Lesson from 2013

Bismillah...

2013 was indeed, a crazy year for me. My life changed exactly 180 degrees and thank God I survived and my huge thanks to my friends and family for their help through out the journey.

1. You need a plan to succeed.
2. YOU MUST STICK TO YOUR PLAN.
3. Failure to stay adherent to your plan will lead to failure.
4. Your family and friends will always be there for you.
5. It's okay to make mistakes. As long as you learn from them.
6. Before you forgive others, you first have to forgive YOURSELF.
7. Documentation is key! Have a journal, record progress - use pen and paper for better results.
8. Stickers are good for motivation.
9. All wounds heal with time. Give enough time, and seek treatment!
10. You should not wash mushroom - just brush and wipe them.
11. A dollar spent on charity while you're alive is much much much better than a million dollar after you die. 
12. Do not waste your precious time on books you don't enjoy reading.
13. I should have more date night with myself - preferably once a week - I tried this and I was soooooo in love with the idea. It felt so great and I crave for more! Take a relaxing shower, wear your favorite PJs, lit some candles and cuddle up with a book and some tea or hot chocolate. Watch a movie, if you wish. No phones, no facebook, no twitter.
14. Putting off checking on facebook and twitter early in the morning improves my produvity.
15. I am a lot happier on days I don't use twitter. True story!
16. Finishing any major medical textbook is possible - as long as you have a plan. - To be tested in 2014
17. I shall make a list for everything I learn in 2014 so I will not forget.

Above all things, I learnt that the only true love and devotion that will not disappoint you is the one you have towards God and for people whom you love because of HIM. All else will fail you. 

Again, my sincerest thanks to my friends and family, especially the CSIs for being there for me this year... picking me up when I broke into pieces.. Happy New Year!

p.s : what did you learn?

10 days to new year challenge

This coming 10 days, let's try :

1. Stop complaining / whining. Verbally, on twitter & facebook.
2. Write gratitude list for things we're grateful for - every night.
3. No negative talk. No fat talk. Replace with positive affirmations.
4. Work on this two things : daily prayer & quran recitation
5. Smile more & give more hugs to people around us.

For Medical students : 10 antibiotics a year

"How many antibiotics are there that you know? I bet in your practice you will only use less than 100 antibiotics. So if you memorize 10 antibiotics a year - is that too much? 10 antibiotics a year? Imagine how many you would have mastered today?"

That was how my brain translated what Dr.W preached in our lecture regarding antibiotics usage in paediatric department. 10 antibiotics a year equals to 1 antibiotic a month, and by the time you reached 6th year you would have at least 60 antibiotics at the tip of your finger. He totally blew my mind.

Now, why didn't anyone tells us about this calculation back in our 2nd year while we're taking general pharmacology? Had there been anyone who told us this mind-blowing fact in our 4th year, we could have up the number to 2 antibiotics a month which is still very do-able.. and this man is telling us this in our 3rd week of our 3rd rotation for our final year with so many things to catch up with. Even if I do 1 antibiotic a week, starting today, still I will only have 23 antibiotics well-read about by my final exam. 

Unfortunately we will not achieve anything by dwelling in our regrets - so in which ever year you're in today, start doing your calculation, right away after you finish reading this - not only for the antibiotics, but all the other drugs as well.  

Most antibiotics have the same adverse effects GI upset, so focus more on the special / unique side effects, and contraindications. Of course you will also need to know which microorganisms it covers, and what kind of preparation we use for which kind of infection.

Yes you will not have time to memorize all antibiotics there are in 1-2 weeks study leave but you CAN read and memorize about 1 antibiotic a month!