Reading Between The Lines

This article appeared in The STAR on Saturday, 29th July, 2006, Page N32. Reading it got me fuming a little. Apparently, there were “at least three HIV-positive GROs working” in the nightspots in Kuantan, according to the Kuantan Municipal Councillor. It was reported that he came to know this information from the Pahang state health authorities during one of their full-board meeting.

He was further reported to have said “What worries me is that the number of those inflicted with HIV or AIDS may be higher than expected. Worse, they are working in a service industry which encourages close and personal contact with the public.” He was apparently upset that ‘unscrupulous operators were employing such people.’

It was reported that he said “those who know they are carrying the deadly AIDS virus should stop doing any work that requires physical contact. There are many job opportunities, such as being a telephonist or receptionist“.

Reading the article and between the lines raised a few questions in my mind:

1. Is the Councillor admitting the GROs are engaging in sexual intercourse with their clients? Is he endorsing the fact the GROs who are in the ‘service industry’ are actually offering more than mere ‘physical contact’ as part of their service? If so, shouldn’t he be more interested in cleaning up this industry, regardless whether the GROs are HIV + or not?

2. Or, is the Councillor ignorant to the fact that HIV cannot be transmitted by mere “physical contact”?

3. What happened to confidentiality that the particulars of HIV + patients can be divulged to a non-medical (and evidently ignorant) person in a ‘full board meeting’?

4. Is the councillor suggesting that the only jobs suitable for HIV+ and AIDS patients are ‘non-contact’ ones? I think he is ignorant of the fact that around us are people who hold productive jobs and are HIV+. The media constantly drum into us, almost daily, that there is ‘no way you can tell the difference’ between a HIV+ and HIV- person. So why discriminate?

To me, this whole thing smack of ignorance and deep prejudice. It makes my blood boil.

Mon, 310706 @ 0731

Heart rending

Heart rending was the sight of a 10 year old girl, still in her primary school uniform, sitting next to her father, clutching his hand with tears streaming down her pretty face while her father lay helpless, fighting for his life, his body ravaged by HIV and disseminated fungal infection.

Oh God, no child should ever have to go through that kind of trauma and sadness. Father, have mercy.

It’s been a long day. I am going to finish my instant campbell soup and take a slow drive home. I just want to go back to the sanctuary of my family.

Friday, 280706 @ 1835

Friday!

It’s Friday! Finally. It seemed that the week wasn’t going to go anywhere near the weekend. Locum yesterday was a drag. The air conditioning in the clinic has broken down (for nearly a month now) and hasn’t been replaced and it was really tough sitting in the stuffy room seeing patients and trying to read some thesis-related journals. Still, I am happy to say I managed to go through 5 or 6 journals (about another 100 to go I think…).

I think my online business venture is going down the drain. Only one bid for the glucometer I put up for grabs yesterday (and that didn’t even count because no price was offered!). Sigh! Maybe I should peddle something more exotic, like designer lingerie… Hmmm.

All I could think about is going home today, but first there is work….

Fri, 280706 @ 0800

For Sale

When times are hard, we seek ways to trim expenses and ways to get income. And so, here is my first online sale offer (in conjunction with the Malaysia Megasale no less!).

Up for grabs is a brand new Johnson & Johnson Smartscan Glucometer. For those who are blissfully ignorant, a glucometer is a handy machine which enables one to check his/her blood glucose level with blood from a small prick on the finger. Very handy if you have diabetes and is concerned about your blood sugar level. We don’t want to get too sweet now, do we?

So, the bidding is now officially opened, and it will close when some one offers me a good price. I am thinking of maybe 33.3% to 50% of the market value? Let me know okay, desperately needing cash here. You can bid by writing in the comment page and I will get back to you!

Shall we start the bidding at RM100? Do I hear RM 100?!

Thurs, 270706 @ 0811

Being a Man

Yes, I am guilty again of cut and paste copying…. here in contrast to “Being a Woman” is another article on being a man.

Men Are Just Happier People — What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
Your belly usually hides your big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can “do” your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.

Wed, 260706 @ 0830

Being a Woman

I am guilty of plagiarising! Here is an article on someone else’s blog and thought it would be nice to share with you all:

When God created woman he was working late on the 6th day an angel came by and said: “Why spend so much time on that one?”And the Lord answered: “Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her ?” “She must be washable, but not made of plastic, have more than 200 moving parts which all must be replaceable and she must function on all kinds of food, she must be able to embrace several kids at the same time, give a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart and she must do all this with only two hands”.

The angel was impressed. “Just two hands….impossible!“

“And this is the standard model?!”

“Too much work for one day….wait until tomorrow and then complete her“.

“I will not”, said the Lord. “I am so close to complete this creation, which will be the favourite of my heart”.

“She cures herself when sick and she can work 18 hours a day”.

The angel came nearer and touched the woman.

“But you have made her so soft, Lord”

“She is soft”, said the Lord, “But I have also made her strong. You can’t imagine what she can endure and overcome.“

“Can she think?” the angel asked.

The Lord answered: “Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate.”

The angel touched the womans cheek…. “Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her.”

“She is not leaking….it’s a tear” the lord corrected the angel

“What’s it for?” asked the angel.

And the Lord said: “Tears are her way of expressing grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride.”

This made a big impression on the angel; “Lord, you are genius. You thought of everything. The woman is indeed marvellous!”

Indeed she is!

Woman has strengths that amazes man.

She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.
She holds happiness, love and opinions.
She smiles when feeling like screaming.
She sings when she feels like crying, crys when she is happy and laughs when she is afraid.

She fights for what she believes in.
Stand up against injustice.
She doesn’t take “no” for an answer, when she can see a better solution.
She gives herself so her family can thrive.
She takes her friend to the doctor if she is afraid.
Her love is unconditional.

She cries when her kids are victorious.
She is happy when her friends do well.
She is glad when she hears of a birth or a wedding.

Her heart is broken when a next of kin or friend dies.
But she finds the strength to get on with life.

She knows that a kiss and a hug can heal a broken heart.

There is only one thing wrong with her

She forgets what she is worth…

Wed, 260706 @ 0829

Long Draggy July

Is it me or is this month particularly long? Time seems to stand still. I guess being hospitalised at the beginning of the month and the subsequent recovery (I still don’t dare to exercise) makes things seem like an eternity, PLUS the fact that I was so broke (I said “was” because the salary came in TODAY!!! Hallelujah!). It’s no fun when you are broke. I was more broke this month than any other month because I could not do locum when I was sick and I lost a friend’s 1 gigabyte thumb drive which I had to replace with last week’s locum money! Sigh.

I have started the arduous process of writing the actual text of my thesis. Spent the entire night yesterday drawing up tables (managed 5, and so terribly proud of myself since I started from scratch! Whatever IT stuff I know now, I learnt it myself!). Loads more tables, charts and graphs to draw. And then I have to move on to writing something intelligent in the discussion part.

One of my Prof, who for some inexplicable reason calls me ‘Jack’ all the time, asked about the progress of my thesis yesterday. Actually I am touched that some one actually care to ask. For that, she can call me Jack anytime! i kinda like the name. It sort of grows on you. Like ‘Jimbo’. I told her that I aim to complete my thesis latest by the end of August. She replied “Excellent, that’s what I want to hear!”. That made my day. It’s the power of affirmation. :-)

I suddenly realised that I have only 4 more months in this course. What was 4 years has now become a mere 4 months. It’s been tough and has exacted a very high price on me and my loved ones, but through it all, I can say that God has been good to us, very very good indeed and I am so thankful.

Wed, 260706 @ 0812

A Memorable Patient 6 – The Pakistani Woman

She was clad in the traditional ‘burqa’, middle aged and of Pakistani descent. I was on call as a House Officer in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at the KL Hospital.

It was at about 4 am in the morning. We (there were 2 of us) were slowly slipping into another ‘power nap’ (as a HO, we didn’t get to sleep much, so any micro-minutes of sleep counted) when we were rudely woken up by this hysterically screaming Pakistani woman. No one knew what she wanted. She was ranting and raving and was obviously in distress. And because of her garb, we could not tell that she was pregnant.

Before we could react, she rushed into the toilet, next to our admission counter where we were sitting; climbed onto the toilet bowl, lifted her burqa, squatted down and promptly delivered a tiny little Pakistani baby boy!

I jumped out of my seat, gloved up and managed to hold on to the baby before he (or was it a she? I forgot) got flushed down the sewage system!

It had to be the most unconventional delivery I have ever conducted!

Both mother and baby were eventually discharged well.

Wed, 260706 @ 0800

TransAmerica

I managed to watch Transamerica last week on DVD. Basically it tells the story of a person born a man who felt that he is a woman and was about to go for ‘gender reassignment surgery’ when he discovered one week prior to his surgery that he has fathered a son (thru one of those sexual romps in high school).

His son, as it turned out was languishing in jail some where up North and needed him to bail him out. He was in jail for shoplifting a frog (yes, you read right) and drug possession. He also hustles in the streets as a male prostitute (to ‘service’ other men). And the father (who now no longer looked anything like a man, as he was on hormone therapy in preparation for surgery) went to bail him out, but under the guise of being a worker with the “Church of Potential Fathers” as he didn’t want his son to know that his father is no longer a ‘man’ but a ‘woman’.

Thus began the journey back to California (where Stanley was from) with his son in tow. Btw, he now goes by the name of ‘Bree’ instead of his male name, Stanley. Somewhere along the way, the son discovered that the lady who has been driving him was actually a man and towards the end, he discovered that this man was also his father, Stanley. As expected, along the journey, they kinda ‘bonded’ in a way.

Let me describe the characters in the show:

1. Stanley or Bree, played by Felicity Huffman (Lynette in Desperate Housewife) who struggled with his sexuality despite objection from his parents who went as far as to have him committed in an institution to ‘get him right’. Stanley attempted suicide, ran away from home, never completed his studies and worked as a telemarketeer trying to save up enough money for his surgery.

2.Stanley’s son, Toby, played by Kevin Zeger, who hustles as a male prostitute in the streets to make a living. His wish was to meet his father, whom he believe was a rich man with a big mansion just waiting to welcome him back into his arms. His ambition was to “have kids” and be a blonde gay porn star (yes, you read that right)! He takes drugs (by snorting) and chain smokes.

3. Toby’s stepfather, whom Bree tried to reunite Toby with, turned out to be a sexually abusive stepfather who abused Toby since he was a child. Toby’s mum committed suicide as she could not stand her child being abused (does this makes sense?)

4. Stanley’s sister who has been sober for 18 months, fearing that she will have her allowance cut off if she drinks again. Otherwise she was just silver screen décor.

5. Stanley’s father, a rich non-practicing Jew who obviously was NOT the head of the household. Another irrelevant décor.

6. Bree’s mum, who has obviously been under the plastic surgeon’s knife once too often and IS the head of the household. She could not accept that her son, Stanley, is a transvestite.

7. Their little poodle, with its tail cut off and the stump repeatedly referred to as “looking like a penis” in the movie.

What do I think of the movie? Well, I think Felicity Huffman won the Oscar simply because there weren’t any other actress in Hollywood ‘masculine’ enough to play the part! I tried hard but all I could see was a woman who tried to act like a man acting like a woman. Ugh! I think they should have gotten a man to do the job. No, she doesn’t deserve the Oscar; not in my books anyway.

While I can appreciate the great pains the director was trying to convey on the trials and tribulations of being born into the wrong sex, I have issues with the whole ‘morality’ of the movie. If what they portrayed is the norm about family life in the USA, then I think the family unit is in deep trouble. No wonder, Dr James Dobson is worried!

And I do have one more issue. Toby discovered that Bree was a man instead of a woman when he accidentally saw her take a pee behind the car, standing; holding on to (quite literally) the last vestige of his manhood, which looked like an erect prosthesis! I should think that the director (Duncan Tucker) ought to know that it is well nigh impossible to pee with a hard on! Sigh….

My verdict? 4.5 out of 10.

Tues, 250706 @ 0730

3rd day post call syndrome

I think I practically slept-walked through the morning rounds today. Thankfully there were only 9 patients in the ward and only one man was very ill. I just feel so sleepy. I was wondering why and suddenly I realised that today is the 3rd day after my call last Friday.

I don’t know if there are any scientific evidence to support this or whether anyone else feels the same way but I definitely feel most lethargic on the 3rd day after an on-call duty. My own theory is that all the adrenaline rush each time I am on call takes about 3 days to clear from my system. And indeed, I do find it difficult to sleep the day after being on call or even the next day. I suspect I shall sleep like a baby tonight….

Oh, if only the day would end faster….ZZZzzzzzz

Mon, 240706 @ 1211