Ripples from the River of My Thoughts

RC, Who Happens to be an MD

2012-01-24T21:30:00.001+08:00

While waiting for the results of my third and last Philipine Board of Radiology examinations, I have been thinking of a post for my long-neglected blog. At this point of my life, I could think of no better post than to explain why I am a Roman Catholic, who happens to be a medical doctor. I definitely was baptized 25 years before I passed the medical board exams and became serious in living my

Crossroads

2012-01-09T19:28:00.001+08:00

There is something about change, about several possibilities open to you that can be frightening. That's the reason why these upcoming exams seem to appear so overwhelming, even if I'm sure that passing is not the end all and be all of my professional career... And then there are realizations pointed out to you that make you second guess what you have thought that you have gotten figured out for

Another Holiday

2011-10-02T23:47:00.001+08:00

I'm in for another long holiday from most internet activity (except for email) in order to study for two sets of diplomate exams in January. Pray for me and wish me luck.Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

A Foretaste of Things to Come

2011-09-29T18:46:00.001+08:00

By a twist of fate, I will be asked to cover for the ultrasonologists at the hospital where I am working even before I have passed all my diplomate exams. It just so happens that both will be out of town for the duration of two whole days with no one available to cover for them. Who wouldn't be apprehensive in such circumstances? I guess I shall have to rise up to the occasion...Published with

Birthday Cross

2011-09-11T18:05:00.001+08:00

For about a decade now (and without fail), I have realized that our Lord, in his loving providence, and out of special love for me, would send me, every year sometime around my birthday, what I now refer to as my "Birthday Cross". It is oftentimes a small thing, only bearing value and meaning to myself, but at times, also some tragic or seemingly catastrophic event. I do know that He uses it in

Forgiving and Forgetting

2011-08-22T22:51:00.001+08:00

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds upon the heel that crushes it." by Mark Twain Every day has been a challenge in learning to let go of sweeping generalizations and suspicions for the past few months... You would too if you were in my case... Soon enough, I realized that things should change as I had no peace... It has been pretty much up and down... Someday, I hope to

We Don't Need an RH Bill

2011-07-15T22:36:00.000+08:00

While I was a medical student, I rotated at the local regional government hospital for a total of 15 days. Though I was there for only a short period of time, I came to the conclusion that there is no need for any further legislation (i.e. the Reproductive Health Bill) regarding the use of contraception or sterilization. The mechanism is already in place right at this level.As soon as an indigent

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 31: Diplomate Exams, Part 1

2011-07-04T19:57:00.000+08:00

I have never in my life ever taken any kind of examination, board exam or otherwise outside of my beloved Cebu City (except maybe for a seminar or two here and there). This was going to be a first. After weeks of cramming both the completion of my research paper (which finally was approved), compilation of requirements and a 2-session crash course on radiation physics by our hospital's medical

Blog Holiday!

2011-05-23T19:00:00.000+08:00

Will be staying off blogging for the rest of the month until after the Philippine Board of Radiology Examination Part I on June 18th... Hope to be back and joining TBR after the exams. :)

10 Things With More Time, 10 Things With More Money

2011-05-23T18:54:00.000+08:00

This is a simple enough title for TBR3 2nd ed hosted by Gaya... 10 Things With More Time 1. Finish reading all books by Tolkien which I haven't read yet (I have been reading "The Lord of the Rings" for the past 4 years, and I am still in the first chapters of "The Return of the King") 2. Go on more restaurant lunch outs with my sisters. 3. Explore a zoo. 4. Go on another mini-trekking trip.

Why I Blog the Way I Do...

2011-05-15T14:37:00.000+08:00

I just realized that my last entry in this blog has been for quite some time already, but I am still blogging somewhere else by myself and with others... These two blogs and the one I am writing on right now stand for the reasons that I blog: To be an outlet for my thoughts on various issues of my life. To share my creativity and construct an archive of sorts for my poetry past and present To

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 30: Welcome to My Chiefdom!

2011-01-02T12:44:00.000+08:00

Looks like there's no holding back... I'm officially the chief resident of our department... This means:1. Finishing my research (and I have been procrastinating...).2. Studying for my exams (eeeeeekkkk!)3. Finishing all my requirements (busy, busy, busy...)4. No more 24 hr duty (Yipeee!!!!)So, pardon me if I sort of hibernate from cyberworld... But not for long, I hope.Wish me luck in this sort

What you don't know about the goings-on in our public hospitals...

2010-10-26T00:21:00.000+08:00

Let me add some of my impressions in the midst of the big issue on the RH Bill... While I was a medical student five years ago, I rotated at the local regional government hospital for a total of 15 days. Though I was there for only a short period of time, I came to the conclusion that there is no need for any further legislation (i.e. the Reproductive Health Bill) regarding the use of

Wala Na ang Narra!

2010-10-24T14:50:00.000+08:00

Ang karaan nga kahoyDinha sa among eskinaKahugnu-on naMao ngaGi-putol-putol na Ang mga kara-ang sangaDili na mag-silbiNga padayung mag-tubo paWala na ang narra.-jara-(c.2010)

Can I Reach You?

2010-09-12T17:45:00.000+08:00

Can I reach you Where you are And remind you Of the heart That wants to care For only you I want you to come back I want you to be here Look me in the eye Tell me you are fine I promise we will talk Recover what we have lost Tomorrow will be much better Than yesterday or today Tomorrow will be much better Than yesterday or today -jara- (c.2010)

Turning 30

2010-09-04T17:51:00.001+08:00

Another Milestone to remember Another Page in my book Another Turn of the road One more Event we can toast One more Reason to celebrate Even if Mistakes have been made Even if I have my ups and downs I am Looking forward to tomorrow I bear much Hope for things to come Each day Serves as a brand new start I thank The Highest Power I thank Those whom I love I forgive

Damgo Ning Rosas

2010-07-29T13:23:00.000+08:00

Ning Katam-is Sa Katapusan nimong Awit Nagabilin nganhi kanamo Ug Malipayong pagpangalandom Sa Ni-aging panahon. -jara- (c.2010)

TBR v.2 Round-up: All I Needed to Know, I learned in Kindergarten (or Nursery, or Pre-School) ...

2010-06-14T15:00:00.001+08:00

Alright, class! Place your cursors over the underlined phrases and click on the corresponding links! Here's the latest in a cornucopia of memories in The Blog Rounds v.2's Back-to-School Edition: Gigi gives us a few acting tips as she recalls her time to shine on stage. Sonia reminisces on her kindergarten teacher, classmates and "accidents" way back in the second year of kindergarten. J.A.(

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 29: CODE RED!

2010-06-14T04:44:00.005+08:00

I thought is was the beginning of another lazy Sunday duty, the only highlight of which would be installing the newer printer to the older computer in the panoramic x-ray room (which also serves as the resident's makeshift office/quarters), when we got the call: A busload of mostly Iranian nationals headed towards Balamban had fallen off a ravine. I braced myself for the busiest duty of my

ROUND UP DELAY!

2010-06-13T02:29:00.000+08:00

I have so far received less than five entries to this weeks editon of TBR v.2 thus I am planning to delay posting the round-up til June14 9:00 PST (Philippine Standard Time). So what are you waiting for? Post the link to your entry as a comment here or email me: jaaraf@yahoo.com

@ the Perez's House

2010-06-11T16:46:00.001+08:00

The house was located just inside the compound behind our parish church. My mother would drop me off in the mornings and I would be introduced to the multi-sensory wonders offered by the Montessori method of teaching. Everything about it was informal. Mdm. Perez and one or two assistants served as teachers. There were no uniforms. The living room was a makeshift classroom. There were few

All I Needed to Know, I learned in Kindergarten (or Nursery, or Pre-School) ...

2010-06-03T19:04:00.000+08:00

Here's my call (quite a few days early!) for submissions to the upcoming TBR v.2 edition I am hosting on June 12, 2010. It's that time of the year when school-aged kids all over the country are getting ready to step into the classrooms for the very first time. Let's give a salute to early childhood learning! What were your experiences (or earliest memories) in pre-school/ preparatory/

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 28: Hostia Mania

2010-06-03T19:00:00.001+08:00

After chancing upon the on-duty radologic technologists leaving their area in order to have a meal together for the umpteenth time, the chief radiologic technologist had decided to feed his beloved staff some pieces of unleavened bread. These happened to be discards from the host-making process, given to the techs in the hope that they would be "transformed into angels" (roughly translated from->

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 27: On duty, plus 1

2010-06-03T18:46:00.000+08:00

We now officially have a pre-resident who will start middle of the year, and by default, since I am the most senior resident still going on 35 hour duty, she is going on duty with me. It's an adjustment as I have been used to doing things by myself, and now I have to do my duties while teaching someone else to do my work. It takes twice the time working in a pair as opposed to working on your own

PDA

2010-06-03T18:44:00.004+08:00

Note: An old poem, a cautionary tale, with a true-to-life basis, no other details to be provided. Pero Dili Angay Hala! Tu-ara didto Nagtapad si Dodong ug Inday Pa-sweetums nasad Sa may ngit-ngit na dapit Alas otso na ba? Uy, mangatulog na sila Naglatag ug banig Nanghigda nga nagtupad Nag-gaksanay man and duha Nagbukot na sa habul Maayo unta kung sila ra Pero

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 26: Seniority

2010-01-24T02:37:00.000+08:00

I got a taste of what it's like to be the chief resident last week when our chief resident decided to take a few day's leave. I had to leave all my work and follow the most junior resident at her post. The worst was when I had to get back to the hospital at two in the morning under the pouring rain to read an icu patient's abdominal ct-scan. It's a blessing that I live just a short 5 minute ride

Kining Bao

2010-01-24T02:30:00.000+08:00

Kining bao Nga nagatago sa suok Dinhi sa amoang grotto Kontento ba kaha Sa ginagmay nga dahon Na iyahang pagakan-on Salin sa utan-monggos Na ihagis kaniya? -jara- (c.2009)

The Girl Who Won't Smile

2009-11-23T17:30:00.002+08:00

I saw her Cry Not a sound as she Sobbed With that wistful Look On her ruined Face And I realized that I Was gazing upon My reflection. -jara- (c.2009)

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 25: Suspense...suspense

2009-11-15T16:54:00.001+08:00

After my vacation, I was especting to see the pre-resident... Unfortunately, it seems that the higher ups have yet to make a decision... and it has been passed to the hospital medical director to decide on the two remaining candidates... I don't know if we'll find out by tomorrow, but whe is actually supposed to begin pre-resicency tomorrow, Monday... looks like she'll be around until the third

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 24: The Screening Process

2009-10-27T17:31:00.000+08:00

We are still screening the applicants for the first year of residency training for the next year. Looks like our incoming chief resident (duh, you automatically become chief resident at our institution since there's only one radiology resident accepted every year...) R.J. got his wish... the next resident will be female since the three who are undergoing screening right now are all female... The

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 23: Under Construction

2009-09-16T14:17:00.000+08:00

For the past few weeks, we have been in the midst of the ongoing changes a the department's ct-scan with the pull-out of one machine,renovation of the scan room, reception area and control roon, and the upcoming installment of the brand new machine. We're still open for business though... Thus all the inconveniences: dust flying left and right, the worker going in and out, the scent of paint,

Prelude to Twenty-Nine

2009-08-25T18:46:00.000+08:00

What awaits Beyond the dawn Escapes my thoughts I cannot seem to Comprehend The waves as they Rush Against the sand Not much to glance Yet I adore These petals strewn Amidst the grass Under the shade Of the forest grand Stars seem to dance On the sunbeam's last rays Admitting that The night has come To take its chances Against the setting sun Still my heart then To a silent tune Beneath the

Sleepy And/Or Sleeping on the Job

2009-08-17T18:47:00.001+08:00

The year while doing my senior clerkship, I received a homemade Christmas Card/Joke depicting me as the "Sleeping Intern/Senior Clerk".... My friends knew exactly the reason why I deserved this distinction.... Reason 1: A code was called early in the morning. The medical resident attempted to insert a line. Failing to do so the first time, he handed me the IV cath while he searched for another

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 22: A Lesson on Detachment While at the Panoramic X-ray Room

2009-08-16T17:24:00.000+08:00

The radiology resident-on-duty at our institution have long been hiding away at the panoramic x-ray room for the night instead of at the call room. Yesterday, while on duty, I was preparing to go to bed in this x-ray room as usual. I used a plastic chair to get my mattress and comforter stored in a high cabinet. While still on top of the chair, I incidentally spied something on top of the

Lucky to Be Unlucky

2009-08-08T16:55:00.000+08:00

Arrangements were made for me to be driven to the airport for my trip back to Cebu. The driver was just about to turn into the gas station when the vehicle suddenly came to a jolting halt. He jumped out to check under the hood. By this time, I had decided to take a look as well (though this person-unwilling-to-learn-how-to-drive had no idea about car engines). The poor thing was overheated. The

Vacation Leave (Yipee!)

2009-07-28T17:00:00.000+08:00

I'm already looking forward to... - not being on call (i.e. having to sleep right next to my perpetual-silent-mode-phone so that I won't miss an emergency call) - sleeping on time and waking up on time (for a change) - having a schedule that I can live with - reading a few more chapters of the Lord of the Ring Trilogy - meeting a few old friends, and making new ones - escaping the intrigues and

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 21: Gi-bilin sa MRI (Left-Behind in the MRI)

2009-07-10T17:28:00.001+08:00

It's been a hectic week (finally about to end this Saturday!) since I went on double duty then had to forgo the usual every-three-day rotation to be assigned to the MRI during office hours while the MRI consultant is out-of-the-country for a conference.It's hilariously exhausting to:- Have the DCC (Disaster Coordinating Council) a.k.a. tandem of J.M. and K.L., the most junior MRI-techs giggle

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 20: Crazy Things Happen in The Radiology Department :)

2009-07-03T23:33:00.001+08:00

I thought about this post when the currently rotating senior clerk/intern in our department said to me: "Doc, I don't think you would ever grow old rotating here with such funny people to work with." And it's true... The radiologic technologists (radtechs for short) can be crazy... Majority of them (I'm beginning to think it's a requirement before you get hired at our institution) can make a gay

Fable of the Glazed Clay Jar

2009-06-09T14:27:00.000+08:00

One day, the potter came by an open field. There he discovered the finest pure clay he had ever seen. He brought a large bagful with joy in his heart back to his workshop. Sitting at his wheel, he began to work with his hands after adding a few cupfuls of water to the clay. A few more spins on the wheel soon revealed the form of a high-quality jar. Excited by the result of his hard work, he

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 19: I Stand Corrected

2009-06-07T19:43:00.000+08:00

Rumor was not true at all... The truth is, certain (in)famous person came to our institution to visit current (or is it ex?) paramour's sick father confined in the icu. This was confirmed to me by the radtech who happened to be about to take the portable chest radiograph of the said patient when the visit occured. I guess not a few staff took camera phone videos of him when he was spotted in the

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 18: Rumor Has It...

2009-06-02T17:27:00.000+08:00

Certain (in)famous person is set to have medical check-ups at our institution starting tomorrow.... My traning officer told me so herself, though I still have a hard time believing her... And I happen to be on duty tomorrow... Will I get to meet this personality? And more importantly, will the imaging results be unremarkable? Stay tuned...

Goodbyes... and... Hellos...

2009-05-12T21:48:00.001+08:00

These past few moths marked significant events in the life of my two high school barkada (bosom buddies)... In March, C.P.'s mother passed away... She had started getting sick in August. She came for a CT scan in November. Coincidentally, I was the resident-on-duty. The moment I saw the first images on screen, I knew it was terminal cancer A few confusing months passed when she was diagnosed with

A "Lord of the Rings" Twist to the Population Question

2009-05-12T21:44:00.003+08:00

Since I am currently reading "The Lord of the Rings" (I'm now in the first few chapters of the "Twin Towers"), I found this take by Elizabeth Lev juxtaposed with the population issue most intriguing... *** Tolkien's Dark Lord at the UNHobbit Alliance Brings Triumph of Hope By Elizabeth Lev ROME, APRIL 9, 2009 (Zenit.org).- It was an epic tale of triumph worthy of J.R.R. Tolkien. The events at

Waiting for the Cure

2009-04-08T18:36:00.000+08:00

I just downed the last of the 28 Erythromicin tabs prescribed for the atypical pneumonia I got last week (superimposed on influenza), but I still have coryza (runny nose) and a cough from post-nasal drip... I was strong enough to still go on duty like nothing happened. When I open my mouth though to say something, it's plain obvious I have a respiratory tract infection. The interns (senior

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 17: Anger Mismanagement

2009-04-06T16:23:00.000+08:00

If ever this story would be picked up by the Cebuano tabloids, I think it would read: Intern Nang-Head Butt ug PGI That was precisely what happened. In a fit of anger, one of our supposed-to-be-graduating senior clerks broke the nasal bone (it looked comminuted to me -> three fragments) of an intern at our hospital. This happened at nearby popular hang out when the said intern was with three

A Not-So-Short Summary of Me, and then Some...

2009-04-05T11:51:00.003+08:00

Once upon a time, way back in senior year of high school, we were each asked to write an autobiography for our Filipino class. I put myself to the task and that soft-bound copy of typewritten pages with pictures containing the 1st 16 years of my earthly existence is still in a place of honor at the third drawer of my old desk along with other stuff I had written in the past twenty-eight and a

A Little Off, A Little Flu

2009-04-03T19:16:00.000+08:00

I think I caught a strain of infuenza just this week, but since fever is controlled by paracetamol, and I'm now taking antibiotics because of signs of a superimposed bacterial infection, it hasn't stopped me from reporting for work. It's only obvious that I'm sick when I talk though... So I'm trying to keep my mouth shut! Hopefully I'll be better by next week and not have some people avoid me

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 16: The Worst That Could Happen...

2009-04-03T18:34:00.001+08:00

This has been something only those working in our hospital had knowledge of last year, but not anymore. I can't seem to find a link to this story in English, but it did appear in today's SunStar Cebu after being reported in yesterday's Suberbalita as well as on FM radio. Sunstar Cebu's print version has the name of the doctors as well as the hospital... Incidentally, I share the same high school

Angel on The Bus, With I-Pod

2009-04-03T17:28:00.000+08:00

As stated in the previous post, I had to travel by myself to the retreat venue all the way from Cebu by myself. Now, getting to Manila by plane is the easy part but taking the bus to a town in Luzon by myself and getting to the venue I have never been to before was the tricky part. I can't ever remember traveling on a bus alone before. The whole thing made me nervous. Later, I discovered I was

Looking Forward to My Quiet Time

2009-03-13T19:24:00.000+08:00

Due to circumstances of work, I haven't been on a retreat for approximately a year and a half. Now that this second year radiology resident has some days allotted for paid leave, I can go on that much needed breather from the humdrum of daily work to renew myself spiritually. I'll be out of touch and out of reach from March 17 to 22. I really need to take a good look at how things have been---

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 15: The 10 Things You Should Know Now That You're an MD

2009-03-08T14:35:00.002+08:00

I have talked to a lot of young medical students, paramedical students, pgi's (interns) and interns (senior clerks) in the course of the few years of so that have passed since I got my medical degree on April afternoon in 2005. Here's some unsolicited advice I may have handed in these various conversations with people younger than me in one form or another. 1. Know yourself well enough to know

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 14: How to Coil an Aneurysm

2009-02-19T17:00:00.001+08:00

At times you end up doing what you don't like to do...I have made it no secret since junior clerkship that I have absolutely no liking for doing anything remotely surgical... from suturing to performing a minor operation to looking into someone's insides... well, you name it... Mind you, I'm not the squeamish type, but while doing a surgical rotation way back in the internship (a.k.a. senior

Busy...busy...issues...issues

2009-01-30T18:38:00.000+08:00

I never thought my first month of second year residency would keep me so busy that I could hardly fine time to post in my blog and get my hair fixed up (boy, that's a whole other story!). Now there's a first year resident once in a while asking for my help (kind of a dejavu in reverse since she was one of the PGI's while i was an intern a.k.a. senior clerk in the pediatric rotation at the local

New Year

2008-12-31T18:25:00.000+08:00

2008 had its ups and down for me. I had to give up, give in, bear it, take it as it is, do more, be better. I've been involved, missed out, loved a lot, been excluded, lived my dreams and drifted back with nostalgia. Now, the new year is here, and i'm this close to turning the big 3-0! What's in store for me then? Stay tuned!

When My Brother Topped the Board Exams

2008-11-02T14:13:00.000+08:00

A few days ago, I became both the daughter and the sister of board exam topnotchers. My brother found out that he got 4th place in the recent ECE board exams. He somehow bettered the 9th palce finish of our own father in the Chemical Engineering booard exams several decades ago. Just as the results were about to be released, our phone lines and internet access died. We had to rely on text

HAPPY?

2008-10-12T12:27:00.002+08:00

For a long time, I have been wanting to blog about this, maybe to overcome my melancholic-phlegmatic temperament... or maybe this is just another aftermath of the crying session I (again) had last night for another irrelevant reason? I have my ups and downs, my insecurities, worries, concerns and I am the typical maldita... Yes, things can get to me the moment they occur... And in retrospect, I

The Senior Citizen as Patient

2008-09-21T20:52:00.005+08:00

In the course of 9 months doing residency, I have encountered several patients in the twilight of their lives... I think I already described my impressions of three such persons in a previous post, which can be my entry for this edition of "The Blog Rounds". If I ever live to that age, I wish I can be as gracious as the second patient and as grateful as the third. God-willing I won't be acting

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 13

2008-09-12T22:52:00.002+08:00

It's a busy month: a mid-year convention, in-service exams, trying to get applicants to then start pre-residency mid-November.... And I just realized that I'm no longer going to to be the most junior resident of the department... I can now say goodbye to being responsible for supervising the work of the medical interns... I more or less already know what I am doing, although I still make an

Bisperas (The Day Before)

2008-09-06T10:31:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow, I will be celebrating my 28th birthday. Since, I will be the radiology-resident-on-duty at the hospital tomorrow, I'm writing my birthday post on the eve of the day itself. I'll be cooking for the staff of the department (yes, those guys I have been occasionally ranting about who have appetites of epic proportions!) and my co-residents for breakfast tomorrow. They are planning a

Why I'm Pro-Life, Anti-Artificial Contraception and Think That Reproductive Health Bill is Totally Unecessary

2008-09-01T19:06:00.013+08:00

I'm already bracing myself for a lot of violent reactions to this post... I know I'm not the only pro-life physician in this country (I know several others just like me, a few, but I would like our tribe to definitely increse), yet perhaps I will be the lone voice of dissent in this edition of the blog rounds. Do allow me to explain myself though. Since I was in high school, the issue of

Here, There or Anywhere...

2008-08-26T17:58:00.003+08:00

In the middle of a relatively quiet holiday duty, I’m contemplating TBR’s topic for this edition. The brain drain is taking center stage. Yet, who decides where you want to work, anyway? We do have free choice in this country, and if I have the means to do so, I can always decide to establish my practice in another corner of the world. I think this might be a question for

Some Changes...

2008-08-14T23:23:00.004+08:00

I'm taking this breather from a hectic, tension filled day after having been on duty.... I'm doing some template tweaking as you have noticed (now my multiply, friendster and blogspot are all butterfly themed...) It's just in time for my 28th birthday as well. I will be posting my 100th post here at blogger as well... Watch out for it! In the meantime, I leave you the link to the general

The Untold Fable

2008-07-31T17:36:00.000+08:00

A mouse once found its way into a rat hole. Oblivious to the animosity of the rats that lived there (perhaps thinking that they are so much like him, since they essentially looked similar to him), he decided to partake of a small nibble of cheese from a pile in the corner. The rats just stared at the little mouse as he ate a little. He thought he was indeed welcome in this company

A Second Chance

2008-07-22T00:40:00.000+08:00

I never knew I would be writing about her for this edition of the blog rounds, but I guess she deserves it because of giving me another chance... ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ It was almost 11 years ago when this high school freshmen did the unthinkable by literally kicking the shin of one irritating classmate. Naturally, she was shocked, and so were the 50 or so other classmates who saw it all happen while they

Lantaw

2008-07-13T16:42:00.001+08:00

Lantaw na lang sa Hunas na baybayonSamtang wala paNibalik ang dagatNa mo-anod sa Imong kagul-anan-jara-(c. 2008)

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 12 - Dra.

2008-06-28T17:20:00.001+08:00

The subtitle of this post happens to be one of my less irritating current pet-peeves. A certain radtech has started calling me "Dra." (Yes, you do pronouce it in the way you spell it... Not "doktora", but "dra") and everybody else in the department is joining the bandwagon... Of course, it means "doktora", but alternate meanings are as follows: "drama queen", "dramatics", "hydra"... Oh, the list

A Doctor's Value

2008-06-07T10:28:00.004+08:00

I am relatively young in the world of the medical profession, having just received my license to practice a little over a year ago. And with that came automatic membership into the local medical society under the Philippine Medical Association. Until now, I actually have no idea what their activities for doctors is, although I recently heard about some symposium in our place, which I'm not sure

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 11 - The 10 Things Which Explain Why I Am Lucky To be Where I Work Now

2008-06-03T17:10:00.000+08:00

I think it is about time I stop ranting and raving about the difficulties now that I am about to end my first six months of residency training... So here's a short list of why I am lucky to be doing my residency training where I am now surrounded by the people around me now in my work place. 1. I have only 4 consultants to whom I am answerable to and I already know their quirks and personalities.

Blogging For Me...

2008-06-01T18:24:00.000+08:00

I started blogging when I read an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer all about it. It was my in-between period after passing the board exams and beginning residency training then. And, so, I got hooked. I have been blogging more or less regularly for a little over a year now and nearing my 100th post. I have always loved to write ever since I was a kid->stories, poems,essays, even some

Post-Script to My Best College Friend's Wedding

2008-06-01T17:32:00.000+08:00

It's kind of odd that I only got to met her then husband-to-be in person (he's based in the UK where they plan to settle down eventually) when they were already sending out the wedding invitations. But judging from all I heard about him, I already had an inkling that the first guy to catch my choosy friend's heart would be the last one as well. I would have had a chance to be at the wedding to (

TIME TO GO ON A FOOD TRIP!

2008-06-01T04:58:00.001+08:00

It’s just about time for us to cut the chitchat short, say grace and dig in! This banquet is officially about to commence!FAMILY TRADITIONS:MerryCherry, MD gives us a glimpse of how Kapampangans do their cooking in “Mangan Tamu”DINING OUT: Joey MD gives us a glimpse of her food choices in “Around Robinson’s Place Manila in 5 Days”Noel

Iced Tea Girl

2008-05-25T11:23:00.002+08:00

I don't drink coffee. For some strange reason, this medical doctor doesn't even like the smell of this brew which has aided generations of medical practitioners in their quest to be awake while serving 35 or so hours in one shift. In other words, I abhor the drink. What kept me partially awake the whole time (and still does today, although I am an unusually light sleeper when on duty...) is

TBR 11 Goes on a Food Trip !

2008-05-22T19:16:00.003+08:00

There is a young Vietnemese-American doctor about to end his rotation in our department, and about to start residency training in Washington State. As part of Filipino hospitality, he has been invited by various doctors to dine out in various restaurants in and around Cebu City as well as sample home cooked meals in their homes. This goes to show that Filipinos just love too eat! This brings

The One and Only... Doctor!

2008-05-18T23:52:00.005+08:00

I'm the only medical doctor in my immediate family and my immediate extended family (no other medical doctor among cousins, aunts, uncles and their wives/husbands). I wasn't even planning to be a doctor until the 4th year of high school. Then, I was planning to take up medical technology, but decided at the last minute to take up biology as a pre-medicine course, a decision I won't ever regret (

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 10 - rEaLiZaTiOnS

2008-05-11T16:46:00.001+08:00

I'm almost midway to my 1st year of residency training, and it seems like I just started yesterday... I have already begun to adjust to the work schedule (which can range from doing nothing the whole day to being so busy that you get out only at 6pm when your previous or not have a single wink of sleep the entire night you're on duty...) and, maybe a little bit to the teasings of the male staff,

Encounters of the "Dean" Kind

2008-05-06T16:08:00.001+08:00

[Taken from the Frindster site of CIM with the original captions: Recognize the white figure inside the library? ]Our newly retired Dean, Dr. Josefina L Poblete has been a defining icon of sorts for all of us graduates of the Cebu Institute of Medicine ever since she has been at the helm of our medical education. She's one of those persons who leave an impression on you. I think it can be summed

An "Exercise" Confession

2008-05-03T16:54:00.000+08:00

Physical Education has never been my favorite subject. Ever since early in grade school, this klutzy nerd has had a hard time coping up with the intricacies of a modern dance routine or playing any ball game. Later on, sometime after having had swimming lessons, I developed a distaste for dipping my self into any large body of water (i.e. swimming pool, sea, river, waterfalls) because of a

WHY I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND WHY I PLAN TO STAY

2008-04-27T13:13:00.002+08:00

I was probably in second grade when one of our projects was a needlecraft sampler with the Phlippine flag stitched on it and the words "I love God and my country". Somehow, this childhood memory resurfaced in my mind when the topic for this week's TBR came up.I can't deny the reality that our homeland has its share of problems, yet I can't imagine living and working anywhere else. Sure, in the

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 09 - Of Barium Enemas, Hairsticks and Guardian Angels

2008-04-20T16:00:00.002+08:00

You'll get the point of my subtitle once you read through this post. A funny, odd thing happened to me while doing one of the most common special radiographic procedure: a barium enema. This consists of introducing a liquid contrast through the rectum to visualize the large intestine upto at least the cecum and appendix, at most to the terminal ileum (the distal small intestine). We usually have

So, Who's to Blame?

2008-04-20T06:37:00.001+08:00

TBR 6, Here I come!~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *It was my rotation at the local regional government hospital, and the first time I had a patient under my care die right before my eyes. CC, single mom, early 20's, was one of the patients I inherited from the previous group of rotators at the department of medicine. Her mother, probably in her mid-forties, was quite frantic, not

Rural Service Project- Last Summer's Memories

2008-04-15T05:08:00.004+08:00

I'm re-posting here my blog originally titled "Doctor In the Kitchen" for TBR 5 since it's exactly what I was up to last summer! I wasn't officially part of the recent Rural Service Project in Sitio Ibo, Brgy. Pondol, Balamban , Cebu until the penultimate minute.... When I was asked to make room in my schedule to be part of the Rurals, my first reaction was "Ok......" When I was

A Different Kind of Love Story

2008-04-14T02:00:00.004+08:00

I used to write love stories way back in high school and college. Those friends of mine from way back then can attest to the fact that they were pretty idealistic and full of the "kilig" factor rather than the substance of what true love really was. That's the sort of thing one can expect from a girl who had never been in a relationship before. I sort of expected that something of the sort would

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 08 - Lost in Translation

2008-04-06T20:12:00.001+08:00

There are several doctors of a certain nationality who pay to train at our hospital for a month at a time at the different sections but are actually based the other affiliate hospitals. As much as possible, I try to be civil with them and teach them the little a current first year resident knows. On my last duty though, for some reason, one of them thought I wasn't being civil by not greeting him

A Day at the Rural Service Project (Medical Mission)

2008-04-06T19:51:00.000+08:00

Sunday last week, I couldn’t resist going to the medical mission of the rural service project, when I had the day off from Saturday duty, nevermind my sleepiness. I brought a friend along, one of the senior clerks rotating in our department that time. We got lost again on the way, courtesy of memory lapses from another RSP regular and me… And the radiologist (husband of the pediatrician in

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 07 - A Requiem for R.R.

2008-03-18T18:06:00.001+08:00

It's been over a week since she was shot dead over a cell phone weeks before graduating with a nursing degree. I remember that day when I arrived early for the day's work and the night duty rad tech was explaining how things were when she was brought to the E.R. while the rest of the staff and I were looking at her chest x-ray film on the view box. Incidentally, an hour or so later, I was

Without a Voice

2008-03-02T12:14:00.000+08:00

My common colds has just developed into laryngitis with the accompanying symptoms of hoarseness... Well, you get the picture. I do have no intentions of being absent for the next few days until my vocal cords function normally, but it's just as well... Certain situations at work have made me realize that it doesn't matter anyway whether I make my views known clearly or not as the case may be...

Millipedia

2008-02-29T18:32:00.002+08:00

Those red millipedes have been everywhere these past few weeks at our home. I'm not one to be afraid of creepy crawlies (my fascination for living things and a semester of Entomology took care of any remaining fears...) but it has been driving everyone else in my household nuts (most especially Mama and probably my sister). I don't mind them around at all even in the bathroom... Yup, I'm not the

Please Remind Me Not To Do This Again!

2008-02-25T15:09:00.000+08:00

A few days ago found me on an almost-cancelled night out with a few friends singing our hearts out karaoke-style! We had ate, we had fun, we sang in and out of tune, and we had loads of laughs. Now, the problem: I was on duty the night before and was on duty again the following day as someone was on leave for a convention... So, I had to cope with double the tiredness as well as an

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 06

2008-02-10T14:51:00.001+08:00

It's been more than a month, but I'm still adjusting. It's not really as demanding as the residency training programs for other specialties, but I'm beginning to see the responsibilities can be quite daunting, and stressful .... And like in my internship/ senior clerkship and post-graduate internship years, I have had my "moments".February 1 was the day I was officially left to my own devices by

At the Heart of the Matter

2008-02-10T14:08:00.000+08:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day this coming Thursday, I got these interesting articles from my weekly free email subscription to zenit.org. You can read these articles by clicking on the titles below: The Way to a Woman's Heart Is Through Her Nose Female Objectification Not All Fault of Men Congress Highlights Man's Role in Promoting Women

A Marry Year

2008-01-27T14:54:00.000+08:00

Not a few people I know are planning their weddings this year or in 2009, including some of my close friends. I have already actually offered my help with preparations to my best friend in college. I'm so happy to see people starting out the rest of their lives with someone else. My prayer for them is to find the strength and the courage to go though sickness and health, good times and bad, '

Marriage and Celibacy: Love's Link

2008-01-20T13:50:00.000+08:00

I came accross this interesting interview on www.zenit.org about marriage and celibacy. It's a good read for everyone, married, celibate or still single and deciding which way to go. In the end, everything is a question of love. You can read the article here.

A Homebody's Sinulog

2008-01-20T13:35:00.000+08:00

Today, the third Sunday of January is the Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu, the biggest fiesta in the city, and I spent it as I usually do each year: Watching the revelry of the city sponsored street festival through the TV screen at home. Ditto with my siblings (we three sisters and a brother are a bunch of homebodies, you know…), although Mama brought my youngest sister with her to go off to an aunt

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 05

2008-01-12T09:36:00.000+08:00

We had the examiner who would be recommending to the board whether or not our training program would be accredited last Wednesday (January 9th). I don't know the outcome of it, but I think we'll get accredited. I mean, what could be the best day for it but the birthday of the founder of Opus Dei of which I an a part of, the 7th anniversary of my "special day", and 6 months to the day things were

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 04

2008-01-05T16:32:00.001+08:00

I had my first duty on the 1st of January... And what else would "greet" me but the "mess" one of my seniors got himself into after the New Year's Eve drinking spree.... I'm not going to go into details, but that's one more reason that I will never in my life get myself drunk... Then, after saying he's only be goen for lunch, my senior literally left me by myself but I got along well by myself...

Day Out With Friends

2008-01-05T15:45:00.000+08:00

I was out with high school friends (Herschel C., Rica S., Ayen L. and Kathie F.) on the 30th when Maya H., who recently came home (now back in Denmark) invited us for a day @ their beach house in Pinamungahan, Cebu. I think I gained a shade darker and a few pounds to boot... AND for the first time after several years,I got myself wet in a large body of water... the power of friendship indeed! I

rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 03

2007-12-27T18:10:00.000+08:00

I was given a "3 day" extention of my pre-residency by my most senior resident, just because the radiology department Christmas party was still on the 20th. I managed to get it down to 2 days, since I was definitely not missing the Silver Anniversay Celebration of Banilad Study Center on the 19th, and besides, I have to help out the rest of the day with the preparations.... Anyway, I was back in

Christmas Poetry

2007-12-22T05:30:00.000+08:00

I just unearthed another old small steno notebook with two Chrismas Poems I would like to share with all of you to celebrate this season. Christ Jesus was born Here on earth on this day Remember hHim then In your hearts where he reigns Sometimes you may think That He has gone away Maybe, you're just mistaken... All along you might have searched for Him Some place far from your heart -jara- (c

Banilad's Twenty-fifth Anniversary

2007-12-20T08:52:00.000+08:00

Banilad Study Center turned 25 last December 19, 2007 and I was definitely at hand to join in the fun and celebration. We did have a few costume problems, electrical glitches and lots of rain, but the party went on! Presentations came from the BizMoms, Stars Club, the Rural Service Project Volunteers (the October group), and the Southcrest Chorale. Food was c/o Melon Catering. Oh, we also had

Interesting Article on Marriage...

2007-12-07T16:44:00.000+08:00

Love, Marriage and Happy Kids Reports Show that Family Life Is Highly Beneficial By Father John Flynn, LC ROME, NOV. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The increasing trend toward cohabitation as an alternative to marriage brings with it severe disadvantages for children. The latest confirmation of how children suffer when brought up outside a stable marriage between a man and a woman came in a lengthy