Tuesday, September 30, 2008

SELAMAT HARI RAYA


( Picture from www.deviantart.com
) by oraet

dear friends,

wishing all of you a very SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI!!!
Maaf Zahir dan Batin~

yours sincerely,
shinyin

Monday, September 29, 2008

GARDASIL

(Written on 19/09/2009)

*Disclaimer: This is simply one of my personal experience during medical school. This article does not imply or compare superiority amongst different HPV vaccines available in the market. This does not prove or shown that any certain HPV vaccine is more superior than others. thank you.

I had my second dose of GARDASIL today. It was rather funny, the scene at the treatment room, a group of medical students, jabbing each other intramuscularly at the deltoid region… anyway, that’s beside the point. Today, I would like to introduce you to my new friend: GARDASIL.

Readers, meet GARDASIL
Readers, meet GARDASIL upclose.... note: this single dose vaccine package came with it's syringe. You could even choose your prefered needle size!



GARDASIL meet your clients
(picture removed)

What the heck is GARDASIL, you may ask… GARDASIL is a Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine.

Allow me to elaborate…

The second highest leading cause of death from cancer amongst Malaysian Women, and worldwide, is CERVICAL CANCER, first being Breast Cancer. Cervical cancer, as the name implies, is the cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

(anatomy of cervix)

Cervical cancer is caused by certain high-risk type of Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV). When a female becomes infected with this virus, it may causes abnormal cells to develop in the lining of the cervix, which can lead to precancerous cells, and if not discover early and treated, will lead to cancer.

Over the years, women with cervical cancer, had suffered from minor operations, hysterectomy (removal of the whole uterus), radiotherapy, chemotherapy and even death from cancer spread.

? How is HPV transmitted?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the only way you can totally protect yourself against HPV is to avoid any sexual activity that involves genital contact. In summary, abstinence is the ONLY way to prevent cervical cancer. And I am not talking about multiple partners. A single partner, let’s say your future spouse, can also cause cervical cancer to you. So, unless you are very sure that you can avoid sexual activity life long, I suggest you read on.

? How to prevent cervical cancer?
Thank God, now, researches had developed a vaccine against HPV (Human Papillomavirus Virus), the causative agents of cervical cancer = GARDASIL. HPV types 16 and 18 causes 70% of cervical cancer cases, and HPV types 6 and 11 causes 90% of genital warts cases. GARDASIL is so far the only vaccine that help guard against diseases caused by HPV type 6, 11, 16 and 18.
Note: Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL should not receive the vaccine. Also, GARDASIL is not for women who are currently pregnant.

? Why am I telling you this now?
A research done on the effectiveness of GARDASIL was done on a population sample on those non-sexually active between 16-26 years old and the result was significant. In fact, the earlier you are vaccinated, the better it is. Therefore, since most of my friends and blog readers are among this age group, I would like to introduce this vaccine to you. It is recommended for girls between 9-26 years old.

? Do one still have to go for PAP smear after vaccinated?
YES. GARDASIL does not protect you 100% from cervical cancer. PAP smear is still the number one screening tool for cervical cancer. It is a cheap and simple procedure. Therefore, once you are sexually active, you still have to go for PAP smear anually (for 3 years, and if all previous smears were normal, screen every 3 yearly).

? Where can I get this and how much?
You can get yourself vaccinated at any local clinic. The price is about RM350 per dose, with a total of 3 dose altogether. Be aware that some vaccine only covers for 2 HPV. Make sure you asked your doctor for more information. Or else, just insist on GARDASIL which provides vaccination against the 4 HPV mentioned above.

? How effective is this vaccine?
As for all vaccine, vaccination with GARDASIL may not result in protection in all vaccine recipients. The efficacy of GARDASIL was assessed in 4 placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase II and III clinical studies. These studies evaluated 20451 women 16 to 26 years old of age at enrollment. The efficacy of GARDASIL against HPV 16- and 18-related CIN 2/3 or AIS was 100% in all four studies (Protocol 005, Protocol 007, FUTURE I and FUTURE II and combined protocols). The efficacy of GARDASIL against HPV 6,11,16 and 18 CIN was 100%, 100%, 90.7% and 95.2% respectively in studies : Protocol 007, FUTURE I and FUTURE II and combined protocols . While the efficacy of GARDASIL against HPV 6,11,16,18 genital lesions (eg warts, VIN, VaIN) was 100%,100%, 98.6% and 99.1% respectively.

? Possible side effects?
Commonly: Fever, redness, pain and swelling at injection site.
Sometimes: Pruritus (itchiness) and hemorrhage (bleeding) at injection site
Very Rarely: Bronchospasm, syncope

? Is it worth the money?
I shall leave it for you to decide. (It sucks right? When women have to suffer from a cancer spread by man. Sigh.. ) Thinking down the line, between a thousand and cervical cancer, if you have some extra savings to spare, why not?

I wanted to include some pictures of cervical cancer and cervical warts, but I was a bit worried that it might upset some readers, certainly not for the faint heart, and I do not know how to include spoilers in a blog… maybe, some other time, perhaps… or you could try goggling for pictures, the internet makes it so convenient…

MORE ON GARDASIL here http://www.gardasil.com/


RELATED LINKS:
Match the blood before you match for horoscope of marriage
blue sclera
Spread the word about the Golden Window of Opportunity. Save your love ones from stroke~

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Money No Enough 2



Classification: U
Genre: Comedy
General Release Date: 28 Aug 2008
Running Time: 2 Hours 5 Minutes,
Distributor: Grand Brilliance
Cast: Jack Neo, Henry Thia, Mark Lee, Lai Ming
Director: Jack Neo


Another one of Singapore’s Jack Neo’s movie that put me in tears. There is no need for special effects or good-looking actors to make this movie good. Money No Enough, is good enough. This movie, is a very real movie, which reflected our everyday lives.

When earning a basic income is not enough, we start taking risks to improved one’s social economy status. When money, easily earn, may also be easily lost. And most importantly, the things that money can’t buy. We never realized how important they are, until we lost them.

With Jack Neo, Henry Thia, Mark Lee casting as the 3 brothers in this movie, with different levels of economy background, facing similar problems. I personally thought that Lai Ming played a very good role as their mother… I think she could win the best actress award!



I cried seeing how much the mother (Lai Ming) was ill treated in this movie. How difficult it is to cope with an elderly with Alzheimer. When an old person suffers from amnesia, asking repeated questions and had urinary incontinence. The geriatric population is growing, yet with more and more of them neglected. When those who loved you most, you labeled them as a 'burden'... and send them away...

There was a section of the movie which I finds rather interesting. When the mother was in ICU and there was not enough O- blood. And it was ridiculous fighting over that pint of blood. And the part where she pulled out the CPAP tube, and the monitor readings go haywire.. and the doctor, who was away from the patient..

i used to laughed at movies which are medically illogical or unreal. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to laugh at this movie. I was still in tears. The message was clear.

A mother would do ANYTHING for their child / family. The mother would give up all her life savings for her children, even the last bit of savings for her funeral. A mother would do anything: ask, beg or even steal for her children. When seeing her children in trouble, the only thing she is worried is being not able to help them... and this made her depressed...

The young mother would do anything, even risk her life or steal blood to save Stella’s life. And Stella’s grandmother, would sacrifice herself too.

MOTHER is indeed the toughest and most noble occupation in the world.

Love your mother. Love your family.


Oh yes, before I forget, this was a great movie! I give it 82%! =)


Friday, September 26, 2008

HappYness can be made up.





Of course happiness can be made up!

My friend, Boon Lee once taught me that the secret to happiness is POSITIVE THINKING. Waking up each morning, and telling yourself :

I am happy because I am alive’

'
I am happy because I am not late for class today'...

'
I am happy because i have good friends'...

'
I am happy because I am not sick today'....


then repeatedly use the words:
I am happy because… (fill in the blanks)….’ -throughout the day.

And I would respond to Boon Lee by saying :
I am happy because Boon Lee is going to give me RM100, like nowwith my palm held out to her. Hehe... Which she would then give me the you-don't-get-it look.

You are just deceiving yourself, Boon Lee. You cannot be happy all the time. No one can be THAT happy. It is pathological, to be that happy.

Although there was something similar written all over Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret. ASK-BELIEVE-RECEIVE.


Fact: Do you know that when you force a smile, it sends neurotransmitter to the brain to release ‘happy’ hormones (endorphins) ?

More facts: Other known endorphines releasing triggers: Chocolates, banana, hot chocolates, cozy blankets, a warm hug, innocent smiles of children.



Question: Why are some people happier than others? Even though they share similar lives, if not better? How is quality of life measured?

Answer: The secret to happiness, I personally think, is
contentment. Positive thinking. And perhaps, even deception. Yes, be contented with the life you have, and to appreciate every moment of it, every person in it. Think positive. When given a lemon, try squeezing a smile out of it. Things may not appear that bad, there's always a silver lining... or rather, thinking the other way round, things could have been worse, but luckily, it wasn’t. Lastly, deception, the highest level of happiness – to make yourself happy, and believe so strongly that you are happy.

At this point, I needed that deception, however transient it may last.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Stories from my childhood

(meanwhile, here's something from my draft box, written quite some time ago,which was not posted as it was rather boring, and i have not started doing what i wanted to, yet)


(photo : Writing, by Ruruw, from deviantART)


I started reading at a very early age. I remembered that I started kindergarten at the age of 3, which now, I realized, was a relatively young age. Simply because, I had working parents. So, I was sent to a babysitter and later to a nursery, and at 3, to a kindergarten. And I took a public bus to kindergarten, something that I was once very proud to announce. Surprisingly, unlike my other siblings, I never refused to go to kindergarten. I wondered whether was it because the attachment I had, was not that strong…

Anyway, like I was saying, I started reading at a very young age. We had to read the series of ‘Peter & Jane’ in kindergarten, and to complete it upon graduation. Every morning, the teacher would make each one of us read, at least a few pages, and for every satisfied reading, she would award us with a star, sometimes even stickers, things which were treasures to little kids. My love for books grew and became more apparent in upper primary school, when I had to switch schools, from Subang Jaya to Seremban. Saying goodbye to friends was not easy.
I did not really like the new environment. I was late to school every morning and refused to do my homework, which later I learnt that children would act the way I did when they are unhappy, unsatisfied or rebellious. Medical school later taught and helped me understood more of me during my childhood.

My friends at primary school labeled me as a ‘bookworm’. And one have to love books so much to be ‘awarded’ such title. I was caught by the teacher, several times in fact, for reading under my desk during class. She must have been in dilemma: should she to punish me for not paying attention in class? Should she punish me for doing something which she encouraged other student to do? She punished me anyway.

They also labeled me as ‘a very quiet person’. I remembered this well as it was described in our elementary school graduation book. Can you imagine, me, being ‘a very quiet person’?


So, I was not much of a people person, when I changed school. My adaptation skill was not that great. Changing school was not something children, in general, cope with easily. And so, I was just being part of that general population. Somehow, I found comfort in books. I completed the whole series of Enid Blyton’s. (Yes, I did!) And when the school library could no longer satisfy me, there was of course, the state library, a new heaven for a 10 year old kid. I loved Shakespeare, which you might think was pretty odd and boring for a primary school kid. Then later, there was the Sweet Valley and Fear Streets Series, which was further encouraged by my reading buddies in high school. We must have been such a bunch of ‘bookworms’ back then, were we?

Like I said, I did not quite like the new environment. I tried searching for my old friends, their addresses in my small, rugged, partially torn, dog-ear-ed, address book. And I tried making new friends, using very few verbal words. And that was when I started writing. And I found comfort in writing.

I write fiction story best. Correction: back then, I only wrote fiction. Partly it was because, that was what required in our English syllabus. Though later I noticed, my stories, the plot I wrote, were very much similar. There had to be someone who falls and love, and someone who died. Somehow, stories like that seemed to pacify my English teacher and earn me that A or star… Thinking back of it now, those stories, were kind of bizarre.

I still remember the story I wrote for my 1119, it was about the rain, and the dark, and the fear, which I was feeling that very time, as I wrote each word down. It took me some time to imagine the plot, before I put them down into words, and I guess, that pacified the examiners too.

And I of course I still remember the infamous ‘rain’ story. How could I forget, when my friend, Suk Teng, constantly reminded me of it. And yes, in that story, someone fell in love, and someone died.

I find it harder to write these days. I cannot remember the last time I wrote something fiction. I guess it all stopped when I stepped in to university. And I grew out of childhood fantasy and dreams. I missed English lessons, I really do. I missed Mrs Lim Swee Boon, who taught us literature. And I missed writing stories, fiction. Perhaps, when one finds time, one shall write again… one shall once again, let the imagination go wild, and the fingers take over the mind.
i cannot decide which is worse...
a medical student falling sick,
or a patient having to continue her daily routine,
or perhaps, a blogger who have not been updating her blog...
when i overdose on pain killers, i am no longer a med student,
i am a patient.
sorry about the delay.
will be writing again, soon.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

i major in boredom - certified! *siGh*...

i was wondering why i feel bored easily... finally, i figured out why... because BOREDOM was what i majored in!! and guess what? today, i've just graduated!

You've worked hard at your blog. You've been studiously writing your journal for years and years, daily expressing your deepest innermost thoughts and feelings. You deserve recognition! Well, we here at 'The University of Blogging' have decided to give you the praise you deserve. Help yourself to an Honorary Degree from our prestigious institution!




Username:


and my boredom doesn't stop there of course, so, i went further to fill in lame quizzes like what is the meaning behind one's name, etc, etc... and so...




Name / Username:



which is silly obviously as the description contradict each other... i mean, how can some one be like [shy] and [humourous&insane] at the same time?? or maybe [intelligent] vs [naive]?? and, do i appeared neglected??? so, this was what differentiates computer from human,.. computers do not think...

then again, it's just me, feeling bored to day..... awaiting for my next exam on Friday...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

exams

exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.
exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.exams.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

beyond it all, love our country, we must....

The news on Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Sin Chew reporter arrested under Section 73(1) of the ISA for allegedly being a threat to security, peace and public order had shocked the nation, or rather shaked the nation.



Arrest of journo is a test case: Press Institute

PETALING JAYA: The arrest of Sin Chew Daily News journalist Tan Hoon Cheng is a test case for journalists all over the country to know how to approach similar situations.

Malaysian Press Institute chairman, Datuk Azman Ujang, said it was a rare case of a reporter being arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for repoting an event.

“We are anxious to know how the ministry will react considering that the newspaper had explained that it was straight forward reporting.

“Journalists themselves are also anxious to know so that they won’t make similar mistakes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Press Club expressed sadness at Tan’s detention.

“We believe that it is not right to use ISA on a journalist who was merely fulfilling her professional duty,” president Mokhtar Hussain told The Star on Saturday.

Calling the detention improper, he added that arresting reporters would not augur well for the journalism industry in Malaysia.

“Journalists will then be working in an environment of fear when reporting the truth,” Mokhtar said, adding that the club hoped for Tan’s release as soon as possible.

BLOGGER's COMMENTS: A test case?? you must be kidding, right? and Datuk Ahmad Ismail comments?

BLOGGER's COMMENTS: it's sad to see what is happening to our country.... the once 'politically stable' nation we were all proud of.... all messed up! politicians are suppose to be good lawyers... crap something good enough to pacify everyone.... not create things with many loopholes, only to be criticized by the people... the people are getting smarter... u need to find a better pacifier.... a better plan..... focus on improving the country... moving ahead.... rather than remaining stagnant, blaming one another, searching for loopholes, isn't that too exhausting?

HERE'S a message from Dr Hsu...

Dr Hsu: I would like to call upon all Malaysians to do these:

1. Remain calm

2. Do not do anything rash

3. Do not take to the street

4. Do not be instigated by people to demonstrate

5. Just voice it out in your blog, your comments to the blogs, and inform your friends and relatives about the situation

6. Call your Aduns or MPs and voice out your objection about these arrests and urge your representatives to voice out

7. Members of political parties, sms your leaders to pressure them to voice out

We shall object to these draconian acts by using civility and do not fall into the traps of giving the big brother a chance to declare emergency rule……



BLOGGER's COMMENTS: Perhaps, this is one of those times, we just have to love our country, no matter what the politicians do... whatever the outcome on September 16, we still have to remember, beyond all those political games, beyond all the hoo-ha, the ridiculous whateva, we NEED to have something stronger.... we need to love our country, and remember of those things which make us Malaysian... risking it all? - it's not worth it!

the full moon



she stared at the moon,
and the moon stared back...
the moon was mesmerizing,
and she thought of home,
but it was just her and the moon this year....
and she whispered to herself, 'happy mid autumn festival'






Sc Fiction & Fantasy Art: Full Moon Empty Heart by Dawn R. Obrecht
p/s: this is an artistic picture of a mermaid, the sea and the full moon... (although it may not look like a mermaid on first look)

Friday, September 12, 2008

Stories from my mother


You know, when one of my friend noticed that I was falling so often, he was suggesting, ‘maybe your parents did not do a good job in teaching you how to walk when you were small’.. I mean, falling like 3 times in less than 2 months period, is quite frequent, relatively, and to the extend I twisted my ankle, and suffered bruises, really, it was not so fun, and sometimes, even tiring and a little scary. Yes, I am tired of falling. Very tired. So, I tired to explore the possibilities, and I chatted with my mum….

He was partially right, my friend. My parents did not do a good job in teaching me how to walk. In fact, they didn’t teach me how to walk. When I was age 1 year old+, which was the appropriate age to start cruising and walking, I grew up in an environment where my dad, he was working outstation, and my mum, she was travelling here and there, between me and my dad. So, I was left with different babysitters, sometimes, with my aunt and cousins.

'did you remember my first word? what age did i start walking? when did i start wearing shoes or use meaningful words?' i asked, in attempt to access whether i had any developmental delay in the past... 'i don't know' mum answered, ' i was busy'. Then, I accidentally blurted out, ‘so, mum, that means you wasn’t there when I first started walking, started saying my first word, started playing and smiling’… She heart-brokenly replied, ‘I suppose so, you were a too-early-mistake’.. and I, I was heart-broken too… but I am 23 now, and I am beggining to understand that juggling between work and family, and life altogether is not easy…

i learnt a lot from my paediatry rotations... like it is important to continues stimulate your child... care for them, teach them... with love, and of course patience, lots of patience.... and the importance of developmental accessment, nutrition, and immunization.... and the little things in life, once you missed it, that's it.. the magic of early detection of developmental delay and therapy can make such a massive difference! when i find time, after exam, i'll explain more on DA or developmental accessment

p/s: Hmm.. perhaps, that still does not explain why I fall that frequent… I wonder whether there is a emotion part to it, you know, like how your body breaks down when you are feeling down, distracted or unstable, how physical signs shows when one is emotionally vulnerable.. or perhaps, people just need to learn how to walk, all over again,… or perhaps, to learn how to get up each time one fall… and not whine or cry after that…

Thursday, September 11, 2008

My Diary in Teluk Intan

DAY 1 (Mon)
First day, at Teluk Intan. Not too bad. Time flies, right? Looking forward to tomorrow.

DAY 2 (Tues)

The patients here were really nice. Presented 2 cases. Today was asthma day. Feeling lazy…, chatted all night with Susie and Shu Juen, they must have contracted shinyin’s-lazy-virus. Had the infamous Teluk Intan Chee Chong Fun (pig intestines shaped flour desserts), still good, but I still preferred Hong Kong’s Chee Chong Fun.
It rained today.


(the chee chong fun it's more delicious than it looks, i need a new camera.. this cam phone can't take the mouth-watering effect)

DAY 3 (Wed)
Dr Wong Sau Wei visited today, super stressed. Realized I had forgotten EVERYTHING we learnt in pre-clinical years. Shinyin, insaflah… will start studying…. *motivated*
It rained again today.

DAY 4 (Thu)

Started feeling lazy, again. Motivation is very short lived. I was considering whether to send the clothes to the drycleaners, but it was too expensive, and surely, I can’t be THAT spoilt, my mum would kill me. So, I did my laundry, missed the washing machine, BADLY…
It rained AGAIN, today. My clothes will never get dried. Why my friends were not replying my sms? siGh… and poor suk teng fell sick, hopes she get better soon.. Felt so bored… started writing again…. and resorted to movies- marathoned the whole series of ‘I not stupid 2’…

DAY 5 (Fri)
Too few patients in Teluk Intan. Today was seizure day. Seen all the patients in the Paediatric ward, I do not know what else to do. I’m super bored… Friends in KL enjoying themselves, jealous... will be spending my weekend here in Teluk Intan – a very unusual way to punish myself…
It rained AGAIN, twice today. Life was so depressing. People must have thought I was crazy, playing the imaginary keyboard. I missed home.

DAY 6 (Sat)
I woke up at 11am today. The life here in Teluk Intan is so sedentary. If I go on sleeping, I can qualify for the P-I-G title.. sigh.. continued movie marathon… missed speaking in English. Ate the worst ‘loh mai kai’ (Glutinous Steam Rice with chicken) in my life! But lunch at T-corner was good, had French Fried Rice with a cup of Earl Grey.
And yes, it rained again.

DAY 7 (Sun)
I am so bored, I am drowning ants. Experimenting whether ants can swim, how long they can survive on surface tension, how they can survive a whirlpool. Yes, the evil shinyin is killing all the irritating ants. and Suk Teng thought i was being a sadist... it's just the boredom, really....
It rained again. I want to online.

DAY 8 (Mon)

Something scary happened today… CORRECTION: Something stupid happened today… or rather, it was just me, being stupid….

DAY 9 (Tues)

I know, it’s stupid to hate this place… fine, laugh all you want =P ….
on-called today…..

DAY 10 (Wed)

Waiting to go home~~~ counting days…..

DAY 11 (Thu)
Going back to HUKM! Yeay!!! Goodbye Teluk Intan.. i shan't miss you :P

EXAM next week….. wish me luck! =)

p/s: i enjoyed the infamous Bidor's Dark Thigh Noodles on the way home... the noodles is similar to wantan noodles, only more crunchy and it's home-made, i heard.. the herbal soup is a great combination.... taste awesome! a-must-try! :) i wonder why we can't find this in KL...
(the infamous Bidor's Duck Thigh Noodles)

(tasty desserts)


RELATED LINKS:
shinyin's first 3 weeks in Hospital Teluk Intan - Obstetics & Gynaecology rotations

Author's Note

Dear friends and readers, Thank you for dropping by and leaving comments/ shoutouts. More importantly, thank you for being there... please accept my apology that, lately, i may be busy with work and not have time to reply youir messages/comments, but rest assured, each and everyone is read, and highly appreciated :) have a nice day! ^^

of love

Today, i heard a story which was not a story of falling...
of living in the dark end of winter turmoil..
instead, it was a love story..
of a couple who did not live happily ever after...
but they live, loving each other..