Thoughts, Training Log Until March 21 2010

I haven't written in a while; not enough time.

Thoughts:

1) Living in the fast lane, stress can either bounce off of you like a slab of concrete, or deliver blast through you, like a slab of concrete. Usually for me it was more of the former, but yesterday it as certainly like the latter, due to multiple stressors finally getting into me.

I need to keep my legendary temper in check: I think I punched the wall almost 10 times yesterday, hard enough to make people notice. The skin at my knuckles aren't hyperpigmented because of hemochromatosis, you know.

2) My aunt got operated for a "ruptured" appendicitis, but the operation was laparoscopic, so it shouldn't have been too bad. Get a good rest Umi Dah.

3) So far I'm finding that I need to do a lot more to get myself ready for Pro, especially now that the date has been pushed forward. And I can't enter the wards to boot. But with the current schedule and stress levels, I'm not sure how I'll manage to fill the hours in. With my current "intellectual abilities" I'm guessing that just 1 hour to study O&G and another to study for Pro consistently every day would suffice. Another would be to study 1 1/2 hours for Pro (which I've not started on my own yet, only group study), and depend 100% on bedside teachings and other "classes" (including on call sessions with 3rd years) to prepare for O&G (which was exactly what I did for internal medicine, and still got me no 2 in the group). We'll see which path I follow, which depends a lot on how well I cope with the stress.

But I want another distinction, for O&G and Pro. I want the money from the MMA award (though I haven't registered as an MMA member. 1K will help out a lot, especially with the internal drama in the family (not just Abah's illness).

4) Speaking of Abah, he has been talking a lot more, which is good. This morning he also started trying to regularly walk without his walking stick. But there's a lot more training required especially regarding his speech, and dealing with his upper limb spasms while doing ROM exercises are very difficult: too soft and you won't be able to extend the elbows & fingers at all, and too hard and Abah will be in pain. But he's laughing more, and interacting better with guests, who are still coming non-stop during the weekends.

Thanks for the support.

5) Next week is Naufal's wedding, the wedding of a person I can truly refer to as a best friend. Congratulations. Hopefully I'll be able to come over, unlike the so many I've missed lately.

6) Some people have it so easy: you'd God damned better be grateful.

Training (writer's block setting in):

The b-ball underground tourney is less than a month away, and what is hopefully going to be a special day is another 3 months away. It's probably time to reel in the diet, get a good more cardio in, and hopefully still increase if not maintain strength while shedding some fat. People don't care how healthy you actually are, just as long as you meet others' interpretations.

Videos are up on my Youtube page. But one thing is for certain: my pullup strength sucks, and I'm very unhappy about it.

Thoughts, Training Log Up to Nov 28, 2009 (with video)

Thoughts:

1) Abah is doing well. His diagnosis has been changed from migraine paralysis to mild stroke. Edema was noted at the left region of the brain only on the second CT (at readmission), consistent with right hemiparesis. He's now at home, and can now walk at adequate strength but with some persistent tingling, is smiling again, and has an excellent chance of recovery provided he's diligent with the physical therapy. He was told by the neurologist that it was due to his chronic diabetes (microangiopathic I guess).

I'm still wondering if it's migraine stroke, as he still has headache at home as of now, although the neurological deficit has stabilized. We're planning to have the MRI/MRA at a private center as the queue for the MRI at HUKM is at 1 month, earliest.

2) I probably shouldn't question the knowledge of a professor in neurology, but I'm still wondering as to why he's been prescribed sumatriptan at a high dosage despite having his diagnosis as mild stroke, not migraine stroke. This is added with the fact that sumatriptan is contraindicated even in migraine paralysis, much less TIA/mild stroke. My worry has led me to withhold Abah from the sumatriptan even though he still has a headache, for now we're relieving him with PCM and Ponstan. So far, it's working enough.

The whole ordeal with Abah has reminded me of one thing. Those who have not entered family medicine will learn it, those who have passed it must not forget it: never ever forget to tell your patients the plan when discharged. Patients must know when to come back.

3) I've been very slow in learning psychiatry; too slow in fact. And still with no case for the write-up. I should be worried.

4) I've been rethinking the times when friends asked me whether I would be able to maintain my work on fitness when I become a houseman. Then, I answered, "I'll just go on maintenance to keep what I've achieved". What I should have added was, "If we're not going to start because we're afraid of having to stop in the future, we might as well stop living. It's rare that we get to do something from our youth all the way until our death. Probably 99% of things in life has a start and a stop. Just do it."

5) I've uploaded part 1 of the Raya Haji BBQ at my house, is uploading part 2, and will probably upload part 3 tomorrow. Not for the easily offended; you have been forewarned, hehehe. It's the last before I become a houseman, the last before Naufal gets married, and probably none will be organized next year as the Aussies won't be here and unsure of whether Hamzah will be back too.

Training:

Training went well, except for 1 thing: deadlifts, Penlay rows, and front squats+military presses on back-to-back-to-back days have annihilated my back, especially considering the "max" nature of last week. I'm currently having back spasms whenever I stand still. The last time this happened was during my basketball days (think the defensive position with poor posturing). Luckily next week is deload, and I'll get plenty of rest. Results:

Deadlift - 117 kg x 7 (11 kg PR from 5 weeks ago)

Bench Press - 71 kg x 7 (3 kg PR from last week)

Front Squat - 81 kg x 8 (+1 rep, 4 kg PR from last week)

Military Press - 44 kg x 7 (5 kg PR from 5 weeks ago)

All in all, very good. After the deload I'll shift to a 3-day per week schedule, so that deloading would fall right on break after exams. I have also bought a lifting belt for use with my top sets, I think I have earned the right to use one, considering that I'll be deadlifting 120 kg's for reps; when I started with 5/3/1 120 kg was my max.

As regards to the log,

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday - Pistols (3 x 7), Paused pushups (3 x 12), Front plank with salutes (3 x 12)

Saturday

I can't get enough of this video. Have a happy week people!