AWAKENING SLEEPING GIANTS

My title is elaborated in two stories.

Story No. 1
I’m not a big Soccer fan. I don’t even watch FIFA World Cup matches. Friends laughed when they discovered I didn’t even know about the FIFA game between Korea and Japan in 2002. However, watching Discovery, I saw something that made me think and I want to share it with you.

Apparently Italy has often had great soccer teams; they have won the cup four times. The first two were in 1934 and in 1938. They were supposed to be fantastic.

During the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the team was bombarded with general skepticism and negative reviews by the media. Italy barely qualified for the second round after three uninspiring draws against Poland, Peru and Cameroon. They were continually criticized by the media who circulated rumours and falsehoods. At some point, the team decided on a press black out. They refrained completely from talking to the press. By doing so, they managed to achieve things that were thought impossible. They were thus so strengthened they finally won the cup in that year.

Story No. 2

The Battle of Pearl Harbour was a surprise strike conducted by the Japanese Navy against the United States naval base located at Pearl Harbour in 1941. Soon after the attack, during a Japanese celebration of their success, the Japanese Admiral, Isoroku Yamamoto, allegedly said: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant.” His fears were realized when the giant (the US) dropped two atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

My point is this, something said or actions that have not been well thought through can certainly “Awaken Sleeping Giants”.

In the future, we should always bear this in mind.

Blessing in Disguise II

I reported for duty as an Emergency Physician roughly 10 months ago. Being a physician carries many responsibilities. I’ve always tried to perform as best I can.

Part of my job includes giving countless lectures, writing reports, inventing products, attending workshops,, attending meetings, and assisting post graduate students. These do not even include my core clinical responsibilities.

I’ve always thought there aren’t enough hours in a day.  Quite often, I came back from work with “a few more things to finish up”.  At home, I’ll frequently stay in front of the computer and try to finish things.  I felt I was enjoying myself.

After some weeks, I started to feel a pain in my right jaw (temporal mandibular joint aka TMJ).  Being a typical doctor, I treated myself.  In a few days, the pain was so severe it woke me up in the middle of the night.  I noted some cracking sound when I moved my jaw.  Some people commented that my TMJ looked swollen and my jaw was starting to deviate on opening.

After 10 days I decided to see a respected maxillofacial surgeon (who is also a medical degree holder). I thought he was going to tell me that I had a tooth abscess or something related to my teeth. Within 3 minutes of history taking he said “you are in stress”.  I initially laughed and denied his diagnosis.  I personally couldn’t accept that I could suffer from stress.  I was happy and enjoying my work.  Sure I felt tired, had difficulty sleeping and woke up tired most of the time... but Hey !!! I was not stressed !!. 

He advised me on how to relieve the pain (to take care of the stress) and I went back to work. I think deeply in his heart he knew I would ignored his advice and will come back to see him.  Sure enough, 1 week later I came back with worsening pain.  This time I almost had my jaw tied with a wire to prevent me from grinding my teeth.  I admitted that I have done some literature review and it certainly all pointed to his diagnosis.... ”TMJ Disorder Secondary to Stress.”

I had to wear a silicon mouth guard, eat blended food for 2 weeks and pray that I won’t get my jaw tied.  I stopped doing any paper work at home.  Soon my pain resolved.

From that day onward I have tried my best not to do any office work at home.  No more typing reports, doing lectures and other such chores.  Except for clinical consultation, I basically open my computer for fun.

I read books and search the website on how to manage time at work.  I don’t want to let go of some of the jobs that I love.  Surprisingly, after a short period of time, I became more organized.  

Now, not only am I able to do things that I did before, I have started writing a case report, Emergency Department clinical guidelines, and editing residents’ thesis and much more including giving numerous lectures.

Without my TMJ disorder, I would have continued doing what I thought were the right things to do.  Indirectly my quality time with my family was affected.  

I’m glad GOD gave me the disorder; It has made me search for a way to make the most of the things life offers.  I’m still adjusting, still learning... but at least I know I’m moving toward better time management skills...

TMJ Disorder... a real Blessing in Disguise.

Blessing in disguise….

One morning, I just completed my night call and on my way to our CME room. We were having our weekly departmental CME and naturally the emergency physician would chair the session. I called one of the senior resident who worked with me that night and asked him to attend.

During the lecture, I noticed that he didn’t show up. So I sent him a text message…

“Sometime I wonder kenapa kau tak suka dtg CME. Dtg la. Belajar aje.” (Sometimes I wonder why you don’t like to attend our CME. Please come for the sake of learning).

For those who don’t understand Malay, it is consider a slap on the face if a student got this kind of message from a teacher/consultant.

I made a big mistake. Actually I did not notice that I mistakenly sent this message to my senior consultant.

He replied:”Tq for reminding…sya d Putrajaya” (Thanks for reminding, I’m in Putrajaya).

This text message when from a very junior emergency physician to a respectable senior consultant. The content should be considered as something rude.
The way he replied my message showed his maturity and why he is the “respectable senior consultant”.

I regretted I sent him the message, but I’m glad it happens. Without that incident I would have not learn a valuable lesson from him… To be humble.

It is a real blessing in disguise…