DR. WAJEEHA ISSUES

Greetings from the Boot Camp Transformation Series!  Today, I want to share a candid moment that unfolded during my journey, reminding me that amidst the hustle, kindness can be the quiet hero. Picture this: the daily grind, the relentless march of tasks, and suddenly, a curveball—I wasn't feeling my best. In the spirit of prioritizing well-being, I took a day off. Now, in the corporate jungle, taking a sick day can sometimes feel like a complicated chess move, but this time was different. As I scrolled my phone with one eye open, I checked my messages and found a note from my line manager. No, it wasn't the standard message. Instead, a thoughtful message greeted me. She shared that she would postpone the meeting and expressed genuine concern for my well-being. "Glad you're taking your health seriously. Really hope you feel better soon," she wrote. In that moment, amidst sniffles and a box of tissues, I felt a warmth that had nothing to do with my well being. Some...

Hello all In the boot camp of my Quality Improvement (QI) journey, a pivotal feedback session with my QI manager became a defining moment. She delved into the nuances of my progress, probing into the depths of my confidence. The question hung in the air: "How would you feel talking to executives?" I hesitated, admitting a certain consciousness when presenting to top-tier leadership. My QI manager, with a knack for unraveling barriers, probed further. "You've engaged with the CEO and Chief Medical Officer successfully. How did those interactions go?" In a moment of self-reflection, I acknowledged that I had articulated my ideas clearly in those high-stakes encounters. The revelation set the stage for a breakthrough. "Then who are these executives you are conscious about now?" she questioned, gently nudging me to confront the specter of self-doubt. As I took a moment to reflect, a realization unfolded—I had navigated the upper echelons of the organizatio...

Good morning lovely people!  It's time to share a gem from the trenches—a tale of congratulations, handshakes, and a pregnant pause that left me questioning my Englishness. Picture this: a typical shift, the fluorescent lights humming, and excitement buzzing in the air, when suddenly, baby news dropped like confetti on a weekend. In the midst of the hustle, a staff member, realized she was expecting. Cue the joyous congratulations from colleagues, including yours truly. Now, I happened to overhear the baby banter and, like any good boot camper, joined the congratulations chorus. In the spirit of camaraderie, I strolled over to offer my hearty congratulations to the new mum. With a big grin, I extended my hand for a good ol' handshake. But wait for it—the unexpected twist came when she shot me a look that could rival a cat caught mid-sneak attack, ignored the outstretched hand, and thanked me with a nod before darting off. Well, slap my knee and call me befuddled! There I stood,...

 Hello all, Here in UK , I realized cycling is a basic life skill that can save a lot of time, also a great exercise. I recently embarked on a journey that could rival Odysseus' epic tale—sans the sea monsters and sirens but with a fair share of wobbling. The quest? Cycling, a seemingly simple art I'd failed to master in seven different phases of my life. I'd tried it everything, to an extent of buying a cycle from a stipend back in India, each attempt as graceful as a giraffe on roller skates. Then came the revelation—the eureka moment that balance was not just a metaphor for life but a literal skill I needed to conquer. There I was, a grown adult, ready to confront my nemesis—my bicycle. My dad, who had come in here to visit me agreed to help me again. Yeah , a 30 year old woman going back to her dad to learn cycling. He went out of his way got the bicycle for me as I worked through my clinical shifts. He saw me wobble down on the first step a couple of times and offered ...

  I struggled to a complete my ALS bit more than ACLS. "ACLS was a cakewalk , why are you struggling here? "Voice in my head kept playing.My mind was a bit more confused . I wondered why my flow was not smooth. We were allotted mentors during the session , they took some time out to practice with me separately where I realised I was mixing subtle things from ACLS with ALS. The defibrillation steps, some of the management. The defibrillator we used back in India was different and the safety issues there were different. Despite having cleared MRCEM OSCE where you do ALS , this was different.Probably because it was appropriate in that setting and the machinery there was familiar. Reflecting from it I realised that my mind was UNLEARNING and RELEARNING. There were times where there was a shortcircuit and fireworks. There is no perfect way of doing things, its what works as per your situation and setting. So far so much!

Hello folks A few weeks ago, I received a special invitation that led me to the picturesque town of Bicester. Having never set foot in Bicester before, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to explore the town and learn something new. What added a unique twist to the experience was that the event was hosted at a charming resort – a rarity in the UK. With a sense of anticipation and excitement, I eagerly accepted the invitation, not entirely certain of what the day held in store for me. The day began with warm introductions and icebreakers, setting the stage for a day filled with collaboration and bonding. Our group was a diverse mix, consisting of administrators, nurses, physiotherapists, and more. The day's theme was inspired by the Honey Badger spirit, a suggestion from one of our Australian team members. The Honey Badger, an animal surprisingly found in India, served as a symbol for our team – a creature known for its resilience, adaptability to various environments, thick skin,...

Hello As I stepped into the room filled with leaders in emergency medicine in London, a wave of nervousness washed over me. This was one of my first high-profile conferences in the UK, and I couldn't help but feel like a fish out of water. I had spent days meticulously planning every detail – from my outfit to my introduction – in an attempt to make a good impression. I settled on wearing a light pink and black outfit, thinking it would convey a sense of approachability, warm and friendliness. However, as I looked around the room, I couldn't help but notice that most attendees were clad in shades of black, blue, and grey. My initial confidence waned, and I suddenly felt conspicuous in my pastel attire.                                                  This is AI generated image As the conference kicked off, I introduced myself to a few attendees and quickly realize...

  Hello all Today was a bit of a rollercoaster. Someone made me feel less-than, like I wasn't worth much. I think more than others its the imposter syndrome from within that makes me question. But when I took a step back and looked at my day, I saw something pretty cool. I learned how to roast chicken, ( Youtube university) and I pulled off hosting a party for eight awesome people. It hit me – despite the rough start, I had an amazing day. If I met somebody who would pull this off and feel unworthy of themselves , I would pep them up. Life's boot camp taught me that even when someone tries to rain on your parade, there's always a silver lining waiting to shine through. Cheers to learning, growing, and turning the not-so-great moments into something amazing! 🌟 Here is a picture :) So far so much Cheers!

Hello everyone, In the middle of my busy night shift when I was working in the pediatric emergency department, a little dynamo named 'L' brightened up everything. This five-year-old with big blue eyes brought a daily dose of joy into the routine chaos of medical tasks. 'L' and I had our own special routine. We'd chat about superheroes, give each other high-fives like we were champions, and turn taking medicine into a playful adventure. Pills became magic potions, and inhalers were dragons to be conquered. It was a couple of hours they were in ED. He said he does not like the colors initially later after lot of 'talking' he gave in. It was finally to say goodbye to the lovely family with some medicines and advice. As I glanced at him, with a quick, excited shuffle, he handed me a crumpled paper from his coloring book. On it was a drawing of a blue elephant – his masterpiece. His eyes sparkled with innocence as he scampered away, leaving me with a heart full o...

Hello all, Welcome back to the BCT Series, where life is an adventure, and the challenges are as diverse as the flavors in a well-cooked meal. In this edition, we delve into the world of "Code Kitchen," where my culinary journey evolved from disaster to delight, all thanks to a dash of homesickness and a sprinkle of Emergency Room (ED) magic.  Kitchen Catastrophes to Culinary Triumphs: Let's rewind the clock to a time when ordering takeout was my culinary specialty. I was a horrible cook, to put it mildly. However, fate took me to the UK, and homesickness became the unexpected sous chef in my kitchen. Yearning for the tastes of home, I decided to brave the world of pots, pans, and spices. My culinary experiments began with ambitious attempts to mimic my mum's cooking. Spoiler alert: it didn't go well initially. Burnt offerings and unidentifiable concoctions became my signature dishes. But, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention, or in my case, the mothe...