It’s been a while…

I started this blog few years ago after I lost my dad who battled dysarthria, oropharyngeal dysphagia and hemiplegia due to a brain hemorrhage. On the 13th of September 2020, 8 years would have passed and still this feeling is heavy. And it gets heavier each time i loose a patient.

Yesterday at midnight i lost an amazing soul with whom i worked shortly but had the chance to meet before leaving us. May her beautiful soul rest in peace…

Just writing today cause i am not able to find any other way to pass this very hard phase, since October 2019, the revolution started in Lebanon, the Covid19 pandemic, the economic crisis and the Beirut 4th of august explosion, as Lebanese we are just trying to find a glimpse of hope in order to continue, we are not living we are literally surviving.

But as a Lebanese SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) I am finding it even harder to continue, in our work we need our energy, we need our positive energy to provide it to our patients and their families, we need to be full of hope and love for them so they can overcome or coop with their battle.

Since May 2020, I lost 4 of my patients, each patient had his story, his journey, his battle…our journey of therapy was long for some and short for others but the lessons learned and the interaction, the bond will be forever remembered and anchored in me.. I find myself disconnected about the whole situation in Lebanon when working with my patients even though I am tired and drained, for them I am thankful…

Just few words of gratitude for all my patients, for the amazing souls I met, and for their families…

The day of a Lebanese SLP

[3 Min read]

What a nice view! Are you out for a hike? Are you having a day off in nature?

Don’t let the picture fool you… The picture is taken in my car while being stuck for hours in the street jammed with cars due to lines waiting at the stations because of fuel shortage and I was trying to find a solution to do my telepractice sessions with my patients. THREE sessions done in the car on the IPad and with hotspot.

As a Lebanese SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) as all health care professionals still working in Lebanon, the daily struggle is REAL. So, all day we juggle between fuel shortage, being stuck in traffic for hours while trying to reach the hospital or the patient’s house for home-based sessions, electricity and oil shortage at the clinic where you can’t receive patients since there is no elevator no light or AC in the burning heat of August. And if you do telepractice sessions (online sessions) from your clinic or home, you need to anticipate the electricity and generator cuts, you need to charge your PC which lasts only for 40 min while using ZOOM, to charge your iPad, your phone for internet and your power Bank.

But most of all you need to stay productive, positive, supportive, find solutions, updated and continue providing care for your patients and their families no matter what.   

We are just tired…

Must Know by MedSLP!

If you work with dysphagia patients, you must listen to this episode of The Swallow Your Pride Podcast about Crushing Meds: What’s a SPL to do?

podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/swallow-your-pride-podcast/id1257987923

Have to run..Catch you later!

Quick Tips for newbies SLPs: Maximize your first year on the job!

[2 Min read]

Tip#1: First year of your career is very tough. Don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues to help you out, to discuss with them about a patient or any other related matters. Everyone would love to help you give the best to your patients and their families, don’t stay dwelling alone!

Tip#2: Keep records of every bill you pay, every receipt you get, keep records of every working hour,… Make it organized from day 1! They will come in handy; BELIEVE ME!

Have to run..Catch you later!

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After Alzheimer…LOVE still exists???

2 years already!!

28th may 2012… 2 years ago…my dad suffered from cerebral Hemorrhage (brain bleeding), unfortunately we lived 1 hour far from the hospital where his doctor works. And we didn’t know the signs of alert in order to take him directly to the emergency. 

On this day i just want to spread the word maybe this can help one person, one family to act FAST and reduce the disability of their dad, mother, son, daughter… 

F: Face (Does the face look uneven?) –> ASK FOR A SMILE 

A: Arm (Does one arm drift down?) –> ASK FOR A STRETCH

S: Speech (Does the speech sound slurred?) –> ASK FOR A SIMPLE SENTENCE

T: Time (IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THIS 3 SIGNS) –> CALL 140 IN LEBANON 

Share this:

Poster made by the daughter of my patient who is suffering from STROKE..

Share this:

AGIR dans 4h30 de l’AVC pour limiter les séquelles et optimiser les chances de guérison…

Que faire en attendant la croix rouge au LIBAN (140)?
– Allonger la personne avec un oreiller sous la tête et la laisser allongée jusqu’à l’arrivée des secours.
– Noter l’heure où les signes sont apparus ou quand la personne a été vue pour la dernière fois sans signe.
– Regrouper les ordonnances et les résultats des dernières prises de sang réalisées

A EVITER:
– Ne pas faire boire ni manger.
– Ne donner aucun médicament.
– Ne faire aucune injection même si c’est le traitement habituel.

It made my day… :)

After working for 12 hours, being tired and exhausted…
I got to my last session with my adult patient suffering from a stroke since 14 days, for the first time after 6 sessions he said 9 words…YES…9 :)))

It made my day:))

Have to run..catch you later

Knock,knock…!!!!:)))

I did it… I finally did it… 

Its been a couple of years am thinking to have my own blog and am postponing it, confused between using it for friends, for patients, for family, for awareness, for work, for tips,for ideas, for sharing, for life, for fun…  

I decided to have a mix of all with the twist of my speech therapist touch…

Have to run…Catch you soon..