Tracking tumours

ST Recruit (9 Mar, R26) carried a profile story on Mr Lim Fang Keang, Principal Radiographer, Department of Oncologic Imaging, NCCS, featuring his job as a radiographer. Mr Lim, who has been a radiographer for 20 years, shared that he is like a “detective” who must understand patients’ conditions and plan how to go about tracking tumors. He explained what his job entails and how good radiographers need to be meticulous and mindful of patients’ safety. The article noted that Mr Lim’s work also involves training and research, where he trains younger colleagues and radiology students, and is involved in radiology research that could provide new treatment options for patients in the future.

Swimming for Marie Curie Cancer Care

(Joelle on the left, Gladys on the right)

From now till June 2013, Gladys and Joelle, along with thousands across the UK, are raising funds for the Marie Curie Cancer Care by taking part in the world’s largest fundraising swim.

The annual swim is organised by the Swimathon Foundation and this year, all proceeds will go towards Marie Curie Cancer Cure to give people with terminal illnesses the choice to die at home. Marie Curie nurses provide them and their families with free hands-on care and emotional support, in their own homes, right until the end. Every £20 raised provides one hour of Marie Curie Nursing care in a patient’s home.

Both girls are avid swimmers. Over the summer holidays when they returned to Singapore (where the wonderful sun was so dearly missed), swimming everyday was a norm for them and they would feel uneasy when they skip it. For these two speech therapists in the making, swimming became their essential daily therapy.

Swimming is an awesome way to keep fit. A gentle swim can burn over 200 kcal in half an hour and a fast front crawl can burn as many calories as an 8mph run. Varying different strokes work practically all of the muscles in the body. Swimming helps develop a swimmer's general strength, cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Plus, the girls enjoy doing it, so there’s nothing to complain about!

Since both girls enjoy swimming so much, why not swim for charity? They’ve each taken on an individual distance challenge. Joelle will be completing 1.5km while Gladys will be completing 2.5km within 1.5hrs. Both girls aim to raise £100 each for charity and are hoping to get as much support as possible.

Please support Marie Curie by donating at their personal fundraising pages below. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Your effort will go a long way in helping those in need.

Joelle: http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=433704&langPref=en-CA

Gladys: http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=433723

Written by:

Gladys Tan & Joelle Mok

University College London

Speech Sciences Year 2

Why Speech Pathology?

(Katelyn)

The very question I always had in my mind during my college days was “what/ where will I be 5 years down the road?” It wasn’t a simple question at that point in life.  But after my A levels, I didn’t have much struggle choosing which path to take because I knew I have always wanted to be in the healthcare sector. I want to be part of the team that touches lives, reaches out and makes a positive difference in someone’s life while they cope with their disabilities and navigate their way to recovery.

“I want to be a speech pathologist!” was what I told people.
Normally, people will go “Oh, help me with my public speaking… And my presentation skills…”

A common misconception on Speech Therapists is that we are elocutionists or public speaking experts, basically bringing normal speech to a higher level. But nope, we don’t run public speaking training programmes; we enable our clients to have a right of say in their lives. Speech Therapists see a wide range of clients from infants to elderly with communication and language disorders as well as upper anatomy disorders such as eating, drinking and swallowing problems. Celebrating a joyous occasion over food, laughing and talking seem like daily ABCs to us. But many people are actually hindered by their circumstances to express, to voice and to interact with people. Every individual has a maximum and optimum functioning level. So as an aspiring Speech Therapist, I would like to help build the bridge to achieve this- to let their needs, wants, emotions and aspirations be heard. It will truly be a joy not only to see them be able to speak or communicate, but also to see them establish real human relationships, do what they enjoy and attain the quality of life that was taken away from them.

Travelling 4000 miles away from home to study is never an easy feat. Although fears and uncertainties plagued my initial journey, the beauty of Brisbane city and the warmth of the locals soon resolved them. Brisbane is a laid-back but upbeat city, with plenty of promenading, outdoor entertainment and vast beaches like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. I usually spend my free time gathering and relaxing with my new friends and at times, exploring the vibes of Brisbane city. Every day is a fresh adventure as everything is entirely new to me here. While studying the expertise for my profession in future, I’m learning about life too- independence, resilience, courage, diligence, positivity and strength. I feel utmost blessed and thankful to be able to study in such a prestigious university and living in such a lovely city. Studying aboard is filled with a lot of thoughts of missing home as well as ups and downs, but counting my blessings rather than worries, I’m sure it will be a life changing and fulfilling 4 years ahead.

So back to the question- what do I see myself as 5 years down the road? Honestly, as naïve as it may seem, no earning of big bucks, no high ranking positions or calling the shots in the office… I see myself in a job that I love. I will be caring, serving and leading the people around me in all the small ways I can. I will make a difference- a difference to the people around me. I will do small things with great love, with abundance of kindness, smiles and hope.
Yeo Shu Qi Katelyn,Written by:University of Queensland,Speech Pathology Year 1 (QLD)