Ponder #1

In the last 7 days that I have been in this new hospital- seeing patients, learning the nooks and crannies of the hallways (no ramp) and the intricacies of their super-confusing patient's chart, and waiting for "forever" for lab exams to arrive (even in their pay wards), ; I will try (pinkie swear) not to complain anymore about the elevator, the charts, the forms and etc in SUMCFI.
As of today,  if I am going to name what I am learning in this training institution - PATIENCE would top the list.
I have come to realize and accept the fact that this fellowship training will just not be about the academics; character- and attitude-building are the most at stake here.

On Study Leave

There are things that I need to get used to...  There are things that I am missing...

a. Wake up early or else be late. I have always loved lingering for five minutes more in bed before doing the morning routine in preparation for work. I still continue to enjoy that but I have to be awake  really early (four o'clock in the morning, at least) so as not to feel harassed. I am now taking the  long jeepney commute (45-60 minutes) every day to get me to PGH in Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila from Pilillia Street, Barangay Valenzuela, Makati City. My cousin's place is a relatively peaceful area as compared to the residences I have been to during the home visitations. However, I am missing the five-minute (if I am really in a hurry) or the ten-minute leisure work I used to do on my way to Silliman Medical Center in Dumaguete City.

             a.1. I need to leave the house at 6AM to attend the 7Am staff conference; or leave at 7AM to attend the 8AM activities.
            a.2 I have to shell out ten pesos for the fare when I used to pay 7 pesos and 50 cents for a pedicab ride; or just walk and I do not have to pay anything at all.
            a.3 The smog is in my nose every morning after spending time in the jeepney driven by a frustrated/pseudo-race car driver.
            a.4 I am missing the comforts of my room in Villariza Compound; even the loud neighbors.


b. I have always been strict with how nurses fill up the patient's medication sheet. I cannot do that here, as much as I want to. Why?  Because I am still confused about how the charts are arranged, the forms, monitoring, et al. What I have now is renewed gratefulness for SMC - for the orderly charts; for the diligence of the wardclerks in entering all the diagnostics I need, for the nurse who has carefully monitored the patient's medication and painstakingly filled up the pre-signed prescription forms; for the ECG machine at hand, the laboratory examinations and images that can be accessed with just a password and a click of the mouse and so much more.

c. I used to complain about the elevators of SMC but after spending six days here, I will no longer complain. While in the OPD or in the Central Block, there is always a line to direct the traffic of patients, nurses, consultants, wardmen, and visitors coming in and out of the elevators. I can always use the stairs but my feet is starting to complain from the long walks from the OPD building to the CI to the wards; and from standing in line.

d. I miss the friendly and the usual faces of SMC. Sir Walter of the new elevator; Igpit, the security guard; Allan of the Lab, Cathy in the Info, Neneng and GengGeng of the ER,.....
            d.1 I used to feel like a queen while in SMC but here, I feel so alone and so unsure of myself. I am so scared of what 2011 will bring - running around the halls of this huge government hospital trying to find my way to the right wards; formulating how I am going to take care of this referral; while wondering if I am doing it right, the way the new consultants would want me to do.

            d.2 I am trying to constantly remind myself that there is always a room for change; change for the better. That is why I am in this one-year fellowship training.


Philippians 4:13   

The Last 6 Days

Like a whirlwind.
Confusion.
Excitement.

The Grudge (Overdue Ed)

October 16, 2010

THE MANAGER

CARLO REYES HAIR SALON

Mart-One Branch

Dumaguete City

Sir/Madame:

I am writing your establishment to file a complaint and seek explanation for the conduct of your employees during my visit today.

I first arrived in your salon at about 30 minutes past twelve noon to avail of your affordable hair cut services. I was told that you have only one haircutter and as of this time, there are already five customers queuing for his service. There were two more customers who came after me and they were told of the same thing. I decided to leave your premises to have lunch and just come back later. I was offered to avail of the other services (eg. Hair Spa, Hot Oil) which comes with free haircut already before I left.

I wanted to save time so I proceeded to take my lunch and do other errands before going back to the Salon. I arrived at about 20 minutes past one o’clock in the afternoon. I was informed of the same scenario that I had to wait – there is only one cutter. I asked about the other services which were written on a paper on the reception counter. I was entertained by an obviously pregnant employee. She politely answered about my inquiries (re: difference between hair spa and hot oil, etc). I decided to get the hair spa. She then offered the other treatment that sounded like “Mikuna” which I agreed to get at a cost of three hundred fifty pesos. At this point, I understood that I will be getting a hair spa, plus the “Mikuna” treatment and the hair cut, which is really the reason of my visit, for a total amount of five hundred fifty pesos.    

She proceeded to give me the treatment. I was seated in the back of the room nearest to the sink where she had washed my hair. She even gave me an additional service of hair iron which I appreciated. After she had ironed my hair, she told me that “Maam, humana maam. Ayaw sa og bas-a imong buhok ugma ha.” I answered back, “ang akong hair cut? Ang akong purpose ngano ko nianhi…” She retorted back, “Ay sorry maam. Nakalimot na nuon ko.” She had also asked me the type of cut (straight) and the length (about 4 inches). She gestured to cut only about two inches which I agreed. She went to the receptionist area in the front of the room. I can see reflected in the mirror that she had talked with another employee (male, heavy built). A little while ago, this male employee had taken over the ironing of my hair for a few minutes when he requested to let the pregnant lady buy some food for him. It must be his lunch because when she came back they were talking about fish left in the cabinet. I thought of this male employee as the only cutter because I saw him earlier taking care of another customer.

When she came back, I was surprised that she already had a pair of scissors and comb on her hand. She proceeded to cut my hair. Another female employee even commented that “higher level naka ha!” When she was finished, the same female co-employee again commented, “pagka-perfect kaayo.”

I am seeking your action on two concerns. One, I believe that with such above act, your employees had misled/deceived me. If the pregnant lady is competent based on your standards to accomplish the Carlo Reyes-quality of doing the haircut, then I supposed she should not have said that there is only one cutter and that I had to wait, that I can avail of the other services while I am waiting, during the beginning of our interaction. I do understand that you need to market and sell your other services. This is business, after all. Second, I came to your hair salon with full confidence that I will get the best value for my hard-earned money. I appreciated that I have a better looking hair now than before I had the treatment. However, I would like to emphasize that I did receive good service from your employees until that haircut was made. I feel that the side comments of the other employees confirmed my belief that the pregnant lady who is doing the hair cut on me is not the “only one” cutter they were referring in the beginning.  I waited for any effort of explanation from your employees but none came. At this point, it is my belief that I have received a derisory hair cut from your salon. I do not mind being taken care of an employee who is on-training for as long as somebody who is experienced/senior will be supervising.

I am hoping for a response/an action from your end regarding this matter.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

ME

N.B.

The "beautiful hair" lasted only after the first hairwash; I did not even get to gloat about it...=(

Tsk,tsk, tsk,

emotions

  ... while standing in Line for a taxi in Landmark MAkati (hopefuL)








....after aLmost an hour, stiLL standing on the same Line, with no taxi in sight 
and the maLL Lights were turned off (pissed)

...post-graduate course of UP-PGH DFCM, Diamond HoteL food, amazing desserts! (yummy)







---PAFP OSCE SpeciaLty Board; agitation, tension, and ....  reLief when it was finished!

---Thank you UST Grounds for providing the Lights and the Fountains!

(VERY) earLy morning thoughts

äktenskap. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Écouter. 

 

 

 

 

 

fin est un nouveau départ. 

 

 

 

Je te/vous remercie.

 

essentials

1. I revisited the small sheets of paper with the grades written for a particular subject while in Medschool. These were handed out right after the bimonthly exams. I am amazed and blessed by the little scribbles I wrote on the other side: 
                        Kneel b4 God. 
                        When love is refused, we are hurt because we are refused. But when God is refused, God is hurt because we have lost a big thing.
                        0209002 Do not be anxious about anything... Histology Lab Exam

                                                                                              Neuroanatomy Lab Exam

                                       But in everything
                                                                His2 Lab & Lec

                                                                Neuro Ana lab & lec

                                                                Anatomy lab & lec

                                       With prayer and thanksgiving

                           present your requests to God.

                                        ANSWERED PRAYER! =)
2. In a letter from Nichelle - one of the few people who calls me Wena, written during one of the "boring days" in class
                     Focus

                     Forget

                     Forward

                     Finish

                                  Phil 3:12-14

3. In a Church Bulletin from the Bright Morning Star Christian Gathering dated June 25, 2006
                                                    Praise Report: providing my needs, for loved ones

                                                    Prayer Request : Aug 6,7, 13, 14 board exam for physicians

                                                                              provisions

                                                                              My Mom's health

 > HE has always provided me with what I need: I am a doctor and my Mom lived long enough to see me pass the Board Exam and earn my first job as a surgical resident in Silliman Medical Center.