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Saturday, January 23, 2010


Charles in Africa

I was browsing Facebook when I came across Charles' update and photos, Life in Africa. Sounds like Medicine Sans Frontiers to me, something to that effect. When everyone who wanted to go abroad goes to developed country for greener pastures, or more advanced learning, here's one who chose to go to Africa to probably stick closer to all the idealism that is Medicine (I don't know how he ended, or why he chose to be there-- adventure, perhaps?). As for me, I'm contented and happy with the decision of not leaving the country. I'm finding it out of my comfort zone to adjust to another culture yet again. Our brothers here need healthcare professionals as well.


By jadetv @ 10:20 PM


Thursday, August 20, 2009


Endurance

Medicine school and the subsequent residency training are a test of endurance. As I come near the end of my residency, sad to say, I am feeling more and more burnt out by the day. I count each day. I hesitate to get up in the morning and leave the house. But somehow I manage to just go and face each day, although, with a heavy heart. Perhaps it's really just about attitude. I can try to face each day with a renewed vigor, or let my self pass it with weight on my shoulders. Yes, it maybe just be all in the mind. Whichever, I try to take it a day at a time. It's too late to turn back and quit, I'm almost at the finish line. This is indeed a test of endurance. I remember clerkship, the last of the 4 years in med school. It was the hardest, psychologically, physically, emotionally. How I wanted it to end so badly, and never go back. And somehow, I surpassed it. I'm going through the same thing all over again. It's hard to get into something one isn't too passionate about. But I'm here. I'll probably thank myself in the future for never giving up. I know, after this, things will get better. Afterall, becoming a doctor, an anesthesiologist at that, doesn't sound so bad.


By jadetv @ 5:24 PM


Sunday, May 10, 2009


Mother's Day

It's Mothers' Day. It's my 1st official Mothers' Day (the 1st unofficial was when Marek was still inside my tummy). But I'm not at home with my son, instead, I'm in the hospital waiting for the OB residents to call me whenever a fellow mother in labor, or about to deliver, needs my skill. I told my family we were going to celebrate it a day ahead. I didn't request to exchange duties with fellow resident because even if she isn't a mother, she has a mother to celebrate the day with. I would've felt really bad. But I guess, I'm used to making sacrifices, giving up special dates to be with loved ones because I have to be in the hospital. It's an old story. But I'm still wishing I was home. And I miss my Marek every single moment I'm away from him. Next year, my dear, I promise I'll be home. Eight more months and I'll be done with residency training. Hello lovely Life!


By jadetv @ 6:52 PM


Wednesday, April 08, 2009


ER resident

I'm a second year Pediatrics resident at Metropolitan Hospital in Sta Cruz, Manila. As a second year, my duty post is at the ER. When I was in first year, I complained frequently about the amount of work that I had during duty hours - going on patient rounds with all attending MD's, doing complete ward rounds, attending to all deliveries at the nursery - basically making sure that I was in at least three places all at once. I thought ER duty was The Life. Just sitting in the office, waiting for the P.A. system to call "Pedia Resident Pedia Resident please call up Emergency Room"... Now I think I know better. That call to ER isn't always as simple as an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. Sometimes it's code blue ... and you have to decide, fast and correctly.


By mjc @ 8:14 PM


Monday, October 13, 2008


Looking back and ahead

An archive of memories, this blog is. We're still a work in progress and reading through the past blogs was both a sigh of relief-- for having surpassed that time in our life, the sorrows of clerkship, the anxiety of the Boards; and at the same time a reminder that we could not relax yet, there's still so much we have to work for, we have to train, hone our skills, to get to where we really want to be. I wonder where the other bloggers are, what they're up to. Do they still write? I hope they haven't turned into medical robots. With their big hearts, I'm sure they're far from becoming that. I know raksha will not stop writing. I myself have several blogs, only they're outdated. I try to update sometimes. Like now, I can write about what it's like working in the hospital with a precious baby in my tummy. I'm trying to be positive everyday-- that my baby will come out healthy with 10 fingers and 10 toes, with brains as good as his father, and looks that take on mine. Everything normal inspite of the risky environment mom has to be in. I administer general anesthesia everyday with no scavengers in the operating rooms. I see patients everyday and God knows what other illness they have. And I walk around one of the biggest hospitals in the country and get very little sleep during duty nights. And the food in the canteen, I'm not too sure if how much MSG they have. Not very optimal. But baby's moving a lot and I take that as a good sign. And all my colleagues in the same field have healthy kids, and so I kind of take comfort in that. Things does not stop there. And when the baby comes out finally? Taking care of her will be another story and it's making me anxious. But I love the state that I'm in, and inspite and despite of all of the above rantings, I could only be thankful that I'm having our child. Like what my husband said, it's holding eternity at the palm of your hand. Or something like that.


By jadetv @ 9:44 PM


Saturday, March 24, 2007


Leadership Is About Influence, Not Control

http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/hff11022.page

The Hazelden Foundation provides resources for those struggling with alcohol and other substances, and for their loved ones. It was founded in 1949 as a private alcohol and drug rehabilitation center.


By mjc @ 11:33 PM


Tuesday, February 27, 2007


Feb M.D.s

To the February 2007 M.D.s, both by choice and by circumstance, congratulations! To August 2007 exam retakers & takers, this is another cycle. Let the wind fill the sails of your ship of dreams, stay the course towards all the best!


By mjc @ 2:20 AM



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