I went through most of my blog and I realise that most of my blog/life is work related. I guess that's how most adults spend their life. However, its certainly not about living life to its fullest. Its easy to lament that vacations and holidays are hard to come by but, if I try hard enough I can put together a couple of hours a day for my wife,kids, gym , dog and doing other routine stuff.
I shall certainly make the effort.
When I see several of my ICU patients and the state they are in, I do worry about myself. Rest, relaxation and hobbies are something that need to be enjoyed on a daily basis and not something that's been put of until after retirement....some of us may become seriously ill just at time and that throws a spanner in the works.
I recently met up with one of my old friends M, he is a legal moneylender now but has been through quite a bit. Days of working the club doors at nights, collecting money for loan sharks, going to jail for firearm offences and finally a fallout with his old cronies. You would think he would look old and haggard after all this. He doesn't, truth be told, I have aged more that him! And he has left me miles behind in the bench press department. His age, 44!
I believe its because of his priorities. If any job takes him away from his wife, kids and gym for extended periods of time, he leaves and goes back to a meagre existence of 'cukup-makan'.
I am sincerely trying to be the best at what I do. Many people are better than me in my job and I really try to improve and emulate them. The question is, why? And and what cost?
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
time certainly flew very,very fast and before i knew it, it was time for exams. Those were very stressfull days indeed but I am glad I and my study partner. adeline made it. There wasn't much in the way of celebrations, just a good sleep and back to work. but the feeling of accomplishment was really good...
life goes on and now I am back to ICU again, working with my good friend of many years mafeitz.
guess its going to be fun
life goes on and now I am back to ICU again, working with my good friend of many years mafeitz.
guess its going to be fun
Sunday, August 30, 2009
In every bad there is some good
Exams are coming and like many typical students, I am beginning to put in the hours. Its in times like this I wish I had been more productive earlier. Oh well.....
Last Friday, to protest the relocation of temple to section 23, 50 foolish assholes with nothing better to do paraded with a cows' head and cried for blood at the Selangor state secretariat. If I had been hanging around there, I think my head will be dangling next to the cow's. Scary stuff. ( bear in mind that I am not the type that get's scared easily)
The internet, mainstream and side stream media was flooded with comments of people and politicians on both sides the camp.
The Hindus and non Muslim were understandably upset.
Its interesting to see what the Malays said.
Some Malay Muslims did not mind a temple, some did. Some said Barisan was to blame for this mess, some said PR was to blame. Some said there were ample amount of temples around. Others said to let them be, most of these temples were there when the British came....
But an overwhelming majority of these same people with all the different opinions, political background and walks of life uniformly felt that the demonstrations were stupid, uncalled for and not in the spirit of Ramadan.
I originally wrote a different post on Friday itself tittled 'What's wrong with my country?' There is a saying in Tamil that translates; in every bad thing there is a good thing. After reading all these comments from facebook and many web sites, I do know that we have grown as a nation and there is still plenty of unity among the people despite our differences.
Salam Merdeka and happy Ramadan guys.
Last Friday, to protest the relocation of temple to section 23, 50 foolish assholes with nothing better to do paraded with a cows' head and cried for blood at the Selangor state secretariat. If I had been hanging around there, I think my head will be dangling next to the cow's. Scary stuff. ( bear in mind that I am not the type that get's scared easily)
The internet, mainstream and side stream media was flooded with comments of people and politicians on both sides the camp.
The Hindus and non Muslim were understandably upset.
Its interesting to see what the Malays said.
Some Malay Muslims did not mind a temple, some did. Some said Barisan was to blame for this mess, some said PR was to blame. Some said there were ample amount of temples around. Others said to let them be, most of these temples were there when the British came....
But an overwhelming majority of these same people with all the different opinions, political background and walks of life uniformly felt that the demonstrations were stupid, uncalled for and not in the spirit of Ramadan.
I originally wrote a different post on Friday itself tittled 'What's wrong with my country?' There is a saying in Tamil that translates; in every bad thing there is a good thing. After reading all these comments from facebook and many web sites, I do know that we have grown as a nation and there is still plenty of unity among the people despite our differences.
Salam Merdeka and happy Ramadan guys.
Friday, July 17, 2009
A typical on call
Most of our life revolves around an 'on call'. Its a run -the-mill bread and butter of our lives. Life changing incidents take place during an on call, we are learning new things all the time and it conditions us for all kinds of emergencies and scenarios. Your innermost behaviour will surface during a busy on call; the hardworking solid guy n girl, the dumb ass, the talk-a-lot, the slow inefficient klutz, the uncaring bastard......they all come awake in us.
This was my typical call yesterday:
On arrival-big Nigerian guy with a gigantic slash wound on his back, lying on his stomach. There blood everywhere and he insist he just needs a couple of stitches and he will be on his way. Breath smells of alcohol, not the medical kind. Oh well, GA time! Slap in a a-line, turn him on his stomach and the surgeon gets to work. 4 pints of blood and two hours later, all is well.
Next case, stable patient coming from ICU for washout of his infected laparotomy wound. Simple washout and we are done. Its nearly noon.
SMO Hady and I converge in the team leaders desk to catch our breath and see whats next. In comes in a pregnant woman in labour who ruptured her uterus. Adeline shouts for help. Its a mad scramble to crash in on an operating theatre and we induce in less than 5 mins. Baby's out, surgeons do a good job and tragedy is averted.
Time to do a quick tracheostomy for a patient who is ventilator dependant. I help start the case, the ENT surgeons scrub in and its all left in my partners hands. She too has been having some difficult cases so far but still looks bright and cheer full.
We really need to get some rest but in comes a poor hungry child who has been fasted for some time. She has rhadomysarcoma and needs a CVL for chemo, bone marrow biopsies and lumbar punctures. Not a dying emergency but it needs to be done to expedite treatment, and the child can then break her pre-op fast.
Another couple of hours and the child can eat. I am hungry!
Hady kept himself busy doing a couple of nerve blocks of this nice gentleman who needs his leg to be amputated. He has such a sick heart, its barely beating. Hady and Wong did a good job, blocking the femoral and sciatic nerves. I throw my 50 cents worth by blocking the saphenous nerve!
While waiting for the block to work, we begin an ENT case on a patient with stridor, he had hypopharyngeal cancer and his trachea is stenosed. He can barely breath well and has a bad heart, needing bypass surgery at some point of time. An A-line, intravenous anaesthesia, jet ventilation and we are good to go. The surgeon dilates his trachea and we wake him up well.
I go to get food while Hady and Wong begin a laparotomy, a genltleman had a perforated duodenum after a difficult endoscopic procedure. 4 hours later and all is not well with him, operation done but I had been a bit liberal with fluid and now he's overloaded. Hady settles the problem with some Lasix and he pees buckets!
Next we start 100 kg lady who had ruptured an ovarion cycst. She looks ill and severely septic and my partner and I get get to work. Induction is smooth, the surgeons open up and there is about 200 mls of smelly pus in the abdomen. She is much better post op. And its also early in the morning.
I get a spinal anaesthesia going for a young forklift driver who wrecked his ankle. Nothing to it, pretty straight forward.
The neurosurgery team tells us to get a theatre ready, the have a little baby with head injury coming from Seremban and he needs an operation. I get my little drug book, check the doses, prepare the drugs, organise the theatre, machine, warmers and fluid, have a quick shower, a strong coffee and wait. And wait. And wait. Neuro surgery calls and says they will do him later.........
We just get in bed when the surgeon shouts for help. He's doing a gastroscope, the patient bleed half his total blood volume and needs resusitation. We get our half sleepy asses in the the theatre and begin work. An hour later, the surgeon found the bleeder and injected adrenaline. Patient stable for now. Anaesthetist are in good spirits, its morning and our call is over!
This was my typical call yesterday:
On arrival-big Nigerian guy with a gigantic slash wound on his back, lying on his stomach. There blood everywhere and he insist he just needs a couple of stitches and he will be on his way. Breath smells of alcohol, not the medical kind. Oh well, GA time! Slap in a a-line, turn him on his stomach and the surgeon gets to work. 4 pints of blood and two hours later, all is well.
Next case, stable patient coming from ICU for washout of his infected laparotomy wound. Simple washout and we are done. Its nearly noon.
SMO Hady and I converge in the team leaders desk to catch our breath and see whats next. In comes in a pregnant woman in labour who ruptured her uterus. Adeline shouts for help. Its a mad scramble to crash in on an operating theatre and we induce in less than 5 mins. Baby's out, surgeons do a good job and tragedy is averted.
Time to do a quick tracheostomy for a patient who is ventilator dependant. I help start the case, the ENT surgeons scrub in and its all left in my partners hands. She too has been having some difficult cases so far but still looks bright and cheer full.
We really need to get some rest but in comes a poor hungry child who has been fasted for some time. She has rhadomysarcoma and needs a CVL for chemo, bone marrow biopsies and lumbar punctures. Not a dying emergency but it needs to be done to expedite treatment, and the child can then break her pre-op fast.
Another couple of hours and the child can eat. I am hungry!
Hady kept himself busy doing a couple of nerve blocks of this nice gentleman who needs his leg to be amputated. He has such a sick heart, its barely beating. Hady and Wong did a good job, blocking the femoral and sciatic nerves. I throw my 50 cents worth by blocking the saphenous nerve!
While waiting for the block to work, we begin an ENT case on a patient with stridor, he had hypopharyngeal cancer and his trachea is stenosed. He can barely breath well and has a bad heart, needing bypass surgery at some point of time. An A-line, intravenous anaesthesia, jet ventilation and we are good to go. The surgeon dilates his trachea and we wake him up well.
I go to get food while Hady and Wong begin a laparotomy, a genltleman had a perforated duodenum after a difficult endoscopic procedure. 4 hours later and all is not well with him, operation done but I had been a bit liberal with fluid and now he's overloaded. Hady settles the problem with some Lasix and he pees buckets!
Next we start 100 kg lady who had ruptured an ovarion cycst. She looks ill and severely septic and my partner and I get get to work. Induction is smooth, the surgeons open up and there is about 200 mls of smelly pus in the abdomen. She is much better post op. And its also early in the morning.
I get a spinal anaesthesia going for a young forklift driver who wrecked his ankle. Nothing to it, pretty straight forward.
The neurosurgery team tells us to get a theatre ready, the have a little baby with head injury coming from Seremban and he needs an operation. I get my little drug book, check the doses, prepare the drugs, organise the theatre, machine, warmers and fluid, have a quick shower, a strong coffee and wait. And wait. And wait. Neuro surgery calls and says they will do him later.........
We just get in bed when the surgeon shouts for help. He's doing a gastroscope, the patient bleed half his total blood volume and needs resusitation. We get our half sleepy asses in the the theatre and begin work. An hour later, the surgeon found the bleeder and injected adrenaline. Patient stable for now. Anaesthetist are in good spirits, its morning and our call is over!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
the big one is nearing
exams are coming soon and its really spoiling my happiness. the workload is horrendous and tiring, and now things are a bit more complicated with family and all.
anyways, just sort of servicing the blog. will write more next time aroung
anyways, just sort of servicing the blog. will write more next time aroung
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Shukor Adnan
Our family driver who has been with us for sixteen good years died suddenly today. He arrived through an uncle's recommendation sixteen years ago for rural Kelantan and become proficient in his job.
He was loyal, hardworking and extremely dedicated to his job. He hardly seemed to tire despite my dad's hectic schedule and played a large role in our family. Work certainly wasn't easy but he stuck through it thick and thin.
He displayed the characteristic honesty and sincerity Malays are known for. He saw me through most of my secondary education, marriage and became friends with my two boys. He was with my family before my youngest brother was born and watched him grow.
His large family migrated to Kuala Lumpur and he did a good job as a family provider. He also recently became a grandfather.
He saw my dad through 4 general elections and was no doubt a big help to him.
As expected, there was sadness and tears all around.
May he rest in peace.
26-5-2009
He was loyal, hardworking and extremely dedicated to his job. He hardly seemed to tire despite my dad's hectic schedule and played a large role in our family. Work certainly wasn't easy but he stuck through it thick and thin.
He displayed the characteristic honesty and sincerity Malays are known for. He saw me through most of my secondary education, marriage and became friends with my two boys. He was with my family before my youngest brother was born and watched him grow.
His large family migrated to Kuala Lumpur and he did a good job as a family provider. He also recently became a grandfather.
He saw my dad through 4 general elections and was no doubt a big help to him.
As expected, there was sadness and tears all around.
May he rest in peace.
26-5-2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Back again
The whole month passed in a blur, we we nearly as busy as I used to be i HKL. The department was chronically short wit many candidates going for exams, there was the pressure of doing a short charged rooster and tempers did fly more than once. 8 calls, plus occasionaly coming back on your off day saw the month through fast.
Hopefully this month is a bit easy.
I am also starting to feel exam stress and wondering if I can make it through the big one in november. Time will tell.
I do seem to be spending more time with my elder son shastri. He is growing bigger and stronger by the day and more and more defiant when he gets upset. From time to time, he does need a firm hand which only a dad can possess. I am also learning that as a dad, you need to earn respect and lead by example. The baby Arditya is starting to grow. He is much healthier now and really loves me. I just wish I had more time for him.
Hopefully this month is a bit easy.
I am also starting to feel exam stress and wondering if I can make it through the big one in november. Time will tell.
I do seem to be spending more time with my elder son shastri. He is growing bigger and stronger by the day and more and more defiant when he gets upset. From time to time, he does need a firm hand which only a dad can possess. I am also learning that as a dad, you need to earn respect and lead by example. The baby Arditya is starting to grow. He is much healthier now and really loves me. I just wish I had more time for him.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The end of obs
I just finished my two months of being an amature obstetrics anaesthetist. Other than the sad maternal death, it was fun and gratifying.
I inserted more than 30 labour epidural. Being a person who always seeks instant gratification, a working epidural is highly rewarding, both for me and the patient. I may have inserted for more epidurals in my old place(close to 70 in the same duration), but I actually learned more here. I could hang around each patient longer, troubleshoot and actually ensure better patient satisfaction. I visited my patients through their labour and made adjustments in my epidural drugs. Talking to them through the process and telling them what i am doing seemed to helped.
I had my share of screw-ups which contributed to the learning curve!
Of course there was more to the posting than epidurals but to write about everything will fill many-many pages. I guess there are always two attitudes we can have when we are doing the same stuff; been there, done that or lets see what i can learn/re-learn.
I inserted more than 30 labour epidural. Being a person who always seeks instant gratification, a working epidural is highly rewarding, both for me and the patient. I may have inserted for more epidurals in my old place(close to 70 in the same duration), but I actually learned more here. I could hang around each patient longer, troubleshoot and actually ensure better patient satisfaction. I visited my patients through their labour and made adjustments in my epidural drugs. Talking to them through the process and telling them what i am doing seemed to helped.
I had my share of screw-ups which contributed to the learning curve!
Of course there was more to the posting than epidurals but to write about everything will fill many-many pages. I guess there are always two attitudes we can have when we are doing the same stuff; been there, done that or lets see what i can learn/re-learn.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The most efficent army
During a hiking trip(another story) I was talking to my friend, a Burmese, about the conditions back home. I am always interested in the lives of people in other countries and I like to ask basic and silly questions like "do you guys have traffic lights" or "what do you eat for breakfast".
During the course of our conversation, I discovered that the whole country is run by the military. They have their own cabinet, their own departments and their own state run companies. The burmese army is multi-talented.
They can control agriculture, telecommunications, the banking system, the health and education system and about everything else in the country.
They can also deal with naughty people well. Trials don't run for ages-ages like they do in many countries. Almost all trials are short and sweet, almost like formalities.
The army is running the country on its own and it must be an uphill task,since they are facing economic sanctions. Their health care system is not bad, basic but providing pretty much all the medical needs of the population. There are many well trained burmese doctors working in our country and they can attest to that.
They had one major problem in 1990, when they lost the elections. They dealt with the problem in a novel and original way, they didn't hand over power and the head of the coalition that won is still under house arrest.
I just wonder whether all in the ruling party are of one mind, or do they have their own internal power struggles and strife's? Who inherits the position of the head of state and how is the selection process?
We are an open democratic country. But do we have our pride intact? We and pretty much
every other small nation have to face human rights accusations from the mighty and oh-so morally superior US. They got very angry when one of our politicians was subjected to a police investigations.
We so very spoilt and dependant on their buying power to keep us comfortable. I am not saying and over authoritative government is good, but sometimes I think our government lacks a strong backbone.
Soft parents breed rude spoilt children.
During the course of our conversation, I discovered that the whole country is run by the military. They have their own cabinet, their own departments and their own state run companies. The burmese army is multi-talented.
They can control agriculture, telecommunications, the banking system, the health and education system and about everything else in the country.
They can also deal with naughty people well. Trials don't run for ages-ages like they do in many countries. Almost all trials are short and sweet, almost like formalities.
The army is running the country on its own and it must be an uphill task,since they are facing economic sanctions. Their health care system is not bad, basic but providing pretty much all the medical needs of the population. There are many well trained burmese doctors working in our country and they can attest to that.
They had one major problem in 1990, when they lost the elections. They dealt with the problem in a novel and original way, they didn't hand over power and the head of the coalition that won is still under house arrest.
I just wonder whether all in the ruling party are of one mind, or do they have their own internal power struggles and strife's? Who inherits the position of the head of state and how is the selection process?
We are an open democratic country. But do we have our pride intact? We and pretty much
every other small nation have to face human rights accusations from the mighty and oh-so morally superior US. They got very angry when one of our politicians was subjected to a police investigations.
We so very spoilt and dependant on their buying power to keep us comfortable. I am not saying and over authoritative government is good, but sometimes I think our government lacks a strong backbone.
Soft parents breed rude spoilt children.
Friday, February 27, 2009
BAD CALL
I cant believe a pregnant mother died in front of me. When I look back, there were a few more things I could have done in a better way. I knew things were going to turn bad for her before anyone had a clue. I couldn't word it, I couldn't point anything abnormal out and she was so fine. She looked okay in every one's eyes but mine. This doesn't make me feel gifted or clever in anyway. On the contrary, I am kicking myself. I choose to ignore my instinct and rather than watch over her like a hawk. I told myself its just some silly paranoia. If I had listened to my instinct, will things have turned out differently? I will never know. Was she medically salvageable? No one will ever find out.
The worse part is that I am no amateur in sensing danger. I have repeatedly done it. I can literally smell trouble. Sounds even more silly when I ignored my intuition ,doesn't it?
Our brain is capable of many weird and wonderful things we are only beginning to understand. Everybody has some degree of intuition. Even cows and goats can sense when they are going to be slaughtered. Practically every woman who was a victim of a sexual crime will tell you that she felt hunted the whole day. Good cops can sense when their quarry is near. Likewise for the crooks!
What happens when we repeatedly ignore our intuition, instinct, sixth sense or whatever we call it? The same things that happens when don't use a muscle. It will inevitably atrophy.
On another note, I learned how much I am capable of. Despite my inner turmoil, I somehow managed to work as usual after the tragedy. When I am a specialist, if such an incident happens to one of my medical officers, I will make sure he/she gets off duty straight away. Its common sense. In any other place, that is standard protocol. As I mentioned before, I am working in a special place with lots of fun, excitement and challenges. The other thing that sort of kept my spirits up was the thought of my friends who sprung up from all over the hospital to help. Thanks guys.
The worse part is that I am no amateur in sensing danger. I have repeatedly done it. I can literally smell trouble. Sounds even more silly when I ignored my intuition ,doesn't it?
Our brain is capable of many weird and wonderful things we are only beginning to understand. Everybody has some degree of intuition. Even cows and goats can sense when they are going to be slaughtered. Practically every woman who was a victim of a sexual crime will tell you that she felt hunted the whole day. Good cops can sense when their quarry is near. Likewise for the crooks!
What happens when we repeatedly ignore our intuition, instinct, sixth sense or whatever we call it? The same things that happens when don't use a muscle. It will inevitably atrophy.
On another note, I learned how much I am capable of. Despite my inner turmoil, I somehow managed to work as usual after the tragedy. When I am a specialist, if such an incident happens to one of my medical officers, I will make sure he/she gets off duty straight away. Its common sense. In any other place, that is standard protocol. As I mentioned before, I am working in a special place with lots of fun, excitement and challenges. The other thing that sort of kept my spirits up was the thought of my friends who sprung up from all over the hospital to help. Thanks guys.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
SHASTRI'S HIKE
Its been some time since I actually wrote something. Life has been busy and exciting. Early in the month, I took shastri for a hike and my younger brother got most of the trip on his new SLR. Its up a hill called bukit tabur near my house. Its nice to live close to a quartz hill but as you can see from a picture, there is rampant environment destruction.
Shastri is one tough three year old and amazed some of the climbers we saw on our way up.
Most of the hill is formed by the pretty but wotrthless quartz and the view is good. Its overlooking the Klang Gates dam.
Shastri may have been up it but the bukit tabur is not for beginners and climbers have fallen to their death before. Always go prepared and take sensible precautions.
Shastri is one tough three year old and amazed some of the climbers we saw on our way up.
Most of the hill is formed by the pretty but wotrthless quartz and the view is good. Its overlooking the Klang Gates dam.
Shastri may have been up it but the bukit tabur is not for beginners and climbers have fallen to their death before. Always go prepared and take sensible precautions.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
IRRATIONAL BULLSHIT
One of the advantages of a blog spot is that you have the right to rant whatever you want on it. Here I go.
A patient is not supposed to receive HIV tainted blood. A military aircraft is not supposed to have technical problem and crash in some one's house and kill civilians during a drill. Knee replacement patients are not supposed to develop post op joint infection. It sucks. It really is unfair. But these bloody things happen all the time in the real world. Time and time again. We should not tolerate such things, we should investigate, learn and rectify.
Kugan's death in custody is exactly the same thing.
His parents have every right to grieve, file a wrong full death suit and sue the government. An OKT should not die in custody. It just must not happen!
But look at the crap the acclaimed malaysiakini is dishing. Check out the their free column, 'will kugan get the justice he deserves'. I don't doubt most of those comments are what the public is feeling at the moment. But we all know how irrationality spreads and about herd mentality. A news portal is supposed to correct misconceptions and not give rise to bullshit like malaysikini does.
Comments by a malaysian: Has the force (police) done anything to be proud of? It seems to him that they are more interested in catching pirated disc peddlers. One good cop is a paraplegic after an ambush went wrong three years ago in Grand Seasons Hotel. Two crooks nearly died and an entire gang of robbers went down during that ops. The notorious Nine Sea Dragons are all behind bars after they got their asses kicked in Klang. A group of students who kidnapped and torched their friend for ransom are now facing the death sentence. Another group who hacked a doctor in Bangsar to death is also in jail. Does 'a malaysian' know what happened to Mat Commando, the Evo 5 gang, and the mamak gang? Does it occur to him that a lot all the lives are risked during intelligence gathering to make a successful drug bust? No. Instead, to him, the people charged with protecting him have become his biggest enemy. Has he lost his mind?
Peter Ooi spoke some sense. But, in contrast to A Malaysian, anyone's comments will make sense.
Xroy, came out with a conspiracy theory, concerning a criminal police force. There are many, many things he doesn't know. The truth Xroy is much, much more that you could stomach. By the way, have you ever entertained the thought about a 'criminal US government' and their repeated attempts to topple our government. Something to ponder....
MP raised some points about Obama's action to ban torture and thinks we should follow their example. He has valid points, and the innocence of a 5 year old.
Megat Z made a good point, stating that the initial 'water the lungs' is probably just a medical finding. The follow up investigation is important.
Sritharan and Milton Yap both have good comments on Syed Hamid going after the two deputy ministers who appeared at the mortuary in good faith.Unfortunately, Milton Yap has little or no knowledge regarding medical reports(Buy an ICD 10) and suggested the doctor who wrote the report should have his license revoked and be charged with perversion of justice. Looks like we all have a sadist in us.
Vijay is angry with Palanivel for suggesting the matter be investigated by a comittee, instead stating that is a time for justice and retribution. That statement sounds so much more catchy. Watching too many zorro movies vijay?
'In any other country, those in high places would have resinged by now.' Every other country has a decent and honourable government but us. Did malaysiakini get little kids to comment on the issue? Which other countries? Heard about the stuff that goes in the NYPD, the shooting and subsequent death of a teenage commuter in the UK and the 'soft' interrogation techniques approved by the us marines.Not to mention what goes on behind the doors of a superpower like China or an ultarian government like singapore. Shall we talk about India?Looks like our Malaysiakini reader needs to get up and smell the shit stained roses of life in today's world. Or better yet vijay, look up to the great pakatan government to form a truly honourable government. They the saviours of malaysia in the twenty first century. Ask the Kapar MP, he will tell you. Vijay should just stick to his zorro movies. The real world sucks big time.
A patient is not supposed to receive HIV tainted blood. A military aircraft is not supposed to have technical problem and crash in some one's house and kill civilians during a drill. Knee replacement patients are not supposed to develop post op joint infection. It sucks. It really is unfair. But these bloody things happen all the time in the real world. Time and time again. We should not tolerate such things, we should investigate, learn and rectify.
Kugan's death in custody is exactly the same thing.
His parents have every right to grieve, file a wrong full death suit and sue the government. An OKT should not die in custody. It just must not happen!
But look at the crap the acclaimed malaysiakini is dishing. Check out the their free column, 'will kugan get the justice he deserves'. I don't doubt most of those comments are what the public is feeling at the moment. But we all know how irrationality spreads and about herd mentality. A news portal is supposed to correct misconceptions and not give rise to bullshit like malaysikini does.
Comments by a malaysian: Has the force (police) done anything to be proud of? It seems to him that they are more interested in catching pirated disc peddlers. One good cop is a paraplegic after an ambush went wrong three years ago in Grand Seasons Hotel. Two crooks nearly died and an entire gang of robbers went down during that ops. The notorious Nine Sea Dragons are all behind bars after they got their asses kicked in Klang. A group of students who kidnapped and torched their friend for ransom are now facing the death sentence. Another group who hacked a doctor in Bangsar to death is also in jail. Does 'a malaysian' know what happened to Mat Commando, the Evo 5 gang, and the mamak gang? Does it occur to him that a lot all the lives are risked during intelligence gathering to make a successful drug bust? No. Instead, to him, the people charged with protecting him have become his biggest enemy. Has he lost his mind?
Peter Ooi spoke some sense. But, in contrast to A Malaysian, anyone's comments will make sense.
Xroy, came out with a conspiracy theory, concerning a criminal police force. There are many, many things he doesn't know. The truth Xroy is much, much more that you could stomach. By the way, have you ever entertained the thought about a 'criminal US government' and their repeated attempts to topple our government. Something to ponder....
MP raised some points about Obama's action to ban torture and thinks we should follow their example. He has valid points, and the innocence of a 5 year old.
Megat Z made a good point, stating that the initial 'water the lungs' is probably just a medical finding. The follow up investigation is important.
Sritharan and Milton Yap both have good comments on Syed Hamid going after the two deputy ministers who appeared at the mortuary in good faith.Unfortunately, Milton Yap has little or no knowledge regarding medical reports(Buy an ICD 10) and suggested the doctor who wrote the report should have his license revoked and be charged with perversion of justice. Looks like we all have a sadist in us.
Vijay is angry with Palanivel for suggesting the matter be investigated by a comittee, instead stating that is a time for justice and retribution. That statement sounds so much more catchy. Watching too many zorro movies vijay?
'In any other country, those in high places would have resinged by now.' Every other country has a decent and honourable government but us. Did malaysiakini get little kids to comment on the issue? Which other countries? Heard about the stuff that goes in the NYPD, the shooting and subsequent death of a teenage commuter in the UK and the 'soft' interrogation techniques approved by the us marines.Not to mention what goes on behind the doors of a superpower like China or an ultarian government like singapore. Shall we talk about India?Looks like our Malaysiakini reader needs to get up and smell the shit stained roses of life in today's world. Or better yet vijay, look up to the great pakatan government to form a truly honourable government. They the saviours of malaysia in the twenty first century. Ask the Kapar MP, he will tell you. Vijay should just stick to his zorro movies. The real world sucks big time.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
GONE IN A FLASH
We had this gentleman who was recovering from a bad case of pancreatitis in ICU. It was a stormy recovery, but the patient was never critically ill at any one point of time. He and his family did interact with us often enough and they were all sharp and keen to know about his progress.
He was certainly getting better and on the morning of his planned discharge, was actually sitting on a chair. I was post call and handing over to my friend.
By afternoon, he intubated, ventilated and on high, high inotropes. Dying, in front of all of us. Something went badly wrong.
He died early next morning.
Damn.
He was certainly getting better and on the morning of his planned discharge, was actually sitting on a chair. I was post call and handing over to my friend.
By afternoon, he intubated, ventilated and on high, high inotropes. Dying, in front of all of us. Something went badly wrong.
He died early next morning.
Damn.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
DEATH IN CUSTODY
Its all over the papers, malaysiakini, on makkal.org, on nearly every anti-establishment website you can think of. The death of young Kugan in custody.
He was arrested, interrogated and apparently led the cops to the recovery of stolen cars. He also lost his life in the process. He died after five days. It takes a lot to snuff the life out of a fit healthy person.
An unhappy group( I wont refer to them as a mob) barged into a mortuary and took photos of his battered body. My heartfelt condolences to his parents. No parent should see their children in such condition.
I am writing my opinions in this blog so I don't care what others think.
We can learn a few things from this tragedy.
1.Being intricately familiar with both 'our' world, the 'underworld' and the criminal justice system, my comments should count for something. Sorry, but cant elaborate more.
2. Being an Indian, I get distressed when I see another Indian treated badly. A Malay, a Chinese, Japanese and anyone would feel the same. We all are not Kugan's parents. They have the right to feel whatever they are feeling. Many of us do not know and cannot even imagine their feelings. Don't all of us get over emotional, and start blaming all the cops, accusing UMNO of bigotry and nazi behaviour, blaming najib and pak lah and looking towards the great Pakatan as a saviour. Nobody has the right to politicise any one's death.
3. It is not acceptable when someone dies in custody. A death in police custody destroys the credibility of the police. Reduced credibility of the cops is demoralising to the whole police force and country, retards our criminal justice system and allows more crooks to walk free at the end of the day. We, the unarmed public would be the ultimate losers in such a scenario.
As such, the case should be thoroughly investigated.
4. Is Kugan a criminal? The case is under police investigation and none of us should comment.
5. He got detained by the cops and died. NEVER GET INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. That's the surest way to never die in custody. Not a full proof way but the best way I can think of. There is a small group of Indian criminal gangs that operate within the Klang valley. But they are not the Italian Mafia. Poorly educated, financially weak and ill equipped to deal with the law when in catches up with them, many are subjected to all the injustices in the criminal justice system. They cant hire good lawyers, they can't post bail, they cant communicate well with the judge and are often denied bail. Many are abandoned by their 'gangs' and their poor parents languish outside the lock-up. To all Indians, the law isn't kind to us, please shun from all forms of criminal activity before many more die in custody. CRIME JUST DOESN'T PAY.
6. Many of us Indians are Hindus. As such, we believe in the law of karma. Don't do things that make people curse at you. Don't harm the population. don't extort, don't terrorise people, don't brandish weapons at every opportunity. Bad things happen when people curse you. Once again, its not a full proof way to stay out of trouble but it helps.
7. The police are not evil corrupted bigots who hate us. They are normal people. Trust me, I know many of them. I am not defending those accused in Kugan's murder. I am telling you what I know. They receive reports from victims all day long. They have seen a grown man cry when his car got jacked with his wife and daughters in it. They have seen parang cuts in those who did not surrender their vehicles. They are not trained like medical doctors to view all life as equal. They have an inbred hatred of all crooks. That's how things are. If you get caught by them being naughty( I am not talking about speeding) you are in for a hard time. DON'T GET CAUGHT. CRIME DOESN'T PAY.
8. Think about this. Why should the police beat and physically abuse Indian detainees? Anything personal? They can protect themselves. They have nothing to fear from criminal gangs. Bad guys are not a threat to them. Each blow they deliver lands them closer to the possibility of going to jail. A jailed cop is in a bad way. Why would any law enforcer take such a risk? A common hatred for all Indian people? Be objective and logical before we hurl all sorts of accusations at anyone, whoever they may be.
9.We don't have a CSI but our Special Branch is one of the best in the world. These are the same guys who won a twelve year war against the communist. They spend hours and days away from their family, have no 'additional' income due to the undercover nature of their job and risk their lives. They know who the crooks are. Think about it, do they gain anything from labelling you,me and every other muthu as bad guys? Don't ever be the bad guy in their books. Once anyone gets labelled as a troublemaker, the local CID is going to come down hard on them.
I am not be role model of Indian youth. I am sending a very different message from what Hindraf sends. As such, I don't expect my comments on the issue to make me a community hero. But I am telling every Indian youth the way things are in this country. They really should stay away from crime. There shouldn't be any of our young ones behind bars.
He was arrested, interrogated and apparently led the cops to the recovery of stolen cars. He also lost his life in the process. He died after five days. It takes a lot to snuff the life out of a fit healthy person.
An unhappy group( I wont refer to them as a mob) barged into a mortuary and took photos of his battered body. My heartfelt condolences to his parents. No parent should see their children in such condition.
I am writing my opinions in this blog so I don't care what others think.
We can learn a few things from this tragedy.
1.Being intricately familiar with both 'our' world, the 'underworld' and the criminal justice system, my comments should count for something. Sorry, but cant elaborate more.
2. Being an Indian, I get distressed when I see another Indian treated badly. A Malay, a Chinese, Japanese and anyone would feel the same. We all are not Kugan's parents. They have the right to feel whatever they are feeling. Many of us do not know and cannot even imagine their feelings. Don't all of us get over emotional, and start blaming all the cops, accusing UMNO of bigotry and nazi behaviour, blaming najib and pak lah and looking towards the great Pakatan as a saviour. Nobody has the right to politicise any one's death.
3. It is not acceptable when someone dies in custody. A death in police custody destroys the credibility of the police. Reduced credibility of the cops is demoralising to the whole police force and country, retards our criminal justice system and allows more crooks to walk free at the end of the day. We, the unarmed public would be the ultimate losers in such a scenario.
As such, the case should be thoroughly investigated.
4. Is Kugan a criminal? The case is under police investigation and none of us should comment.
5. He got detained by the cops and died. NEVER GET INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. That's the surest way to never die in custody. Not a full proof way but the best way I can think of. There is a small group of Indian criminal gangs that operate within the Klang valley. But they are not the Italian Mafia. Poorly educated, financially weak and ill equipped to deal with the law when in catches up with them, many are subjected to all the injustices in the criminal justice system. They cant hire good lawyers, they can't post bail, they cant communicate well with the judge and are often denied bail. Many are abandoned by their 'gangs' and their poor parents languish outside the lock-up. To all Indians, the law isn't kind to us, please shun from all forms of criminal activity before many more die in custody. CRIME JUST DOESN'T PAY.
6. Many of us Indians are Hindus. As such, we believe in the law of karma. Don't do things that make people curse at you. Don't harm the population. don't extort, don't terrorise people, don't brandish weapons at every opportunity. Bad things happen when people curse you. Once again, its not a full proof way to stay out of trouble but it helps.
7. The police are not evil corrupted bigots who hate us. They are normal people. Trust me, I know many of them. I am not defending those accused in Kugan's murder. I am telling you what I know. They receive reports from victims all day long. They have seen a grown man cry when his car got jacked with his wife and daughters in it. They have seen parang cuts in those who did not surrender their vehicles. They are not trained like medical doctors to view all life as equal. They have an inbred hatred of all crooks. That's how things are. If you get caught by them being naughty( I am not talking about speeding) you are in for a hard time. DON'T GET CAUGHT. CRIME DOESN'T PAY.
8. Think about this. Why should the police beat and physically abuse Indian detainees? Anything personal? They can protect themselves. They have nothing to fear from criminal gangs. Bad guys are not a threat to them. Each blow they deliver lands them closer to the possibility of going to jail. A jailed cop is in a bad way. Why would any law enforcer take such a risk? A common hatred for all Indian people? Be objective and logical before we hurl all sorts of accusations at anyone, whoever they may be.
9.We don't have a CSI but our Special Branch is one of the best in the world. These are the same guys who won a twelve year war against the communist. They spend hours and days away from their family, have no 'additional' income due to the undercover nature of their job and risk their lives. They know who the crooks are. Think about it, do they gain anything from labelling you,me and every other muthu as bad guys? Don't ever be the bad guy in their books. Once anyone gets labelled as a troublemaker, the local CID is going to come down hard on them.
I am not be role model of Indian youth. I am sending a very different message from what Hindraf sends. As such, I don't expect my comments on the issue to make me a community hero. But I am telling every Indian youth the way things are in this country. They really should stay away from crime. There shouldn't be any of our young ones behind bars.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
THE LIBRARY
Like any dad, I am proud of my boys. Other guys have may have their ATV's or super bikes but I am proud of my eldest boy. He is full of the hormone that makes life worth living-testosterone. He is big, tough, naughty, likes guns, enjoys wrestling and punching me, loves jungle and river trekking and is brave.
He is probably a dying species in today's politically correct world of metro sexual males.
He also has another side to him, he loves reading. He cant have enough of books. He likes all of them; storybooks, gun books, animal picture books. Children's books today can cost a bit nowadays.
We enrolled him as a member of the national library and have been frequenting for two Sunday's in a row. Its easy, you can walk in and read or become a member instantly if you want to borrow books.
The kids section is impressive, there are tons of books to choose from and plenty of sofa's to sit and read them. Yup, sofas like those in your hall. Wife and I just take turns reading to him and leave after and hour or two with a few of his favourite books.
It beats spending a Sunday morning in the mall or at home watching t.v. I hope he remembers such trips when he grows up.
Kudos to the staff and the government for maintaining such a place that's free for all Malaysians.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
WAR, WAR AND MORE WAR
I think that Israel measures are beyond self defense. Their suffocating blockade of Gaza and now their inhumane military measures is going to gain Hamas more and more sympathisers and increase future militant strikes.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, this eye for an eye policy will make the whole world blind.
Are all the papers lying about the magnitude of civilian casualties? I really don't think so.
Too many kids are dying. At what number of civilian casualties does a military defensive move become pure terrorism?
Many leaders believe that the US can bring about a halt in Israel's offensive. Too me, thats debatable.
I find myself asking what is their stand in the wake of the Gaza crisis? How vocal have they been with regards to all those pictures of dead Palestenians spread across the headlines.
They were far more vocal, angry and much, much more responsive when Anwar Ibrahim was detained following sodomy allegations. They summoned our ambassador, publicly requested a transparent investigation and Madam Rice asked for a 'fair trial'.
Rejecting their goods and products? Difficult but I will do my part. Rejecting their endorsed 'leaders' of my country- definately.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, this eye for an eye policy will make the whole world blind.
Are all the papers lying about the magnitude of civilian casualties? I really don't think so.
Too many kids are dying. At what number of civilian casualties does a military defensive move become pure terrorism?
Many leaders believe that the US can bring about a halt in Israel's offensive. Too me, thats debatable.
I find myself asking what is their stand in the wake of the Gaza crisis? How vocal have they been with regards to all those pictures of dead Palestenians spread across the headlines.
They were far more vocal, angry and much, much more responsive when Anwar Ibrahim was detained following sodomy allegations. They summoned our ambassador, publicly requested a transparent investigation and Madam Rice asked for a 'fair trial'.
Rejecting their goods and products? Difficult but I will do my part. Rejecting their endorsed 'leaders' of my country- definately.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Chronic unhealing maligant ulcer
Happy new year to those who celebrate it. I personally think its a highly commercialised alcohol drinking festival. I really don't ape westerners and I cant seem to understand its popularity here. Anyway for the record, Hindus have celebrated more than 5000 plus new years. It loses its thrill after a while.
Anyway, bigger things are happening. Gaza is getting pounded really badly. The amount of non-combatants Palestinians dead is staggering. And sad. The Muslim world is especially vocal. I just wonder why the non-Muslim world isn't. Those are innocent people.
If you google the word Palestine or Israel, you will learn a lot about the settlement of Jews there 3400 ago, their earlier fight for a state and subsequent defeats by the Romans, (132 BC). They did not rule the land for a long time after that. Later, after the Romans the the byzantine emperor conducted a the first of many genocides against Jews. During the crusades, Christians waged wars against Jews in the region. The Jews, original inhabitants of the area, were expelled many times and even driven close to extinction.
Muslims first conquered the are in the seventh century and ruled in until the 20th century.(the ottoman empire-area referred to as Palestine). Correct me if I am wrong but they were the first to allow the return of Jews to that area, known as Palestine. Once again, Jews became a sizable majority in Jerusalem.I did not come across articles any massacres of Jews by the Muslims or the ottoman empire. Once again correct me if I am wrong.
The British got into a fight with Germany during world war 1 and the Turkish took Germany's side. In return for financial support, Britain promised the Jewish people a home-state of Palestine when they defeated the ottomans for control of Palestine. They kept their word. See British mandate of Palestine and the Balfour declaration. The need for an actual formal country for the Jews became urgent after they were nearly exterminated(for the hundredth time in history). The Arabs firmly opposed giving any of their land to the Jews and the Arab Israel wars broke out in 1948. We all know who won.
The Palestinian Muslims became refugees and have since then been venting their anger at the Jews.
My question is this- did Hamas think Israel would compromise on the safety of their precious state after everything that has happened to them? They can actually defend themselves now. They enough massacres.
The Palestinians' anger is understandable. Many of their loved ones died during the Arab-Israel wars. They all now live in squalid refugee camps that are periodically demolished by Israel. They are surviving in horrible living conditions, lining up for hours to go to work in what was once their homeland.
Hamas fighters are prepared to sacrifice their lives for a proper home. But to they have the right to involve non combatants, knowing full well the extent of Israel's response? Why did they engage the Israel army with weak and ineffective rocket fire from settlement areas?
Israel will never defeat them. Hama's membership will hit the roof next month, by more people who lost their homes and children.
This vicious cycle will never end during our lifetime.
Whose side am I on? I think everybody should just STOP IT!!!
Anyway, bigger things are happening. Gaza is getting pounded really badly. The amount of non-combatants Palestinians dead is staggering. And sad. The Muslim world is especially vocal. I just wonder why the non-Muslim world isn't. Those are innocent people.
If you google the word Palestine or Israel, you will learn a lot about the settlement of Jews there 3400 ago, their earlier fight for a state and subsequent defeats by the Romans, (132 BC). They did not rule the land for a long time after that. Later, after the Romans the the byzantine emperor conducted a the first of many genocides against Jews. During the crusades, Christians waged wars against Jews in the region. The Jews, original inhabitants of the area, were expelled many times and even driven close to extinction.
Muslims first conquered the are in the seventh century and ruled in until the 20th century.(the ottoman empire-area referred to as Palestine). Correct me if I am wrong but they were the first to allow the return of Jews to that area, known as Palestine. Once again, Jews became a sizable majority in Jerusalem.I did not come across articles any massacres of Jews by the Muslims or the ottoman empire. Once again correct me if I am wrong.
The British got into a fight with Germany during world war 1 and the Turkish took Germany's side. In return for financial support, Britain promised the Jewish people a home-state of Palestine when they defeated the ottomans for control of Palestine. They kept their word. See British mandate of Palestine and the Balfour declaration. The need for an actual formal country for the Jews became urgent after they were nearly exterminated(for the hundredth time in history). The Arabs firmly opposed giving any of their land to the Jews and the Arab Israel wars broke out in 1948. We all know who won.
The Palestinian Muslims became refugees and have since then been venting their anger at the Jews.
My question is this- did Hamas think Israel would compromise on the safety of their precious state after everything that has happened to them? They can actually defend themselves now. They enough massacres.
The Palestinians' anger is understandable. Many of their loved ones died during the Arab-Israel wars. They all now live in squalid refugee camps that are periodically demolished by Israel. They are surviving in horrible living conditions, lining up for hours to go to work in what was once their homeland.
Hamas fighters are prepared to sacrifice their lives for a proper home. But to they have the right to involve non combatants, knowing full well the extent of Israel's response? Why did they engage the Israel army with weak and ineffective rocket fire from settlement areas?
Israel will never defeat them. Hama's membership will hit the roof next month, by more people who lost their homes and children.
This vicious cycle will never end during our lifetime.
Whose side am I on? I think everybody should just STOP IT!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)