dijah was there instead of me, he might be cheered up. I just hope he felt our love from that request letter. Oh crap, I think I edited that part out to make it more formal. Huhu. We love you Dr. Hussein, be happy and do your best!

Dear Lord, please strengthen him. Send him all ease and strength and love. Ameen.

Exited the ward. In the hallway I walked behind this dad holding onto his toddler's hand. A resident kid teyoyish, I sniggered to myself how short the boy was that it made me want to bully him. Such a cute boy to hold on to daddy's hand... Wait, what's that on daddy's hand?

IT'S AN EXTRA FINGER!! So tiny! Like an okra! It looked like it can be picked out! Crazy paparazzi mode on!! I took out my handphone, set the camera on zoom and snapped snapped snapped.

Walked out of the hospital on the tarred road. Already passed Psychiatry building when I saw a familiar cut of hair coming from the opposite direction. I changed my course to walk on the pavement to pass by him.

Yep. It was Dr. Abo Bakr the Ortho Don just off talking on the phone.

And outside the main gate, Dr. Essam El-Kousy walking while talking on the phone... but what's up with his Einstein-like hair? When he gave our general surgery lecture in the evening, it was always perfectly coiffed.

Too busy for hair-gel maybe. Allah ease you sir. Ameen.

My blood type is M

Sunday the first day of Ortho, I came at 9am and Dr. Abo Bakr arrived at 10.45am.

Monday I came at 9.30am and Dr. Ahmed Khitb arrived at 10.40am.

Tuesday I came at 10.30am and Dr. Ahmed arrived at 10.35am.

So on Wednesday the 9th July, I set out at 10.05am and walked to class. Halfway to college I checked my messages and noticed Wani announced the doctor had arrived at 9.35am.

I ran and arrived at 10.15am.

"Doctor," Dr. Mohamad Abdel Wahed addressed me. "Because you are late, you will be punished."

"Of course," I grinned. "Sorry for being late."

"You and your friends," he gestured to Chip and Haziq, "will take photographs of all these xrays. And then send it to me."

"Okay."

He then told me to take a seat at the very front of the class.

Class was dismissed at 11 and we said we would finish the xray in half an hour because we have Vascular class at 12, so we worked as fast as we could. I put the xray up against the light board while Chip snap the picture and then I place it back on the table and on to the next film. Repeat for 50 xrays.

It was very lenguh. We were practically bullied by our assistant lecturer, hahah. But I had fun. I hardly get punished nowadays so I appreciate some disciplinary action now and then. To me Dr. Mohamad was refreshing.

My blood type is definitely M.

And I learned my lesson. Egyptian generally doesn't respect time, but I have to because it's the right thing to do taught by our religion and exception exists (eg: case named Dr. Ahmed Elshenoufy). 

So today, for his class with him, evrryone was present by 9.15am. Dijah and Qoh even excused themselves early from Dr. Hussein's class to make it to Ortho by 9am. And guess what. Dr. Mohamad arrived at 10.10am.

Egypt really is expectedly unexpected. Hahaha.

He arrived to class and immediately announced "I'm sorry. This time I must be punished."

I laughed and turned to Umair. "Let's have him pose chin lifted and a pistol sign under his chin."

---

Dr. Mohamad: What do you love about Egypt?
Me & Dijah: Everything!
Dr. Mohamad: (disbelieved look) Okay what do you hate about Egypt?
Me: It's too hot when it's hot.
Dijah: And it's too cold when it's cold.
Dr. Mohamad: Just the weather?
Me: Aaand the blackouts.
Dr. Mohamad: What's a blackout?
Me: The power shortage.
Dr. Mohamad: Ah. What about the people? The people are bad! Me and my colleagues, we all want to leave Egypt.
Me: Yeah but we have great doctors and lecturers. The hospital staffs are all nice. They are kind to us.
Dr. Mohamad: (nodding gratefully) Thank you, thank you.
Dijah: We don't have that kind of lecturers in Malaysia. That kind of enthusiasm to teach us.
Dr. Mohamad: (grinned) You will become that doctor.
Me & Dijah: Allahumma ameen.