On 7th Jan, my mom was admitted to UKM hospital in Cheras. The service that we gotten was appalling particularly at the A&E department. (Accident & Emergency). To start off, they were tardy and slow in their investigation on the cause of my mom's ailment. Then, they are rude and unsympathetic towards the patients under their care..what kind of service oriented medical personnel are these???
There was a staff nurse that stood out like a sore thumb, pure racist! Each time she sees me, she barks at me to wait outside till I'm called. But, just across my mom's bed, a family of 4 (her own race) were standing around their dad/husband, yet they were left to themselves, not once were they asked to leave the A&E room. I had wanted to tell her off as I'm a tax payer and shouldn't be treated so rudely when she IS in the service industry. But I had to bite my tongue as my mom's needs surpass mine. Also, I was afraid that they will treat her badly when I've gone away. The last straw was when the nurse paged for me and sweetly said " we need urine sample, there's the kidney pan, get your mom's urine'. I said, "shouldn't this be your task?". She replied rudely " can't you see we are busy and short handed?". I had wanted to give her a piece of my mind but I held on for the sake of my mom. ArrrrgggHhhhhhhHHH!! She is lucky I didn't get to see her name or her face as she was wearing a face mask and wrapped with a plastic apron. In any case, I wouldn't want to waste my energy on her for she's not even worth my two cents worth! BAH!!
We registered at the A&E at about 12.30pm. Treatment was given at about 2pm. We only managed to get to the medical wards by 11.45pm!!! Can you believe that?? I seriously am still shocked by the way things are being carried out. Is this the kind of service we get from our government hospital? It is simply too ABSURD!! However, I need to laud a middle east doctor and a staff nurse that were empathetic and concern for my predicament as no one could tell me when my mom can be warded/discharge/need follow up. I wish to thank Dr. Ahmed and staff nurse Nurul Shikin for being there for us - THANK YOU!!
I thank god that my patience and calmness paid off. Things improved much after mom was warded. The nurses were pleasant, attentive and supportive of all patients irrespective of race. KUDOs to all the medical staff in 6E that attended patients from bed 1-6. The staff nurse from A&E should go back to class and relearn her objective to be a nurse as well as go for training to improve on her EQ! Seriously...she's in desperate need of counseling and help.
Mom is still in hospital as I write. She has to undergo so many blood sample takes that there isn't any area left in both arms for them to take nor for IV drip. Now, the doctors have resorted to give drips from the feet (both have been punctured). Her hands are so swollen I teased her that she can box without gloves simply because her hands has bloated to twice its size!! Poor thing, I do feel for her.
Finally, the food served in the hospital is atrocious!! Even as a healthy person, the food is so unappealing what more to a ailing person. I did sample the food. Everything is blanched!! There's no salt, pepper or anything for the matter....how can the cooks expect a human being with 5 senses (sour, salty, sweet, bitter and now a fifth taste "umami") feel appetizing enough to savor these tasteless dishes meal after meal? Are they nuts??
The saddest part is that each time the orderly comes to collect food remnants, most trays are full/untouched...what a waste to throw food away but what choice has the patients got? To resort to their next of kin to bring food from home or take away food so that patients has the strength to rebuild their antibodies to fight against whatever ailments they encounter, else...relying on hospital food which they rather starve than eat! It's the same kind of food served to me when I gave birth to my daughter in 1987!! Com'on....haven't we learned anything yet???
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
CALLING A SPADE - A SPADE!
Last year, I started playing mahjong with my sis-in-law and her friend on several occasions. On the onset, we were cordial and mindful of our Ps and Qs. As time went on, this friend; Ms L and I kinda got along and we started to open up. We enjoyed our mahjong sessions as much as our non-stop chatting.
I think that as an Asian, I'm pretty much an open book i.e forthright/straight/candid..you name it, I'm that. Obviously not many can take on people like me as it is not our culture to be so candid and direct about things. I'm deemed to be loud/braggart/too open for those who do not know me. Naturally, I almost always stand out like a 'sore thumb'. Rocker57 used to say that my book should have some 'unwritten/blank' chapters, unfortunately for him...with my dense head, learning was slow. Through painful process from school of severe hard knocks, I've gradually learned albeit like a snail :) Very unlike my nature not to say what's on my mind, much as I refrain myself. Over the years, its more refined/polished but the fact remains that I'm still me!! Alas..can't teach old dog new tricks, they say...but they have forgotten that this dog is a stubborn Ox in dog's clothing!!!
Back to Ms L, at last, I've found my "pardner"!!!. We jokingly said that perhaps in our previous life, we were 'westerners' and now 'trapped' in Chinese bodies!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I can safely say that if I openly admit that I'm an open book, then Ms L is an open library of sorts. I respect Ms L for her honesty and I relish the fact that though she is soft spoken and petite, she laughs heartily and is not abash to share anecdotes of her life no matter how embarrassing it is. It is good if one can laugh at oneself and this lass is one unique Asian. Of course, the fact that she spent 10 years abroad, somewhat 'globalised' her thinking.
Say what you want, I rather have a friend that can call a spade a spade then one that tells you want you want to hear. I think Asians need to open up and speak their minds but then again...who am I but a stubborn Ox in dog's clothings...
This open book is open for reading....
I think that as an Asian, I'm pretty much an open book i.e forthright/straight/candid..you name it, I'm that. Obviously not many can take on people like me as it is not our culture to be so candid and direct about things. I'm deemed to be loud/braggart/too open for those who do not know me. Naturally, I almost always stand out like a 'sore thumb'. Rocker57 used to say that my book should have some 'unwritten/blank' chapters, unfortunately for him...with my dense head, learning was slow. Through painful process from school of severe hard knocks, I've gradually learned albeit like a snail :) Very unlike my nature not to say what's on my mind, much as I refrain myself. Over the years, its more refined/polished but the fact remains that I'm still me!! Alas..can't teach old dog new tricks, they say...but they have forgotten that this dog is a stubborn Ox in dog's clothing!!!
Back to Ms L, at last, I've found my "pardner"!!!. We jokingly said that perhaps in our previous life, we were 'westerners' and now 'trapped' in Chinese bodies!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I can safely say that if I openly admit that I'm an open book, then Ms L is an open library of sorts. I respect Ms L for her honesty and I relish the fact that though she is soft spoken and petite, she laughs heartily and is not abash to share anecdotes of her life no matter how embarrassing it is. It is good if one can laugh at oneself and this lass is one unique Asian. Of course, the fact that she spent 10 years abroad, somewhat 'globalised' her thinking.
Say what you want, I rather have a friend that can call a spade a spade then one that tells you want you want to hear. I think Asians need to open up and speak their minds but then again...who am I but a stubborn Ox in dog's clothings...
This open book is open for reading....
Monday, January 3, 2011
The year that was-2010
2010 was a mixed year for me. Despite year long of challenges & disappointments in real estate business transactions, mood swings and lack of proper sleep due to pre-menopause, rocker57's key hole surgery the rest of it turned out better than I had expected.
What I cherished of 2010 - Spent lots of time bonding with rocker57 and our adolescent kids, traveled a fair bit (land,sea and air), started a blog, found & rekindled friendship with long lost schoolmates (after 3 long decades!), partied & networked with friends & relatives. I've also attended Deep Purple concert, Songs from ABBA by Arrival from Sweden concert apart from lots of motor riding trips with beloved rocker57.
I've also indulged and pampered myself with monthly mani & pedicures, facials and massages. It was a pleasure that I couldn't enjoy when I was gainfully employed. I basked in the pleasures of leisure and thoroughly enjoyed it with strong support from rocker57, of course! I enjoy it so much sometimes I'm even jealous and envy of myself!!!
I've also embarked on a slimmer me by exercising, dieting and of course a slimming centre to assist me :) Though the results are slow, process trying and money wise poorer, I'm pleased with my achievements and proud that I'm at least a size or a size and a half smaller then I was in 2009!!
Another thing I relish in 2010 was improving my overall appearance. I take time to make myself more presentable by putting on make up, dressing up (i.e. buying new clothes & shoes) and spending time pampering myself. It was AWESOME!! And, I would want to continue doing it because I enjoy the compliments I get and most importantly, it makes me happy and I feel healthy!
It gets me thinking, I may not have made much money in 2010 but I've gained so much in return, its a blessing and I treasure those moments.
Looking forward to 2011, I want to live my life pretty much the same as 2010 but perhaps with more vigour and power in my real estate business, more time with loved ones, work harder at achieving my ideal weight, stay happy and spontaneous and live life to the fullest!!
What I cherished of 2010 - Spent lots of time bonding with rocker57 and our adolescent kids, traveled a fair bit (land,sea and air), started a blog, found & rekindled friendship with long lost schoolmates (after 3 long decades!), partied & networked with friends & relatives. I've also attended Deep Purple concert, Songs from ABBA by Arrival from Sweden concert apart from lots of motor riding trips with beloved rocker57.
I've also indulged and pampered myself with monthly mani & pedicures, facials and massages. It was a pleasure that I couldn't enjoy when I was gainfully employed. I basked in the pleasures of leisure and thoroughly enjoyed it with strong support from rocker57, of course! I enjoy it so much sometimes I'm even jealous and envy of myself!!!
I've also embarked on a slimmer me by exercising, dieting and of course a slimming centre to assist me :) Though the results are slow, process trying and money wise poorer, I'm pleased with my achievements and proud that I'm at least a size or a size and a half smaller then I was in 2009!!
Another thing I relish in 2010 was improving my overall appearance. I take time to make myself more presentable by putting on make up, dressing up (i.e. buying new clothes & shoes) and spending time pampering myself. It was AWESOME!! And, I would want to continue doing it because I enjoy the compliments I get and most importantly, it makes me happy and I feel healthy!
It gets me thinking, I may not have made much money in 2010 but I've gained so much in return, its a blessing and I treasure those moments.
Looking forward to 2011, I want to live my life pretty much the same as 2010 but perhaps with more vigour and power in my real estate business, more time with loved ones, work harder at achieving my ideal weight, stay happy and spontaneous and live life to the fullest!!
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