Another experience shared by ST today was over his nursing experience. He worked in a clinic during his vacation. Had lots of experience administering injections - poking the syringe and tapping the needle till the bubbles escape. Other experience include dispensing medicine and doing eyechecks.

But one most memorable experience was when a lady came in clutching a stab wound in her stomach. ST had to carry her in. As this is a criminal case, they couldnt sew up the wound. Only they could do was to try to stop the blood flow by pressing using gauze. Then await for the arrival of the ambulance.

The first robbery that occurred in ST's life was not the burglary case that resulted in the 7 stitches. Well it happened when he was 17 yrs, still a student.

Every day he had to take a long walk to and fro school. In one part of the walk, he had to cut thru a disused railway. Sometimes he walked alone, sometimes with friends. There would usually be people infront or behind in the same route.

One such afternoon, he was passing by the disused rail line. He walked down the steps, crossed over the line, then proceeded to walk back up the steps on the other side. This part of the steps had long overgrown weeds. Suddenly two men jumped up and demanded for his watch. They looked like drug addicts. Of course two against one, the wise choice was to give in. Anyway the watch was not hugely expensive. But it was the first nasty experience that stayed in memory.

Today YST told us and the kids about how he got 7 stitches on his right shoulder blade and 7 stitches on top of his head and 4 stiches on his right ear lobe.

It was christmas time - 1st or 2nd yr of university life. YST was back home KL for his holiday break. His mum was staying at a shophouse together with his brother JW and sister-in-law PY.

Around 3 am, sleeping in the backroom, he was awakened by loud noises from the front room. Alarmed, he grabbed his wooden stick that he had always kept by his bedside and walked towards the front. Then he saw a dark shadow of a man which was definitely not his brother.

The dark shadow was moving towards the front door and trying to make a quick escapade. By instinct, he lashed out at the stranger with his stick and started bashing madly. In turn the stranger fought back and he had a distinct advantage ---- he had a CHOPPER !

Blocked by ST, the stranger could only then retreat back to the front rooms and escape where he probably entered - that is, from the balcony.

ST then made his way to the front room and found his mum, JW and PY all in a room huddled together. JW had his hands tied up with the wire of his shaver. The stranger turned out to be a robber who had gottem away with PY's jewellery. Not sure what exactly transpired at the front room but it must have been an utterly nerve-wrecking experience.

Then they realised that ST was dripping in blood - from the chopper-slashing by the robber. JW quickly brought ST to the nearest 24 hr clinic - which was still a long walk (about twice the distance from home to Elias Mall). But the clinic couldnt treat him as this is a criminal case and they had to call an ambulance to send him to hospital. That's where the wounds at the head, shoulder blade and ear lobe were sewn up.

It was morning by the time they were back. ST fell asleep almost immediately . When he awoke he was having a fever. A few days passed before he fully recovered. When he did, they were no longer staying in the shophouse. Cos within a week, they moved out to another house. They were fearful of a vengeful repeat visit. They certainly wish to take no chances.

To this date the robber was not found and the loot never recovered. All that remains are the 3 stitched-up scars and a scarred memory....