Curettage!!

today i am in LR septic and postpartum..
many curettage cases came..
if you are doctors, it's certain that you must be used to attend some of these cases..
it's such a savage method, i think. i can touch the patients' suffering..

"Be gentle, soft and careful" that is our professor's teaching to avoid many complications from curettage such as uterine perforation, uterine synecia and lots of next gestation's complication : placenta previa, abruptio placenta... all above, keeping away from ultimate distress of patients.

i have ever seen professor's curettage case, the procedure is gentle and professional.. but every cases of my resident are very cruel...

the patient cry loudly and ask for a break, without caring of any voices, the resident still did violently...
HuH!! what's a pity patient, she is!!
i cannot imagine if it's me to lie on that bed and be treated like this.. how painful i am!!

-19- Memorize in my Memory…Tzu Chi and everlasting Friendship

“Life is happiest when you are needed by others and can do things for others.”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

Departing from Tzu Chi, Taiwan to my own home, Thailand, but I still think of my worthy time, my lovely friends and my familiar environment at Tzu Chi every moment. I cannot believe that only one month in abroad, being in strange place with new friends from different countries, speaking different language can impress and captivate me ultimately.

All of my friends’ sincerity, friendliness and kindness touch me and make me feel warm along the time I was there. Every time I have seen their photos, their stories and their activities, I am jealous them to have genuine friendship. I wish to be a part of their stories, standing and smiling in their photos, having opportunities to work hard, help people with them and feel gratitude to recipients to let me have a chance to cultivate my blessing. That must be such a valuable life.

In fact we are faraway, I cannot be their companion in long journey, but fortunately, our dreams are not different. By individual way, we can cooperate to reach our same destination, then our dreams will come true on some day in the future.

On the other hand, Time and environment can change one’s mind easily. I realize that when I graduate doctor without my great friends at my side, with fading away of Master’s teaching, prosperity comes, passion, greed and lust visit my mind. It is such a challenging test for one’s strength.

However I promise, I will be steady. By thinking of Master’s teaching and you: my great friends in Tzu Chi, reminding myself how Master at a very young age, started all by herself, I must use my own ability to help the needy people as well. I believe that we will not be lonely so long as we do the good things.

Start reminding myself since today, I will save 15 bath everyday in my piggy bank. Each of my little coins remind me Master’s teaching and in order to accumulate the spirit of helping and loving others every day.

Finally, I would like to say THANK YOU….
TO all of my FRIENDS
I don’t know how many “THANK YOU” should I say can express my gratitude to you guys. Honestly, thank you to accept me be your friend. Thanks for giving me happiness, thanks for teaching me Tzu Chi song, thanks for taking care of me excellently, thanks for accompanying me to amazing Taroko trip and hotspring trip, thanks for your welcome dinner, farewell dinner and every meal that accept me to participate in your dining table, thanks for let me laugh and happy in your stories, thanks for trying teaching me Chinese language but sorry I was still dull, thanks for letting me learn more in Tzu Chi stories, thanks for bringing me to meet Master, thank for taking me in Jing-Si Hall, thanks for permitting me to participate in all of your activities

At the end thank you very much to spread your LOVE and MERCY to me, Nothing to requite your kindness other than my promise and my commission to extend my love and mercy to others as well.

…… ……THANK YOU VERY MUCH……….

Nice to meet you guys and love you much…

-18- Weekend Trip (3) Iran Hotspring

“Those who give actually receive the most, because those who give are always more fortunate than those who receive”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

Iran Hotspring Trip is a trip of international student club in my last weekend in Tzu Chi. We departed from Tzu Chi University in Saturday morning by bus and headed to Shangarilar farm and restaurant firstly. Along the way music was produces by karaoke program on the bus. We arrived Shangarilar around midday and had a nice vegetarian lunch there. A lot of activities were provided in the afternoon by the staffs of this trip; Xinyee, Shinyee, Yingen,… firstly, imprinted wood: the art activity that was managed by Shangarilar officers, we must scrub our own wood, imprint favorite feature and create beautiful arts on them. Then we had outdoor ice breaking and harmony supporting activities such as drawing game, Rabbit game, Balloon game, Police&Thief game, water splashing game. Playing these games recalled me primary school memories, it was such very long time ago that I hadn’t play like this. Exercising, relaxing myself and having friends more are the benefit of these afternoon activities.

After our exhaustion relief by taking a rest, we went on our trip to Iran Night Market to have a dinner and shopping. It was true that we could find out Night Market everywhere in Taiwan and this place was one of them. Though it was not as big as Shilin Night Market in Taipie, I could get some of delicious food here. Finally we finished a long fatigue day at a big excellent house that was very beautiful and convenient. But it is quite crowded by 30 people of us.

Time didn’t pass too fast at all, some of my companions including Shinyee still sang songs as if they aren’t tired from a long journey on the first floor of house until late night, and I took night time with my friends; Kaijing, Connie, Ellen and Julie after Julie birthday party, chatting, sharing our experience and learning Tzu Chi song until 2 am.

The second day started around 8 am when Xinyee came to wake us up to prepare ourselves and had a breakfast. A common western breakfast was prepared by Katrine and some of my friends ; bread, fried egg and Ovantin however I like the taste of peanut jam and chocolate for bread painting, it was nice.

When finishing breakfast and luggage arrangement, we must say Good Bye to our 1 night excellent home and headed to Iran Hotspring, our next destination. Of our chosen hotspring, there was a rule to be naked inside there. Oh!! It is such a shameful thing and very difficult to accept and follow this rule. However most of my friends decided to go inside, without hesitating I have no reason to refuse this weird experience, maybe this was my first and last time in my life, I decided to do it as well.

Inside the Hotspring place we must be naked not only being in the pool but since first pace to go inside the large chamber. Firstly, we must take a bath to clean our bodies and soak in public Hotspring pool. There are hot pool and cool pool provided, most of people usually shift between these two kind of pools and so do I. After finishing Hotspring hour, I feel nice and relaxed, hotspring bathing was not too bad as I thought.

-17- Weekend Trip (2) Taipei

“Unbridled lust and passion are a source of human suffering. Contentment is the only solution for this”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

After thorough planning difficultly, we decided to have Taipei trip by ourselves; Oh and me. Traveling in Taipei by 2 persons that don’t know Chinese language seem to be a challenging adventure. However fortunately, we can be happy, funny in my trip and survive safely. It is such a good experience and memory in Taipei.

Fri 14 Mar 2008
We started our journey at Hualien train station at 9.00am. Immediately we arrived Taipei around 12.00. we went to our Hostel that we had reserved by phone to keep luggage firstly and followed through our plan then.

Our first destination in plan is Taipei 101 building, 400NT Admission Price must be paid for going up to the 89st observation floor and taking the fastest elevator that take only about 35 seconds from the 5th floor to the 89th. We can look down around Taipei on this floor, it is not excellent at all comparing the high price. However Oh and I decided to listen English guide radio and get information as much as we can to compensate for our expensive money that we lost.

Secondly, we catch a train to shopping at ximen. Actually, we planed to go to Chiang Kai-shek before but it is too late for 5pm closing. At ximen we tried to search for a new jacket that appropriate price. 3 hour passing, finally, I could found out them and bought 2jackets in 500NT cost per each. Shopping is a funny thing for us really, because we still went on shopping at Shilin night market, the biggest night market of Taipei. There are a lot of food and clothes. We could buy souvenir for our friends here in suitable price; nice chopsticks 16NT a couple. We went along a street until 10.30pm and went back our hostel.

Our hostel is not an excellent one at all however I could stay there conveniently. There are 6 beds and one baht room in each bed room. The beds are softer and warmer than our beds in Tzu Chi dorm. The cost of hostel is very cheap I must paid only 300NT per night. because of my exhaustion I could slept tight and have a nice sleeping.

Sat 15 Mar 2008
We woke up at 6am and started our trip at 7am to Yanmingshan firstly. I was informed that Yanmingshan is a beautiful place however nobody told me that we must climb the mountain to sightsee there. After arriving the visitor center that take almost 1hour to climb the mountain. A kind traveler asked us to join his walking to the first beautiful place together that take about 2hrs. I feel thankful in his kindness but many hours climbing mountain was too hard for us, two little girls that hadn’t prepared ourselves before, so we decided to refused his pleasure gently and got on the shuttle bus to save our energy for a long journey in 2 days left.

After arriving the first place by bus, we must go on walking to the beautiful target. When long walking distance finished, we reached our goal eventually with lots of exhaustion. Our desire to meet a beautiful place collapsed because I think it’s just a regular view, I was quite disappointed for it. However we got an opportunity to exercise in nice weather.

Along our journey, We met a Taiwanese man that were nice and try to invite us to join with his group to have a lunch somewhere around here then he would bring us to National Palace; our next destination. However we denied his kindness because we cannot trust any stranger then went down the mountain by bus, had a good vegetarian lunch and took a bus to National Palace Museum

National Palace Museum Admission for student is 80 NT. Due to our exhaustion, we hadn’t walked around there, we used most of time to sit and take a rest until almost 4pm then went down to the garden and took the photos

An exhausted day passed, funny shopping night came, we went to Danshui; the beautiful place that is seaside and far away from Taipei. Most of couples love this romantic location to see sunset together. We must take more than 1 hour to go there by bus and MRT. Due to that day was Saturday, it was very crowd. However we two were enjoy to look around the night market again. And we could find out something for our friends at Hualein. It was sweets that quite delicious but nobody told us before until give our friends that it is for wedding ceremony.. haha … sorry I didn’t know about it.

Sun 16 Mar 2008
Our last day was started at the same time;7 am to catch the train. Our destination on this day was Moakong Gondola by cable car. Before going there, we must keep our luggage in the locker at Taipei main station firstly then went to take a cable car at station. But because of an extremely long line, we decided to take from inside Taipei Zoo station instead.

Fortunately, it is not too crowd in Taipei Zoo station, we could arrived Moakong in short time and got a chance to see animals as well such as cute Coala bear.

The cable line is very high, it is hung from the peak of mountain to the station that is lower. It was an exciting feeling to swing on the cable car that was very high from the ground. It’s quite similar to being in the scary plaything in amusement park, I think.

At Moakong, Oh, she would like to have a tea. We walked along the car passage around 1 hour until we discoverd tea shop. But finally she refused to have one because of too expensive price.
So we wasted all of that morning there without any activities other than walking.

In the afternoon, we had 2 hours left before train departing time to Hualien. We used that free time for shopping again and because of this, we almost missed our train. However finally we can catch the train in time and go back to our university safely. but I haven’t had any meals except popcorn in the morning at Taipei zoo until arrived my canteen in University at 6.30pm because I couldn’t find out vegetarian food.

Our enjoyed and exciting Taipei trip finished with our happiness and exhaustion…

-16- Weekend Trip (1) Taroko

“If we can reduce our desires, then we will have nothing left to worry about”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

Taroko is a famous tourist attraction in Hualien. I went there by my friend’s kindness, Su Hung Yuan and Chynni.

Weekend trip on Sunday started at 7.30am appointment in front of our dorms. Su and Chynni borrow their classmate’s car for us. Firstly, they bring us to have a breakfast, Chinese food; fried dimpling. The food is nice and low cost however it is quite similar to keawsa; Japanese food in Thailand. After finishing our nice breakfast, we headed for Taroko immediately.

“Taroko” is Aborigine language. Actually, the local people in Taiwan are Aborigine but immigrating Chinese people chased them to be in east part. So this mountain has an Aborigine name.

Our first destination in Taroko was water fall, 20 minutes walking by passing three caves and the swinging bridge. We paused to take some photos along the way until reached our first target. The water fall is inside the cave, we must took off our shoes, roll our pants up and use plastic coat to resist the water to go inside.

After enjoying in Water Fall and beautiful sightseeing already, we walked back and drove to nine corner cave that is one of beautiful places. The large mountain composes of a lot of daughter mountains. I wonder how the nature can produce such a nice creation like this.

At the end we finished Sunday trip at local Chinese restaurant: Seaw Long Poa or Salapoa in Thai language and stream dumpling then went back to out dorms.

-15- Internal Medicine

“A good, kind person feels happy when others are happy and he does things that benefit others. This is true wisdom. If a person only does things that benefit himself, he is only being clever”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

The last 2 weeks in Internal Medicine was not different from Medicine Department in Siriraj hospital at all. I must follow Resident Huang Lei and Professor Chang Ting En. My resident is a kind and educated woman, she usually taught me about her cases and gave me homework. My professor was very kind to me as well.

By the way, I like to study in Internal Medicine rather than Chinese Medicine. Learning the patients’ history, summarizing their problem list, differential diagnosis, searching for the information and discussing about the cases with my Resident and Professor are active learning that I love. Because I am not good in memory the lesson, memorizing something from the books is a boring way for me. Having active learning, thinking, being curious and trying to get answers are much more challenging. In conclusion, I have a nice time in Internal Medicine.

-14- Chinese Medicine

“Illness is one of the many unavoidable sufferings between birth and death, and we should do all we can to help the sick feel less miserable”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

Chinese Medicine is one of amazing alternative medicine and the most popular type is Acupuncture. I still wondered how the only tiny needle can treat a lot of chronic diseases better than Western Medicine. Most of my western medical students choose to visit Chinese physician rather than western ones in some cases especially chronic pain, Neurological problems, decreasing weight, it is more effective significantly.

I was 2 weeks clerk in Chinese medicine. It is nice to learn more about this kind of medicine. I love this way to treat the patient, there are not any critical side effect and more effective than Western’s in some cases.

Learning Chinese Medicine we must remember the Meridian of Acupuncture points, their names and effect. I prefer to be treated by this way as well however I had rather learn Western medicine more. However all of professors and Intern are very nice and kind to me, I impress in them

-13- Silent Menter … Great teacher in Anatomy class

“Human life passes in a breath. Our lives are measured in seconds, not in years. By realizing this, we can better appreciate our lives.”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

Anatomy is one of subjects in Medicine Curriculum. Absolutely, we cannot finish Medicine without learning from real human bodies. Both Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University and Tzu Chi University, The cadaver come from body donation, so they are esteemed to be our great teachers to sacrifice themselves for us after passing away.

In Tzu Chi, before the semester that has Anatomy class, a great ceremony is established for sending their gratitude to the silent mentors, the picture of them will be pasted in the Anatomy building along the year, the students must learn about their own silent mentors history (5 students for each cadaver) and present them in the ceremony as well.

And when great teacher’s volition accomplish, when the class finish in each year, some of their ashes will be kept in a worship room.

Though the heaven took them away, their names and virtue still be forever.

-12- Faculty of medicine Tzu Chi Hospital

“Life is worth living when you are given great responsibility. Life will be empty and meaningless when you evade your responsibilities.”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

In standard, Medicine curriculums consists of preclinic level that studying Basic science and medical science, secondly, Clinic level that being clerkship in the hospital, learning from the real patients, lastly, Internship and graduate to be a general practice then going on being resident and fellow to be a specialist in one’s favorite department.

Tzu Chi medicine Curriculum is not different from Siriraj’s at all. The students must take 7 years course, 1st and 2nd year for basic science and introduction of medicine, 3rd and 4th year for medical science, 5th year for clerkship in Hospital and 6th & 7th year for Internship.

Due to I was an exchange clerk, most of my friends in Hospital are the 5th year.

-11- Blog for Life and Freedom… blog of my Inspiration

“We will never tire of helping others if we do it voluntarily ”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

“We are dreamers. We dream of a day when people love each others, where the Earth is a clean and safe place, and when people start to believe in their futures again. And for that, we try to work hard, step by step, in hopes of achieving this ultimate dream.” My friend’s saying

As I mentioned above that most of Tzu Chi friends are my inspiration. I would like to exemplify one of my friend’s story as a representative of them. Hopefully, his good deeds and marvelous dream will inspire u, the readers, to spread your love to others as well.

The story started when I read his wonderful blog; Frankie’s Blog for Life and Freedom. It consists of his lifestyle, interesting, medical life, activities, traveling and inspiration. Absolutely, along his journey, he has a bunch of good companions; Connie (his sister), Kaijing, Shinyee, Yingen, Wenting, ect. Reading his blog can make me learn more, I ask him to clarify his activities and volunteering works for me. And these following passages are his tale.

Frankie, the Malaysian guy who is the fifth year in the Faculty of Medicine of Tzu Chi University. He became to be Tzu Chi member since he was 14 years old, high school level, by his mother leading and Connie, she became as well. As Tzu Chi members, Frankie and Connie, they love being volunteers to help the needy people such as entertaining the chronic renal disease patients that must do dialysis. As you know Chronic renal failure is such a suffering disease, the patients can alive longer by only dialysis treatment that is very expensive and agonize them. Most of them are distressed and loss of hope thoroughly. Just singing and supporting them can give them some of spirit and go on their fighting.

Moreover they volunteer to take care of the children in orphan home that are too many children for only 2 nurses, Frankie and Connie usually went there to feed, bath and play with them.

There are many other Volunteering works such as teaching the poor students in primary school, visiting and giving activities for the old people in old folk home, etc.

When he finished High school level, the university course came. He got a scholarship to study in his favorite field in UK. But because Master’s teaching had deeply influencing his life, because of his lovely mind and immersed dream to help the poor and needy people, he decided to give up his right in his UK scholarship and headed on being Tzu Chi students in Faculty of Medicine. He is such a praiseworthy guy, isn’t he. Two years later, Connie came to be Tzu Chi students in Public Health Faculty as well.

After being Tzu Chi students, absolutely, he still went on his volunteering works and beneficial activities to society when the chance coming. I cannot mention all of their activities along his five years in Tzu Chi, Hualien, however I will try my best to pass on his tale.

Every vacation he would participate in camp volunteering. One of them from his blog was China camp; the camp for the poor students in China countryside.

As you know there are a numerous people in China, Most of them are poor and have no education. The adult deserted their home to be in the city and left their children with their old parents in rural area. Tzu Chi foundation constructed the school for them, the poor and pity children. Every year Tzu Chi members will go there and seek for some students that be worthy of getting scholarships. And Tzu Chi University students would arrange the camp for teaching, entertaining and supporting them. The camp couldn’t accept all of many students, only the best ones of each class could participate.

After finishing about 10days camp, they visited the poor students’ home, which are extremely long distance and difficult passages, the poor children must walk about 2 hours to go to school every day. From the photos in Frankie’s blog I can realize that it was very hard for volunteers to stay in very rural area there, Absolutely, such a hardship for those pity children. The last photo of this story is the crying children that was delighted in their coming and kindness and depressed of their departure…

This story touched me ultimately. I can remember one of photos at the airport, Tzu Chi students (staff) stood in row along the passage tidy and doing body language, Frankie explained that all of them were practicing one of their performance in camping, they wouldn’t like to waste even a moment because they wish to give the best things for the children… it is such an impressive story, isn’t it?

Other than volunteering works, there are many activities that give benefits to society such as Neo Cutlery that I mentioned above, promoting Tzu Chi foundation, asking donation from the people, etc.

Frankie, Connie, Kaijing, Wenting, ShinYee,.., everybody, they all are my excellent inspiration. By their young age, they can have such great dreams and valuable deeds. Certainly, in the future they must spread their love extensively more and create many great things for the world. I am the one that always support them and will use their deeds motivate myself to go through my own dream..

-10- Abode of Still Thoughts

“With courage and confidence, nothing is impossible. The only obstacle to your success is your lack of willingness”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

By my friends’ help, Kaijing, Connie, Wenting and Frankie, I had a privilege to meet Master Cheng Yen 2 times. My first time when Master came to the university, Kaijing, she gave me her uniform and knitted my braid so I disguised to be Tzu Chi student completely and stand in row along Master’s passage to welcome her. It was such a delighted feeling to meet her just a moment. Most of us have tears in our eyes because of our delight and love in her.

The second time I was very impressive not only because of meeting Master but also my friends’ kindness. Frankie, though he couldn’t accompany me, he promised to ask someone for me. Wenting and Connie, they must wake up very early (6 am appointment) to bring me to there by riding the bicycles around 20 kilometers in total. Especially Connie, she was very busy, always slept very late and had a class at 9am she still accompanied me and because of this matter she attended her class late.

Abode of Still Thoughts or Jing Si Abode (Chinese name) is the residence of Dharma Master Cheng Yen and her monastic disciples, the spiritual home of Tzu Chi volunteers around the world, and the birthplace of the Tzu Chi Foundation.

Every morning at 7am Master will give morning teaching and it is broadcasted in Tzu Chi TV channel. I attended in her teaching as well, soft and gentle voice is delivered, everyone pay attention in hers. However I cannot understand Chinese language, Wenting, she translated for me.

Life at the Still Thoughts Abode is considerably different from other places of spiritual cultivation, Because of Master’s concept “No Work No Gain”, all the residents are kept busy with work; cooking duties, farm duties, etc. They must wake up at 4 am every morning because the pace of life is quick, the time is valuable, they mustn’t waste it.

We were leaded by a nun around the bean powder, candle machines, the cultural gallery and the fields. Besides, she gave me a bracelet that has Master picture.

Though I couldn’t meet my loved Master nearly or have a conversation with her. Fortunately, just a normal girl like me has a privilege to go to Tzu Chi, learn her inspired history and visit her residence. It is my ultimately good destiny.

-9- “Neo Cutlery” and Environmental Care in Hualien

“If we want to remove all the disasters in this world, each of us must improve his own heart. Then each of us has a healthy heart, them our society, our country and even the whole world can live together peacefully.”
--- Master Cheng Yen---

Hualien is a cleaned town, especially in Tzu Chi Universities. Environmental care is one of Master thought, she started recycle center for decade ago since the global warming hadn’t been a big problem, in order to reduce overwhelming garbage, safe tree, forest and energy. It is obvious in our dormitories in separating recycle waste. The garbage place do not provided everyday, only Tuesday and Thursday that we can waste. There are volunteers to check garbage bag one by one strictly if the recycle ones are not separated, you must pick them up from the bags by your own hands. Besides there are about 6 classification of recycle garbage, you must waste them correctly in each block.

By the way, In Thailand we have too many plastic bags they must be wasted and difficult to be destroyed eventually. But in Hualien, unbelievably, it is very difficult for us to get only one plastic bag. When u buy something in Supermarket or any shops you must buy plastic bags either in case you need them. Moreover In Tzu Chi University, they care environment and safe energy in other ways such as reducing pollution by using bicycle, turning off all dormitory lights after midnight (the plug still works, u can use a lamp), the sensor light system everywhere that work only when people exist, usually using ladder instead of elevators though their classes are on 6th floor, using their own cutlery in cafeteria.

“Neo Cutlery” is an environmental care project of Tzu Chi students, my international student friends. They concerned about the global warming problem and overwhelming garbage in the world. This gathering started since last year in order to reduce disposable chopsticks and cutlery foam garbage by campaigning Hualien people to use their own bowl, chopsticks, cup, bottle of water, shopping bags and ask the shops & restaurants to use the cleanable cutlery instead of disposable ones or give some discount for the customers who use their own cutlery.

They may the first group of university students that created and did the project themselves for the environment. Then Hualien government came to cooperate with their project by giving certificates for the participated shops and restaurants. This project has achieved beautifully in Hualien. However it is pity that in Taipei, a capital city which is not far from Hualien, you can see a lot of foam cutlery and disposable chopsticks everywhere… I am very regretful either.

By the way, I am very proud to have such good friends, Absolutely, Master must appreciate to them much more than me. Hopefully our environmental love and care concept will spread to others in Taiwan and everyone around the world. And if our dreams come true, the world is cleaned and peaceful, Ecstasy will be in our minds.