Part 1 of “So, You Have An Ostomy” focuses on what it’s like to find out you need an ostomy, the complexity of coping, and adjusting to your new normal.
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“So, You Have an Ostomy”: The Complexity of Coping —Part 1 — lights camera crohn’s
May I borrow some nutrients and love?
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During my evening walks, I notice these parasitic attachment on a bigger host.
It’s like a metaphor to orphaned kids on foster parents.
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Evening walk: In the harsh nothingness, they grow
As I set out to walk in the evenings,
I notice a particular leafy plant.
And I was so amazed to find
a few of these plants growing
on top on zinc ceiling sheets- no soil at all!
That would mean no nutrient?
Just rain water and air?
Then it reminds me
of the poor kids out there
with no parents, no guardian
to help them by.
Yet, they grow…
some did better
than those in the warm comforts of home!
When seven fairies meet (poem, a haiku)
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Seven fairies meet
for seven days in a week.
What’s the agenda?
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Shall we bloom today?
Open individually?
Or bloom together?
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Take little babes steps
sweep all simultaneously
either way we reign!
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Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy…
The sky and sea are bluer than ever before, with the lockdown in place and reduced human activities. Even the sunsets appear more splendid and brilliant. I saw 6 turtles bobbing up and down in the sea just a week ago. Perhaps the reduction in pollution makes it right for them to seek a place nearby to lay their eggs. Who knows?
Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy for the pollution and destruction we have wrecked on Mother Earth. It’s time for humans to cooperate to conserve the Earth’s resources. Pollution is increasing, sea levels are rising, global warming is becoming a threat, floods and tornadoes are more rampant. There can’t be economic prosperity when Mother Earth is dying.
by Co-author Toh HL
Note:
“… I saw 6 turtles bobbling up and down in the sea, just a week ago.”
“.. you’re supposed to stay at home during this pandemic!”
“… from my balcony.” (by the seaside!)
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Quote: I like this statement!
“Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy for the pollution and destruction we have wrecked on Mother Earth. ” – Co-author Toh HL , from Port Dickson
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The first cries
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moons of snuggling and swimming in the comfort of mum’s womb
suddenly, being yanked out into cold, cold, unfamiliar handlings!
scrunching up the little face, hands clenched, kicking lower limbs,
… loud shrieks fill the room
I remember a horrified hawker’s cry many years ago,
“another girl? This will be my eighth girl! My mum- in-law will make my hubby divorce me!”
Otherwise, boy or girl, it’s usually a warm welcome
… for a newborn!
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Pressure-ulcers: what is right is not always popular.
I am not proud to write this post.
When friends called for help;
that their loved ones
were discharged from hospitals
with a pressure ulcer...
" My mum is bedridden.
Please keep her dry and turn regularly.
... to prevent her skin from breaking down."
"This is too demanding, impossible;
... cos we're short-staffed!"
What is right is not always popularly done.
Yet, some hospitals are able to maintain a zero pressure-ulcer rate
among their bedridden clients.
"I have been in a wheelchair since five years ago
and I don't have any pressure ulcer on my butt.
Know what?
The therapist showed me a picture-
an ugly pressure ulcer!!!
I work hard not to develop one!"
"We took turns to look after
our mum in hospital.
Changing her when she is soiled,
turning her regularly
with the help of the staff."
What is popularly done, is not always right.
Some unfortunately,
did develop pressure ulcers
during their stay in a hospital.
Prevention of pressure ulcers
is a multidisciplinary responsibility
(Physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, nurses),
although nurses play a significant role.
Do you agree that the family members and carers should have a role in pressure ulcer prevention too?
"A pressure ulcer should not be allowed to develop in the first place.
Cos it would take another long journey to healing that 'wound'!"
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A jewel in the medical tourism sector
In the early 2000, my student presented her case study on robotic surgery in urology… Oh, a robot operates?
My friend flew in and flew back with a higher, well defined nose and discreetly, slimmer! “Where are the wounds, … hardly noticeable!” So I observed as we went around visiting some scenic places and tucking in some favorite local cuisines, especially in Penang.
When I had presentations in nearby countries, I would ask the the team of Japanese or Korean staff interpreters how to greet in their languages.
And practiced for days how to say “Ohayōgozaimasu” and “Annyeonghaseyo”!
Indonesians form a bulk of these clients, but language is not a problem. Malaysian and Indonesian languages are almost the same. There is a pool of other interpreters to assist the healthcare staff.
The most noticeable is the presence of Philippines and Europe trained nurses among our locally trained nurses. But I don’t see any Indonesian nurses working here. Probably it is because their training curriculum is different from ours. Our founding nursing ‘ancestors’ were from the British colonial times.
So for years, Malaysia has already been poised to be a significant medical tourism centre,
…. a hidden jewel in medical tourism!
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Kanser Dan ‘Bola Kristal’ Doktor
Berapa tahun saya tinggal?
Pada peringkat barah saya,
dan mengikut kajian statistik,
doktor mengatakan bahawa
saya tinggal kira-kira dua tahun!
Tuan ‘Kecewa’ menangis.
Saya tidak boleh masuk wad.
Setiap hari tanpa kerja,
bermaksud tiada makanan untuk keluarga saya!
Tuan ‘Ingin bunuh diri’ merenung.
Kanser bermaksud kematian.
Kanser bermaksud banyak kesakitan.
Keluarga saya akan bimbang
dengan lebih banyak bil hospital!
Encik ‘Alim’ dengan tenangnya menerima.
Ini bukan di tentukan doktor.
Hanya TUHAN yang akan menentukan bila dia akan mengambil saya.
Sementara itu, saya akan terus melakukan kebaikan.
Tuan ‘Falsafah’ menyatakan.
Rakan sekerja muda saya mati, di tempat kejadian, dalam kemalangan,
dan dua lagi, dari serangan jantung dan denggi.
Dengan barah, saya mempunyai masa untuk merancang 'masa depan saya'.
Tuan ‘Pejuang’ mengejek.
Itu dua belas tahun yang lalu!
Lihatlah dua parut luka ini di perut saya.
Saya mencabar setiap kali 'Big C' kembali!
Sangat menarik untuk diperhatikan,
bagaimana bezanya sesetengah orang
mempunyai kehendak hidup
yang lebih besar berbanding orang lain.
Yang penting adalah
pemupukan harapan, sikap positif,
tekad yang lebih kuat,
kemahiran mengatasi yang lebih baik,
dengan sokongan dan kasih sayang
keluarga yang baik.
Setiap doktor tidak boleh melihat
‘bahagian gajah’ miliknya
tetapi perlu melihat klien
secara keseluruhan.
Adakah sokongan yang mencukupi
daripada para jururawat,
pasukan paliatif, kebajikan sosial,
kaunselor dan pegawai agama?
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"Penyembuhan banyak penyakit
tidak diketahui oleh doktor
kerana mereka tidak mengetahui keseluruhannya.
Bagi bahagian itu tidak akan pernah sihat kecuali keseluruhannya baik. "
- Plato
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Look! The sun is moving!
I have just watched the sun slowly dipped into the water at the horizon. It gives the illusion of the sun moving, not the Earth.
By photographer and co-writer Toh H.L.
Chen Song Ping 