LIVEALITTLE

Last time I saw mom was December 2005. That's almost exactly 3 years ago. So how appropriate it was for me to catch up with mom while she was in Hong Kong. There wasn't much communication between the female Chungs, but it was a comfort to just be around mom again. My goal for the trip was to give mom a hug. The unaffectionate traditional Chinese sadly don't typically flower their children with hugs, kisses nor even positive encouragement of any kind. One thing I HAVE learned in Australia is the power of affection and touch. Just laying a kind hand on a patient's back can easily encourage and reaffirm their will to walk/stand.
Attempt #1 was a total failure. Upon exiting the arrivals gate and seeing mom, I put my left hand on mom's right shoulder initiating the hug process. Probably sensing I was to embark on something never ever done before, mom pivoted and turned left to quickly break out of the hug sequence. For the four days in Hong Kong, she never gave me another hug opportunity.
So, I knew I had to do something as mom ushered me to Customs in my last 2 hours at Hong Kong airport for fear I may miss my flight. As I turned to mom to bid my good-bye, I openned my arms and quickly wrapped mom into a bear hug she could not avoid. It felt nice and I was relieved.

I'm probably too old to make this announcement, but "I hugged my mom and she hugged me back!".
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livealittle/sets/72157611868367979/

I've been impressed with the amount of entertainment available in small town Darwin, but truthfully talent has been a tad lacking probably because people are a tad lacking. An ear for harmony is not something I possess but everyone knows when there is a bad singer on stage (ie. me in a karaoke session). So what a surprise when cacophonic singers are allowed on public stage before all of Darwin at the Carols by Candlelight event! They were mostly children though so I still commend them for having the courage to perform in public. or maybe I am just a spoiled New Yorker...
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livealittle/sets/72157611864357942/

Maybe I am still traumatised by the near death of a patient 2 days ago or maybe I'm just plain off my nut. See, I found one of our long stay patients, who is usually quite stable, extremely short of breath. He was desperately gasping for air. I went to assess and reassure him and knew I needed to get him help yet also knew that he might faint and fall off the bed. I decided buzzing 3x was the higher priority and nurses rushed to my aid as soon as I had done it. Our mighty team leader, Liz, requested a call for a Code Blue (medical emergency). I was so nervous I couldn't remember what number to call. Luckily my other co-worker did and doctors rushed up immediately after the announcement was made over the loud speakers. The patient was promptly rushed to ICU.
Just 15 minutes before this event, I was in the same room attending to another patient who had been coughing for 48 hours and disturbing his fellow roommates. I thought it peculiar when the short of breath patient hollared "Shut the fuck up" as he had always been good-natured. Maybe he was starting to deteriorate already. I understand now the importance of noting personality changes...
How fragile is life, eh? I think the reality of it hit me when I watched "Grave of the Fireflies" last night. Truly, I was expecting something whimsical like "My Neighbor Totoro" but it was touching and emotional like "Shindler's List". Maybe I saw my niece as an anthropomorphization of Setsuko (can I say that?). It is a shame that any child should be deprived of the innocent joy of childhood and be forced to suffer. I am sure many are living her life right now. Although I feel very fortunate to be in wealthy Australia, I can't help but recognize that many of my patients have brought the suffering upon themselves. I know I shouldn't be judging but most of my patients are suffering from complications due to alcohol-abuse, unsanitary living and smoking despite government assistance (handouts even!) and campaigns for healthier living. They are not scrunging to stay alive. They are disrespecting the wonder that is their life. Everyone has the right to do as they will to their lives, I know. I guess I am struggling to justify my efforts to give them a quality of life when they didn't see value in it in the first place...