"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
[ Jeremiah 29:11 ]

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Permission for use of Scripture from various versions of the Holy Bible:
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

jaNICE.
njc. 06S24. guitar. pa.
pl. 4a1. 3a1. 2a1. 1a. gb.

CHRISTIAN! =)

a thousand days

HAH. I haven't blogged in a super long time, and I don't think I intend to blog regularly.

Just a random thought: I was 'calculating' a few days ago.. and I realised that I have slightly less than a thousand days left in Perth. That doesn't sound like much time before I have to return to Singapore. In fact, it sounds really short. Then, I was reminded of the lyrics from the song titled "I'm Forever Yours" by Planetshakers:

I give my all to You
Send me and I will go for You
To the ends of the earth
I'll follow after You
I want the world to know
Your love endures forever

Tell me and I'll obey
This is far greater than sacrifice
Trusting You and not myself
Will always lead to blessing
Lord have Your way in me
Not my will, Yours be done

Here I stand within Your presence
Longing for Your touch
A thousand days cannot compare
To one day in Your courts

Hold me now
And never ever let me go
My Jesus, my precious Saviour
I'm forever Yours

I will worship You forever
I will worship You

Indeed, even as much as I enjoy the times I spent (and will be spending) in Perth, it will pale in comparison to just one day in His heavenly courts! :D

Y,jaNICE
 7:15 pm

+ + +
Whee! I'm blogging again :P

- I just came back from Toastmasters Club Officers' Training today. Haha. I'm the newly appointed Vice President (Public Relations) :P
I've done 3 Prepared Speeches so far, 2 of them at other clubs. And I'm assigned the role of Toastmaster of the Day for the next club meeting! :/ Hope things will go well.

- I watched an original musical put up by my sec school yesterday - "My Father's Gift". It's supposed to be the last part of a trilogy, and was about how the Israelites entered the Promised Land. It's quite coincidental because I just started reading the book of Joshua. Acting and singing was good, and I'm really amazed by how talented the actresses were - the 3 main characters were only sec 1s!!

I love the songs too! Some excerpts:

"We're at the edge of a new frontier
At the start of a new beginning
God has been there to bless your destiny
He can count every grain of sand
Every hair on your head every strand
Put your trust in Him and you'll understand
God will give us the Promised Land
His Promised Land"

"Oh Lord help me to find myself
The one You believe that I could be
Lead me and guide me to walk in your ways
With your love in my heart I can face all of my days"

- I went night cycling from 11 Jul 2200 - 12 Jul 0630 with youths from church ^_^
Quite surprised by how I managed to survive the night but I didn't really feel the tiredness until we stopped cycling :)
shall remember to bring snacks along for the next night cycling trip (if there's a next) cos i started getting hungry less than 1 hr after cycling even though i finished my dinner at abt 8.30pm. haha :P

Y,jaNICE
 6:49 pm

+ + +
It has been a super super long time since i last blogged -_-" haha.

Anyway, I thank God for the many experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant, I've been through since the last time I blogged "properly".
There really seems to be too many to write about..

- I've received a scholarship from NUH to study Occupational Therapy. This I believe is something really by God's grace. I think it was literally a blessing in disguise of a misfortune. In short, i believe it was probably this event which i mentioned at the scholarship interview that helped me so much.
* indeed, God's ways are far greater than our ways, His thoughts are much higher than our thoughts :)

- there were some issues with the new La Trobe Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy because its the first year they're having the new course structure in 2009. I'M NOT GOING TO MELBOURNE ANYMORE!
heh. actually, i'm having quite mixed feelings about this. on one hand, the qualifications from LTU seem VERY attractive. haha :P but on the other hand, i prayed after receiving the news and i seem to have more peace in my heart about going to Curtin (which the university i was forst interested in). there are many + points such as:
+ sp's sister is an OT lecturer in Curtin!
+ my aunt has a house 5 mins away from the campus
+ the fieldwork schedule is quite unique, with the last year consisting mainly of fieldwork -> more practice before actually becoming an OT
So maybe this closed door to LTU has brought me back to where God intended for me to go.

- I'm learning driving.

- I'm attending a 4 day course - Certificate in Practical Counselling Skills conducted by TOUCH Family Services

- oh ya! I'm working now, at TOUCH Child Care in Hougang as a Assistant Teacher/Office Staff. but this was not how i found out about the course in the previous point

- i'm tutoring, mainly people i know from church :)

- i attended church camp in malacca, from 18-21 june, and had a really blessed time :)

- still many many more but i shall stop here. don't know when (if ever,) my next post will be though! :P

Y,jaNICE
 6:32 pm

+ + +
Reflections
Singapore General Hospital Occupational Therapy Department (7-18 Jan ’08)

Day 1

AM: We observed Mr Hee, an OT who specialised in outpatient hand therapy. OTs use various treatment methods such as Heat Therapy, Fluidotherapy, Laser and Ultrasound. Heat is applied to relax muscles, while cold compress is used to relieve swelling. OTs also create splints with special plastic to keep patients’ hands in position.

PM: Helped to outline a painting done by the OT Dept in conjunction with OT Day on 11 Jan. We are quite fortunate to get the opportunity to celebrate OT Day with the SGH OT Dept. [Quite cool to be celebrating OT day with them! =)] After that, I followed Mabel on her rounds. She conducted a caretaker assessment and training, functional assessments and fine motor exercises. This mainly involved daily activities such as wearing clothes and standing.

Mabel: Things like punctuality, reliability (able to deliver promises) are basics of being a good worker. In addition to that, OTs need to be
• Observant: every patient is different, need to look out for strengths & weaknesses. No two patients alike so therapy differs also
• Flexible, adaptable, willing to change: different diagnosis needs different treatment plans, not always a standard protocol for every condition. Tailor therapy to meet patients’ needs
• Teachable, reflective: willing to learn from mistakes and continue to improve so as to serve patients better
• Patience, sensibility: patients may take a long time to perform simple tasks, should behave appropriately, not laugh at patients
• Social skills: OTs work a lot with people so one must like interacting with different people, able to get along well
• Comfortable with touch


Day2

AM: Followed Natalie on rounds. She works mainly in the Neurology wards with stroke patients. Stroke may affect patients differently – some patients’ movement on one side will be greatly affected, others their vision or cognitive processes. One patient had problems organising thought and had the tendency to repeat actions. OTs help to explain the patients’ behaviour and educate caregivers, family members to help create a safe environment for them. Actually, one thing that struck me was how much time OTs spend with their patients and caregivers – they are not in a rush to simply get tasks/therapy done so that they can move on to the next patient. They have a holistic approach toward treatment, taking psychological, social and lifestyle factors into account.

PM: Followed Fabia (who studied at La Trobe) on rounds. She works in the Orthopaedic wards with patients who have surgery on their bones. The more common cases are hip and knee replacements in elderly patients. For Orthopaedics, therapy usually entails a set of protocol and standard procedures. Treatment also requires knowledge about the type of surgery carried out so that it may not endanger the patient. Today was one of her freer days because one of her patients was unwell and unable to do therapy. So, she explained hip replacement to me and showed me some patient X-rays. Introduced some websites: www.orthopaedics.org

OTs do patient education as well, teaching them the ways to care for themselves after surgery. For example, those with hip replacements should maintain >90degree angle at hip joint, not turn their feet inward for they may cause the new joint to pop out of the socket (yucks). In fact, the latter is the technique surgeons use to dislocate the joint >.<
The OT community is small but most enjoy and are very passionate about their job. They believe strongly in OT philosophy:
1) Every patient is unique with different strengths and weaknesses. Therapy for each patient would differ slightly, tapping on their strengths and working on the weaknesses to finally help the patient become more independent.
2) Patient-centred therapy. OTs are there to facilitate the patients’ recovery and not to do things for them. They gradually reduce assistance to patients and help to empower patients.
OT targets 3 key areas: self-care, productivity (or work), and leisure. They believe that human beings need to be occupied with activities in the 3 areas for a sense of well-being.
OT is not as widely accepted in Singapore compared to western countries mainly because of the culture. In Singapore, elderly usually have the mentality that they have worked hard and should enjoy life, instead of being put through therapy (which could be quite painful, and requires discipline to do exercises recommended by the OT). Also, elderly here tend to be less independent compared to their counterparts – children should support parents, there are domestic helpers, the government takes good care of citizens. In other countries, children move out at 18, people live far apart. People may desire therapy more because independence means a lot to them.


Day 3

AM: Met 3 NYP Year1 students, and went for infection control training with them and Christina. I failed the mask fit test 3 times! If I was one of the staff, the infection control team would contact me for an appointment. Seems like I would have been in danger if an air-borne disease was going around.
NYP students said that Year 1 Sem 1 would be quite manageable with days from 0900-1500. In Sem 2, they would be going on placements every Wednesday so their days would be from 0900-1800. They also have many projects.

PM: Followed Lindy around. She works neurology wards. I had the opportunity of observing a particularly interesting therapy session, but cannot disclose too many details due to patient confidentiality. Lindy had to take a tough approach and be very firm with him.


Side thought: nurses are really noble. They have to bathe patients, change their diapers and many more unpleasant things.


Day 4

Spent whole day in preparation for OT day:
• Connected paper cranes to slips of paper educating people about OT. Once, I took too much thread and it ended up becoming a tangled mess.
 Greed entangles.
• Helped in the untangling of strings of cranes made by the OT Dept during SARS. They were used to decorate the crane making booth.
 Cultivated patience

Day 5

Christina told us about OT in other countries – they do advocacy work. For example, OTs advocate for safe playing areas for children, places without hazards such as broken glass etc. Play is a large part of children’s life and can constitute their productivity and leisure.

We helped out at the crane folding booth, where we taught people how to fold cranes – with one hand! After a while, we also realised that another volunteer was from PL primary -_-“

We stole pamphlets and I bought $3 slippers to wear because my feet hurt from walking in court shoes.


Day 6

AM: Admin

PM: Followed Fabia. I became an OT Assistant! One of her patients who had a fracture was about to be discharged. However, most who had orthopaedic surgeries are not allowed to weight-bear one the affected side. Thus, Fabia taught her how to use the wheelchair; I accompanied the lady around (and made sure she did not knock into walls and things like that).


Day 7

AM: Admin

PM: Followed Fabia. She did caregivers’ training and assessment, and recommended equipment to make the home safe, especially the toilet. OTs have clearer overall picture of patients including psychological and social factors (due to their training) and thus also give lifestyle recommendations so as to maximise the wellbeing and quality of life of the patients after discharge.


Day 8

AM: Admin

PM: Admin.
After 5pm, I observed Christina conducting discharge planning. OTs need to have good spatial skills because they must be able to visualise the patients’ homes and sketch room plans to facilitate recommendation of equipment. As with all other healthcare professionals, they also need to know the healthcare system very well – the charges, payment methods (Medisave?), post-discharge options (step-down care such as Ang Mo Kio Community hospital or St Luke’s? Day care?) – so as to maximise the patients’ welfare. Honestly, I felt very lost when they spoke about these different schemes. I guess the key benefit of studying OT in Singapore is that one will be more familiar with the system.
This discharge planning was mainly done in Malay too! Being able to understand most what was going on really gave me a sense of accomplishment, and I really thank God for the opportunity to study Malay, and not giving up along the way. My dad played a very big part, guiding me in this rather unorthodox decision (in 2001 before the Government started promoting Malay as a 3rd language), and encouraging me to persevere till I completed what I began. I think I should also start watching more Malay language shows to keep in touch with the language!


Day 9

I pushed the big heavy splinting trolley from the gym to the ward! Then, I observed and helped Fabia in making a splint for a patient who just had an amputation. The splint helps to keep the knee joint straight to prevent contraction of the knee, and help to ensure that the prosthesis would fit properly. There are several splint plastics available, each has varying degrees of memory (ie, they will return to original shape on heating). Following the completion of the splint, I helped Fabia in several mobilisation exercises for the patient to maintain flexibility.


Day 10

AM: Admin. Observed therapy by Leila in ADL room as well. OTs specialising in neurology employ the use of a machine that emits electric pulses down the muscle (somewhat similar to the OTO Electric Reflexologist =P). This stimulates the patient’s muscle and helps them regain the use of it.

PM: Observed Yetta who works in the neurology ward. She also used the “electro thing” for her patient. Stroke patients may be quite depressed because they are suddenly unable to do things as well or easily as before.  In this respect, OTs can help to encourage the patient, reassure them that they can and will get better as long as they put in effort. We also went into a ‘Contact Precaution’ room where we had to put on a full body suit and gloves! Finally, Yetta conducted a session in the gym using the fine motor equipment but the main aim was to help the patient remember to look to the left (left eye vision affected) and maintain a balanced sitting position.


30 Jan: YAY I finally finished my reflections! Its quite obvious that the later entries become shorter and less detailed though XP

Y,jaNICE
 1:34 pm

+ + +
Haha. Here's another song (again). Mr Loh's brother sang this at the 2nd day's memorial service. Parts of the chorus kept ringing in my head yesterday, so i decided to search for it (got distracted when clearing my hotmail inbox =P). It's a really touching and meaningful song. May your spirit be edified and uplifted =)
[Hah. now at least have some words already ok? =P]



“There Is a Higher Throne”
Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music

There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known,
Where faithful ones from ev'ry tongue
Will one day come.
Before the Son we'll stand,
Made faultless through the Lamb;
Believing hearts find promised grace—
Salvation comes.

REFRAIN
Hear heaven's voices sing;
Their thund'rous anthem rings
Through em'rald courts and sapphire skies.
Their praises rise.
All glory, wisdom, pow'r,
Strength, thanks, and honor are
To God our King, who reigns on high
Forevermore.

And there we'll find our home,
Our life before the throne;
We'll honor Him in perfect song
Where we belong.
He'll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die.
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King;
We'll reign with Him.

Y,jaNICE
 10:15 am

+ + +


Worthy Is The Lamb
Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank You for this love Lord
Thank You for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Chorus:
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb

Y,jaNICE
 6:45 pm

+ + +


With All I Am - Hillsongs

Into Your hand
I commit again
With all I am
For You Lord

You hold my world
In the palm of Your hand
And I'm Yours forever

CHORUS
Jesus I believe in You
Jesus I belong to You
You're the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am

I'll walk with You
Wherever You go
Through tears and joy
I'll trust in You

And I will live
In all of Your ways and
Your promises forever

Y,jaNICE
 6:25 pm

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