Weekend off

I'm getting my weekend off, and I applied for extra 2 days, so in total, I get 4 days off! It is exciting not having to get up early and leave for work, but somehow, thoughts about work did come across my mind. I am trying hard to get my mind off work because I don't want to develop a workaholic attitude. Now, I understand how people fall into the trap of being a workaholic, and in 20 years to come, they reflect back at what had happened to their lives. You get to see the reward right away in working life, that is why it is addictive. Insyallah I will shape my life towards family more than career.

Last Monday, I was part of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, organized by the surgical department. Being the emcee, I got the benefit of staying through the whole program, it certainly didn't feel like a working day! :D I learnt so much from the symposium, I especially liked the closing event, which was a forum with the breast cancer survivors. It was indeed very inspiring!!! One of them was telling how she got to know she had breast cancer, it started with nipple discharge, then the biopsy revealed it was malignant. She was so depressed, but some how, she found the courage and fought the cancer. The common traits that the speakers had was POSITIVITY. They didn't focus on the disease, they focused on getting well. For them, side effects of chemotherapy was temporary and it was worth facing since it leads to a lot of benefit.

I also learnt that, as a doctor, I should approach patients in a more understanding way and breaking bad news in a subtle way. Let them digest them bit by bit, instead of laying out the option of surgery as it scares them. Something that I didn't know until that day is that, patients try to remain strong in front of their doctors, they stop themselves from crying and try to remain composed. But what happens after their visit to the doctor is a totally different thing, they weep! I remember this one pediatric patient, who had SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)... my specialist broke the news... and I was amazed at how strong the family was, no tears were shed. Not something I'd expect. I guess it was a different scenario on the way from the hospital.

Ok, have to get going. Maghrib already!