English...

   English lesson must be strictly taught in English language. No other language but only English. The system itself must be improvised & upgraded. Do not misuse other subjects in  order to enhance the standard of English among our school pupil/student. The teachers themselves must be given  competent and intensive course to teach this English subject. Ensure all the teachers involved are really can converse and write in English with a high standard level. Do not just simply put non-English-optional teachers to handle the class. The times allocated for English class should be increased as well.

We....

   We have been given a brain and mind. We must make full use of both. Use them wisely but never abuse them. Unlike an animal, we not only have brain but mind too. We should use our mind to create a useful environment for our life. If we should compete among us, do it rightly & fairly. We must also conserve this world for our own & next generations. We must not simply deny the right of the animals & other creatures too. They are also a part of us, sharing this only earth that we temporarily own. Do not simply throw away our daily home-made waste, make an opening burning etc....

Awatif

   She is my youngest child, out of three. She is so special to me. Sakinatul Awatif is her lovely name.  She is very nice daughter. Now, she has growing up, to be in Form Three.  Our Awatif will be sitting for her PMR (Lower Secondary Assessment) exam this year. So far, she is just doing an average in her school examinations. I really hope that she can speed up her performance & do us a proud in her coming PMR.

Arfan 2012

Our only son, Abdullah Syahiran Arfan has got the offer to pursue a study at National Youth Skill Training Institute (Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara)  in Bachok, Kelantan.  2nd July, he went there for registration as a trainee. I do hope that everything goes smoothly for him there. Best of Luck, my dear son…

Public School Exam

   Nowadays, so many pupils/students score straight A’s in public school examination unlike in the past years. Is this really showed that our boys/girls are clever enough & deserve for that or is this just  a manipulation of the marking scheme? During my school days, the passing mark for any paper/subject was about 50%. It was very hard to see the boys/girls scored straight A’s.

   Private tuition classes, is it due to these? The teachers & schools are competing  among themselves to achieve a higher number of straight A’s achievers. They are doing this without thinking of a nature development of the pupils/students. The good pupils/students are not necessarily must be very high achievers. They must be taught to be excelling in both, academically and spiritually. Some of them are just memorise whatever they have learnt in the classrooms without being able to elaborate further on certain issues/questions. We have seen some of these great boys/girls did not get good results while they were in the university. They only graduated with a just borderline CGPA.  They cannot even think….

Thyroid - Diseases & Treatment

   Thyroid gland secretes the major hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) & T4 (thyroxine) which are  very important in our body metabolisms (stimulates a conversion process of oxygen & nutrients into energy). Iodine is vital for the normal function of the thyroid gland.

   The common diseases related to the thyroid gland are:

1. Hypothyroidism: underactive thyroid gland.

2. Hyperthyroidism: overactive thyroid gland.

3. Thyrotoxicosis: excess production of thyroid hormones.

4. Thyroid storm: life threatening due to excessive thyroid hormones.

5. Thyroid cancer: an abnormal growth rate of thyroid cell/tissue.

   When the thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or develops cancer, radioactive I-131 is given for killing thyroid cells.  Iodine is trapped & organified by only thyroid cells with just small amount goes into gastrointestinal & urinary system.

   Normally, a treatment for hyperthyroidism & thyroid cancer is either by one or combination of these; drug medication, surgery (thyroidectomy) & radioiodine ablation. Not even a single surgeon can claim he/she could perform a real full thyroidectomy. There will be some remnant tissue left. This remnant tissue must be treated (ablated) using I-131 (75-150mCi/g of thyroid). A normal dose (activity) for hyperthyroidism is <30 mCi while for thyroid cancer is 30-200 mCi.

   Any thyroid medication must be stopped (carbimazole: 7 days/thyroxine: 4 weeks) prior to scanning/treatment. Patient must fast at least for 4 hours before the procedure in order to enhance the absorption of I-131. Fasting can also prevent patient from vomiting (& thus reduce a possibility of I-131 contamination).

   Prior to I-131 scanning/therapy,  patient must not take any iodine-containing foods such as vitamins containing iodine, iodized salt, sea fish & shellfish, seafood, canned fruits/vegetables, tea  & lemonade.

   A few days after receiving I-131, patient normally tends to have one or all of these:

a.    neck tenderness.

b.    dry mouth.

c.    nausea, sore throat, & vomiting.

d.    salivary glands may swell. 

   Breast-feeding or fathering children is strictly must be stopped for 6 months after I-131 treatment. This treatment is also not recommended for a pregnant or nursing woman & pregnancy should be delayed for at least 6-12 months after receiving treatment. It can affect fertility in men too.

Our Syahiran

   Abdullah Syahiran Arfan is our second child & the only our living son. His SPM result (sat in 2011) was just average. Indeed, he was among the clever pupil during his primary school days. However, when he was in secondary school & living in a school hostel, he has changed a little bit. Maybe the school environment contributed to this change. He is now waiting for pursuing his study in polytechnic & other skill learning institutions. Hopefully, our only son will get a place in a polytechnic for his brighter future ahead….