Sunday, October 12, 2008

WHAT'S THAT?

I was a refered a case from the Orthopaedic Ward during my recent oncall. The patient (we shall call her Mdm X) was an elderly lady with breast cancer & metastasis to the spine with cord compression. The symptom of lower limb weakness (as a result of spinal cord compression) had been present for about 2 months, but there is no total paralysis yet. So the neurological deficit may still be reversible (either with high dose steroid, radiotherapy or even surgery). After reviewing Mdm X, I wrote down my plan in the her folder:

1) Continue analgesia
2) Worthwhile to start Dexa
3) To discuss with Oncologist about radiotherapy
etc

Shortly after I left the ward, the Orthopaedic staff nurse (SN) called me on my handphone:

SN: Doctor tadi review Mdm X kan?

Me: Uh-huh…

SN: Dalam plan, nombor satu, continue analgesia, yang tu saya faham…tapi nombor dua, worthwhile to start Dexa…apa itu worthwhile?



* Analgesia means pain relief
* Dexa is short for Dexamethasone, which is a steroid

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