Today is the second last day of school. School, a word so dear and familiar to me, yet it's going to leave my life in 2 days, for a long long time to come. I am feeling quite reluctant to leave school already. It felt like it was just yesterday that I moved to KE7 hall and became a freshman. It felt like yesterday that all nightmares, rollercoasters and wonderful times of my life just took place.
I guess this is so human. We looked back at our memories, and we compare how different we have been after all these memories had happened. When I was a little girl, university seemed to be a far-fetched idea. But now, I'm graduating from university already. In addition, I am a pharmacy graduate from a reputable university in Asia. How amazing. I wouldn't think this could happen when I was a little girl many many years ago.
And yea, so I'm graduating soon! Commencement on 9th july. It is a pity that my eldest brother can't get back in time. Sometimes it just feel good to have your loved ones attending the ceremony. But it's okay, I'm sure we will have chances to participate in each other's life events in future. Oh ya, today I went to try out the gown with mindy and hui lin, it was quite funny. We were chatting and playing ard with the gown and the cap thingy. Big headed people!
Today is the last session of Pharmacy Practice 3. It's quite a fun session. In fact, every PP3 session was like a mini-assessment of each of us. From group counseling to medication counseling to retail practice today. Today we played something called "Retail musical chair". There were 35 stations, and in each stations they were a range of products which one will see in any pharmacy out there. In each station, there's also some questions regarding the products on that station, and we're supposed to answer all of them. Negative markings! So yea, each station = 1.5 minutes, and you have to know the products and answers to the questions.
There was a station with a lot of ophthalmic products and you would be asked which product should not be used in closed-angle glaucoma, which can be used in the treatment of sty. One station asked about what's the difference between bonjela gel and oral paste. One asked about what are 2 essential counseling points for patient using Ketotop patch (ketoprofen patch) for the first time. If there's an obese patient who's extremely fearful of painful injections, which insulin syringe should you recommend (Insulin syringes have a wide range, from 29 gauge - 31 gauge. different diameter of needle, different length etc...). To remove warts, callus, corns, which is a RX product and which is an OTC? Can a diabetic patient use these products?
What allergy can happen in patients taking glucosamine?
Which of the health supplement can lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular status?
Can you use minoxidil (for hair growth) and Nizoral shampoo (antifungal shampoo) at the same time?
There're a lot of questions, useful ones, and relevant ones. But they also killed a lot of us i guess. haha. nevertheless, I enjoyed the session loads :)
After that, we went for a dinner at marche. Our supervisor treated 10 of us for dinner. Had quite a light-heartening chatting session, I couldn't ask for more I guess.
Till then :)
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Companions
We were supposed to watch this:
Mj said we should catch a hilarious movie to have a good laugh, especially after the counseling session and my FYP.. In the end, the tickets were selling fast and we didn't manage to catch this movie.
We watched this instead:
The Unborn ( I didn't dare to upload the picture here, it's just too horror to be on my blog!)
Freaked me and judy out!
It's a scary movie!
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the companions, the chats :)
Shall put some photos here!
The place where we watched the HORROR movie.
Mj loves this cinema!
The popcorns! Judy likes salty popcorn and Mj loves the sweet ones... so we have a mix!
Before the movie :)
Me and Judy at secret recipe, after the movie!
Miao Juan and the chocolate indulgence :)
The reason of our insomnia wheesh!
It's been so long :)
Mj said we should catch a hilarious movie to have a good laugh, especially after the counseling session and my FYP.. In the end, the tickets were selling fast and we didn't manage to catch this movie.
We watched this instead:
The Unborn ( I didn't dare to upload the picture here, it's just too horror to be on my blog!)
Freaked me and judy out!
It's a scary movie!
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the companions, the chats :)
Shall put some photos here!
The place where we watched the HORROR movie.
Mj loves this cinema!
The popcorns! Judy likes salty popcorn and Mj loves the sweet ones... so we have a mix!
Before the movie :)
Me and Judy at secret recipe, after the movie!
Miao Juan and the chocolate indulgence :)
The reason of our insomnia wheesh!
It's been so long :)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Random thoughts
This is a total pleasure man! It's a pleasure to just sit around in school after the medication counseling. Well I am not that free la, I need to wait for mj to finish with her counseling session cos we are going to meet judy for dinner and MOVIE tonight! yesh!!! my virgin movie of the year!!! wheesh!
Today is the last session of medication counseling. In some ways, I feel a bit reluctant that this is the last session. I really enjoyed every of the four sessions, despite the adrenaline rush and apprehension awaiting us prior to every session. I must admit, I've learnt a lot. And I am starting to think that, I am really suitable to be a retail pharmacist. Sometimes it is just so ironic. Apart of me knows that I will enjoy the dynamic and more personal interactions with the customers/ patients in a community/retail setting, but a small part of me also yearn for the eye-opening exposure a hospital setting can provide.
Maybe next time, when I think that I've learnt enough/ enjoyed enough in the hospital, I shall venture and be a full-time retail pharmacist.
A quick flashback, 4 topics that I have covered in these medication counseling sessions were:
Session 1: Diabetes
First session, a little nervous. I watched youtube multiple times to see how is insulin supposed to be injected using the insulin pen. However, watching it and doing it is totally different. Didn't have the chance to orientate myself with the injection pen and catridges during my preceptorship, that's why I resolved to watching youtube to see if it helps to get a better idea. Watching is easy, but when the real injector was right before me, I was totally disorientated and unfamiliar. Sigh. Nevertheless, I tried my best, and she said that I was quite good considering that was my first time using the injector. But i know I should have done better, and I need to. Can't imagine myself counseling patient on using a medicine device which I myself am not well-orientated, or familiar with.
Counseling on a pregnant lady with Type 1 Diabetes. The session went fine, but it was also through it then I realized that what I've learnt before was mere knowledge if I don't know how to apply. I know I can do better, if the knowledge that I have is no longer just, knowledge.
Session 2: Oral Contraceptives
This topic wasn't taught during the curriculum and we have to read up. Counseling was fine, I guess I was more confident, as a pharmacist-to-be. In fact, I quite like this topic because this is a social drug, and I have some personal encounters with it during the course of my life thus far (yeah I don't use it myself, don't worry.).
I did something silly.
I didn't check the prescription thoroughly, thinking the focus of this whole session was just counseling. The prescription that I got just happened to be... FAULTY! Darn, I was so carried away during the entire session, neglecting the most basic thing about prescription validity. And I took for granted that patient had no drug allergy. The prescription did not have doctor's signature!!!!
Just when you thought you did well, something just happened to turn out not right.
I know it's part of learning. I accept these mistakes, just they are too silly to make!!!
I need to be more responsible from now on.
Session 3: Smoking Cessation and Warfarin
Smoking cessation written case was okay. Weird enough, I have tonnes of things to talk people out of smoking but when it comes to someone you know, personally, all these things, or rather knowledge, just don't work anymore.
I remembered advising an old uncle to quit counseling during my year 2 preceptorship.
The uncle refused, and gave me a handsign of dying.
And he said ' if I quit, I'll die. That's what happened to my friend.'
I was shocked then. I didn't expect to get such an answer from him.
True enough, this is what some smokers feel, especially the older ones, for they smoke their entire lives. But I can only say, you don't die from quitting smoking. If you do, it simply tells that the damage that you caused to your body had reached the irreversible, severe stage and quitting a day later may fast-forward D-day a day earlier.
Warfarin counseling... wasn't too bad. I think I almost killed my patient by not giving vit K at INR 8. Yeah, the higher INR, the thinner your blood is, and thus higher risk of bleeding. FYI, warfarin is an anticoagulant. Every hospital has different protocols as to what to do if patient's INR is abnormal. I learnt about not giving vit K if no risk of bleeding, but just... when it comes to real practice, different ppl have different judgment core... and yea, next time i will give vit K. (vit K reverts the action of warfarin, in a way).
Session 4: Skin
I didn't study until this morning. In fact, I can't study much too cos I've left my notes back in KL. Luckily I saw edwin online and asked if his lecturer had covered this topic in their PP2 module. And he said yes and sent me a copy! God really blessed me. I was nasty last night by reading twilight the whole day and watching unecessary drama to increase my level of pleasure. And I told God that I was sorry for not doing what I'm supposed to do, rather what I'm not supposed to do I keep doing. And the next day I found out that all my notes are not with me, cos I brought home the other time.
But God knows my limitations and He knows that it's not that I'm lazy to study.
That's why He made sure edwin was online to send me the notes which were of GREAT help (thanks brudder!). I made my way to school earlier, one hour earlier, so that I could print the notes and read them. It's actually a refresher cos I've learnt abt skin in year 2.
The counseling was quite good I felt. And she said I was quite good.
All glory to my Lord!
I think it's a good ending to my counseling session.
I think I'm more encouraged to do a better job next time, for God, and for people.
It's Good Friday! :)
And judy, mj and me are supposed to watch confession of a shopaholic!
Today is the last session of medication counseling. In some ways, I feel a bit reluctant that this is the last session. I really enjoyed every of the four sessions, despite the adrenaline rush and apprehension awaiting us prior to every session. I must admit, I've learnt a lot. And I am starting to think that, I am really suitable to be a retail pharmacist. Sometimes it is just so ironic. Apart of me knows that I will enjoy the dynamic and more personal interactions with the customers/ patients in a community/retail setting, but a small part of me also yearn for the eye-opening exposure a hospital setting can provide.
Maybe next time, when I think that I've learnt enough/ enjoyed enough in the hospital, I shall venture and be a full-time retail pharmacist.
A quick flashback, 4 topics that I have covered in these medication counseling sessions were:
Session 1: Diabetes
First session, a little nervous. I watched youtube multiple times to see how is insulin supposed to be injected using the insulin pen. However, watching it and doing it is totally different. Didn't have the chance to orientate myself with the injection pen and catridges during my preceptorship, that's why I resolved to watching youtube to see if it helps to get a better idea. Watching is easy, but when the real injector was right before me, I was totally disorientated and unfamiliar. Sigh. Nevertheless, I tried my best, and she said that I was quite good considering that was my first time using the injector. But i know I should have done better, and I need to. Can't imagine myself counseling patient on using a medicine device which I myself am not well-orientated, or familiar with.
Counseling on a pregnant lady with Type 1 Diabetes. The session went fine, but it was also through it then I realized that what I've learnt before was mere knowledge if I don't know how to apply. I know I can do better, if the knowledge that I have is no longer just, knowledge.
Session 2: Oral Contraceptives
This topic wasn't taught during the curriculum and we have to read up. Counseling was fine, I guess I was more confident, as a pharmacist-to-be. In fact, I quite like this topic because this is a social drug, and I have some personal encounters with it during the course of my life thus far (yeah I don't use it myself, don't worry.).
I did something silly.
I didn't check the prescription thoroughly, thinking the focus of this whole session was just counseling. The prescription that I got just happened to be... FAULTY! Darn, I was so carried away during the entire session, neglecting the most basic thing about prescription validity. And I took for granted that patient had no drug allergy. The prescription did not have doctor's signature!!!!
Just when you thought you did well, something just happened to turn out not right.
I know it's part of learning. I accept these mistakes, just they are too silly to make!!!
I need to be more responsible from now on.
Session 3: Smoking Cessation and Warfarin
Smoking cessation written case was okay. Weird enough, I have tonnes of things to talk people out of smoking but when it comes to someone you know, personally, all these things, or rather knowledge, just don't work anymore.
I remembered advising an old uncle to quit counseling during my year 2 preceptorship.
The uncle refused, and gave me a handsign of dying.
And he said ' if I quit, I'll die. That's what happened to my friend.'
I was shocked then. I didn't expect to get such an answer from him.
True enough, this is what some smokers feel, especially the older ones, for they smoke their entire lives. But I can only say, you don't die from quitting smoking. If you do, it simply tells that the damage that you caused to your body had reached the irreversible, severe stage and quitting a day later may fast-forward D-day a day earlier.
Warfarin counseling... wasn't too bad. I think I almost killed my patient by not giving vit K at INR 8. Yeah, the higher INR, the thinner your blood is, and thus higher risk of bleeding. FYI, warfarin is an anticoagulant. Every hospital has different protocols as to what to do if patient's INR is abnormal. I learnt about not giving vit K if no risk of bleeding, but just... when it comes to real practice, different ppl have different judgment core... and yea, next time i will give vit K. (vit K reverts the action of warfarin, in a way).
Session 4: Skin
I didn't study until this morning. In fact, I can't study much too cos I've left my notes back in KL. Luckily I saw edwin online and asked if his lecturer had covered this topic in their PP2 module. And he said yes and sent me a copy! God really blessed me. I was nasty last night by reading twilight the whole day and watching unecessary drama to increase my level of pleasure. And I told God that I was sorry for not doing what I'm supposed to do, rather what I'm not supposed to do I keep doing. And the next day I found out that all my notes are not with me, cos I brought home the other time.
But God knows my limitations and He knows that it's not that I'm lazy to study.
That's why He made sure edwin was online to send me the notes which were of GREAT help (thanks brudder!). I made my way to school earlier, one hour earlier, so that I could print the notes and read them. It's actually a refresher cos I've learnt abt skin in year 2.
The counseling was quite good I felt. And she said I was quite good.
All glory to my Lord!
I think it's a good ending to my counseling session.
I think I'm more encouraged to do a better job next time, for God, and for people.
It's Good Friday! :)
And judy, mj and me are supposed to watch confession of a shopaholic!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
RARRRR
RARRR... i finished reading twilight and now I need a new anchor .. urgh!
Time to start studying :(
I need to find the mood. Sigh.
Time to start studying :(
I need to find the mood. Sigh.
Random thoughts :)
I'm on chapter 15 of Twilight. Yes, I have been reading it since last night and it's like ruling my entire person already! Somehow I find it so amusing.... withdrawal symptoms after all these years of total no pleasure in reading. I guess I don't know what I'm talking about, reading more doesn't make one a better writer. Once again, tested and proven.
I guess the body has been going haywire lately.
First the intense dizziness and fainty feeling despite lying on the bed.
Now the stomachache. I hope it's not due to butterflies of reading too much twilight.
Nevertheless, admist all these, I am enjoying myself much.
The pleasure of slacking despite the impending counselling warfare tomorrow and the pharmacotherapy test next tuesday. I guess I am taking things too lightly, another withdrawal symptoms of FYP.
Of all the things that I've done in the past few days, I'm most glad to enter DT last night.
Indisputably, the first 15 minutes are always the defining moments every time I attend church meetings. It's just the essence, a deep engrave in my heart.
God, I yearn for that kind of simplicity too.
Make me a bigger vessel, so that the pinch of salt will be diluted by the volume of water that I am containing.
I guess the body has been going haywire lately.
First the intense dizziness and fainty feeling despite lying on the bed.
Now the stomachache. I hope it's not due to butterflies of reading too much twilight.
Nevertheless, admist all these, I am enjoying myself much.
The pleasure of slacking despite the impending counselling warfare tomorrow and the pharmacotherapy test next tuesday. I guess I am taking things too lightly, another withdrawal symptoms of FYP.
Of all the things that I've done in the past few days, I'm most glad to enter DT last night.
Indisputably, the first 15 minutes are always the defining moments every time I attend church meetings. It's just the essence, a deep engrave in my heart.
God, I yearn for that kind of simplicity too.
Make me a bigger vessel, so that the pinch of salt will be diluted by the volume of water that I am containing.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Mixed feelings
Yesterday marked the end of FYP grading. Had my oral defense on tuesday, not too bad, but all could tell that I was nervous. Darn, why weren't I aware that uM is not micromolar scientifically, and there ought to be a space between 2.5 and g/m2. Sigh. So the third examiner sharply pointed these out and I was like... SHOCKED. Didn't expect these to be unacceptable cos I sent my report in these format for multiple times and it wasn't pointed out wrong. Nonetheless, I know it's really my mishap.
The Q&A wasn't too bad, I was defending I know. Hope it can offset the mishap. Was quite relieved when the oral defense ended, I was sweating throughout, so you can imagine how nervous I were.
2nd examiner said it was a good study.
Thank God!
Poster presentation went well too. Here are the photos.
My poster. (The report is better, really.)
10 of us under one supervisor. Guess who is my supervisor?
Well is a he. Yea. so pretty straight forward.
This is Mindy's poster. She is really a good designer:)
The poster winners!
Oh gosh, Dr Georgia Pastorin is stunningly cool!
In fact, sometimes things just turned out to be quite magical. We felt like shit and worked like hell throughout these 8 months, yet all we can see from pictures here are megawatt smiles. So much of unspoken struggles, hidden truths. But one thing for sure, we have grown up, quite a bit at least :)
Somehow, many things are better left unsaid. I guess it's because I'm feeling very unwell, it's UTI. Sigh :( Luckily I managed to dig out co-trimoxazole double strength from my sister's medication box. But only 2 doses left. Guess I need to visit the doctor tomorrow.
Finally gotten a chance to catch up with pc and mindy. It was half a year ago since we went out together. See what FYP had done to ALL of us! Nevertheless, I'm still glad that we have the girlie talks, the gossips and the feast :) They always eat more than me, and I guess the major reason is cos I keep eating the air most of the times.
I was trying very hard to find which was our last photo taken together and it was like 6 months back????
Don't you think we look different?
Got an email from him last night.
I really hope I can don't touch my FYP again. He said Dr Lim and Dr Tao just read my report, and mentioned that if it is to be published in journal(Journal of Oncology Practice) , I'll need to shorten by report by at least 1000 words. I really hope to just focus on my studies from now on and don't touch my report ever again!!!
The Q&A wasn't too bad, I was defending I know. Hope it can offset the mishap. Was quite relieved when the oral defense ended, I was sweating throughout, so you can imagine how nervous I were.
2nd examiner said it was a good study.
Thank God!
Poster presentation went well too. Here are the photos.
My poster. (The report is better, really.)
10 of us under one supervisor. Guess who is my supervisor?
Well is a he. Yea. so pretty straight forward.
This is Mindy's poster. She is really a good designer:)
The poster winners!
Oh gosh, Dr Georgia Pastorin is stunningly cool!
In fact, sometimes things just turned out to be quite magical. We felt like shit and worked like hell throughout these 8 months, yet all we can see from pictures here are megawatt smiles. So much of unspoken struggles, hidden truths. But one thing for sure, we have grown up, quite a bit at least :)
Somehow, many things are better left unsaid. I guess it's because I'm feeling very unwell, it's UTI. Sigh :( Luckily I managed to dig out co-trimoxazole double strength from my sister's medication box. But only 2 doses left. Guess I need to visit the doctor tomorrow.
Finally gotten a chance to catch up with pc and mindy. It was half a year ago since we went out together. See what FYP had done to ALL of us! Nevertheless, I'm still glad that we have the girlie talks, the gossips and the feast :) They always eat more than me, and I guess the major reason is cos I keep eating the air most of the times.
I was trying very hard to find which was our last photo taken together and it was like 6 months back????
Don't you think we look different?
Got an email from him last night.
I really hope I can don't touch my FYP again. He said Dr Lim and Dr Tao just read my report, and mentioned that if it is to be published in journal(Journal of Oncology Practice) , I'll need to shorten by report by at least 1000 words. I really hope to just focus on my studies from now on and don't touch my report ever again!!!
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