just a worried granddaughter

Dear Blog,

As you know, I'm done with the Neuroscience module. So what's next? REPRODUCTIVE MODULE! I'm sure all 'em males can't wait to learn this stuff HA-HA. Hmmm.. but I'm not so sure about the Medic guys in my batch though. They can be a bore sometimes. I've always imagined how it'd be like to be in University where everyone's older, mature but at the same time free from being a kid and doing things they'd never imagine doing. But ever since I entered UKM, feels like there aren't many changes. It's just the same as school - guys being afraid to approach you, let alone look at you and there will always be gangs. The cool and famous, the smart and intelligent, the MIAs, the "i've never seen them before" and the misfits. I wonder which group I'm in.

Anyway, I'm at home right now - predictable, I know. And when I woke up this morning, Sarah told me that Tok Mum fell a few minutes before. She also said that her temple is pretty bruised. So the first thing I did in the morning was checkup on Tok Mum.

Saw the bruise, it wasn't badly raised yet and there aren't any bluish-purplish discoloration yet. It wasn't red too, so maybe it wasn't that bad. But I couldn't help applying the stuff I recently learned from Neuroscience.

My grandmother has history of HPT, DM and stroke. And the significance of that is there might be a possibilty of stroke recurrence. Years ago, she had poor compliance of her medications and had repeated trauma to the head due to her weakness. Therefore, she had several episodes of stroke and had been admitted to the hospital a few times due to this cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Alhamdulillah, praise Allah for His kindess because He gave my grandmother more than just 2 chances of life.

I'm just worried if it might happen again. Her compliance is very good nowadays. She remembers to take it herself, and is also reminded by all of us - her family. But the thing that I'm oh-so grateful for is Tok Wan, for being there for Tok Mum through thick and thin. Without him, all of us wouldn't be where we are now. Tok Wan reminds Tok Mum of her medications, takes care of her when she's ill and well, and so many more that I can't even list down because it's A LOT!

.I love them so much.

If anything happens to them, I don't know if I can forgive myself. I'm also afraid if I might be lost after they're gone. They are my everything, my heart and soul.

So, when Tok Mum fell this morning. I was afraid of its impact and outcome. My medical brain was already generating all these silly mechanisms of what's happening deep in Tok Mum's head.

Repeated trauma to the head can lead to Subdural haemorrhage, a condition where there is rupture of bridging veins in the subdural space of the brain. There are many types of Intracranial Haemorrhages, and some of the causes are somewhat similar. The most important risk factor for stroke is Hypertension (HPT), a rise in blood pressure (BP). The normal range for BP is less than 120mmhg systole and less than 80mmhg diastole. So anything more than that is dangerous. However, all of our BPs vary due to difference in time of day, age, gender, race and more. Complications may occur if it's also too low. For example, hypotension (a very, very big reduction of BP) may lead to hypoperfusion. That means the organs, tissues and cells in the body might not get enough blood. So they might end up not functioning properly.

I think that one of the reasons I took Medicine is because of Tok Mum and Tok Wan. I feel as though in a way, I can help them by learning medic. I can't diagnose them, no-way. But I can give advice on things that may help whatever it is that they need help in. So, again Alhamdulillah...I made it thus far.

In conclusion, I'm worried about both Toks' health. Tok Mum recently got gout but refused to go for a check-up. Both Intan and I managed to persuade her, so she has an appointment with her doc on the 12th of March. So long??! We also gave advice on the food that she should avoid eating. Sarah played an important role in this too, eventhough she's a future lawyer hehe. She searched for the type of food Gout patients should avoid and wrote it all down. Thank you for your concern Sarah. Ritz has been nothing but helpful at home. Without a strong man in a household, things can go wrong, so for that I'm also grateful. Everyday I pray for Toks' health and well-being and I wanna say thanks to God for answering my prayers. Eventhough both grandparents have old-aged illnesses, but the type of illnesses are less severe compared to what other old people have such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, bone diseases, cancer and more.

In case you haven't seen the world's Cutest couple ever, here are a few pics:

THEN

NOW

Ok, before I'm off I just wanna say I checked on Tok Mum to see how she's doing and saw a raised, bluish discolorated lump at her temple. It's starting its healing process. Alritey, taatz~

l e n a out~