Ashtead Day 1

Ohgosh it's totally over now and holiday mood ON!

First thing in Ashtead, picked up by Uncle Jimmy and Aunty Shirley. And had a lovely HK style Wan Ton Mee.

Then went to a celebration for the church minister who's retiring which I was slumped on the chair for a uselessly 2.5hours listening to testimonials after testimonials from way back to 1970 until present. How is that even pleasant. I mean Yeah, he did a good cause and God bless him, but does everything need to be spilled out in just that session? I mean...well, you get what I mean. The tea session after that was awesome. Hahaha! I was already eyeing on those cupcakes I saw earlier and when they're in sight, I grabbed like 2 of them straight away. Sweet tooth =D

XOXO

Last day of the days

Thursday - Went on ward rounds in the MAU again with a fairly good tutor this time. I'm pleased. Really am. I learned, I asked, I remember.

Had an induction and quiz on formulary/ non-formulary/ licensed/ unlicensed medicines and trackers of unlicensed medicines prescribed. There's just so much to find out from this session. Now I know why validation of prescription for certain medication takes so long. Just because it's not on the formulary, we had to find an alternatives, and refer to the clinical guidelines. Whether it's licensed or not, doctors would have to fill in a form and send it back to the pharmacy for evaluation before dispensing and requires patient consent should it be unlicensed. What a tough job, I would say.

Friday - Had a brief oncology meeting which I barely know what's happening. And that's it. Followed by summary of placement and that wraps up my working life this summer.

It has concluded. It finally has. I'm gonna pack my bag, walk to the train station, board the train and away from this place. 

Me and my tag. Student pharmacist. :)

Gonna be back in....no time!!!

Day off for myself

Wednesday - I'm seriously cheesed off today with the fact that I went down to work and came back in less than 2 hours. Why? When I'm down at the office, all the pharmacists were on some meeting. For an HOUR. Fine. So I wait. Then when they're back, I'm supposed to be on ward rounds with the surgical team but no one has heads on what's going on. And they've nothing planned out for me leaving me just stranded there. LIKE THAT. Furious with the 'clever-ity' of these professional people, I took my bag, opened the door and walked back to my room.

END OF DAY 8. 

Boh song, boh syiok.

Sterility saves life

Tuesday - Was Aseptics Day! I just love working in the lab. Don't you? Don't you?

Well, you know how stupid you would look like when you wear on the head protection thing like those shower cap you wear into bathroom? And also wearing the white lab coat similar to those apron worn by aunties working in the canteen? Then the shoe cover stuff you need to wrap your shoes and feet in it? Not forgetting the latex gloves. Size XL, L, M, S, XS your choice. = D

Yeah well, that was at least how I looked like today. But it was all fun. And necessary. NECESSARY.

You don't just walk into the aseptic unit without being aseptic. Any form or chances of getting contamination is prevented. Thus the apron, the shower cap, the shoe cuffs and gloves. Oh, also the mask to cover your mouth. Sniffing and ah-choo-ing spreads those tiny little micro organisms too you know..

This was just in the dirty room. In the clean room, I have to undress my apron and put on a bunny suit! This was good fun. Lols. Makes me feel like a skydiver for once. Zipped up to my chin. Hoodies and shower cap over the head. Mouth covered.

It wasn't really that bad compared to the session where I dozed off in sterile lab where there was a presentation on ASEPTIC and the processes. All I remember was spraying 70% EtOH like nobody's business.

Most dealt with preparations comes from the Urology ward (ie. Cancer) where cytotoxic drugs are usually used to combat the rapidly dividing cells. There are also preparation of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for patients who are nil-by-mouth (NBM) and pre-mature babies who requires extra nutrition.

All in all, it was good

Monday is always the bluest.

Monday - Had Medicines Information for the whole day in Stokes Mandeville but managed to go on ward rounds in the stroke and elderly unit, joining in with the consultation process with the doctor. MI was rather interesting and challenging, well, when you know the book by hand, you're a clinical pharmacist by name. Anyway, had a really bad experience in the stroke unit when I overheard an elderly woman patient who is about to get discharged sitting with another younger girl and a middle aged woman where it goes...

Woman : "Hi there, you feeling better? Can't wait to go home?"
Pity aunty : "Yes yes, I can't wait.".

And the gruesome part comes.
Woman : "Well, have you heard of XXXX homes? Are you keen to stay outside away from home?"

And the aunty stared at her blanky.
Pity aunty : "No No, I want to go home."

The lady never stop pestering,
Woman : "Do you have anyone to take care of you at home?"
Pity aunty : "Yes, my daughter and her husband. They take care of me."

Still persevering...
Woman : "Well, you see, your daughter have a hard time now that she's working and she can't manage taking care of you all day now. So there is this rehab centre XXXX, you can come and try to stay in for a few days, see whether you can suit the place well or not, some sort of a trial."
Pity aunty : "Uhm..well...I...I..." *STARES BLANKLY*

I can stand no longer. It was just so heartbroken to hear that. I looked away, held back my tears and think, 

"NO ONE, YES NO ONE!!! IN THIS FREAKING WIDE WORLD SHOULD SEND THEIR PARENTS TO WHATEVER REHAB CENTRE JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEM. GET A MAID, OR WHATEVER. THEY NEVER LEAVE YOU WHEN YOU'RE BORN (WELL, EXCUSED FOR THOSE WITH EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES) AND SO, THY SHALL NOT LEAVE THEM IN THE HANDS OF SOME OLD FOLKS CENTRE WITH OTHER POOR OLD PEOPLE WHO WAS SEND IN BY THEIR OWN UNGRATEFUL CHILDREN." 

And yes, unfortunately, that just ruined my whole day.

To my dad & mum

I promised that you will stay with us three children no matter what happens, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and cherish you both always.

And yes, no old folks home or rehab centre or whatever home their is. 

You'll only have a home where you want to call it home.

Back in MI for the afternoon, some small scale argument arise when someone didn't came back from lunch and was suppose to be on duty. And so the 'manager' was a bit cheesed up when everyone came in finding for the someone. When she came back, she wasn't in a really good mood and then it happens. Oh well, I wouldn't side either one but when things like this happens, you won't see it coming, but when you're working, you should have known your own responsibility, despite the circumstances you're in. 

It's a tough world out there. Those who are still studying, do enjoy. Working life is never ever gonna be good no matter what positive thoughts you have in your brain.

"I'm doing the job I love. I just love working."

Cheeseed. Wasn't true. Never true. 

6days, 144hours, 8640minutes, 518400seconds more to go

It's the weekend so HOORAH!! Well, minus the H and RAH, add a B and lots of O behind.

Had a stroll along the city and, well, it was...a sunny and warm day.

With the weather making me all sweaty and sticky, I decided to just enter the shopping mall. 

Chilterns Shopping

Eden Shopping Centre

-Yeap, that wraps it all up-

What a city. Nottingham still feels like home to me.

My room is filthy infested with spiders. Ugh. I've seen 5 so far, and 2 are dead. One stays in the tiny area between the table and the wall while the 2 other..I don't know where it is.

The one below is DEAD. RIP.