2:14

It was a humid January afternoon and there were no patients in the Pediatric Emergency Room. Of course I was happy, aside from no kids were getting sick that day, I’m glad cause it’s another benign duty for  me. I was sitting comfortably in one of the benches chatting up with my resident on duty. She was telling me to already decide where I will take my Post-Grad Internship. I wanted to tell her that I’m still undecided... If I’ll stay or not.

Suddenly, a crying 19 year old mother came in, carrying her child. The 2 weeks old baby wrapped in a blanket was bluish in color, gasping for air, unresponsive to any stimuli but you can still hear a heartbeat... a very faint heartbeat. The child was intubated, ambubagging was done and 3 doses of epinephrine were given.  And at exactly 2:14pm, after all the medical intervention, the child finally gave in.

I wanted to cry. That was the first death I experienced as a physician. But I know it’s not the right place and right time to do that. I wanted to blame the parents for not bringing the child immediately but due to financial constraints you can’t really blame anyone.

After that, it rained hard outside.

Almost 2 months in Pediatrics made me realize things.

1.       I’m considering Pedia as a specialization. It never crossed my mind but I’m enjoying my rotation. I also didn’t think I could have good interaction with kids. Maybe as Pediatric Surgeon Pedia Neuro.

2.       I want to train in a public hospital. You will encounter all types of cases there. Learning is really very different from studying.

3.       I was really touched when one sick kid gave me a chocolate bar and said “kuya doc, para po sa inyo”

4.       Rotating in one of the busiest public hospital thought me how to be strict and “masungit.” One parent even told me, “doc, di bagay sayo magsungit” and one co-intern told me after scolding a parent “ced, nakakatakot ka pala pag nagagalit.” I told them “di naman talaga ako galit pero kailangan magsungit dahil hindi ka papakinggan ng iba kapag nagbabaitbaitan ka sa kanila. Para rin naman sa anak nila yun”

5.       I can go on 36 hours duty with only 1-2 hours of sleep. That’s how much I love my work.

6.       I can lose 10lbs in 2 weeks. Charge it on skipping meals or having late meals.

7.       I enjoy work when I’m with a resident who’s also as bubbly as me. Work is much lighter and easier when you’re comfortable.

8.       So far I have 5 mortalities. 2 Dengue Stage 4 and 3 premature babies. And I'll never forget each one of them.

9.       I lost any form of social life. From January 1-15 I wasn’t even able to contact some friends even contact my parents and say “nay, okay pa naman ako” at least I can tweet. ehehe

10.   Finally, I got sick. Being exposed to patients with different illness can make your immune system berserk. Even if I’m taking mega doses of Vitamin C. My body finally gave in. It started with Acute Tonsillopharingitis and now I have Acute Gastroenteritis. My friend told me my eyeballs are sunken and she advised admission. Of course, being the makulit me, I declined. I said I’d rather take Hydrite.

X’s - glad this blog is turning into the chronicles of my internship. Of course there’s still a little drama, but who wouldn’t want that. It’s a good thing I write about these things.