is this really what I want to do?

January 5:
I took a jeepney ride, two bus rides and a taxi to get to "work". I saw over a dozen patients in the few hours I was at the clinic. I kept asking myself is this what I really want to do?

Realization 1 - It turns out that sometimes responding when patients flirt with you actually makes for a more productive consult. It probably makes your patient's day also.


January 6:
I was staying at an uncle's place so I spent the whole morning playing with my 4-year old cousin. She was so lithe and tiny, like a graceful ballerina or an agile gymnast. It was a wonder to watch her tumble around, dance on tiptoe, do cartwheels, then swing around a bar.

I was such a klutz compared to her horsing around the treadmill and falling down. I have an abrasion on my left knee to show for it.


January 7:
Clinic duty again. 26 patients plus a couple of follow-ups. It's funny because today I actually enjoyed being there. I enjoyed spending time with my patients, it makes me feel I actually made a difference.

Which reminds me, the best times are when a patient asks for your card and clinic sched because they want to make sure that when they come back you're the one who gets to see them again. I almost felt sad when I had to reply I was just relieving for a fellow doctor for a couple of days and won't be back in the clinic again.

Realization 2 - Good doctor-patient rapport does go a long way. It sure made my day.


Now imagine the high I felt when as an intern a patient asked about the consultation hours at my clinic. How do you say Ma'am, I just see patients here at the OPD under the supervision of a resident since I'm only an intern politely and without causing embarrassment?


All in all, it was a good day.

medical mission numbers

5 hours on the road
8 hours to do the job
3 MDs
4 DNDs
3 RNs
280 patients

TOTAL: A GOOD DAY AT WORK

surgery

Behind the drapes as an anesthesiology intern

Surgery and Anesthesiology may not be my cup of tea (or coffee!) but right now I'm really missing the hospital.

ER post

From duty at the ER I come home and find I can't fall asleep. I am definitely sleepy after getting only 15-minute naps between bedside procedures and assessing new patients who arrive. There are a lot of patients awaiting labs, IJ catheter insertions and dialysis. At two in the morning very few patients arrive. If it were not for due blood extractions and IV insertions I could have probably slept a good two hours before morning endorsements.

I come home from duty at the ER. I am tired but can't fall asleep.

I turn on the TV and watch ER instead.


Such is life.

finally done

Finally done . . . with the beginning.

Sept 14, 2008. Oathtaking of New Physicians. Plenary Hall, PICC
[Taken by the shaky hands of my grandmother]