Day 6: Of Steps and Sensibility

Another bright day of sunshine greeted me as I woke up, you guessed right at 7AM sharp. I was thinking that the day would be a relaxing day because in Manila it usually is. People usually sleep in late after partying hard the previous Friday night. Well either people here don’t party as hard or they just wake up early on weekends – I had my first consult at 730AM! I was barely out of the bathroom when I was called.  Checking myself to be fully dressed and decent, I attended to my first consult.

It ran on for many hours and I ended up seeing the most number of patients I had here so far. They later on informed me that it was really busy Saturdays here simply because this is the only time people working and studying the whole week to seek consult. Which would also explain why the cases are usually several days on already and are seeking the first consult after days of having symptoms.

Lunch was ground pork with tomato sauce and an abundance of diced carrots and onions. So obviously I didn’t eat it, what with vegetables and all. Maybe I have time this year to work eating vegetables in to my goals here...maybe. I had to go to the mall to eat a hearty lunch which I deem Rodel-friendly. Turns out it was a great mean of sweet and sour fish, 3-piece dumpling and spicy garlic rice. Ha!  Feeling fully sated, I headed back to the hospital. Walked there, I might add. Nothing better to enjoy two straight days of sunshine than a little stroll through the City’s main thoroughfare. I arrived after about 7 minutes of walking and I felt invigorated and energized.

Tonight was another sight-seeing night for me. I was still with my OB friend here but we were joined by 2 younger nurses this time. We ate in this local grill house called Kandaga and I had my fill of Sinarabsab. A hearty dish of thinly sliced grilled pork cut like liempo mixed with a vinaigrette and topped with onions, green mangoes and bagoong. Ten stars here so far. And apparently they also have a 3 liter beer tower. Quite a feat I must say for a place so far away.

The next stop is local watering hole called La Cabane. This is a night spot with a live band. And of course being the newbie in town, I was asked to sing a song with the band. Sort of an initiation to the city I guess. I requested the song Faithfully by Journey. After the song, the people asked for a second song. Either it was a custom I know nothing about or they actually enjoyed it but I obliged. I sang Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses. The people shook my hand and told me I was good but I wasn’t really able to hear myself cause apparently there were no monitors facing the stage so I really couldn’t hear myself. After one of the nurses hurled on my OB friend,  we went home a bit later than usual here (1230AM) but had a great fun.

Yet at the day’s close the little steps I took to get myself and the city integrated made more sense to me than I ever wished. This adventure is really on!

Day 5: Discovery Shores

I think the idea that says a habit is developed after 21 days only applies to highly urbanized cities. Because here in Samar I think I’ve already acquired the habit of waking up early only after 3 days. I am now an early waker. My mother would be so proud.

This is the first day of full sunshine here in Eastern Samar this past 2 weeks. It was as if I was really meant to go out and explore the city today and the weather was cooperating with a smile on its face. But first I have got to work. Friday signals a rise in out-patient consults here because before people head to wherever far places they reside in, they want to get consults for their complaints first. I am also beginning to settle in my clinic routine. Add that to my few in-patients so far and I have made a breakfast-morning care-inpatient-outpatient-lunch-outpatient routine.

I have also discharged 2 patients today and I am appreciating the smiles as they leave my care only to return for a follow-up check-up in two weeks for me to assess their compliance to medical care. Patients here, I have found out, need to be constantly educated about their conditions and emphasize the need for compliance. This is also true for Manila though. This makes me think that patients are all around the same – difficult to convince out of their old ways and craves education as much as the next person.

As the sun (yes the sun actually shone hot and bright today!) come down to rest its life-giving rays, me and an obstetrician friend decided to have dinner in one of the nearby restaurants located near the shore by the seawall. But before that I had to admit another patient. Dinner was a well-deserved treat for me. I had a platter of crispy spicy calamares, sweet and spicy pork ribs with spicy garlic fried rice. Yum yum yum. All of the food was even more than what the three of us (a chief nurse went with us as well) can consume, and all for only 500 bucks. I am loving this place more and more.

Next stop for us was a hotel lounge with a videoke machine. According to the nurse with us, it is one of the more decent places for videoke in the city, plus it had a wider selection of songs for the 3 of us to sing our hearts out. I ended up singing 11 songs including Mr. Brightside of the Killers, The Prayer of Josh Groban, All Out of Love by Air Supply, Don’t Stop Believing by Journey, Peabo Bryson’s If Ever You’re In My Arms Again, Lips of An Angel by Hinder, Angels Brought me Here by Guy Sebastian  and Go The Distance by Michael Bolton. Had a blast! And what made it more enjoyable is that the song list is similar, if not the same as the one in the videoke place I frequent in Manila. Easier for me to adjust and find songs! Whoopee!

As we left the shore side, the staff people there wanted me to go back soon so they can sing along with me. I said, as long as there are no patients, maybe I can keep on going back every so often. Yet, without the luxury of time my hands are tied. Despite the fact that we left quite early for a night out (11PM), I still enjoyed it immensely, being my first here in Borongan.

As we head away from the shore, I will have fond memories of this day as my first night out of town. As I head to sleep this day, I realized that there may be more in store here for me to discover, enjoy, cherish and make my own.

Day 4: New Re-directions

I am so getting used to this waking up before 7AM thing. Yet, this day is different in a way. I woke up with a sliver of light and no sound of raindrops – a first since I have been here. Another unhealthy breakfast of hotdogs later, I am off to admit my first patient of the day even before my morning bath (I did freshen up aggressively though!).

My much needed bath came before another day of OPD. Only six patients today so kinda light. Yet I did have 2 more in-patients today.  Plus I also discharged one patient today. Yehey! The mark of a successful management is truly a discharged patient who is very much improved!

My realization of the day came during one consult with a patient from 2 towns away (which for those mathematically inclined is about 80kms away and 2.5h by rough road). He has a very simple condition which to me appears like gastritis. So I asked him why the need to travel this distance. He said it is actually the nearest location with an internist to deal with his problem. I was flabbergasted but humbled at the same time. I never felt this feeling in Manila before.

In Manila patients come to me from 2 hours away because they know the best doctors around are from PGH (their words not mine) and they want to be seen by the best. This makes me feel good because they think me better than others (I admit this is so self-serving but it was how I felt). Yet, here in this far place, the people go to me because they NEED me not because they WANT me. It made me humble myself in front of his praise. I felt unworthy of their adoration and challenged to give them the best I could muster. The best should be given to those who need it the most.

Towards the close of the day, I had to drain the hugest abscess known to Samar-kind (exaggeration all mine). It was challenging but it didn’t give me a high for my first procedure here. Hmmm. Signs of tiredness perhaps? I need a perk-me-up.

Well the perk-me-up came late in the afternoon. I went to their local mall here to apply for a globe line because the signal of Globe here is again way better than Smart. And by some weird circumstance, my hang-up with iPhone 4 ended. Why? Because I got one today! Here in Eastern Samar of all places! By some twist of blessing, I ended up with a brand new one on my palm today. Don’t wanna question it, I just thanked God!

So as this day draws to a close, I now realized that in humility comes a different perspective of life. In Manila, I think big because I am a doctor yet in the end I end up being a want. Here in the simplicity of things, I found myself a need and it is an amazing feeling. But the sad part it, despite my being a “tibak-hearted” person, I realize I am still a victim of commercialism.

One truly learns a lot about ones self if given just the time to look.

Day 3: Truth Be Told

Another spontaneous awakening a few hours before 7AM. I am now beginning to think that I have reset my biologic clock or more appropriately regained control of my old  one. I had my first unhealthy breakfast today 2 slices of spam and a heap of rice. This is a good thing for me cause I now consider it unhealthy, when I used to think it normal.

I started seeing patients after 8 AM. I have to apologize one after the other (which as most of you know is not really my thing), simply because I can’t speak their language. I am learning it little by little though, and by little I mean a word or two a day. I am just so thankful that the Philippine pop culture of telenovelas has reached the shores of Eastern Samar and a lot, if not all of the people here are quite able to speak Tagalog.  

I saw a total of 11 patients today. This is a little on the high side even when I was still in PGH. Yet, it was not as hard for me. And as surprised as I was, the cases aren’t much diffrent here. I don’t know if it was the lack of relative stress associated with leaving ones post to go his clinic, or the fact that I was also being paid, that made it a bit care-free. Honestly (call me hypocrite if you want) but I think it is actually the first plus the fact that I just live 3 floors up in the hospital and could just as easily lie down when I am tired.

After my AM clinic, I had 2 sandwiches of soft white bread with bacon spread. I’m still unwilling  to eat chicken in a soup. I then admitted my first in-patient. He is one of the beneficiaries of the PhilHealth’s indigent cards. I admitted the patient which to my chagrin had an expired card. Yet, as we discussed with the director, we finally admitted the patient with a guarantee from both the mayor’s office and the PhilHealth office that they will renew the card.  Admitting indigent patients in a private hospital is still a brand new wonder to me. My hats off to the government for actually making this work. Note to self, file for PhilHealth accreditation ASAP. 

I dunno why but I am still preoccupied with iPhone 4 since yesterday. Maybe because Globe has a better signal here than Smart. No need to talk about the Sun deadspot that is Eastern Samar. And short of admitting that commercialism has reached me at an odd time, I do associate Globe with iPhone 4. Haha. How I wish there is an iPhone here. A pic maybe (just to satiate me)? 

As I reflect on my first working day, I am faced with the cornerstone of realizations as of late. I am really a good person despite what people say. In the end, I realized that truth always exist and only falsehood needs to be invented. 

Viva! Verita!

Day 2: Check and Checkers

The day started with the realization that I was asleep by midnight and awake before seven in the morning. A full six hours of sleep (plus some) which though is recommended by most studies, I have never done when I was in Manila or elsewhere. The only image in my mind was a tick box with a big check! Good job so early in the day, I told myself (I actually literally did!). Breakfast was eaten at  8AM (not at 4AM or 12NN, like in Manila). Tuna, boiled egg and ½ cup rice. Check!  For health!

Left at half past 10 to go to the local PhilHealth office. Raining so hard and the one in charge of accreditation wasn’t there. BOO! Not check! Went to BIR and got requirements for TIN card application. People were nice, helpful and I’ve never enjoyed something that has to do with taxes in like a while, more like NEVER! 

I was then surprised that a trip to the Notary began with the mention of the lawyer’s first name. Wow! It may be a small city but I was still suprised that people are on a first name basis. Check! For commaraderie! I also didn’t pay him in cash but instead paid him through a prescription. The very first I’ve written in Borongan. Check! For new beginnings. Then it was time to go to the city’s hall to get my Professional Tax Number. Check! For speed and efficiency (something I can’t say for my experience in Manila).

It was also in the City Hall that I was able to meet a cousin of my friend, who apparently was a member of the mayor’s senior staff. As such, she was able to advise me on the good places to visit and must-try local experiences. I even got invited to a seafood lunch on Sunday (if the constant rains won’t kill off the sea creatures)! And to top it off, the first invitation was to a videoke place. Yehey! Check! To new acquaintances! 

The next event for me was self-explanatory in its “checkness”. Grilled Tuna  (nearly 300 gms of it) – 130 pesos, good for 2-3 persons was the menu entry that made my lunch even healthier than my breakfast. Paired with fish cake and spicy chicken chao fan. Yum, yum, yum. Check! For pure delight! 

Post-lunch was back to BIR to retrieve my TIN card and apply for a permit to issue a receipt. Woohoo, I am now a personal tax-payer. Check! For government revenue.  Then I realized my nails needed loving and my hair needed hedge-ing. So off to the parlor for some haircut (much needed, I might add) and hand spa with manicure. Apparently utilizing the local people for your personal needs is a good way to advertise ones practice. Check! For livelihood development and good hands and hair. 

When I got back to the hospital, PhilHealth delivered the necessary forms for me to fill up. That is, while extending an apology for the in-charge not being there earlier. Check! For good recovery. 

As I lie in my room and writing this, I just thought, everything is not as black and white as I thought they were.  No, I was lying. What I really am thinking about is an iPhone 4, don’t ask why. 

Checkmate!

Day 1: Comedy of Errors

I was dreaming of walking a crowded street feeling as though somebody was watching me with eyes so unnerving. This is not the start of a suspense novel but rather my first day on embarking on a new life-altering adventure. Was it an omen that I started this particular adventure with a nightmare? God, I really hope not. 

I then woke up to the tune of “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”. I then realized that it was my ring tone. I woke up 45 minutes late missing 4 separate alarm cues, 3 missed calls and 5 text messages. I was thinking, the nightmare has began. I got myself ready to leave for the airport when I realized, I haven’t printed my ticket! I had to go out and look for an internet shop, then wait 20 more minutes for the newly opened shop to boot up their sytem. Well when it was over I left for the airport.

The taxi ride was uneventful. Later on I would realize that this would be one of the highlights of my day. 

Checking in was a blast. If you call waiting 45 minutes because the counter boy was so determined to be slow, only to be later revealed that apparently it was his first day on the job. And for the icing on the cake, my luggage was 17 kilos excess (for those who don’t know, the limit on my flight is only 15 kilos; my excess was even larger than the limit!). I had to pay for it which took another 30 minutes of lining up for the cashier who counted your change by brandishing it in the air before putting each bill on your hand. 

The flight was literally the worst of my life. The auxillary power failed (causing total power outage inside the plane for 12 minutes) 2 minutes into the taxi sequence. When the ground crew powered us up, several flights were already ahead of us and we ended up being delayed by 42 minutes. Then there’s the turbulence, which we hit 19 minutes into the flight. By the 30th minute, all we can see outside the windows are clouds all around us (talk about a view!). And the cherry – the pilot missed his approach at landing twice before he landed us with all but 2 meters of runway to spare.

The land trip started out real nice especially with the nice scenic San Juanico Bridge passage. But as soon as we hit Samar, bam – rain pelted us. The trip took 4 hours over roads which could give the moon rover some difficult mechanical problems. There weren’t potholes, they were merely a series of shallow wading pools (sarcasm alert!) filled with muddy water.  

We then arrived at my final destination, Borongan Doctors Hospital in Eastern Samar. This is where my supposedly year-long adventure would commence. Over-all it was a nice place with a touch of rural commercialness and chic to picque my interest and my curiosity. Just hoping this curiosity wouldnot kill my cat. 

Then I heard the dreaded series of nothings: NO coffeehouse,NO bookstore, NO spa, NO Sun broadband signal, NO videoke, NO disco, NO 24-hour convenience store and NO ammonia-free parlor. I would have acknowledged the nightmare becoming real. But, I don’t know whether it is the tiredness or the underwhelming sense of interest that convinced me otherwise. I just realized that true happiness is not the absence of conflict or the presence of luxury, but the ability to cope with the situation at hand. So I decided that the only way to be happy is to cope with what I am given. 

So the comedy is, I ended the day happy despite being full of errors left and right. This might not be the nightmare, I was afraid of afterall.