When Things Go Wrong

Would life be better if all the things that I wanted is always served in a silver platter? Would I be saved from crying bitter tears, from the frustration or from heartache? 

in everything

There is a time for everything...

In this life, if I do not know the character of God, I would be swept away by the negatives of this world.

Because God is amazing; He always provides a way out.

-----x------

A household with a husband in a newly married set-up is tough.

Even the way I cut the garlic or the onions for that adobong pusit recipe can be an issue; and if I would dwell on it, it can lead to arguments and other complications.
ANSWER: Compromise.
But sometimes, the way to make a compromise is so difficult also. Voice and tone check; breathing check and the eyebrows positioned not high above the forehead.


Grocery time is no different either... why would I want to buy more than two packages of toothpaste?! or the kind of fish that we need to buy in the market... "you ask me what I want, and then when I make my choice, .... you have all sorts of excuses not to buy it.... why don't you go ahead with the purchase?!"


-----x-----


Realization: Between hubby and I, I am no longer the "kuripot" that I thought I was...

Next time, that portion for savings goes to hubby. No questions ask.

He Who Provides

I have been nagging, berating - plain and simple making"yawyaw" with every chance I can get, because of what I feel as a lousy handling and discussion of my "admitting privileges" by the powers-that-be. I overheard some members talking about my approval and yet, no official document/statement have been made. I need evidence!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        My family and mentors have always encouraged me to remain patient because truly God would give me what He had promised at the the proper time.

I am just glad that God is giving me the grace to listen. 

So, What Now?

I have been sad borderline frustrated about how the Team is handling my case. They are still "talking" about my application for admitting privileges. They asked the Department of Family Medicine to furnish them with an guidelines for admissions, for which I helped in drafting.  I can only guess about their perception of Family Medicine. Is this about patient turfing? I don't know, because I feel its too lame to be used as an excuse. After all, it is a specialty both here and abroad, even qualified to be gatekeepers of health care in Europe. Patience is a virtue.

 ____x____

I received two significant emails today that got me excited; which I am taking as one of the unique ways God is encouraging me to pursue what He has prepared for me. 

1.   A patient with chronic pain from the United States inquired through the Filipino Doctor for a physician who could help him with his pain as he is preparing to spend his retirement in Dumaguete City. I hope I will be able to practice what I have learned from my fellowship on pain management. Most importantly, that I can make a difference in the life of this patient and his family.

2. The most exciting of it all, is knowing that a Sillimanian based abroad, is interested in starting a community palliative care program. I have committed to help her in this endeavour. Based on this first exchange, she wanted to start by educating the students and the Silliman community about what palliative care is and its goals. 

_____x_____

Julius and I are currently in the "medical process" of finding out if we can have children or not. We have been married for almost three years and there is no sign of a baby yet. Hopeful.

____x____

People and circumstances may delay it but truly they could not stop it.

Instagram

Discovery

fascination

curious

Its my 33rd

Other people would want to keep it a secret but NOT me.
I love April 20. I appreciate the date. I am thankful that there is such a date.

Its not about the big celebrations but the joy of having people remember me in this crazy, hurried world - that  IT IS MY BIRTHDAY!

There are only two birthday parties that really stood out in my memory.
One, is on my 7th birthday, when I had a big children's party at the backyard of my grandparents house in Butuan City. But that is not what made the day special, its because of that extra birthday cake that my Tito Dongkoy and Tito Honey had for me. A rectangular buttercake with white icing and green trimmings on the side. We enjoyed the cake in the evening with 3 or 4 of my childhood friends around. Yayang, Honey and the other two... I wish I had kept that picture taken in the sala of the house that I called home for the first nine years of my life. I was told that the house is no longer there.The street of Del Pilar is no longer the same. 
Second, is on my 18th year, in MSU, a generous gift from Tita Mila and Tito Lando. Classmates from summer class were present, and I distinctly remember, being worried, that food would run out. I don't usually have classmates on my birthday. They did sang songs -"harana."

My parents were not with me on these dates. =(
Its far too complicated to  write. For now.
Daddy, Mommy and Mama have died already. 
My sister, Wela, who was born on April 19, 364 days after me, has a baby of her own.
Papa has a family of his own with four more kids.
...

There will always be lessons.
 




...
I started the day singing "Happy Birthday to me...." and my husband joining "Happy Birthday to you...."

...
Patiently waiting.


  

Clinic Hours

My husband would have preferred for me to have the usual out-patient clinic hours that other physicians keep -  the nine to five thing with lunch break in between and the occasional after office hours consultations. Instead, I am keeping a twelve noon to nine in the evening clinic from Monday to Saturday. It is unconventional but it does serve its purpose(s).

The hospital I am affiliated with is trying to up-build her emergency and ambulatory care services. Based on the patient census, this is the time wherein most patients and their families would come to the ER for consultations; and they are not necessarily emergency cases. Most of the time, its either their preferred physicians are no longer holding clinic for the day or has reached a limit in the number of patients to be seen for the day. Or they just do not want to wait, period. The "OPD-ER Extension Clinic" will decongest the ER of the non-emergency cases- somehow discipline the clients about emergency cases vs ambulatory cases. 

This schedule has also allowed me to have late mornings, spending it with my husband over brunch in most days of the week. I can also schedule errands/other appointments in the morning;  and starting this June, I can hold classes in the medical school in the morning. The morning is also spent catching up with other administrative work for the residency training program.

Since I have always believed that there is always a time and a season for everything, I am pretty sure that there will be more reasons for me to keep this schedule in the days to come. And yes, my husband has come to accept this schedule and has also found ways to "complement" my schedule.