faith, trust and pixie dust ♡

THE BEGINNING OF AN END

We had our first duty of the year this morning at Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Female Medical Ward. Most of my dutymates were really busy because they were assigned to two patients while I only had one. Because there was nothing much to do, I was just standing across my patient’s IV pole, gave the IV drip chamber a deadly stare and silently counted the number of drops per minute. Seriously, you could have totally mistaken me for having an absence seizure. :))

The ward was very busy! There were too many people and lots of special procedures. Since I didn’t have any, I volunteered myself to perform some of the procedures (which is such a surprise since I’m not really the “volunteer” type. lol). I did skin testing (intradermal injection of 0.1 cc of Cefuroxime to check if the patient is allergic to it before administering it intravenously) to a patient in the alley. I also volunteered to perform female catheterization and suctioning but our clinical instructor turned me down and gave others the chance. In my head I was like, “DAH! ULAWAN!” HAHAHAHAHAHA Instead, I assisted my dutymates in performing the procedures. That was a good time for my skills enhancement. I observed ECG monitoring, NGT feeding, Suctioning, Female Catheterization and, get this, Post Mortem Care. :’(

The day went on smoothly… or so I thought. We had our “1000-calorie-lunch” (TJ effortlessly calculated it for us, yes, he’s crazy like that :p) for thirty minutes and went back to the student lounge. I stayed at the lounge for a while when TJ startled us with, “Ma’am, Gi-ECG akong patient sa nurse kay tan-awn kung flat line na!” and our clinical instructor squeaked a very alarming “HAAAA?”. Everybody rushed towards the ward. We were observing the physician who was deciphering the ECG reading. The patient and her significant others signed the Do Not Resuscitate form days before. A medical student from XU, in a very sympathetic voice asked the patient’s husband, “Unsa man sir? Ato na’ng ipapahulay si nanay?” and the next thing I knew, my eyes were all glassy and tears blurred my already blurred vision.  T_T I should really work on my emotional stability. -.-“

Her husband and (I assume) her brother, backed away from the bed and  gazed at the skycrapers across the building. I couldn’t take it any longer so I went back to the lounge and patted my tears away. The  capillary beds which quickly turned cyanotic replayed over my head. -.- When the doctor finally announced the time of death, TJ performed the Post Mortem Care. The husband and TJ assisted the patient into this pretty purple floral dress which I assume, must be her favorite dress when she was alive. 

But, we are all destined to die. And as I may quote my Philosophy professor, “Death is the twin brother of our existence.” It’s ironic how when death is approaching, that’s when we learn to live more. 

 This experience made me realize how amazing Nursing is! How amazing it is to be a lifesaver. How amazing it is to be present from birth (Delivery Room Exposure) to life-threatening times (Emergency Room Exposure / Operating Room Exposure /  Ward Exposure) until Death. How fulfilling it is to be of service to others! How fulfilling it is to preserve the dignity of the patient even at times of death. I have realized that there’s more to Nursing than opportunities for working abroad or being “just the doctor’s assistant”. I’ve been asking myself for years why I am putting up with this course. I have poor interpersonal skills and this is not the career I have in mind. But this experience made me appreciate nurses and what they live to do.

To Ma’am *bleeeeeep - patient confidentiality*, I may have not known you personally or the kind of life you have lived, but we all know that you’re going some place better. This is the beginning of an end. Requiescat in pace. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY JESUS! ❀

Honestly, I really didn’t think I could make it to Christmas this year. No kidding. It started with the constant palpitations and the paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. (Pardon the medical terms. HAHA) Amor deliria nervosa? Heh! Methinks not. :))

My cardiologist said those were just manifestations of my iron-deficiency. :l Ah, okay. :l We meet again, Ferrous Sulfate. :>

I know this sounds so silly but the “world-ends-on-December-21” threat crossed my mind a lot. As a Christian, I know I shouldn’t believe in those kind of stuff but I must admit the sad truth - my faith can still be shaken. :( This was also another reason why I thought I couldn’t make it to Christmas.

I saw this on facebook and realized what a fool I have been for even considering what the Mayans said. *facepalm* Anyway, I am so elated that I made it to Christmas! ^.^ So please forgive my random and super disorganized blabbing about  my Christmas highlights. :))

I can never thank God enough for the bountiful blessings that He has endowed. All praise and thanksgiving to the King!

❀ “and heaven and nature’s spring” Although I sometimes find the Christmas carolers a bit annoying, I can’t imagine Christmas without them. Plus, they never fail to crack me up. Their made-up lyrics make me roll over the floor laughing. And I love how they startle me with the prolonged KAAAAAAAAA…sadya ni’ng taknaa :”) Oh, kids!

❀ In relation to the aforementioned Christmas carolers, only a few of them in our neighborhood sing the 12 Days of Christmas. I haven’t given it much thought until my Ate commented how underrated and silly the song sounds. So, I decided to do some little research about the meaning behind the Christmas carol. Turns out it has a deep Christian reminder vibed into it. Back in the days, Christians were being persecuted and were forbidden to exercise their beliefs - which includes the celebration of Christmas. In order to evade arrest or execution,  the Christians came up with a little song as a reminder of the season; and they also added a skippy tune so kids can sing along too!

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for Faith, Hope and Love or the Three Wise Men.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of Creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

And, the “true love” in the song refers to God Himself. Meanwhile, The “me” receiving the gifts is every Christian. I came to a realization, How dare I call this song contrived and silly! I am so ashamed of myself. lawls.

Knowing the meaning of the song tugged my every heartstring! :’)

❀I am very blessed to have celebrated Jesus’ birth with my amazing family and all the good food on the table. Happy Birthday, Lord!

❀I am also indebted to the many people who were thoughtful enough to buy me a present. :”> I have received too much this season and please do know that every one of them, no matter how little, means a lot to me! Thank you, ERNSTagrams for the funny little gifts! From a bitter candy to a really good book, I acknowledge them all!

❀I am very grateful to God for the gift of knowledge and wisdom (and all the gifts, actually)

❀Thank you to Lauren Oliver, for creating such a “can’t-be-put-down” book. Delirium made my heart flutter this season!

❀Uggghhh. I have so many people to thank for that I failed to notice that I’m not blogging what I should be blogging. ._________. Word Salad. I’m mentally unwell. T_T Forgive meee.

Okay. All I know is I dreamt about this jerk on Christmas night. What could it meaaann? UGHHHH. I don’t wanna go through this again! :(

KILL THE BILL

I’m disappointed  with the second reading result. -.- RH Bill, NOOOO

I’ll edit and try to make this post longer and more sensible after my exams. I just felt the need to get the disappointments out of my system. T___T asdfghjkl;qwertyuiopzxcvbnm, WHYYYY?!

So many disappointments this week. T___T

When you and your roommates decided to study for finals…

iamasleah:

In the first hour, everyone is like…

then after an hour, you’re like…
 

‘till you can’t get enough of it…

I MISS THESE LUNATICS. :”>