Open Heart Surgery

Open Heart Surgery means just what it says; surgery of the heart with the chest opened up. Parts of the heart being operated on might be the heart valves, aorta or arteries -- for example aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery or heart transplant. During an open heart surgery, the patient is put to sleep on the operating table in the operating theatre. Depending on the type of surgery, sometimes there are two surgeons at the operating table. For example, CABG or Coronary artery bypass surgery: one surgeon (you can see it in the photograph below, Picture 1) begins with harvesting the blood vessels that will become the grafts -- which will be used on the heart by the cardiac surgeon later on. The cardiac surgeon will place the grafts, either rerouting blood around the arteries that are blocked, or removing and replacing the blocked vessel.

 

Before an open heart surgery you can see the nurses preparing all the surgical instruments that will be used by the surgeons, laying them properly on their surgical trays or tables. All the surgical instruments used during open heart surgery have to be carefully sterilized. The nurses assisting the cardiac surgeons will pass the necessary surgical tools to the surgeon. Below you can see Picture 2, it shows you how the nurses have laid all the necessary equipment on the tables. The picture does not show every piece of equipment used, but only shows some of the surgical instruments. In addition, it might not show clearly the larger equipment either. To see more surgical instruments and a clearer view of some of this surgical equipment, you can check it out at the Medical Device Store. Over at this website, you can see or buy surgical equipment for other types surgery, besides cardiac surgery -- for example, neurosurgery, laparoscopy, orthopedics and more.

 
Picture 2: Surgical equipment or surgical instruments used during open heart surgery

During open heart surgery, the patient cannot used his/her heart and lungs. There is one machine, known as the heart-lung machine that will take over the function of the heart and lungs for the patient. The person who operates the heart-lung machine is known as the perfusionist.

 I was a perfusionist trainee, working in the operating theatre, and I have seen open heart surgeries being performed. They are such a major operation that requires a strong team of medical professionals and special medical tools. As such it is a very expensive operation, and I would not want to have any open heart surgery at all, neither could I afford to have it. Despite the fact that I did not continue in this line of work, I often have dreams of the medical team...

Drug Addicts

Last year, Richard was looking for a relief driver for his taxi. A friend of his introduced a guy to him. He was told this guy was very good, and so on and so forth, so Richard agreed to let this guy test drive his taxi. The guy was supposed to drive the taxi the following Friday, but on Saturday, the day he was to do his test drive, Richard was not happy with him. He described the guy as 'retarded', very slow in his responses and acting strangely. He was not punctual either, and he had misplaced all his things in the taxi as well. Finally Richard told his friend that he did not want this guy to be his relief driver. Then Richard's friend finally revealed the truth, that this guy was released from prison not that long ago.

You see, in Singapore, drug addicts are sent to prison for rehabilitation (if I'm not mistaken). There aren't many drug rehab centers in Singapore, except prison I suppose. One of my cousins, whom I used to play with during my childhood days, was sent to prison too. In Singapore, drug rehab centers are just like prisons where drug addicts stay enclosed (indoors) and are looked after by officers (this is what I think and I might be wrong). Sending someone to drug rehab centers is usually not a choice by the parents but something which is forced on them (by the police perhaps).

Unlike Singapore, there are many drug rehab centers in other countries. Parents who discover their children are taking drugs can send their children to these centres for the help they need to overcome their addiction. Sending drug addicts to such places is like sending their children on a special vacation (if you look at some of the photographs at Pacific Hills Treatment Centers). This special place does not look like a prison nor like any other home. It is so beautiful (look at picture below), it is comparable to taking vacation! If you don't believe me, simply check it out at their fantastic informative website. You can even start a live chat with their online staff (see image below) to answer any questions on your mind. Drug addicts can spend their special 'holidays' in one of their various rehab programmes!

 

It is sad that Richard had to turn away this 'drug addict'. He must have been sad about it, but Richard really felt that he was not suitable for the job. As for my cousin, though he was an ex-convict, he is happily married with children now, and is supporting the family with a stable job.

Posters Memory

Talking about posters reminds me of my sister. She loves to collect posters. Our room was pasted with her posters when we were young, back at our old house. She loves to collect celebrities posters, which were so common and popular back in the 70s and 80s. Back then you were often given complimentary copies of posters when you purchased any cassette tapes or songs from shopping stores. The posters would come in various sizes and she collected postcards of celebrities too.

Any unusual experiences with posters? Yes, there were actually two unusual incidents. The first unusual experience was back at the old house where There was a piece of Carol Cheng (Zheng Yu Ling)'s poster with parrots on it. This big poster was pasted beside the bunk beds. Surprisingly, one day, there were scratch marks on my sister's body in the morning when she woke up. I did not have any though we slept in the same room. My father asked her to take down the posters later. Weird!

Another unusual incident happened at her home. She loves to print posters of herself and family and have them laminated. Again she put them up in her house. Unusual things happened to her and she was admitted to Ren Ci Hospital back then. During that time, she took down all the posters in the house. Very unusual.

I used to make posters too -- when there were special promotions. Last time photographs were taken and needed to be developed. At the shop, you could choose a complimentary poster, but you needed to pay for lamination. I developed photographs of my family too.

Nowadays with the convenience of digital cameras, photographs need not be developed any more (with the reduction of film usage). Photographs can be printed at home, online or at shop outlets. Any larger photographs, however, need to be done specially, like through shortrunposters.com. You can make posters online easily by creating an account with them. Creating an account is very fast. All you need is your name and password. The posters come in two sizes -- 18 x 24 and 24 x 36. Simply upload the desired image of your choice and you are ready to make posters online at this amazing place. If you are a person who loves posters, and you love to DIY (do it yourself) then Check it out now. It is definitely a non expensive place to print your posters.

Past Life

Who were you in your last life?
TL: Your past life diagnosis: I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Ireland around the year 1475. Your profession was that of a artist, magician or fortune teller. Your brief psychological profile in your past life: Bohemian personality, mysterious, highly gifted, capable to understand ancient books. With a magician's abilities, you could have been a servant of dark forces. The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation: Your task is to learn, to love and to trust the universe. You are bound to think, study, reflect, and to develop inner wisdom.

 RT: Your past life diagnosis: I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Bulgaria around the year 1600. Your profession was that of a jeweler or watch-maker. Your brief psychological profile in your past life: Inquisitive, inventive, you liked to get to the very bottom of things and to rummage in books. Talent for drama, natural born actor. The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation: Your lesson is to learn discretion and moderation and then to teach others to do the same. Your life will be happier if you help those who lack reasoning. Do you remember now?

Mental Health

Came back from 'hospital' on 28 October 2011.

 Went to Isaac 'school' on 29 October 2011 for orientation.

 Look at my 'new' diary. The last entry was dated 7 October 2011.

  What had happened?

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 I was hospitalized yet again. This is the second time I was hospitalized (not childbirth).

  Previous hospitalization: Following Jesus Jesus said to me one morning. He ‘appeared’ in my room. He said,”Follow Me.” He sent me several messages. 32nd Sunday, 8 November 2009 St Anthony’s Bulletin wrote: Following Jesus requires a tremendous amount of trust, because He often takes us to unexpected places that require new growth, sacrifices, and reaching beyond the boundaries of what’s familiar and comfortable….

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Another Mystery. Why like that?

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 Am I redundant here? He said,"When you are in hospital, everything was fine. Isaac never looked for you." Everything seemed to be fined. The children can do so without me. So was He. Went to NTUC Fairprice at 888 Plaza. It was newly renovated. For so many days, ever since I was discharged, this was the first time we went NTUC Fairprice. I had the coupons to purchase the kitchen cookware set as well as buying grocery for the home. The total cost was about $150 (exact: $154.45). He was not happy....

(to be continued)