![]() For the past two weeks, I have had class with a student inside the hospital. It was a very interesting situation. My student M had an incident where she was unable to stand up from seating position last week. While M tried to get up, her knees felt weak and she fell into a kowtow position at a public area. While the ambulance whisked her off in typical Taiwan efficiency, which is hellishly fast, she was transferred from hospital A to B and finally to C. Whatever the reasons were, M was slightly rattled and mildly nervous. She said when she was on the ambulance, her upper body and consciousness were still fine. Therefore, she took the time to "get to know the vehicle", reading off signs on various emergency equipment. I have to say, it was quite a review for me as a former physician. Her diagnosis was hypokalemia, which means low potassium (K+) levels in blood serum. The origins of the problem are yet to be known. Hypokalemia is potentially life-threatening and should never be taken lightly. Over the days, the steady, gradual climb of her blood potassium levels assured us that the worst possible scenario is temporarily averted. However, a thorough examination of her endocrine and nephrotic system is needed. Hopefully there will be some good news before she is discharged from the ward by the end of this week. While I was in the hospital, we chatted a lot of issues about herself and mine. While it may seem like conversational English on the surface, it was a very brotherly bonding time. I got to know her more and she got to know my stuff too. Stable mutual trust is established only when the instructor, whether he/she is a tutor, coach, or school teacher, takes the active role to cement the bond. I am grateful that this has happened and gave us a much-needed rest from the constant teachings that I usually give to any student. All the best. Caleb out.
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May 2022
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