The Medical Illustrator (Part 2)

The Medical Illustrator (Part 1) Link

I hesitated, "Was it supposed to be a secret?"

"No, no," he laughed heartily, "But not many people know that. Only my close friends who are doctors know that I draw surgical drawings. How did you find out? Is your dad a doctor?"

I told him about my dad's friend who had informed him. That neither my dad nor his friend were doctors.

He was deep in thought. "That's strange. I didn't think anyone else would know."

I nodded, unsure what to say. So I started with my lines, while presenting the coloured manuscript to him.

I explained about my project while he patiently listened. He said that he had seen the ALIEN Biz blog. And Alhamdulillah, he had such excellent views on it! He said that the artworks were fantastic and this effort was commendable.

My heart was still beating wildly but it had positively glowed. I thanked Allah silently for such an opportunity and an amazing response.

He leafed through several pages of the manuscript I had given him. He gave a few comments and raised several important and crucial legal publishing issues. Not only did he agree to look at the drawings, but he also agreed to look at the content. So when I asked if he would review the whole book, he smiled in agreement and replied, "When do you want it back?"

After arranging for the next meeting, I stood up to leave. He asked me one final question; "Why did you start this?" I explained about needing to raise the funds for a project for the Somali refugees and how I sold my notes to raise the money and how it had escalated to this.

At the door, I asked quite seriously if I needed to pay for this consultation (I just wanted to make sure since I didn't think I'd have the money for it). But he only laughed warmly and I smiled (though still confused).

I closed the door behind me, smiled non-stop and walked with a spring every step of the way back out.

The Medical Illustrator (Part 1)

After having met doctors and a visual facilitator to review the illustrated book, one thing suddenly came up: Why didn't I think of it earlier? Finding a doctor who's also an illustrator so that they could comment on the clarity of the illustrations and overall visuals.

I remembered very vaguely my dad telling me a few years ago about a surgeon who also draws. In fact, his friend told him about it. It was just a comment in the passing and at that time, I only nodded in acknowledgement but barely did it register in my mind.

Now, I was desperately clinging to that piece of information. My dad did not seem to recall about it and who actually told him.

The day after, he called up one of his friends and finally remembered the doctor's name- Dr J. My mom immediately gave me the number to the hospital and I promptly made the call and asked them to connect me to Dr J.

I called and was directed to his receptionist (?) who told me that he was unable to speak at the time. I said that I would call back later. When I did, I was told that his clinic was closed (of course, it was already 5pm).

The next day I called again, only to be informed that he was performing an operation and wouldn't be having any clinic that day.

Finally, I called again and spoke to his receptionist and  I explained who I was and my mission and she told me that he was very busy and that I would have to meet him during outpatient time the week after. I asked if she could settle an appointment for me. I didn't think seeing him during outpatient clinic time would be so good since there would be other patients and I might need a bit more of his time. She said that she would only inform him. I left my number and asked her to pass the message. She promised that she would get back to me soon.

That day, I also sent an email to him explaining who I was and gave the link to my ALIEN Biz website. I waited but neither my calls nor my emails were replied. I assumed that he did not have the time for me at all and that this was his way of saying it.

On Wednesday night, during dinner, my dad asked me: So, have you contacted him yet? I shook my head and explained what had happened. Well Alia, he started, you're going to have to do something to at least meet him. Camp outside his door, bring a sleeping bag. Wear a cardboard sign and show how much you really want to meet him! I nodded. I get what my dad meant. But perhaps I wouldn't have to go that far yet. I would go meet him the next day.

The next morning (Thursday), I woke up feeling anxious. I was told that his clinic was open on Thursday between 930pm til 1230pm. I didn't set an appointment so I just thought that I'd wait how ever long I needed. Even if I was given 3 minutes before I would be shoo-ed away, I would give him the most worthwhile and convincing 3 minutes for him to review my book.

As I walked to the hospital, I breathed in and out, unsure of what to expect. I replayed in my mind what would be the best opening line, "Doctor, I heard you also draw and illustrate." Too direct an opening? Or "Doctor, I'm not a patient; just give me 3 minutes of your time." Too desperate. "Doctor, my name is Alia and I'm illustrating a book." Yes, perhaps not too bad of a way to start. The worst that could happen would be that he refuses to review the book and that's that. Yes, I can accept that. I've had it happen to me and I lived through it.


When I searched for his room, this is what I realized: Private hospitals have suites. Having had clinical sessions at public hospitals where 50+ patients await, I blinked in disbelief when I found only 3 patients in Dr J's suite. I walked up to the receptionist and introduced myself, "My name is Alia. I need to see Dr J." She went through the list of appointments for the day and I immediately interjected that I didn't have one. She smiled pleasantly and gestured me to sit.

When the final patient came out of the room, Dr J came out too. He asked the receptionist who the next patient was and she gestured to me, "Doctor, this is the medical student."

I was startled- because I hadn't introduced myself that way but possibly she remembered me from the previous phone call. Dr J looked at me and exclaimed, "Ah, you're the one with the book- ALIEN Biz right?" None of my opening lines prepared me for this and I could only manage to nod. "Come in, come in." I scrambled to my feet and shoved the manuscript I was holding into my bag and followed him into the room.

I had expected that his room would be filled with illustrations and drawings. I didn't expect (that much) that it would be filled with so many books. Books covering almost every inch of his desk and the shelves that lined the walls.

He sat down, looked at me and the first thing he questioned was: "So how did you know that I could draw?"

Continuation: The Medical Illustrator (Part 2)

Designing a Logo

Designing a Logo: A summary

Full story at http://diradesign.blogspot.com/2012/07/streamline-web.html

Is craving for

Gong Cha's Winter Melon Tea.

Medicine vs Art

A lady who stopped by our booth at BeingMe politely asked me: "Oh, so what are you studying now?"

I replied, "I'm studying Medicine."

"So what do you like to do?"

"Oh, I absolutely love art and design!"

"Oh," she responded in a rather confused manner, "I meant, which posting do you like in medicine?"

"Ah..." I replied sheepishly.

When you see them.

I want to have friends who are those kind of people. I want to marry that kind of person. But first, I have to be that person. :)

Article link here.

On Becoming a Parent

What does it take to become an awesome parent?

Recently my dad shared an article titled "Raising Children with Deen and Dunya" which he urged us to read. At first I wasn't too interested in reading it because it was really lengthy but when my dad pushed me to read it, I started and couldn't stop. It impacted me so much so that it made me think about what I need to do now.

Firstly, there are so many things on my mind when it comes to parenting. My parents are like "Parent Counsellors" who give talks about parenting, wrote books on parenting (Cool Mum Super Dad), and eat and breathe parenting. I've attended a few of their talks and seminars and what I have to say as one of their kids is this: Whatever they say, is true- and they still do so much more.

My lecturer once said: "As a student, you guys have to do nothing but just look after yourselves. When you're married and working, you'll have to look after your spouse, kids, patients, bosses, colleagues, in-laws etc". And while that's completely true, I've not given it much thought until now. Sometimes I used to start nagging when I ask my brothers to help me out but they say they're too tired (but nowadays, hardly do such issues arise) and I retort, "What on earth do you guys even have to do at school? Just sit in class, listen to the teacher and do your homework." So now I can understand my parents' feelings when before this I say I'm too tired/lazy to follow them anywhere or do house chores.


After being on holiday for just 2 weeks, I realize that there's just so much that they do. On top of earning money to put food on the table (giving seminars, talks, handling emails, supervising the other businesses etc), my parents also have to handle us (which includes listening, advising, spending time, fulfilling our needs, disciplining, managing, parenting etc), and they also have extra activities (dad as chairman of the local surau, mum writing a new book, them attending to other programs).

So it worries me when I ponder, "Why on earth did I decide to become a doctor when I want to focus on raising my kids?" There was a great debate about this during a course I attended and it made me rethink about staying in medical school. But when I consulted a few people, they said, "Well, we know of some friends whose parents are doctors and they turned out alright." I don't deny that. But ultimately, what do I want for myself and my family? Yes, perhaps doctors can juggle between their demanding career and their family. But there will always be a cost. Somewhere.

After reading the article, it registered that perhaps I'm over-thinking it all of those. That perhaps I'm focusing on the wrong things as of now. Yes, time spent with them and everything is important, that becoming a doctor might not necessarily give me enough time to be with them. But eventually, whatever jobs I take might render the same thing. And the greatest thing I've to think about now which I surmise from the article is this: I've to develop good habits now so that even if I'm unable to always be with them, I'd still be parenting with whatever actions I do.


Whatever I'm doing now, whatever habits I develop, it's got to be something that I would want to benefit my children. InsyaAllah, I hope to become a parent my kids will be proud to have.