The new day brought weirdness to mind. It was 9 am and it was still dark! Why? The sky that poured the early morning rains, which flooded the front of my house, hasn't cleared yet.
The creeping heat and humidity made it so ironic though. But the realization of the irony came an hour later when the sun peaked and brought full on its heat! Must have risen to nearly 35 C and 90% humidity! Yikes!
Wiping my brow as I entered the ICU. I immediately checked one of my two patients there. And what I saw in his lab result confirmed my worst fears - Weil's Syndrome. That is a severe form of Leprospirosis. It was just so saddening that they were too poor to buy their meds, which though minimal at best, could still be life-saving.
The other patient was improving despite the new xray results which seemed worse. I am hoping this is just radiologic lag please.
Off to my ward patients then. Sad news then hit me. One of our patients worsened overnight with decreasing platelet and hemoglobin now only at 22,000 and 42 mg/dL. I had to update her family and advise transfer to Tacloban where platelet transfusion can be done. Sadly, we can only do whole blood transfusions here. Prayer will be their greatest weapon now.
As to lunch, it is well-toasted corned beef over toast with light mayo. Yum yum! Made in less than 20 mins to boot!
The afternoon was spent with evaluating some more patients for the surgical mission and giving advise on some difficult thyroid patients they had.
The ideal next agenda should have been badminton. But the rains and winds stopped me...not to mention my unfinished laundry. Better pick it up early tomorrow.
It was a typical and slightly unsettling day, but at least I was able to write some stories that brings me heartaches and pushes me to challenge the norms already set.
I dream of a medically self-reliant Eastern Samar. That dream takes root today and I will try everything in my power, moving heaven and earth, even hell if need be, just to make it happen!
More to come...
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Day The Patty Went Rouge And Raw
What greeted my open eyes this morning? Nothing fascinating but the darkness of the NGCP-induced now 26-hour blackout! The only amazing thing was that my rechargeable fan which was already on for 8 hours was still going strong...thanks Dra. Apita and family for that particular raffle prize.
As I got up and prepared for my day, I was surprized by the pittle-pattle outside my bathroom window (which was the only window in my room). It was raining, the first drops of rain in about a weeks time. The weather here is truly fascinating...rain throughout nov-feb and sun from may-oct. Parang di Pinas.
As I finished my rounds, I realized I had a few new cases that were medically simple but clinically befudling as to how many doctors missed the diagnosis from out patient to admission. Note to self: make a lecture series for doctors and health professionals on basic medical conditions with odd presentations.
As for lunch I decided on a local home-made siomai from Cabana, the best in Borongan, not to mention the best home-made chili garlic oil I have ever tasted! Then for take-out I got myself a calorie splurge with a cheeseburger extra cheese and patty.
As I headed out, I had my first real laugh of the year. The guy handed me my order and an extra bag. What' in the extra bag you ask? The extra cheese and extra raw patty! Bwahaha! I had him redo my order and I headed out.
My main schedule in the afternoon is to do a cardiopulmonary evaluation on indigent ptients set to receive surgical care from American surgeons in partnership with the local diocese of Borongan. It was a tough job but I finished with a smile (and a siopao with C2 Apple to boot) because I know what I was doing will make a difference in the lives of those indigent people.
Then off to badminton. I played 3 games, where I won 2. Since I just started, I am assuming the other guy did all the job. Hehe. Kudos to Florina of Philhealth! Great game!
Went home with a longing for more exciting things. As I upload this, I am still chuckling from the raw patty episode earlier. Dreams be sweet because I need you to.
More to come...
As I got up and prepared for my day, I was surprized by the pittle-pattle outside my bathroom window (which was the only window in my room). It was raining, the first drops of rain in about a weeks time. The weather here is truly fascinating...rain throughout nov-feb and sun from may-oct. Parang di Pinas.
As I finished my rounds, I realized I had a few new cases that were medically simple but clinically befudling as to how many doctors missed the diagnosis from out patient to admission. Note to self: make a lecture series for doctors and health professionals on basic medical conditions with odd presentations.
As for lunch I decided on a local home-made siomai from Cabana, the best in Borongan, not to mention the best home-made chili garlic oil I have ever tasted! Then for take-out I got myself a calorie splurge with a cheeseburger extra cheese and patty.
As I headed out, I had my first real laugh of the year. The guy handed me my order and an extra bag. What' in the extra bag you ask? The extra cheese and extra raw patty! Bwahaha! I had him redo my order and I headed out.
My main schedule in the afternoon is to do a cardiopulmonary evaluation on indigent ptients set to receive surgical care from American surgeons in partnership with the local diocese of Borongan. It was a tough job but I finished with a smile (and a siopao with C2 Apple to boot) because I know what I was doing will make a difference in the lives of those indigent people.
Then off to badminton. I played 3 games, where I won 2. Since I just started, I am assuming the other guy did all the job. Hehe. Kudos to Florina of Philhealth! Great game!
Went home with a longing for more exciting things. As I upload this, I am still chuckling from the raw patty episode earlier. Dreams be sweet because I need you to.
More to come...
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Irony of Black Outs and Pen lights!
In contrast to yesterday's sluggishness, I woke up briskly at around 630 AM. Since it was a holiday, I was expecting another lazy day. I tried lying back down and sleeping, but my body refused to accept two lazy days in a row.
I decided to make breakfast, which today is canned tuna and toast. I felt like a walk so I brought my sandwhich out and made rounds in the hospital at 730 AM.
I then made warm coco (as opposed to the scalding coco of yesterday) and walked to the ER. And the year of the water dragon greeted me - wet with sweat and a dragon-load of patients to see!
Then by sheer stroke of pure magical misfortunes brownout came and the hospital ran out of diesel. Pure freaking hell! Especially when you have 2 asthma exacerbations, one lung cancer and a heart disease patient in the ER. Water dragon sure aint looking up just yet.
Diesel was provided by the governor (thank you governor Nicart) and power was restored by 1pm. The only good thing that came after was me eating a plate (small lang) of tuna pasta and 5 matchbox-sized tikoys! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
After clearing the ER, I decided to finish the guidelines I was making for oxygen use in the hospital. I finished around 5 pm. I then got dressed for badminton, which I will play when light comes back on at 6 pm.
On my way home, I met a good friend who I have not seen in a while. After a lengthy update, we parted ways. First smile of the day. Thank you Jerryver Cinco!
Six PM breezed by, then seven, then eight. Still no light! After a tart message to NGCP in fb, I decided to get out of my badminton attire and eat the remaining pasta from lunch.
Having left with nothing much to do, I opened my laptop and typed a questionnaire for an upcoming study on pneumonia, which I will be doing. I finished it in no time at all.
This made me wonder, if it takes the destruction of my entire day's schedule to make a seemingly productive day for me. Hmmm...maybe a Chinese New Year resolution - throw out scheduler!
As I finish this blog, the whole province is still cloaked in the darkness that is night (fueled by NGCP's miscalculation), I thought how odd...it took a black out to light my pen!
Sorry but no bangs for the water dragon year's start. At least there is no where to go but up from hereon. So it might still work out just fine!
Hitting the sack or the bar, whichever cradles me first! Ha!
More to come...
I decided to make breakfast, which today is canned tuna and toast. I felt like a walk so I brought my sandwhich out and made rounds in the hospital at 730 AM.
I then made warm coco (as opposed to the scalding coco of yesterday) and walked to the ER. And the year of the water dragon greeted me - wet with sweat and a dragon-load of patients to see!
Then by sheer stroke of pure magical misfortunes brownout came and the hospital ran out of diesel. Pure freaking hell! Especially when you have 2 asthma exacerbations, one lung cancer and a heart disease patient in the ER. Water dragon sure aint looking up just yet.
Diesel was provided by the governor (thank you governor Nicart) and power was restored by 1pm. The only good thing that came after was me eating a plate (small lang) of tuna pasta and 5 matchbox-sized tikoys! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
After clearing the ER, I decided to finish the guidelines I was making for oxygen use in the hospital. I finished around 5 pm. I then got dressed for badminton, which I will play when light comes back on at 6 pm.
On my way home, I met a good friend who I have not seen in a while. After a lengthy update, we parted ways. First smile of the day. Thank you Jerryver Cinco!
Six PM breezed by, then seven, then eight. Still no light! After a tart message to NGCP in fb, I decided to get out of my badminton attire and eat the remaining pasta from lunch.
Having left with nothing much to do, I opened my laptop and typed a questionnaire for an upcoming study on pneumonia, which I will be doing. I finished it in no time at all.
This made me wonder, if it takes the destruction of my entire day's schedule to make a seemingly productive day for me. Hmmm...maybe a Chinese New Year resolution - throw out scheduler!
As I finish this blog, the whole province is still cloaked in the darkness that is night (fueled by NGCP's miscalculation), I thought how odd...it took a black out to light my pen!
Sorry but no bangs for the water dragon year's start. At least there is no where to go but up from hereon. So it might still work out just fine!
Hitting the sack or the bar, whichever cradles me first! Ha!
More to come...
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Of Pantries on a Lazy Day
Pantries on a Lazy Day
Sundays in the province can really be depressing at times. Take today for example, I woke up at the very late hour of 9 AM! But I never got out of bed until 10ish. Come to think of it that might be the herald of my lazy day ahead.
I made myself a hot cup of swiss miss classic marshmallow. Yum! That is until I took my first sip and the warm humid morning air hit me as I opened the windows. Boom! I immediately cooled it in the fridge and took a glass of cold water. So hilarious, I literally felt like I was in a Mr. Bean movie.
I then started reading a book on infectious diseases and drank my now cooled down cup of coco. I was so engrossed by the book I forgot lunch until my gut made a loud gurgle, which even I can't deny. I was too lazy to go out so I made instant yakisoba. Another lazy point of my day.
I then checked for dessert and lo and behold, there is a half-consumed (or half-full, depending on your point of view) tub of ice cream. I was so happy, I just ate it straight out of tbe tub! Only to realize later I have no idea who the ice cream belonged too. Note to self, replace ice cream 'coz I'm sure it aint mine.
Back to my book then. Then another gurgle of the hunger kind. Hmmmm.... I then went and opened the pantry and found Graham Honey crackers and started eating it.
One pack later (about 8 full crackers) I decided to leave the house and play badminton. But before that I updated my fb status about raiding my pantry. And boom instead of saying I was about to eat all that was inside my pantry I mistyped and said panty! So embarassing for me and shocking to all my friends thinking I would eat all that was inside the panty! Immediately typed a disclaimer and headed to badminton.
Boohoo! When I arrived in the courts, it was empty with lights out to boot! I had to wait 30 minutes for another guy to come and play. After 30 minutes only 5 players showed up. I decided to play a doubles game even if I was the only novice. Pant pant!
I went home and decided to grab a cocktail in honor of my best friend who took the Specialty Boards for Internal Medicine. As I tipped my glass, I realized even a lazy day could bring out good. My blog is back up.
Samar has changed me and it is starting to show. For good or not? Only those who know me can judge but for me, I am happy, so that is all!
More to come..
Sundays in the province can really be depressing at times. Take today for example, I woke up at the very late hour of 9 AM! But I never got out of bed until 10ish. Come to think of it that might be the herald of my lazy day ahead.
I made myself a hot cup of swiss miss classic marshmallow. Yum! That is until I took my first sip and the warm humid morning air hit me as I opened the windows. Boom! I immediately cooled it in the fridge and took a glass of cold water. So hilarious, I literally felt like I was in a Mr. Bean movie.
I then started reading a book on infectious diseases and drank my now cooled down cup of coco. I was so engrossed by the book I forgot lunch until my gut made a loud gurgle, which even I can't deny. I was too lazy to go out so I made instant yakisoba. Another lazy point of my day.
I then checked for dessert and lo and behold, there is a half-consumed (or half-full, depending on your point of view) tub of ice cream. I was so happy, I just ate it straight out of tbe tub! Only to realize later I have no idea who the ice cream belonged too. Note to self, replace ice cream 'coz I'm sure it aint mine.
Back to my book then. Then another gurgle of the hunger kind. Hmmmm.... I then went and opened the pantry and found Graham Honey crackers and started eating it.
One pack later (about 8 full crackers) I decided to leave the house and play badminton. But before that I updated my fb status about raiding my pantry. And boom instead of saying I was about to eat all that was inside my pantry I mistyped and said panty! So embarassing for me and shocking to all my friends thinking I would eat all that was inside the panty! Immediately typed a disclaimer and headed to badminton.
Boohoo! When I arrived in the courts, it was empty with lights out to boot! I had to wait 30 minutes for another guy to come and play. After 30 minutes only 5 players showed up. I decided to play a doubles game even if I was the only novice. Pant pant!
I went home and decided to grab a cocktail in honor of my best friend who took the Specialty Boards for Internal Medicine. As I tipped my glass, I realized even a lazy day could bring out good. My blog is back up.
Samar has changed me and it is starting to show. For good or not? Only those who know me can judge but for me, I am happy, so that is all!
More to come..
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