Tips for a first year medical student

Reflections from final year

Life is a journey, not a destination. And medical school is a part of your life, but not all of your life. But give it your all anyway. Along the journey, you'll discover that the more you put into it, the more you get out.

Study hard, and play hard. It's a time of redefining things. Study may mean reading, pre-reading, re-reading. But it may also mean re-listening, group discussing, re-writing, and peer teaching.
Play could mean DotA, Diablo and StarCraft. But it may also mean Tae Kwon Do, Urban Life, DNA, rock band, treasure hunts, etc.

Look at your horizon and keep extending it. Your comfort zone should include a discomfort zone. Like Anatomy? Good; now get good at Physiology too. While you're at it, might as well delve into Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Pathology. And Health Practice/Psychology complements those. Every cell, tissue, organ, system can be broken down into these aspects.

Write down your personal mission statement - something that states why you're doing what you're doing. Where do you envision yourself 5 years from now? What about 10 years? Stick it to your wall to lift you when you're down.

Talk about the things you love in life. Whether it's the structure of DNA, the pathway of glucose metabolism, the 4 types of human tissue, homeostasis in dehydration, acoustic guitar music, the psychology of love, or the meaning of life - talk about them with people around you. Add a dose of humility and curiosity, and I promise you'll learn something new.

That's all for now - more to come.

Bite-sized quotes

"Tidak lari juga tu (She won't run away if she's meant to be)" - Mummy, about the one, 17.10.12

For a Lifetime

I believe in the hidden value of the waiting period.
I hate romance break-ups.
I don't want to initiate something only to break up later.

So far my ~15-year relationship with God hasn't been broken up, and I believe that it never will be. For I choose not to break up.

That's why I wait on Him, my Heaven Dad, to show me the right girl. Because I believe that right now the right girl is also waiting on God, never breaking up with Him.

When God finally brings us together, I know it'll be for a lifetime, because it begins with our personal relationship with Him, which itself is for a lifetime.

Picture credit: ruggedgrace

Thankful

Thankful for today

It could have gone wrong. My alarm woke me at 5.30am, but I went back to sleep and only got up at 7am. There goes my plan to get the free early bird train ride - I had to pay $5.50 instead. That's not a perfect launch.

But 14 hours' worth of wisdom later, I can't help but be thankful as I look back on the day. Our consultant paediatrician was happy with my case presentation during the PBL tute. That was an imaginary case of a boy with poorly controlled asthma. Our senior registrar was also very happy with my case presentation as I shadowed her until 8pm. This was a real case of a boy with acute bronchiolitis. Thank God for these opportunities!

And I could take for granted the rest of the learning experiences today - tutes with 2 consultants on genetics and a case of possible lung abscess, and my first time seeing forceps delivery - but I choose to be thankful. To God. Bad starts don't mean bad endings. In the end, it all went all right.



Picture credit: faithcenter.files.wordpress.com

Will I be forgiven if...

...if you keep doing the sin that you've been forgiven of, then you won't be forgiven for deliberately doing it again.

This hit me like a train today. And I'm reminded of the Old Testament passage:

And if any person sins unknowingly or unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering.

And the priest shall make atonement before the Lord for the person who commits an error when he sins unknowingly or unintentionally, to make atonement for him; and he shall be forgiven.

You shall have one law for him who sins unknowingly or unintentionally, whether he is native born among the Israelites or a stranger who is sojourning among them.

But the person who does anything [wrong] willfully and openly, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one reproaches, reviles, and blasphemes the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people [that the atonement made for them may not include him]. Because he has despised and rejected the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

Num 15:27-31 AMP (Italics mine)

And this New Testament passage:

For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward].

Heb 10:46 AMP (Italics mine)

Ever had the desire or thought of doing something, but you already know deep down inside that it's sin? You could even play a mental rehearsal of the whole thing, followed by your regret and remorse, and then confession and prayer for forgiveness. Sounds familiar? Perhaps you've gone through it a thousand times, with unchanging outcomes. This time, though, will you lead yourself in making a change?

I was thinking to myself: I could either run away now, or just go on with it, have some thrill and fun, then ask for forgiveness later. I end up at the same place, don't I?

"No. There won't be forgiveness."

So run from evil temptations. Don't turn your back on Jesus and nail Him back on the cross. Store His Word in your heart, so that you might not sin against Him.

2 Tim 2:22 | Heb 6:6 | Ps 119:11

Next: Receiving God's Holy Spirit and living the holy life (vs sinful life).

Picture credit: jesussavesministry.files.wordpress.com

Offerings

Offerings

If you present a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or the flock, whether it is to fulfil a vow or is a voluntary offering, you must offer a perfect animal. It may have no defect of any kind.

You must not offer an animal that is blind, crippled, or injured, or that has a wart, a skin sore, or scabs. Such animals must never be offered on the altar as gifts to the LORD. 

If a bull or lamb has a leg that is too long or too short, it may be offered as a voluntary offering, but it may not be offered to fulfil a vow. If an animal has damaged testicles or is castrated, you may not offer it to the Lord.

You must never do this in your own land, and you must not accept such an animal from foreigners and then offer it as a sacrifice to your God. Such animals will not be accepted on your behalf, for they are mutilated or defective.

Lev 22:21-25 NLT

Here is what I get hermeneutically from this passage:

If you give your offerings to God from your time, energy, money, or anything else, then you must offer something perfect.

You must not offer your energy without your vision, or your time without your availability, or your money without your injured heart healed first. Why offer something you can't use? What would that cost you?

Like they say, offer what's right, not what's left.

So give God the best that you've got.

And some encouraging words from Paul the Apostle:

Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.

2 Cor 8:11-12 NLT

Photo credit: thalia1965.wordpress.com

Bruise his head

Lies of the enemy

He will bruise your head.
How dare you speak lies into our lives? 
We are called to be holy, just like how our Father in Heaven is holy. Not unholy like you.
You father of lies - you are no match for our Everlasting Father.
He will bruise your head.
Gen 3:15

Take that, devil.

Credit: 24.media.tumblr.com/

Orang Semenanjung

A random recollection of my childhood memories.


Scene: A few students were asked to go to the teachers' (staff) room to meet our Moral female teacher, who was facing her desktop computer. And then I blurted, with hand gestures and an animated face:

"Cikgu, kenape Cikgu panggil saye dan kawan-kawan saye ni?"

She turned to me and said: "Kau nih orang Semenanjung kah?"

Shocked, I immediately stopped my Nobita impersonation, put my hands rigidly by my sides, and sheepishly replied, "Tidak lah."

 Picture credit: emywinchester.wordpress.com/tag/nobita/

Crezki Science

My Personal Interest in Science

My scientific interest tells the story of a gradual build up that still keeps growing. In my childhood years, Lego models with gears captured my interest – e.g. when a small steering spin resulted in a big crane to turn. In high school, I was fascinated with Mathematics and the Pure Sciences, mainly because of their approach that tends to simplify things into 1st principles, just like the Lego models.

Now in my medical course, Science continues to fascinate me with its consistent “explanatory power”, for example in the use of dopamine-increasing medication to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease. Their symptoms can be simplified into dopamine deficiency or dopamine excess – deficiency results in stiffness and slowed movement, while excess (from medication) results in unwanted movements and hallucinations. This model also neatly explains how dopamine-blocking medication can alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations) and can cause stiffness.

During research in 3rd year medicine, I enjoyed the scientific engagement with both my direct supervisor, who had clear and simple whiteboard sessions to teach me the laboratory techniques, and my overall supervisor, who skilfully co-ordinated multiple projects on neurodegenerative conditions. The presence of like-minded people around me sharpened my scientific aptitude, making me realise that there is so much more to discover in the natural world.

Why does this motivate me so much? It is because the scientific knowledge is eventually translated into good patient care – there is a human life benefitting from the discoveries of Science.

Submission for UROP: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme, 26 Sep 2011

How I answered my interview questions

Or perhaps, how I would answer them now

1. What course are you applying for?
   Medicine.
   
   
2. Where do you want to study?
   Australia. I've got some relatives there, but I don't mind living in a different city.
   
   
3. Tell us about yourself and your family.
   Well, my parents both grew up in a rural area, raised by farmer parents who perhaps had primary school education. They then moved out of the "kampung", pursued tertiary education and raised me as a person who values knowledge. That's how I started focussing on my studies in school and getting good results.
   
   
4. Why do you want to be a medical doctor?
   I love a challenge. I think a medical course provides serious intellectual challenge. It also enables me to help suffering people in the process, so it's not just a blind challenge. In my secondary school, I learned the values of faith, service and community. I can see myself embodying these values as a medical doctor who stands in his faith, and provides service above himself to the community around him.
   
   
5. Situational question: You are in medical school, you have 3 assignments and 1 week to complete them. What will you do?
   It will be a very busy week. First, I will focus on the most important assignment (giving the most marks). Gaming and social time will be cut down for this week. I might need to sleep less too. If I still can't finish all of them, then I'll consider asking for an extension [I remember actually saying this].
   
   
6. Tell us about your co-curricular activities.
   I was in Taekwondo and Boy Scouts. I also like singing, playing guitar, and playing chess. I also joined the Science Quiz team and the Debating team.
   
   
7. Do you have any questions for us?
   Do I have to pay the education loan in full once I'm done studying?
   Can I work overseas for a while before returning home?
   [My impression was, you should ask questions to show them your interest]

The MARA Interview

When my life course changed

Adapted from ReCom.

A few days before interview [on Fri, 6 May 2005]. Thanks to mediator and bittersweetheart.

For MARA interview:

• No group interview (unlike JPA).
• No specific group debate/discussion on a current social/economic issue. May have a general question on a social issue.
• Find info related to the course; e.g. Minister of Health Malaysia
• Prepare to answer honestly why MARA instead of JPA, why overseas/local, why Medicine. May need to unveil some personal life principles.
• Be myself.
• Relax! Just have a healthy, but not excessive dose of anxiety.

My personal thought: JPA and MARA interviews are very different in terms of time, place, format, and process (MARA questions were also scarcer on ReCom).

On the day of interview:

Just went to MARA in Kota Kinabalu.

Each applicant is interviewed by 2-3 panel members.

I applied for Medicine; 7/38 Sabahan applicants went for this course (18%). Others applied for TESL, Engineering, German Engineering.

Some of the questions:

1. What course are you applying for?
2. Where do you want to study?
3. Tell us about yourself and your family.
4. Why do you want to be a medical doctor?
5. Situational question: I am in medical school, I have 3 assignments and 1 week to complete them. What will I do?
6. Tell us about your co-curricular activities.
7. Do you have any questions for us?

It took 20-25 minutes.

In my next post, I'll tell you how I responded to those questions.

Meanwhile, let's contemplate God's unforeseen blessing in the form of ReCom - that forum revealed the questions way before the actual interview. Thank God for such a useful tool.

Road Trip

What a manly thing to do

I've been hunting for manly things to do ever since picking up Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. In the book, he mentions the 3 deepest desires in every man:

• to fight a battle
• to rescue a Beauty
• to live out an adventure

While I've needed to transform the first 2 into more practical metaphors - e.g. fighting a spiritual battle against immorality, injustice and laziness, and being chivalrous to all beauties until I find my own Beauty - the 3rd one is still attainable in its pure form. Like in a road trip.

Armed with only a tome of maps, driving for 2 hours straight and carrying 3 other lives in the vehicle definitely feels like a manly thing to do. The road on the Victorian South West is wide open, and even driving at the speed limit of 100 km/h won't get you to the end quickly enough. Wait, is there even an end?

Once, we decided to drive along a "45-minute road loop" around the mountains. The 2-way road was only wide enough for one car at a time. The road divided a few times. But signposts were rare. Worst, we didn't see any mountains. The thought that we were lost haunted me as the man behind the wheel. The question was: Where are you on the map, and how on earth do you go around the planned loop? It was getting dark, and as a local resident said, "You really don't want to leave your car around this time; there's too much wildlife." That, is adventure. And it feels manly.

Back at the lodge that night, it started to get cold. The fireplace near the corner inside the cottage seemed eager to be utilised. I summoned my masculinity, collected some firewood from outside, threw them into the fireplace and lit the flame. Soon the entire house was warmed up. The fact that the wood were neatly supplied in a box, all chopped and ready to go probably made the job so much easier. But it was still a very manly thing to do.

I must thank my housemate for this rare opportunity to explore the wild outdoors. And also the wild heart in me.

Picture credit: maristmessenger.co.nz

Sudden healing

Wed 05.10.11

Fever, tiredness, aches and pains

I’m not sure when the symptoms started. It was probably around 11am this morning, when I was in placement. I felt cold, weak and my muscles were slightly aching with a severity of 1/10. Everything gradually worsened. In the afternoon, my ear temperature was between 37.9 to 38.3°C (normal is lower than 37.5). My medical student friend was interviewing me like a patient. A nurse asked if I wanted some Panadol but I stayed away from it.

I wondered if the cleaning and scaling I had earlier in the morning at the dentist’s had caused a transient bacteraemia – I started getting worried about sepsis and endocarditis.

Throughout the day, I was tired. In the train to the city (for prayer meet), I couldn’t read or focus; I could only drop my head down and rest. I was also silently praying all the while.

At 6pm during PlanetUni prayer, Yuong, Joyce, and Melissa felt my forehead and it was still warm. God was asking, do you want to be healed? I said yes, Jesus.

During the train ride back home I was still tired and weak, leaning my head against the window. I plugged my earphones to listen to Secret Place, our church album. Then the train officer had to wake me up to check my Myki. “Tired?” he asked. I said yes.

All the while I was thinking, if I’m as sick as this, I wouldn’t mind talking with Jesus all the time, either in words or in tongues. Because nothing else would matter. I was showering at 9.15pm, and I told God how this sickness had made me closer to Him this day. He showed me at least 2 mental pictures (which I’ll write about soon). I didn’t mind being sick if that meant greater intimacy with Him. I said, “This is who I am”. I was looking at the ceiling. Suddenly, the cold feeling went away in an instant, along with the tiredness, aches and pains (which by that time was quite bad, 5/10). Muscle aches dropped to 1/10 - it’s not 0 because of my workout yesterday. After showering, in excitement I asked my housemate to feel my forehead - it's not warm anymore! I still had a bit of headache (also 1/10) around my eyebrows, which I think is from my tooth cavity [which will be the next miracle].

Praise Jesus, through His bruises we get healed!

For You

Hopefully what I write will be a pool of encouragement in future times as you reminisce your walk with your one and only God, Creski.

[A phrase came to me - One Lad's Walk with God]

All that I do,

I do it for You, God

Now I'm imagining it;

Wouldn't that be amazing?

That means that-

When I cook, it is for You

When I do the dishes, it is for You

When I sing, it is for none other than You

Jogging, it's for You

Lifting weights, it's for You

Incline push ups, it's for You

Studying - for You

Clerking patients - for You

Engaging during tutes - for You

Quiet times are for You

Exciting times are for You

Down times are for You

God, my all is for You

For You are The One who gave all to me in the first place

I trust in You with all my heart

And lean not on my own understanding

In all my ways, I acknowledge You

And I believe You will keep my path straight

Home

What's good about being home

• No rent. Bills are on my parents, not me. And I get pocket money :)
  
• Bulih cakap Sabah. Everyday. Feels so 'at home' with this communication mode.
• Get to be with old friends. Friends get older as friendships get older. And there's a difference between being with them and just talking or fb-ing with them.
  

And the things that are not so good:

• slower pace of things - this happens everywhere, from organisational red tape to everyday conversations.
• no deadline, resulting in things staying undone, videos unwatched, books unread, clothes unwashed, etc. I'm lazing around [no wonder people always remind me before holidays, "Don't slack"]
  
• I being influenced by the patterns here, rather than influencing them to change for the better. Got to regain my positive morning habits.
  

More next time.
To be honest this is just to fill in a post for this month.

Two important questions

Recently I read The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. Their thesis is: Manage energy, not time.

Each person has 4 dimensions of energy: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

I learned that physically, we should work for at most 1-2 hours on a single stretch, otherwise we risk harming our physical capacity. Afternoon naps are a very fruitful investment - I try to get at least 30 minutes every day. In the words of Winston Churchill "You get 2 days in 1". I'm now a firm believer in that.

At the other end - the spiritual side - I learned the importance of asking 2 questions in every crucial situation. 1) What do I truly believe? 2) Who am I trying to please? They may not be set in stone, but it really matters that we become aware of the answers. Then we'll be more equipped to assess our situation, the choices available, and our response.

Next time I'll illustrate with an example.

Picture:
Summer sunset sky shot at Docklands.

My nest

Welcome

Next time, when we're in heaven, watching a playback of our life on earth, you'll notice quite a bulk of my time spent in this nest.

To beat that Internet speed: speedtest.net

Class at Night

Oh boy, I'm excited!

It's kinda weird to be excited about class, isn't it? But what if it's a course called Introduction to the Bible? Now it gets me pumped because it's a formal educational engagement on a text that I've been reading almost every day since primary school.

I've probably memorised hundreds of verses from this book (I should try writing all my memorised verses sometime--an interesting mental exercise). If you mention something like "eye for an eye, tooth for tooth", then I can tell you that it can be found somewhere in the first 5 books (Old Testament), and also early in Matthew (New Testament). I'd recognise stories like Jacob seeing angels moving up and down staircases (Genesis), Moses hitting the rock to pour out water (Numbers?), Joshua commanding the sun and moon to be still (Joshua), Gideon asking for a sign from God (Judges), David's wife being barren (2 Samuel), and Solomon having 700 wives + 300 concubines (1 Kings). It's because I've repeatedly read, re-read and heard them, that's why they stick inside my long-term memory.

I guess the fact that I'm doing this out of interest and passion (versus mere obligation) - remember I didn't have to do this - fuels the fire even more.

Gosh, I'm pumped for this! May my mental faculties glorify the Giver of all abilities.


Credits:
eleenakorban.files.wordpress.com
planetshakers.com

2011

My verse of the year

My life is not my own, but Yours and Yours alone.

Guess what, I searched it up online and found this.

Discovery

Here's a little pat on the back for those of you in the research world

The joy of research

A colleague summed up the way many researchers feel about their profession. When asked why he spent so many hours in the lab, he noted that the alternatives were to go home, where he would do the same things that millions of others were doing, or to work in his lab, where he could discover things that no other human had ever discovered. The smile on his face told the story: for him, working on research was sheer joy.

Credits: cs.purdue.edu