Batoytoy in the City

Sabado, Hunyo 16, 2012

Cool Breeze of June

My Saturday began with the usual morning rounds with patients. It is my duty to check on their well being from time to time and explain to them their latest lab results. Dealing with patients and their caregivers is not an easy task since patients come in different forms-worried, elated, flat affect and sometimes hyper. I have to keep my composure and tell them straight face their current condition. Although I am always open for questions to satisfy their curiosities and to correct their misconceptions. The latter is very important.

maglinis ay di biro

anong kaguluhan ito?

After filling up the doctor’s orders and updating the progress notes, I went to the emergency room to endorse my patients to the resident on duty and then proceeded to the office for our general cleaning. It has been said that it was years since the place last tasted mops and brushes which explains the cobwebs enough to make a comforter. Our stethoscopes and charts were replaced with brooms as we inspected and scrubbed every nook and cranny until it was spotless. Finally, after the hard-work and dry hands from frequent washing, our space can now finally be called, the office.

jay-i, always the driver

our future oncologist, chillaxing

Life is full of surprises. After our cleaning session, my good old friends and I went for a roadtrip, destination Mont D Johan. With a few sun to spare, Jay-I hurriedly drove to the destination just after Marilog District. Thanks to Julie’s food donation, our adrenalin was coupled with glucose enough for Jay-I to control his speed while I was on the back seat listening to my Ipod until it gave away. I don’t drive, I am just the friendly katulong/PR/road manager. We arrived past five and felt the cool breeze of the area. It was like autumn. The air was fresh and clean I keep on inhaling several times until my brain kicked the senses out of me. Woods. Fresh Air. Cabins. Rocky Trails. Clean Rivers. Beautiful Landscape. Insect biting (kidding). It was the perfect location for rest and recreation from the hustle and bustle of city life. I moved from place to place making Applelyn my P.A. and official photographer. I marvel at nature’s beauty and was taking videos and photos in my phone. We checked out the river and its miniature naturally made falls until night time fell. Following the path towards the river downwards was a breeze but coming up again nearly needed a nebulizer. When darkness fell on the woods, the fireflies were all in their crowning glory. I am happy that these insects were still alive since my last encounter with them was when I still had colds dripping out of my nose and try ballooning them. We bid our farewell to the caretakers and the trees and the spirits of the woods and drove in the night until we reached our eating destination, Golden eggs. As to why their name, I need not bothered to ask. Maybe they have King Midas locked in the dungeon. We ordered hito and ate our heart out. We then went home afterwards. And now I am writing this. And then I will be staring at the ceiling thinking of what transpired. Memories to last for a life time, people to cherish forever. There are certain things in life that cannot be bought and I am happy that I have some of them. Drama. Lights. Camera. End.

little house on the prairie

the brady bunch

happiness

happiness toooo

summer wonderland

suicidal swing

brrrrrrrrr

pagpu pulong pulong

trekkers

posing lang

chillax

i want this

the horticulturists ^_^

the expelled horticulturist

friends forever

wala lang, gusto lang mag swing

my future house, i wish

we are friends, bow.

sa batis, maglalaba

falls, obviously

night driving

some hito, here

family dinner with julie, applelyn, lester, ann ann, jay-i, joven

and hito there

Miyerkules, Hunyo 6, 2012

Black Wednesday

All life must come to an end. Whether strayed in the light or in the deep cold dungeon, all things wither and fade. Endings may be wrapped in happiness and tranquility while others are dipped in a black pool of bitterness and sorrow. We live. We create memories. We propel energy that can destroy a single soul or uplift a weary spirit. Our life is made with a purpose and we may live passionately cultivating our principles or be buried five feet below the ground lost and empty.

As they say: “Home is where the heart is.” It is where the four immeasurables are being honed, harnessed, cultivated and is supposed to be rooted in our core. Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity may bring us to the path of happiness, contentment, peace and even success. However, the mind is stronger than the heart and the latter does not take reason as its answer.

A family that prays together stays together. And a family with openness, forgiving arms and respect creates a solid sphere creating strength. No matter how cruel the world is, our family is the source of divine force. Without it, we can be breakable.

I lost someone who was not dear to me but still considered as family. Growing up and all the days that transpired, I can say that I have the right to keep grudges, but I never did and have no intentions of keeping. Life has been gracious to me that giving back is a passion rather than a necessity. Old age may be a bearer of wisdom but also a potential harbinger of illnesses. The big “C” or cancer does not only affect the society metaphorically but, in the literal sense, anyone creating burden to the families involved. Despite all saintly measures, caregiver fatigue may set in and the thought of giving up, may be, is the best antidote. When life can be prolonged, they were charmed and swallowed by fear and agendas only their minds can fathom. And I, who have the capacity to help see another sunrise is left in the corner, helpless, watching them, stoic. Waiting for the last breath, the last beat, the last twitch until reaching its wretched conclusion.

The Bible says: “In the end there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.” But they lost all of it.

Martes, Mayo 29, 2012

And Jennifer Holiday almost swallowed her.

The popular search for the next singing superstar has finally ended. After months of being glued to the boob tube and listening to contestant’s rendition of timeless music, again, a guy emerged as the winner. Congratulations Philip Philips for winning the Season 11 American Idol. He has charisma and can play different musical instruments. His humble beginnings and coy attitude on stage must have won the hearts of millions that voted him as the champion. His musical styling is compared to Bruno Mars, Jack Johnson, and Rob Thomas who has a cool, calm, collected vibe. He is like an artist playing in a resto beside the beach or in a bar overlooking a panoramic view. He is just what you need when you are wallowing in self-pity or in the verge of a nervous breakdown. His cuteness is so overbearing you would shrink and turn into a smurf.

On the other sad and bitter news that up to now I cannot digest, our very own half-Mexican, half-chicken este half-Pinoy bet, Jessica Sanchez did not bring home the bacon. Instead she went home with a sore throat, broken eardrum and swollen tonsils. She has been followed right from the very start from her harassed looking hair up to the Vidal Sassoon finale. Truly, from the start she had showed her singing prowess, belting every note worrying that anytime her microphone would explode. Nevertheless she misses a note or two but her voice control prove that she is a rising star in the process earning favorites and even saving her from elimination. The grand finals night was rather showered with mixed reviews disappointed in her last song choice while her rival Philip was glorious in his song.

On the day of verdict, I set aside my role and sat on the patients chair in the OPD while watching the glorious and elaborate productions. I was happy to witness some of the patients singing during the Bee Gees tribute. I was amazed by their performances (really? Really? REALLY! – yes na lang!) except on the lip synch numbers. Why bother perform if you’re just going to lip synch. And although some would regard it as fillers, the proposal of Ace to Diana was sweet which shows that there is still plenty of love in the world. Despite Jessica’s efforts to win the hearts of the Americans, still Philip won. He is a great artist but vocal wise hats off to Jessica. Her duet with the Jennifer Holiday proved that she will become a sensation. I applaud her bravery and seriousness (huh?) despite Jennifer’s various facial expressions. I was holding to my seat and wishing Jennifer would not turn into Hulk and swallow her. It was a hair raising performance which in all honesty, in my years of existence, I have never witnessed such soulful and powerful collaboration. Bow to you Jennifer. As to Jessica, I wish you all the best. Just like Nido, you’re still my number one. Below is their duet.

Linggo, Mayo 27, 2012

Race to Durian Mountain

Doctors are competitive by nature. It is encoded in their genes and tagged in their neurons. It fuels their adrenalin enough not to clog their arteries. It is the consumption of freebies and giveaways that slowly turns them into an object. If there is a second installment of The Blob movie, I can recommend hundreds right away. Fortunately, most of my colleagues are health conscious due to the alarming morbidity and mortality affecting the younger generation. I encountered a 31 year old stroke patient last year. Imagine at the prime of your life, all of sudden half of your body goes limp. And you feel useless, depression sets in and you lose all the hope in your life. But that’s another story.

Where was I? Ah, yes, health. As the old saying goes: “Health is Wealth” Wealth because you can save money. Wealth because you manage to get thin, gets scouted and land on different ad agencies. Wealth because in the end you’ll be sleeping in a bed of currency. Seriously, as the modernization sets in and fast food is nearly everywhere, the chance of living a longer and fruitful life is nil. My colleagues in the workplace began their dieting ritual a month ago which involved intensive research, calorie checklist, detailed grocery shopping and grueling cooking session. Before, I use to see plastics of viand on our table during lunch time but lately all I see are see through containers of fish, vegetables and certain fruits. The harsh side of which is they never share because they are “calculated”. I repeat, calculated that the slightest piece missing will gain them entry to the underworld. Now, coupled with exercise, some of my co-residents have improved while others have gone under in their computation. Our 24 hour job requires a surge of glucose frequently or else our brains will march out of our bodies. I even wonder if forgetfulness became a side effect of their dieting. Exhibit A. Me: “Are you going to the christening of Maam M’s son?” Dr. M.: “Ay ngayon pala yon? Mag-rounds pa ako. Pwede text mo na lang ako baka makahabol ako sa reception.” Me: “You need to drink Gingko Biloba to the point of migraine. Sa Mars ang reception. Sa next pregnancy ka na lang ni Maam M umatend.” I am not going anywhere with this.

The point of this pointlessness. Last May 5, 2012, amidst our weary bodies we were all psyched up for our first ever Inter-hospital Residents games entitled: “Hungry Games: The Race to Durian Mountain.” As usual I was late because our cat, MJ, needed much attention or I will be scathe and end up in pieces. Participated by residents from DRH-Tagum, Ricardo Limso, Brokenshire Hospital, DMSF Hospital and the host, SPMC, the game was held at one of the beautiful parks in Davao, People’s Park. The goal is to surpass each obstacle as a team with the final pit stop located at the top of a mini museum. From wearing plastic cup hats, eating fresh mangoes minus the skin, placing water in a plastic bottle to a certain level with the use of a sponge, packing four distinctly different bodies under a breakable hoola hoop while walking over a bridge and swallowing a chocolate cake while solving a pictogram, our team finished fourth place. It was a loser moment that was evident in the photos. However, the friendly game was fun and solidified our friendship. It is a rare moment that residents from each hospital gather because of our unstable schedules. (For probable and would be partners, Doctors need someone who has an island of patience and a sea of understanding. Because of our unstable schedule, we sometimes become unstable.) In consolation, we received prices for our ATP’s used, calories burned and sweat produced and was complimented with an all you can eat breakfast. Thank you very much PHAREX for the support and sponsoring our first ever inter-hospital activity as well as to our aerodynamic President, Dr. Mic Harun. Until the next gathering!

Family Medicine Residents with Pharex Team

The Winning Team

the ever wacky group

beautiful ladies

someone cannot accept the defeat

RESTing membrane potential

Parang wala lang

Biyernes, Mayo 4, 2012

True Blood (Not A Vampires Story)

If you’re expecting a play by play about the popular foreign series, then you have the wrong page. This is a story about the quest for denizens who volunteered to donate blood that even a vampire will not put any effort of biting. Hence, it will also save the victim from all the trouble of pain and fainting. Imagine the horror if a vampire bit you and his teeth was full of caries and was tetanus prone…aieeeeee!

Waking up early is not my cup of tea. Late is my profession but there are a few exceptions such as the mobile blood donation project of the Department of Health in partnership with the different barangays. I was assigned to join the team to screen potential blood donors. With the sun almost peeking behind the clouds and no traffic jams, I arrived at the site on time. I was told that our program will be at Callawa, Buhangin District. The thought of Buhangin gave me the confidence that the area was just a stone away, but I was wrong, very wrong. Armed with all the gadgets and riding an old Tamarraw FX with a busted air conditioning system (the things we have to do for the Filipino people!) we traversed the rocky roads and went through forests and banana plantations. I do not know what was our elevation but when we arrived at the area it was indeed far from civilization that my phone was on No Service already (calling Globe and Suncellular). I was warmly welcomed with the place already prepared with assigned areas for beds, screening as well as for meals.

Minutes passed and the blood donors arrived. After answering a series of questions and filling up forms, patients were asked to drink plenty of fluids. Their hemoglobin was then checked and was then referred to me for final disposition. With the guidelines in hand (lists of condition deferred for blood donation), I asked several questions about their current health status and past medical history. It turns out that most of them has been donating blood ever since. After my approval they were then sent to the donation area where they are told to lie down as they are extracted with blood. I was looking around the vicinity for unidentified flying objects or blue colored crowd, however they were no show. Patients were then told to relax for several minutes to prevent fainting and were then ushered to the dining area to partake their delicious meals.

In the end, we had a handful of blood bags enough to save hundreds of lives. Kudos to all who donated their precious fluid, your precious! Our efforts were rewarded with a sumptuous lunch. And we then proceeded home after. An arduous journey which I thank God for the trees or else without them I’ll be a sunny side up. Indeed, it was a humbling experience. Below are guidelines from the Philippine Red Cross for those who plan to donate blood.

http://www.redcross.org.ph/nbs

You can donate blood if you…
- Are in good health
- Are between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent);
- Weigh at least 110 pounds;
- Have a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and
- Pass the physical and health history assessments.

How to donate blood?

Preparation before donating blood
1. Have enough rest and sleep.
2. No alcohol intake 24 hours prior to blood donation.
3. No medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
4. Have something to eat prior to blood donation, avoid fatty food.
5. Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.

Steps in donating blood
1. Have your weight taken.
2. Register and honestly and complete the donor registration form.
3. Have your blood type and hemoglobin checked.
4. A physician will conduct a blood donor examination.
5. Actual donation--the amount of blood to be donated (either 350cc or 450cc) will depend on the donor's weight and blood pressure. It usually takes 10 minutes or less.
6. A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid-intake are necessary after donation.

What to do after blood donation?
1. Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.
2. Refrain from stooping down after blood donation.
3. Refrain from strenuous activities like:
     a. Lifting heavy objects;
     b. Driving big vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc.; or
     c. Operating big machines.
4. Avoid using the punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
5. Apply pressure on the punctured site and lift the arm in case the site is still bleeding.
6. If there is discoloration and swelling on the punctured site, you may apply cold compress for 24 hours.
7. If there is dizziness, just lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juice; and in just a few minutes or so, it will pass.