8a.m

New day, new beginning! Need to check emails and phone messages – see whether my staff that are on leave and MCs need coverage today. Hmm... good, looks like there are a few of them.

9.a.m

Counselling starts. I run groups for persons with dementia/mild cognitive disorders and their family members 3 times a week. It’s really challenging – I need to help them cope with their illness and caregiving struggles, as well as family issues and abuse.

10.30a.m

This time, I’m doing some planning and preparing for group activities. This also runs 3 times a week.

11.45a.m

Great – I got some time to attend to outpatients. Always a pleasure. I need to supervise my junior colleagues in their daily work later though. Well, someone’s got to guide the young ones.

12p.m

Have to do pack lunch. Loads to do.

12.30p.m

Lunch was good. Didn’t have to go for take away, fortunately. One of my former patients brought me some nice dumplings. It’s really rewarding emotionally, and even physically (haha) when people thank you for having attended to them. But a simple smile and thank you already feels great. Seeing how their lives have improved, seeing their internal strength and resilience in facing difficulties, is rewarding enough. It never fails to motivate me.

1p.m

Got a referral for an attempted suicide case. It’s sad. Hope this doesn’t happen to anyone I know. Last week, I also got a domestic violence case.

2.30p.m

I’m now clearing paper work. It’s been piling up – I do need more time, seems to be always not enough after all I’ve done earlier.

3.45p.m

Seems to be a very rewarding day. Another former patient dropped by to say hello and thank me again. This lady had quite a struggle and was thankful for my help to cope and support herself successfully. Got me teary eyed!

4.30p.m

Last minute follow up for the attempted suicide case earlier.

5p.m

Finally off to my other passion - playing with my 18-month old son. Just like my passion for nurturing people as a medical social worker, I love staying home to nurture my son. Well, that’s another rewarding experience!