Friday, January 13, 2012
LSM1202 First Prac
Today was a normal day.... until.....
I went for lsm1202 prac.
(Warning and disclaimer: Contents of the blog post may be considered explicit and disturbing for some. Read at your own risk. This post is to record down my experience of the first LSM1202 Human Anatomy practical and my thoughts and feelings. Nothing more. Please read this post with a solomn heart, it is not meant to be funny or light.)
It was held in the anatomy hall (aka dissection hall... so you know what they do there) and the anatomy museum.
At first I thought I can handle.... Then they showed us pictures and video clip about "silent mentors" (you can google the term and find out what it means). In a Taiwan university, there are many procedures that medical students follow to honour and show respect for their "silent mentors".
I was very touched! Trying very hard to hold back my tears... And tell myself don't think so much. The phrase "silent mentors" actually makes me feel very touched. (I'm very sentimental ok)
We were all solomn and went to take gloves after the end of the presentation. I was still trying to fight my emotions (sounds exaggerated, but really!) and calm myself down. Then they told us to put glove on left hand and surround the "silent mentors". Ok.... I started to get nervous.
Then they told us to unzip the bag the "mentors" were lying in. Wenhui did it, through the slight opening of the bag I could see that the "mentor" was... an indian uncle?? (No offense meant) Actually cannot determine, due to the biological process that would occur after one's death. The smell (I think it was the smell of chemicals used) came first (and I'm very sensitive to smell) and then we were told to open the bag fully so that we could all see our "mentors". To be honest, it was not a good sight to behold. I was shocked as I was expecting a full human body, however, our "mentor" was just muscle and bones. And he (I think he's a male) did not have a complete head. (Which is very saddening, considering the prof said NUS's "mentors" were all unclaimed bodies, which means the "mentors" themselves probably didn't want to end up on a dissecting table in the anatomy department of universities and colleges after their death.) *Serious tone* So, please take care of your family members!! Don't throw them in a home and then forget about them!
I guessed that the "mentor" I was looking at would have been an old uncle. He probably lived alone (in a retirement home maybe), and died alone, without family (since nobody claimed his body after he passed on). I feel sad ;( It could be partly due to the presentation (I was still feeling emotional).
Back to this experience, they told us to touch the "mentors" with our gloved hand and raise our right hand to say a pledge. I couldn't remember the details, but it was roughly about pledging to respect the dead who were lying on the tables and show gratitude to them for sacrificing their bodies so that we (the students) could learn about anatomy. I was trying not to look at the "mentor" as I felt a bit uncomfortable. I didn't want to touch the "mentor's" head (I didn't think it was respectful) so I reached out a bit and placed my fingers on his shoulder/ arm. He felt soft and you could actually see some fluid on the glove afterwards. I think the "mentor" would have been in the anatomy hall for some time?
After that, we went to wash our hand and prepared to go to the anatomy museum. I was in a state of shock. You can call it a bit like traumatised. I think other students were shocked too. We went up to the museum, where there were human specimens on display. We were also told to respect the people whose bodies have been used for such educational purposes. The profs were also emphasizing to us that we are a very priviledged group, as no one other than medical students are allowed to go into the anatomy hall and anatomy museum. No one other than medical students have the opportunity to work with "silent mentors" too. Other than us. Indeed, it would a different experience, and I feel I will never be the same after today, my first encounter with a "silent mentor", even as I am typing this post now.
The anatomy museum was less daunting, as the specimens were all kept in jars and containers (not those jars normally used to preserve living things). We had a tour around the anatomy museum and finally we were dismissed. We would go to the anatomy museum for most practicals, and to the anatomy hall for a few pracs with the "silent mentors".
After the whole prac was over (it was an intro to anat pracs btw), I could feel I was affected. Wenhui too. I didn't dare to use my left hand for the rest of the day, until some time later (I'm ok now), I had not much appetite even though I was quite hungry. The waffles that I bought tasted funny (is it a psychological thing?) and I couldn't stop thinking about the prac. I talked a bit with wenhui about the prac earlier in the day while waiting for the GEM lecture, and I felt a bit better. But it made wenhui worse, so sorry!!
I shall not discuss the ethics and my other feelings towards this issue. I just wanted to record down this experience, a unique one (as we are a priviledged group and not many people will have a chance to experience anatomy pracs other than medical students).
On a lighter note, I am quite glad I'm not a medical student.
(Anyway, if you still don't know, another name for the "silent mentors" is "cadaver".)
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Continue'd
Mar 2011: Got my A level results, made me really worried that I can't get into the course I want. Went to sign up for 2011 A levels just in case, thank goodness I don't have to retake.
Apr 2011: Last day of work, and finally got my much awaited acceptance letter! Whew. Also started my NDP11 journey.
Jul 2011: Preparing to start school! Medical check-up, registration, matric fair, got my lappie which I'm typing this post on, auditioned for guitar (which is one of the best choices I've made so far), bidded for modules. I didn't go for any camps, partly due to NDP and partly cos of my camp phobia. But sad to say, I regret it now.
Aug 2011: Started school on 11 Aug! Haha first few days of school was pretty slack. Frankly speaking, I really like NUS a lot. Haha, I don't know why, but I like to explore NUS. I think I've mentioned before I enjoy sitting in the shuttle bus and travelling from science to fass/ u town/ yih/ anywhere. I really miss going to fass for philo. Haha, and my psych :/ When can I ever take it??
And started workshop sessions!
Oct 2011: E-learning week for fos. But I still need to go school for lab, philo and econs. So not much diff.
And..... My first ever concert! Although I'm not playing in the main ensemble, it was a good experience. Now I know I have quite a serious stagefright. After all those years in drama?
Anw the concert made me motivated, and scared. Cos I know I probably would not be able to play at that standard for naf2012. Haiz.
Nov 2011: Exams! Did horribly for chem :( Even econs is better than chem.
Dec 2011: My first camp in uni! Guitar camp! I shall not elaborate much as I have just recently posted an entry on it. Anw, it was fun! Very very, no regrets going for it hahaha. And then results released (refer to Nov 2011). And more intensive practices coming up for naf. Haiz, I'm deproving for mononoke. Oh dear :(
Now, Jan 2012: Currently, what I can see coming up are more guitar pracs, bidding for mods, studying.... And saving money lol haha.
On a lighter note, we were having a gathering at our house, then the pizza arrived while we were playing millionaire. Then the adults went to open the bottle of red wine that aunt brought over. We tried and tried but to no avail. Then suddenly, the TV said, 5 4 3 2 1, happy new year! And we were like what?! We totally missed it while trying to open the red wine. Anw, the cork was stuck and the cork opener broke (lol). Our first miracle of 2012: Finally dad managed to open the bottle of wine using some inovative method. Hahaha. I slept at 5am? That was how I spent my first day of 2012. Didn't really felt like it was a new year :/ Too into opening the red wine.
Now off to update my events calendar.
Labels: About 2011
Friday, January 13, 2012
LSM1202 First Prac
Today was a normal day.... until.....
I went for lsm1202 prac.
(Warning and disclaimer: Contents of the blog post may be considered explicit and disturbing for some. Read at your own risk. This post is to record down my experience of the first LSM1202 Human Anatomy practical and my thoughts and feelings. Nothing more. Please read this post with a solomn heart, it is not meant to be funny or light.)
It was held in the anatomy hall (aka dissection hall... so you know what they do there) and the anatomy museum.
At first I thought I can handle.... Then they showed us pictures and video clip about "silent mentors" (you can google the term and find out what it means). In a Taiwan university, there are many procedures that medical students follow to honour and show respect for their "silent mentors".
I was very touched! Trying very hard to hold back my tears... And tell myself don't think so much. The phrase "silent mentors" actually makes me feel very touched. (I'm very sentimental ok)
We were all solomn and went to take gloves after the end of the presentation. I was still trying to fight my emotions (sounds exaggerated, but really!) and calm myself down. Then they told us to put glove on left hand and surround the "silent mentors". Ok.... I started to get nervous.
Then they told us to unzip the bag the "mentors" were lying in. Wenhui did it, through the slight opening of the bag I could see that the "mentor" was... an indian uncle?? (No offense meant) Actually cannot determine, due to the biological process that would occur after one's death. The smell (I think it was the smell of chemicals used) came first (and I'm very sensitive to smell) and then we were told to open the bag fully so that we could all see our "mentors". To be honest, it was not a good sight to behold. I was shocked as I was expecting a full human body, however, our "mentor" was just muscle and bones. And he (I think he's a male) did not have a complete head. (Which is very saddening, considering the prof said NUS's "mentors" were all unclaimed bodies, which means the "mentors" themselves probably didn't want to end up on a dissecting table in the anatomy department of universities and colleges after their death.) *Serious tone* So, please take care of your family members!! Don't throw them in a home and then forget about them!
I guessed that the "mentor" I was looking at would have been an old uncle. He probably lived alone (in a retirement home maybe), and died alone, without family (since nobody claimed his body after he passed on). I feel sad ;( It could be partly due to the presentation (I was still feeling emotional).
Back to this experience, they told us to touch the "mentors" with our gloved hand and raise our right hand to say a pledge. I couldn't remember the details, but it was roughly about pledging to respect the dead who were lying on the tables and show gratitude to them for sacrificing their bodies so that we (the students) could learn about anatomy. I was trying not to look at the "mentor" as I felt a bit uncomfortable. I didn't want to touch the "mentor's" head (I didn't think it was respectful) so I reached out a bit and placed my fingers on his shoulder/ arm. He felt soft and you could actually see some fluid on the glove afterwards. I think the "mentor" would have been in the anatomy hall for some time?
After that, we went to wash our hand and prepared to go to the anatomy museum. I was in a state of shock. You can call it a bit like traumatised. I think other students were shocked too. We went up to the museum, where there were human specimens on display. We were also told to respect the people whose bodies have been used for such educational purposes. The profs were also emphasizing to us that we are a very priviledged group, as no one other than medical students are allowed to go into the anatomy hall and anatomy museum. No one other than medical students have the opportunity to work with "silent mentors" too. Other than us. Indeed, it would a different experience, and I feel I will never be the same after today, my first encounter with a "silent mentor", even as I am typing this post now.
The anatomy museum was less daunting, as the specimens were all kept in jars and containers (not those jars normally used to preserve living things). We had a tour around the anatomy museum and finally we were dismissed. We would go to the anatomy museum for most practicals, and to the anatomy hall for a few pracs with the "silent mentors".
After the whole prac was over (it was an intro to anat pracs btw), I could feel I was affected. Wenhui too. I didn't dare to use my left hand for the rest of the day, until some time later (I'm ok now), I had not much appetite even though I was quite hungry. The waffles that I bought tasted funny (is it a psychological thing?) and I couldn't stop thinking about the prac. I talked a bit with wenhui about the prac earlier in the day while waiting for the GEM lecture, and I felt a bit better. But it made wenhui worse, so sorry!!
I shall not discuss the ethics and my other feelings towards this issue. I just wanted to record down this experience, a unique one (as we are a priviledged group and not many people will have a chance to experience anatomy pracs other than medical students).
On a lighter note, I am quite glad I'm not a medical student.
(Anyway, if you still don't know, another name for the "silent mentors" is "cadaver".)
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Continue'd
Mar 2011: Got my A level results, made me really worried that I can't get into the course I want. Went to sign up for 2011 A levels just in case, thank goodness I don't have to retake.
Apr 2011: Last day of work, and finally got my much awaited acceptance letter! Whew. Also started my NDP11 journey.
Jul 2011: Preparing to start school! Medical check-up, registration, matric fair, got my lappie which I'm typing this post on, auditioned for guitar (which is one of the best choices I've made so far), bidded for modules. I didn't go for any camps, partly due to NDP and partly cos of my camp phobia. But sad to say, I regret it now.
Aug 2011: Started school on 11 Aug! Haha first few days of school was pretty slack. Frankly speaking, I really like NUS a lot. Haha, I don't know why, but I like to explore NUS. I think I've mentioned before I enjoy sitting in the shuttle bus and travelling from science to fass/ u town/ yih/ anywhere. I really miss going to fass for philo. Haha, and my psych :/ When can I ever take it??
And started workshop sessions!
Oct 2011: E-learning week for fos. But I still need to go school for lab, philo and econs. So not much diff.
And..... My first ever concert! Although I'm not playing in the main ensemble, it was a good experience. Now I know I have quite a serious stagefright. After all those years in drama?
Anw the concert made me motivated, and scared. Cos I know I probably would not be able to play at that standard for naf2012. Haiz.
Nov 2011: Exams! Did horribly for chem :( Even econs is better than chem.
Dec 2011: My first camp in uni! Guitar camp! I shall not elaborate much as I have just recently posted an entry on it. Anw, it was fun! Very very, no regrets going for it hahaha. And then results released (refer to Nov 2011). And more intensive practices coming up for naf. Haiz, I'm deproving for mononoke. Oh dear :(
Now, Jan 2012: Currently, what I can see coming up are more guitar pracs, bidding for mods, studying.... And saving money lol haha.
On a lighter note, we were having a gathering at our house, then the pizza arrived while we were playing millionaire. Then the adults went to open the bottle of red wine that aunt brought over. We tried and tried but to no avail. Then suddenly, the TV said, 5 4 3 2 1, happy new year! And we were like what?! We totally missed it while trying to open the red wine. Anw, the cork was stuck and the cork opener broke (lol). Our first miracle of 2012: Finally dad managed to open the bottle of wine using some inovative method. Hahaha. I slept at 5am? That was how I spent my first day of 2012. Didn't really felt like it was a new year :/ Too into opening the red wine.
Now off to update my events calendar.
Labels: About 2011
Site Mistress
About me
Hey! I'm 19 this year and currently in an important stage of my life. After thinking I decided to start this blog, to record down the ongoings of this stage in my life. For memory purpose, haha, when I'm old I'll be looking back at the posts here and laugh at how childish/ cry at how foolish I was. Yea, that's life.
To contact me you can leave a message at the tagboard >>>
Information correct as at 28/11/2011.
MyWishes
Santa's Job!
Why, good grades at exams of course!
Play in an orchestra <:D
Work in Cadbury! Haha!
Snow chocolates!!!
A more realistic one, to be able to keep in touch with all my friends.
And also, get better with the guitar ♥
Loves & Hates
What I Love X What I Hate
♥ Chocolates, of course! CBF!
X Cockroach lol
About This Site
The Site's History
I started blogging on
28/11/11, 12 midnight. I blog because I want to record this stage in life, and share my life with whoever's interested (aka
you who is reading this now ;D).
Since we're talking about history, we gotta have some dates:
28/11/11, 12+am : Birth of this blog!!
Credits
ThankYouSooMuch!
Layout done by, -xCherrie
Others: I HEART YOU
Coming up
Upcoming events/ activities!
Jul 2012
15: An engagement*
16: A case competition
20: Photocopy day
23: Decorating for MF
24 - 27: Matric Fair 2012*
Aug 2012
* Look forward to updates!
As the calendar fades
Past events
Aug 2011
09: NDP 2011
11: Start of school (A new chapter!)
Oct 2011
09: Guitarras Expresivas
Nov 2011
19 - 28: Sem 1 Finals
30: SSB Outing to Punggol #
Dec 2011
02: NDP11 YPC BBQ
05 - 10: Guitar camp #
11: 19 and unaccomplished night outing #
20: Release of Sem 1 Results
Jan 2012
04: Guitar chalet
05: Ikea trip
06: YPC lunch
07: Guitar prac
09: Start of school Sem 2
14: LPG2012 (Which I can't go)
23 - 24: CNY
Mar 2012
11: NAF12: Asian Waves #
13: Guitar Recording
24: Guitar AGM and Annual Dinner
28: Hall Application Results
Apr 2012
02: LSM1104 CA2
21 - 27: Sem 2 Finals
May 2012
07: Orientation meeting, going to see music school
08: Arts Leaders Retreat #
20: First violin lesson!! #
26: Sungha Jung and Preston Reed's concert #
28: Release of Sem 2 Results #
Jun 2012
12: Practising cowbell
21: Do matric fair publicity at partner's house
23: Start of sectionals #
24: Elva's birthday lunch #
30: Sectionals #
Jul 2012
02 - 03: LS Prep Camp #
10: Prac for cp #
12 - 14: LS Camp #
# Blog updated
