First experience

Assalamualaikum.

This happened a few weeks ago, when I went back to my department from the ward.

An Indian man smiled brightly and looked like want to approach me. He was standing there and smiling at me. I turned back my head. He looked familiar but i can't recall. Who is this guy? 

He was still smiling at me, although we were like 3 meters away. With bunch of wheelchairs between us. He smiled without saying anything. I looked around, and I can recognized a woman not far from him, talking to one of the physio. It was his wife! 

Now, I remember. It is Ramu. He had admitted to my ward (Neuro Surgical). How can't I recognized him??

I walked to him. 

'Hey Ramu. Dah boleh cakap sekarang?' I guessed as he smiled brightly and I was so impressed. But I haven't heard any sound from him yet. He didn't stop smiling.

'Bo.leh. Sikit.sikit.' One by one he replied. He was still smiling.

'Bagusnyaaaaa. Wuhuu dah boleh jalan eh?' As I saw he standing independently.

He nodded and make a small jump in front of me.

Wow! He even able to balance himself. 

'Fuyyohh!' I was so impressed.

'Nak balik dah eh? Baik-baik tau.'. That was the best words I can say as I had to go for some teaching and I knew he had finished his session. I have never seen so much progress in my patient like this (and the best part, he still remember me. Sobs). Speechless guys :'). 

He nodded his head and still smiling.

*******

*previously I was on Geriatrics (elderly) posting, which most of the patient had dementia and you really cant expect so much improvement from them*

When I was a student, I want to be a physio because I want to have this. Smh

I remember when Ramu was still in my ward, he had global aphasia.

Aphasia = inability to use or understand language (spoken or written) because of brain lesion.

Global aphasia = a severe form of aphasia, that affects both receptive and expressive language skills. 

According to Prof Maz, some patient with global aphasia can't really understand our instruction. We have to give a lot of demo and prompting, so that they can follow our command. Some cases, they also unable to differentiate facial expressions. They won't know that we smile as we happy. They won't know when we show angry faces. To them, all seems the same.

That is why I can't believe how Ramu can still remember me.

And I want this lab coat. But now, too lazy to wear :(

During that time, Ramu can't even talk and had no facial expression at all. No wonder I can't recognized him as I haven't seen his smiling face. He just followed (luckily, he can understand) what I asked him to do. When he can't do, he just stared at me. Actually it was quite scary when he was staring at me. Can you imagine, he is a medium size of Indian man (obviously bigger than me), with tatoo on his shoulder and arm. I was always prepare myself if he started to become aggressive. Hahaha! (You have no idea what neuro patient can suddenly be).

Then, he had transferred to rehab ward for further management. While he was with me, he able to transfer to the chair with minimal assist, unable to walk yet and he frequently had headaches. He also haven't regained back his muscle power on right side of the body. 

Before went to the rehab ward, I told him that he was going to another ward for an intensive exercise. He must cooperate during the therapy, so that can get well soon. Honestly, I really didn't expect he can understand me as he had global aphasia. But I just said that, because it is what I say to all my patients. Unexpectedly, he was understand and maybe he just can't expressed the language yet :')

Oh yaa, I remember Madam Mala's advise before I started my Neuro Surgical posting,

"Kau nanti dekat 6u jangan membebel banyak kat patient. Karang kena sepak je dengan patient. Tanya Wahida, dia pernah kena tendang dengan patient sampai melekat kat dinding. HAHAHA "

Actually, Madam Mala and the team sarcastically told me that, as they know how I like to talk a lot to my patient. HAHAHA

Luckily, I am not the type who easily listens to others and follow her advice :p

Neuro Gym and Walking School's Team

Kausar even said to me once, 'Apa kau membebel banyak ni, patient kau dah la dementia bukan dia faham pon', when I was explaining to my patient.

Ahh all of them are just jealous because I'm treating my patient happily :D.

Actually I miss working with Neuro and Walking school's Team. We share food that patient gave to us, we argue a lot, we tease each other, we fight for bed, treatment area, even a machine. But we still help each other during therapy whenever who are free. Teamwork guys. 

All these pic are not about Ramu but because suddenly I miss all of  them

I miss working with them. 

And you know what? After met Ramu, I was smiling until our lunch hour. I only realized that on my way to lunch with Kak Huda. She looked at me suspiciously, why do I smile to myself? Then I stopped. 

And then I looked at her and I laughed.

Alhamdulillah, Thank you Allah. Blessed. :)