Report of 20 Feb '05
Hello from sunny Chennai -
One son is reading here, the other one is playing w/ Legos, Scott regretfully had to take the day train back and I am writing. This is therapeutic for me. I actually started at 7.30-ish this am, welcoming the p and q (peace and quiet), and was all set to write when my younger son came bounding out, chirping, "Good morning," and kissed me. There went the solitude but there also started the family time - can't beat that.
The increased frequency of going to the Banyan is good and I enjoy the fact that transportation is provided. The days are getting hotter, Banyan's transport is non-airconditioned and I have taken to coming home w/ my clothes stuck to my back and the backs of my legs, looking faintly obscene, but I dive into the elevator and hope for the best. The HIV+ young woman's son did come to visit and she sought me out as I stood near the front of the building, her eyes aglow, and told me of the little boy's visit. She said he did not remember her, but that he had a biscuit (cookie) and milk and she spoke to him of it. It was a wonderful exchange. As I continued into the sick room (our ward), the young assistant went to turn off the TV, which had dance sequences from Tamil movies. I told her not to - no need to interrupt patients' entertainment for a darn doctor's visit, plus I like some of the dances too (the boys and I dance everyday at home) - and started w/ the pts. My patient w/ hepatitis, Ms. P, had been on dietary restrictions - no spicy/fried food, plenty of clear fluids, coconut water, etc. - and the assistant, L, asked if she could have pooris, which are round, deep-fried pieces of wheat bread. I am not a big fan of dietary restriction unless absolutely necessary, and Ms. P has been recovering very nicely, so I said she could certainly have the pooris and that they looked good. Ms. P then smiled her oh-so lovely smile and invited me to join them for b'fast. I was warmed completely: such hospitality and consideration in the middle of her illness, her trials and tribulations. I declined, as I had just eaten (after the kids arrived, i.e., after commencing parenthood, I don't miss a meal), but I may join everyone for lunch next week when Naren and his social work club visit our facility later in the afternoon.
Several of my orders had not been followed up on at the B, which is unusual, and I mentioned it to the social workers in person, did not get much results, and then emailed the founders, who are lovely people to work with. One of them replied, apologised, and cc'd the team, asking for answers. I'd thought, at the next visit, that I'd be the most reviled person there, but the social workers apologised and assured me that they'd try and ensure follow-up, even sitting down w/ Leela, the nurse, and me, to improve matters. I was reassured; such response to feedback, instead of finger-pointing or passing the buck or getting defensive, is much more productive.
The tutoring is well underway. One of the little kids seemed intimidated by me, and completely at ease when a peer tutor showed up. Thank heavens for our peer tutors, who truly enjoy this activity. We used to have older students - 8th graders and such - but we cannot locate them and I feel very sorry: they got a lot out of our tutoring sessions and 2 of them wanted to be doctors. We have had newcomers, as I mentioned, and last session, their mother produced an invitation to their ear-piercing ceremony. I was mildly honored by the invite, as I knew it was given w/ one goal in mind - a present. Had it been one of our long-established students, I'd've produced a present quickly, but this was only these kids' 2nd session and as Ann Landers once said, no one can take advantage of you without your permission. So I wished the family and everyone had to settle for that intangible present.
We were w/ some friends for dinner Friday, along w/ my brother and sister-in-law, and had a great time. The meal ran late: we ate at 10.15 PM, which is not totally uncommon here for dinner parties. The boys and I had eaten our regular dinner at 4-ish, so we were not crassly fainting w/ hunger by 10 PM. Our dinner time blows people's minds here, but there are several habits we picked up in the U.S. that we are not giving up - early dinner, OJ w/ b'fast, being candid if certain schedules, e.g., for a neighbor's visit, are inconvenient.
Scott and I saw "The Aviator" which was a bit long and rambly, plus old Leo didn't appear to age thro' the flick at all. Then we rented a DVD for the boys, an older one, Turner and Hooch. It was cool to see a young Tom Hanks, and all of us enjoyed the movie.
We look forward to our U.S. trip and the business of getting my documents ready to apply for locums is underway - yooosh, what a ton of stuff I have to send. There is no locum in the works yet, but blinding optimism is.
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." - Voltaire
Until next week -
Renu
Hello from sunny Chennai -
One son is reading here, the other one is playing w/ Legos, Scott regretfully had to take the day train back and I am writing. This is therapeutic for me. I actually started at 7.30-ish this am, welcoming the p and q (peace and quiet), and was all set to write when my younger son came bounding out, chirping, "Good morning," and kissed me. There went the solitude but there also started the family time - can't beat that.
The increased frequency of going to the Banyan is good and I enjoy the fact that transportation is provided. The days are getting hotter, Banyan's transport is non-airconditioned and I have taken to coming home w/ my clothes stuck to my back and the backs of my legs, looking faintly obscene, but I dive into the elevator and hope for the best. The HIV+ young woman's son did come to visit and she sought me out as I stood near the front of the building, her eyes aglow, and told me of the little boy's visit. She said he did not remember her, but that he had a biscuit (cookie) and milk and she spoke to him of it. It was a wonderful exchange. As I continued into the sick room (our ward), the young assistant went to turn off the TV, which had dance sequences from Tamil movies. I told her not to - no need to interrupt patients' entertainment for a darn doctor's visit, plus I like some of the dances too (the boys and I dance everyday at home) - and started w/ the pts. My patient w/ hepatitis, Ms. P, had been on dietary restrictions - no spicy/fried food, plenty of clear fluids, coconut water, etc. - and the assistant, L, asked if she could have pooris, which are round, deep-fried pieces of wheat bread. I am not a big fan of dietary restriction unless absolutely necessary, and Ms. P has been recovering very nicely, so I said she could certainly have the pooris and that they looked good. Ms. P then smiled her oh-so lovely smile and invited me to join them for b'fast. I was warmed completely: such hospitality and consideration in the middle of her illness, her trials and tribulations. I declined, as I had just eaten (after the kids arrived, i.e., after commencing parenthood, I don't miss a meal), but I may join everyone for lunch next week when Naren and his social work club visit our facility later in the afternoon.
Several of my orders had not been followed up on at the B, which is unusual, and I mentioned it to the social workers in person, did not get much results, and then emailed the founders, who are lovely people to work with. One of them replied, apologised, and cc'd the team, asking for answers. I'd thought, at the next visit, that I'd be the most reviled person there, but the social workers apologised and assured me that they'd try and ensure follow-up, even sitting down w/ Leela, the nurse, and me, to improve matters. I was reassured; such response to feedback, instead of finger-pointing or passing the buck or getting defensive, is much more productive.
The tutoring is well underway. One of the little kids seemed intimidated by me, and completely at ease when a peer tutor showed up. Thank heavens for our peer tutors, who truly enjoy this activity. We used to have older students - 8th graders and such - but we cannot locate them and I feel very sorry: they got a lot out of our tutoring sessions and 2 of them wanted to be doctors. We have had newcomers, as I mentioned, and last session, their mother produced an invitation to their ear-piercing ceremony. I was mildly honored by the invite, as I knew it was given w/ one goal in mind - a present. Had it been one of our long-established students, I'd've produced a present quickly, but this was only these kids' 2nd session and as Ann Landers once said, no one can take advantage of you without your permission. So I wished the family and everyone had to settle for that intangible present.
We were w/ some friends for dinner Friday, along w/ my brother and sister-in-law, and had a great time. The meal ran late: we ate at 10.15 PM, which is not totally uncommon here for dinner parties. The boys and I had eaten our regular dinner at 4-ish, so we were not crassly fainting w/ hunger by 10 PM. Our dinner time blows people's minds here, but there are several habits we picked up in the U.S. that we are not giving up - early dinner, OJ w/ b'fast, being candid if certain schedules, e.g., for a neighbor's visit, are inconvenient.
Scott and I saw "The Aviator" which was a bit long and rambly, plus old Leo didn't appear to age thro' the flick at all. Then we rented a DVD for the boys, an older one, Turner and Hooch. It was cool to see a young Tom Hanks, and all of us enjoyed the movie.
We look forward to our U.S. trip and the business of getting my documents ready to apply for locums is underway - yooosh, what a ton of stuff I have to send. There is no locum in the works yet, but blinding optimism is.
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." - Voltaire
Until next week -
One son is reading here, the other one is playing w/ Legos, Scott regretfully had to take the day train back and I am writing. This is therapeutic for me. I actually started at 7.30-ish this am, welcoming the p and q (peace and quiet), and was all set to write when my younger son came bounding out, chirping, "Good morning," and kissed me. There went the solitude but there also started the family time - can't beat that.
The increased frequency of going to the Banyan is good and I enjoy the fact that transportation is provided. The days are getting hotter, Banyan's transport is non-airconditioned and I have taken to coming home w/ my clothes stuck to my back and the backs of my legs, looking faintly obscene, but I dive into the elevator and hope for the best. The HIV+ young woman's son did come to visit and she sought me out as I stood near the front of the building, her eyes aglow, and told me of the little boy's visit. She said he did not remember her, but that he had a biscuit (cookie) and milk and she spoke to him of it. It was a wonderful exchange. As I continued into the sick room (our ward), the young assistant went to turn off the TV, which had dance sequences from Tamil movies. I told her not to - no need to interrupt patients' entertainment for a darn doctor's visit, plus I like some of the dances too (the boys and I dance everyday at home) - and started w/ the pts. My patient w/ hepatitis, Ms. P, had been on dietary restrictions - no spicy/fried food, plenty of clear fluids, coconut water, etc. - and the assistant, L, asked if she could have pooris, which are round, deep-fried pieces of wheat bread. I am not a big fan of dietary restriction unless absolutely necessary, and Ms. P has been recovering very nicely, so I said she could certainly have the pooris and that they looked good. Ms. P then smiled her oh-so lovely smile and invited me to join them for b'fast. I was warmed completely: such hospitality and consideration in the middle of her illness, her trials and tribulations. I declined, as I had just eaten (after the kids arrived, i.e., after commencing parenthood, I don't miss a meal), but I may join everyone for lunch next week when Naren and his social work club visit our facility later in the afternoon.
Several of my orders had not been followed up on at the B, which is unusual, and I mentioned it to the social workers in person, did not get much results, and then emailed the founders, who are lovely people to work with. One of them replied, apologised, and cc'd the team, asking for answers. I'd thought, at the next visit, that I'd be the most reviled person there, but the social workers apologised and assured me that they'd try and ensure follow-up, even sitting down w/ Leela, the nurse, and me, to improve matters. I was reassured; such response to feedback, instead of finger-pointing or passing the buck or getting defensive, is much more productive.
The tutoring is well underway. One of the little kids seemed intimidated by me, and completely at ease when a peer tutor showed up. Thank heavens for our peer tutors, who truly enjoy this activity. We used to have older students - 8th graders and such - but we cannot locate them and I feel very sorry: they got a lot out of our tutoring sessions and 2 of them wanted to be doctors. We have had newcomers, as I mentioned, and last session, their mother produced an invitation to their ear-piercing ceremony. I was mildly honored by the invite, as I knew it was given w/ one goal in mind - a present. Had it been one of our long-established students, I'd've produced a present quickly, but this was only these kids' 2nd session and as Ann Landers once said, no one can take advantage of you without your permission. So I wished the family and everyone had to settle for that intangible present.
We were w/ some friends for dinner Friday, along w/ my brother and sister-in-law, and had a great time. The meal ran late: we ate at 10.15 PM, which is not totally uncommon here for dinner parties. The boys and I had eaten our regular dinner at 4-ish, so we were not crassly fainting w/ hunger by 10 PM. Our dinner time blows people's minds here, but there are several habits we picked up in the U.S. that we are not giving up - early dinner, OJ w/ b'fast, being candid if certain schedules, e.g., for a neighbor's visit, are inconvenient.
Scott and I saw "The Aviator" which was a bit long and rambly, plus old Leo didn't appear to age thro' the flick at all. Then we rented a DVD for the boys, an older one, Turner and Hooch. It was cool to see a young Tom Hanks, and all of us enjoyed the movie.
We look forward to our U.S. trip and the business of getting my documents ready to apply for locums is underway - yooosh, what a ton of stuff I have to send. There is no locum in the works yet, but blinding optimism is.
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." - Voltaire
Until next week -
Renu
Hello from sunny Chennai -
One son is reading here, the other one is playing w/ Legos, Scott regretfully had to take the day train back and I am writing. This is therapeutic for me. I actually started at 7.30-ish this am, welcoming the p and q (peace and quiet), and was all set to write when my younger son came bounding out, chirping, "Good morning," and kissed me. There went the solitude but there also started the family time - can't beat that.
The increased frequency of going to the Banyan is good and I enjoy the fact that transportation is provided. The days are getting hotter, Banyan's transport is non-airconditioned and I have taken to coming home w/ my clothes stuck to my back and the backs of my legs, looking faintly obscene, but I dive into the elevator and hope for the best. The HIV+ young woman's son did come to visit and she sought me out as I stood near the front of the building, her eyes aglow, and told me of the little boy's visit. She said he did not remember her, but that he had a biscuit (cookie) and milk and she spoke to him of it. It was a wonderful exchange. As I continued into the sick room (our ward), the young assistant went to turn off the TV, which had dance sequences from Tamil movies. I told her not to - no need to interrupt patients' entertainment for a darn doctor's visit, plus I like some of the dances too (the boys and I dance everyday at home) - and started w/ the pts. My patient w/ hepatitis, Ms. P, had been on dietary restrictions - no spicy/fried food, plenty of clear fluids, coconut water, etc. - and the assistant, L, asked if she could have pooris, which are round, deep-fried pieces of wheat bread. I am not a big fan of dietary restriction unless absolutely necessary, and Ms. P has been recovering very nicely, so I said she could certainly have the pooris and that they looked good. Ms. P then smiled her oh-so lovely smile and invited me to join them for b'fast. I was warmed completely: such hospitality and consideration in the middle of her illness, her trials and tribulations. I declined, as I had just eaten (after the kids arrived, i.e., after commencing parenthood, I don't miss a meal), but I may join everyone for lunch next week when Naren and his social work club visit our facility later in the afternoon.
Several of my orders had not been followed up on at the B, which is unusual, and I mentioned it to the social workers in person, did not get much results, and then emailed the founders, who are lovely people to work with. One of them replied, apologised, and cc'd the team, asking for answers. I'd thought, at the next visit, that I'd be the most reviled person there, but the social workers apologised and assured me that they'd try and ensure follow-up, even sitting down w/ Leela, the nurse, and me, to improve matters. I was reassured; such response to feedback, instead of finger-pointing or passing the buck or getting defensive, is much more productive.
The tutoring is well underway. One of the little kids seemed intimidated by me, and completely at ease when a peer tutor showed up. Thank heavens for our peer tutors, who truly enjoy this activity. We used to have older students - 8th graders and such - but we cannot locate them and I feel very sorry: they got a lot out of our tutoring sessions and 2 of them wanted to be doctors. We have had newcomers, as I mentioned, and last session, their mother produced an invitation to their ear-piercing ceremony. I was mildly honored by the invite, as I knew it was given w/ one goal in mind - a present. Had it been one of our long-established students, I'd've produced a present quickly, but this was only these kids' 2nd session and as Ann Landers once said, no one can take advantage of you without your permission. So I wished the family and everyone had to settle for that intangible present.
We were w/ some friends for dinner Friday, along w/ my brother and sister-in-law, and had a great time. The meal ran late: we ate at 10.15 PM, which is not totally uncommon here for dinner parties. The boys and I had eaten our regular dinner at 4-ish, so we were not crassly fainting w/ hunger by 10 PM. Our dinner time blows people's minds here, but there are several habits we picked up in the U.S. that we are not giving up - early dinner, OJ w/ b'fast, being candid if certain schedules, e.g., for a neighbor's visit, are inconvenient.
Scott and I saw "The Aviator" which was a bit long and rambly, plus old Leo didn't appear to age thro' the flick at all. Then we rented a DVD for the boys, an older one, Turner and Hooch. It was cool to see a young Tom Hanks, and all of us enjoyed the movie.
We look forward to our U.S. trip and the business of getting my documents ready to apply for locums is underway - yooosh, what a ton of stuff I have to send. There is no locum in the works yet, but blinding optimism is.
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." - Voltaire
Until next week -
posted by Renu Weiss at
5:29 PM
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