Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls

     From dinner to a quick prep and off to Hinatuan, Surigao we went to the most talked about nature wonders --- Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls.

     It was a 5 hour drive from Davao in a Starex Van with us 10 sleeping all the time, except the driver of course. When we got there, an entrance fee of P35.00 welcomed us. And just after the cottages was gthe sight of the waters everyone was dying to see.

    The river place was more than a marvel. It was not exactly how I see it in images, it was MORE beautiful and breathtaking when I saw it with my two eyes.

     Enchanted River was too good to be true. The fishes were as clear as they are seen out of the waters and the blue color of the water was undeniably amazing to look at. It was creepy at first, but eventually the water will make you relax. Then at 10am, the fishes begin to surface on areas where there are people. You can see them around you, swimming but stagnant...eyes seem staring back at you as you look at them...they flock together waiting for something edible for them to eat though they don't harm people(well stories so far told so). At exactly 12 noon, all fishes take over the upper part of the water to eat.. people no longer enjoy that privilege in those minutes (after feeding, swimming for guests is again allowed..=) ).

Enchanted River for 2 reasons:

- many attempts to measure the depth, nobody was successful enough to do so

- in attempts to catch the fishes (fish length=my lower leg), the number caught will always be lesser than the count you expected you had

So the stories say ---- i suggest go to the waters and stare at the depth for for more than 20 seconds, and you'll understand why it's it was given that name. ^_^ *wink*                                                       

 There was an available island tour which we took around 10:30 am. The boat ride was P 160 per 5 persons and will take you to 3 places. We were taken first to a bar in the middle of the waters with the "pawikans" as their main attraction. Then we headed to a quite white-sand beach that gave a beautiful nature scene. We didn't stay long because we wanted to go back to the Enchanted River and watch the caretakers feed the creepy fishes.

      

     Tinuy-an Falls was a sight of beauty and dominating water power. We  went there after lunch. It was a 45 minute travel. 

      The site of the  cascading falls welcomed us right away.  It was cold and very strong. We rafted near the falls..we just had to..the danger was too tempting. The raft was not allowed to go under the falls. There are available life guards, but with NO life saving devices. So safety is self-regulated, make sure you know where the ropes are in the water. Now to see the biggest falls (possible for humans to go to)..one has to go up a LONG way (that part I hated the most). But like they say, "you miss half of your life for things that you didn't even try enjoying.."... that time, I stopped complaining and climbed up, no matter how agonizing it seemed. When on top -- the leg aches were definitely worth it.

Quit Smoking Quitting Cancer

According to a study sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute that a number of diagnosed cancer patient decided not to cease smoking gaining support from the significant others despite of the danger it could bring.

 Ancient Egypt believed that Cancer was caused by gods. Early recording shows that in 1500 B.C., the oldest case of cancer was documented in Egypt. The said recording on a papyrus showed how they discover ways on how to differentiate malignant from benign tumors.

Nowadays, a number of researches are being done in order to find ways in preventing its occurrence or to promote and improve quality of life despite of being diagnose of having such disease.

In 2008, WHO listed Trachea, bronchus, lung cancers as the top 8 caused of death in the world. Despite of the effort of health care advocate in eradicating and finding means in order to lessen its mortality and occurrence it is still considered one of the caused of fatality.

Somehow considering the Theory of Nola Pender on Health Education that Disease Prevention and Promotion of Wellness should be the top priority before Curing illness.

One of the topmost causes of cancer is cigarette smoking. In a factsheet presented by the National Cancer Institute it has been found out that 7,000 chemicals can be found in a stick of a tobacco cigarette and 250 of these chemicals are considered harmful to human body.

In the same fact sheet, it has been known that there are 69 chemicals which one can have from cigarette smoking. Facts will show that both smokers and smokers could be harm by such chemicals.

What are the possible gains if a diagnosed patient would decide to stop or avoid smoking?

Maybe it would be too difficult to explain and convince that these gains are true. Cessation to smoking would mean there will be a decreased risk or prevention of secondary complication to cancer; respiratory tract will be free from any obstruction leading to easier breathing, in relation to easier breathing, circulation would be better and oxygen distribution to the entire body will be guaranteed, and of course the treatment will be more effective and Neoplastic medication will be more efficient.

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Are You Eating Cancer?

        Most experts  say that  cancer  occurs  due to poor dietary habits. This means that people prone to eating without consideration of its kind or contents are prone to having cancer. About 35% or a quarter of the total number of cancer mortality cases has been associated to poor diet as the primary cause. Furthermore, researches say high fat diet has increased the risk to cancer.

       Fat intake is highly  related to emergence of cancer.  Low Density Lipid  (LDL) is needed for a cancer cell to grow. While one is enjoying a high fat diet from fast food, for example, there is an increase production of bile which is necessary in the digestion of fat. The over production of bile will cause congestion in the large intestine that could be converted to a Apcholic Acid,  a proven carcinogen. Without one knowing, the higher they are inclined to such comfort foods, the higher their risk of having cancer.

       Therefore, it is just right to think twice on being smart in choosing our diet. Meals taken should be well planned and balanced in terms of nutrition. Now there are some thoughts to ponder when planning what to eat.

      Good Fat versus Bad Fat.  Too much of everything is not good. A principle applying on our choice of food. Fat is also an essential component but  should be taken in moderation. Good fats include oils that can be found in fish, seafood, and legumes. These types of oil are proven to decrease the risk of having a cancer especially on women who are at risk for breast cancer. 

      Keeping Fiber Alive. High fiber diet guarantees effective elimination. With effective elimination, carcinogens has less contact with the intestinal wall which then lessens the risk for developing cancer. Fiber enables the  growth of good bacteria in the intestines inhibiting growth of carcinogens in the intestine.

     Strength of Antioxidants. It is necessary to ensure that the immune system is always healthy. One of the most effective way of boosting the immune system is eating foods rich in antioxidants. They will  serve as buffer that prevents harmful radicals from destroying healthy cells. Antioxidants will convert these harmful radical into a waste products which will be eliminated in the body.

      It is best to plan diet with your physician if you have been diagnosed to have cancer.We are what we eat so we should plan it well. A cancer-free life is a life lived well.

Say Goodbye to Surgical Scrubbing

       Surgical scrubbing means  doing a systematic routine of washing hands and arms following specific number of strokes. It involves lathering, soaking, and brushing one hand and arm and then the other. My students always do that before they start preparing the sterile field for the surgery. I remember doing that and counting the strokes in my mind at the same time.

       But when I when I went to duty last Monday, I noticed that the scrubbing area did not have that canister that contained the surgical scrub brushes. I looked for it but all the 3 scrubbing areas did not have that canister. I even thought that the staff of the previous shift did not just have the time to prepare it.

       Then, I was told that we were not using that anymore. There will be no surgical scrubbing done anymore in this hospital. Instead, a surgical handwashing solution replaces the surgical scrubbing procedure. All we need to do is wash our hands and our arms thoroughly with this solution and then we are already sterile enough to start wearing our surgical gown and gloves.

      
      Then I learned that hospitals from other countries also followed the same method. I was told that there are researches conducted which stated that surgical scrubbing breaks the integrity of the skin and predisposes us to infection. I will have to research on that to learn more.

       So, there will no be surgical scrubbing in this health facility. But still, the principle of Asepsis will be strictly followed.

Watching my Niece Grow.. A G6PD Baby.

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My cousin told me her baby was diagnosed with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency  or G6PD deficiency.. It's a rare inherited condition where the body does not have enough glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. This helps the red blood cells (RBC) of the body to function well.

My niece got  this deficiency from her mother or her father. This is hereditary which is passed as along in genes of either one or both parents to their child. But the gene responsible is accounted on the X chromosome as it is a  X-linked recessive hereditary disease.

This condition means that the RBC's of my niece have no much protection and can easily be damaged. This is the main function of G6PD. The bones marrow attempts to compensate the reduction of RBC's and when it fails, hemolytic anemia occurs as response also to other causes such as infections, food, medicines or chemicals.

My friend and I talked that the most important thing to do is to avoid anything that will cause destruction of the RBCs or hemolysis. In the event that the child may have attacks, blood transfusion may be necessary. But we will not let that happen as we will always see to it that the child will be protected from attacks. We will be keen with the breathing pattern of child as decrease in RBCs mean changes in breathing. If the child seem weak suddenly, we will have to make sure that she conserves her energy by letting her rest.

Prevention is the best tool that we have. The G6PD deficiency my niece had will be one reality we will accept.  But this is something that we can learn much  to make sure she enjoys her childhood like the rest of other kids will.

Obesity is Not a Sign of Progress

Obesity refers to a condition where there is excessive accumulation of body fat resulting to further obesity health problems.  Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to measure a person’s body fat based on his or her height and weight. A person is considered obese when the BMI is greater than30 kg/m2. This condition may lead to obesity health problems such as hypertension, heart and breathing problems.

Obesity in published researches is caused by many factors. It is usually caused by excessive intake of food, less physical activity and sometimes also as a result of medications taken. Obesity is common to people who have sedentary life style where one does not have much physical activity or routine.  People who are emotionally disturbed and psychologically disturbed are prone to obesity as well.  Some consider Genetics to rationalize obesity. Obesity can even be aggravated after one has been diagnosed with certain diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, Pancreatic Cancer, heart and renal diseases.

Obesity health problems may arise as one disregards treating or preventing obesity. The incidence of stroke and heart attacks is high in obese persons as fats accumulate on the arterial walls of the heart. This makes it difficult for the heart to function and the longer it has this difficulty, the weaker it becomes and the possibility of heart attacks rises. Accumulation of too much sugar resulting to Diabetes Mellitus or Hyperglycemia further aggravates obesity which leads to poor wound healing, dizziness and activity intolerance.

Obesity can be prevented. With its increasing prevalence, there should be measures taken to put this to a minimum and reduce the obesity health problems that come with it. In order to treat obesity, one must adjust diet and engage in exercise.  The reduction of food high in energy, such as fatty foods and high in sugar will be necessary. This is will allow the body to be able to use the stored fat as energy and the more it is used, the lesser it becomes. An increase in dietary fiber is needed for the body to be able to remove wasted regularly. A regular bowel habit means no body waste stored in the body, thus preventing other health problems.

Anti-obesity drugs are prescribed as well to help prevent obesity and the occurrence of obesity health problems. These drugs are given to reduce one’s appetite resulting to lesser intake of food. Some of the drugs prevent fat from being absorbed by the body. In cases of severe obesity, surgeries are performed to reduce obesity risks and danger. These biliary surgeries are done by reducing the size if the stomach in order to accommodate lesser amount of food.  These in return, lessen the food intake resulting to decrease of fat storage.

If obesity will not be taken seriously, it will remain to be the greatest risk factor of many cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal problems and even psychiatric illnesses.  It remains to be the easiest problem to acquire as one disregards the diet they follow and the lifestyle to live with. Obesity and being big in size is no longer an impression of wealth and abundance but a sign of health risk and problem. In fact, disregarding obesity and obesity health problems means living a life with a lot of limitations and may be short-lived.

Understanding Stages of Breast Cancer

Learning the basics of Breast Cancer helps us cope with it better. Fear is a normal reaction, however, it is better that we also know the signs and symptoms to be able to deal with it better.

Cancer means abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. In the case of Breast Cancer, the cancer cells has develop in the breast tissues.

The behavior of  cancer cells is attributed to  the failure of one cell, produced by a mother cell, to undergo apoptysis or cell death. When these cycle continues, the number of cancer cells multiply over time which puts the affected organ in fatal condition. These accumulation of cancer cells are manifested through tumors which can be benign and malignant.

             The tumors referred as benign are non-cancerous.They remain to be encapsulated, and does not infiltrate other tissues. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous cells which harms other tissues. They have the tendency to invade other tissue even distal  part of the organ mainly affected by cancer.

Breast cancer is described according to its severity and extent of cancel cell damage through staging.

Stages of Breast Cancer

Stage	Definition
Stage 0	Cancer cells remain inside the breast duct, without invasion into normal adjacent breast tissue.
Stage I	Cancer is 2 centimeters or less and is confined to the breast (lymph nodes are clear).
Stage IIA	No tumor can be found in the breast, but cancer cells are found in the axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm) OR the tumor measures 2 centimeters or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes OR the tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage IIB	The tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes OR the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage IIIA	No tumor is found in the breast. Cancer is found in axillary lymph nodes that are sticking together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone OR the tumor is any size. Cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which are sticking together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Stage IIIB	The tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast AND may have spread to axillary lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone. Inflammatory breast cancer is considered at least stage IIIB.
Stage IIIC	There may either be no sign of cancer in the breast or a tumor may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast AND the cancer has spread to lymph nodes either above or below the collarbone AND the cancer may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Stage IV	The cancer has spread — or metastasized — to other parts of the body.

          These stages will not only teach us the severity of the problem but the type of care we give. This will also lessen the fear as we are informed of the condition of the patient. These patients may either be strangers, our love ones or us.


         There will be nothing about cancer that will keep us calm and at peace. However, we will be able to think well as soon as we learn to accept the reality of the situation. And the reality is that, Breast cancer or Cancer in general exists and it can happen to everyone of us. The best way to deal with it is to bravely know about it and intervene in accordance to what the cancer stage needs.

The Nurses are now SILVER WOLVES

Davao Doctors College celebrates its foundation week. Earlier, the festivities for the intramurals already started. My team this year is SILVER WOLVES together with the faculty and staff of the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Department.

I miss the old team, Blue Phoenix. I missed the fact that it belonged to those under the Nursing Department. I missed  bearing stress and celebrating success with fellow nurses.

Yet, this new team offers a new perspective. It means unity and respect to another set of professionals. It is bridging and connecting ties with another group whom we can actually be friends. It is appreciating the need to adjust to people in order to meet a goal. It teaches us to set aside our differences and enjoy the need to unite for success. It teaches us the value of relying and trusting each other to be able to move forward. This time, the loyalty is not only for the angels in the sickroom but for those who also work to make the angels stronger.

I still smell the aggressiveness and the drive to win in every athlete. I smell the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy competition. I have to let go of the past and take in the new. It may not be close to what we had but the heart of nurse warriors are the same. They are even stronger with the new jerseys and new team mates.

I will miss saying "SOAR HIGH BLUE PHOENIX!!!".... now I am head high shouting .." WE ARE THE SILVER WOLVES and WE HOWL ! "

Breast Cancer .. this time

Cancer remains to the most feared disease. It has again struck my family as my cousin has been diagnosed last month with Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer does not usually have noticeable symptoms at earlier stage. It is recommended that women after having menstruation, should do breast self-examination monthly or BSE.  This is recommended to be done after menstruation. This detects breast lumps or near armpits having uneven edges and painless. In my cousin's case, she noticed yellow fluid coming from her nipple .

However, apart from knowing these, the greatest challenge  is helping her cope up with this. This is not easy for her, and also for us.

New Updates on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Found this link on yahoo on ALS.. something that give hope to the many people who are having than disease.

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SUNDAY, Aug. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The apparent discovery of a common cause of all forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) could give a boost to efforts to find a treatment for the fatal neurodegenerative disease, a new study contends.

Scientists have long struggled to identify the underlying disease process of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and weren't even sure that a common disease process was associated with all forms of ALS.

In this new study, Northwestern University researchers said they found that the basis of ALS is a malfunctioning protein recycling system in the neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Efficient recycling of the protein building blocks in the neurons are critical for optimal functioning of the neurons. They become severely damaged when they can't repair or maintain themselves.

This problem occurs in all three types of ALS: hereditary, sporadic and ALS that targets the brain, the researchers said.

The discovery, published Aug. 21 in the journal Nature, shows that all forms of ALS share an underlying cause and offers a common target for drug therapy, according to the researchers.

"This opens up a whole new field for finding an effective treatment for ALS," study senior author Dr. Teepu Siddique, of the Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurosciences at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a university news release. "We can now test for drugs that would regulate this protein pathway or optimize it, so it functions as it should in a normal state."

This finding about the breakdown of protein recycling in ALS may also prove useful in the study of other neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer's and other dementias, the Northwestern researchers said.

ALS afflicts an estimated 350,000 people around the world. About 50 percent of patients die within three years of the first symptoms. They progressively lose muscle strength until they're paralyzed and can't move, speak, swallow and breathe, the researchers said.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about ALS.

Keeping things Sterile

When one goes on duty at the Operating Room, the most important thing to remember is to maintain the sterility of the sterile field and the surgical team doing the procedure. This means adhering to the Principles of Asepsis by heart.

Asepsis  means absence of pathogenic organisms. Keeping things sterile means not giving a chance for infection to happen while patients undergo surgical operation. But to be able to do this, one has to understand the principles behind it.

It frustrates me when I see medical practitioners that don't understand this. My students always look up to others who work at the Operating Room for a long time. If those whom they look up does not adhere to the principles, the students will adopt such ways. And it's sad because it does not only put the patient prone to infection, it has deprived the minds of my aspiring students of what is essential and ideal to peri-operative nursing.

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Principles of Asepsis

1.Only sterile items are used within sterile fields. All articles used in an operation have been sterilized previously.
 2.Persons who are sterile touch only sterile items/ areas; persons who are not sterile touch only unsterile items/ areas.
3.If in doubt about sterility of anything, consider it unsterile.
4.Nonsterile persons avoid reaching over a sterile field; sterile persons avoid leaning over unsterile area.
5.Tables are sterile only at table levels.
6.Gowns are considered sterile only from waist to shoulder level in front, and the sleeves.
7.The edge of anything that encloses sterile contents is unsterile.
8.Sterile persons keep well within sterile areas.
9.Nonsterile persons keep away from sterile areas.
10.Sterile field is created as close as possible to the time of use.
11.Sterile areas are continuously kept in view.
12.Destruction of integrity of microbial barriers results in contamination. Moisture can cause contamination.
13.When microorganisms cannot be eliminated, they must be kept to an irreducible minimum

Carotenemia Made Him Yellow

        We went to have a medical check-up which included blood studies and ultrasound of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and kidneys. I would have wanted him to undergo colonoscopy but he refused. According to my cousin, he has a scheduled colonoscopy when he gets back home in Canada. He had so much discomfort with it before that he didn't want to undergo colonoscopy  twice for this month.

       Having Dr. Rene Lacuesta read the results, we were glad that no liver complications were present. The yellow  discoloration of the skin was due to excessive intake of carrots, papaya and liver food. It was Carotenemia and not lver complcatin after all. We agreed to that because my cousin sorted to eating only organic food and non-acidic agents. This prompted my family to serve him carrots, either in meals or juiced, almost every hour.

       Carotenaemia or  xanthaemia is the presence of the yellow pigment carotene in the blood . This is caused primarily from too much intake of carrots or other vegetables increasing serum carotenoids. This leads to yellow-orange discoloration of the skin. It is said to be harmless  and will not be needing a specific treatment. The yellow discoloration of skin will gradually decrease as the patient takes lesser food rich in carotene.

       Dealing with cancer is never easy because of it's unpredictable progress. We have to be vigilant all the time for possible complications. Assessment will always play a big role not just to confirm the complications but to prompt us to send our patients for medical work-up. The earlier we detect symptoms, the earlier we find treatment.

        To me and my family, the early assessment meant taking away our worries, lessening our fear and continuing life's blissful perks.

     

Pleasant Basic Medical Check-Up

     " The most pleasant place to have yourself undergo medical check-up." I confirmed that again yesterday as  I accompanied my cousin Jesmon today for his medical check-up at Davao Doctors Hospital. Since health costs cheaper here in the country, we wanted him to take advantage of it while he is here and get the best health service in the city.
         Today, I was not a clinical instructor for students on duty in this hospital. I was a mere patient's significant other or SO. I have no idea how the whole process will start so I went to Ma'am Jeck as soon as I saw her on the lobby. She's the one incharge of admitting patients and making sure that there are available rooms for them.
         I knew she didnt' know my name but she recognized me. She was kind enough to take me to Ma'am Osang, the one incharge of this check-up.  She was kind enough to accompany us from cashier, then laboratory than to Ultrasound area and Cardiac Diagnostic Center. She went with us until we were done.
         Everyone was really nice to us, her the most. This made me and my cousin impressed of the hospitals accommodation to patients. This, I believe, is not the same with other hospitals, so I heard.We could have done it on our own but she did not let us. And the in-charge of the different departments we went was kind also to us, considering they have a lot of patients as well.
          It is in the people that comprises the institution that  makes the whole health care different. Quality healthcare means personal touch with the patients. I have kept bragging that today. And until we were done with the last test, Ma'am Osang was with us.
          Yes,I admit that the costs here are higher than the rest but I believe that patients come back because  the nurses know how make them comfortable.

         I can only hope for good results tomorrow.

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Davao Doctors Hospital offeres Basin Medical Check-up at P 4400.00. This includes the following tests:

1. CBC, Plt and Hct :
        a) RBC will determine amount of Hgb in the blood,
        b) WBC -  increased when infected or prone to infection (decrease)
        c) Platelet (Plt)  will determine if patient has coagulation or clotting problems.
        d) Hematocrit (Hct)  is the percentage of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells
2. USD of pancreas, gall bladder and kidneys
3)Chest Xray
4) ECG tests
5) Urinalysis and Fecalysis


 Each patient is instructed not to eat or drink the night prior to your exam.

The Nurse and the IELTS

       The International English Language Testing System is only one of the tests every Filipino nurse will have to take to be able to work outside the country. The tests comprises 4 competencies which the nurse has to pass for her to be able to prove that she can work and communicate effectively in the country she aims to be. These 4 competencies are writing, reading, listening and speaking the English language. Each of them
        My IELTS exam is scheduled today for speaking in English  and the other 3 competencies (Writing, Listening and Reading) will be on Saturday. My ability to communicate verbally will be tested today as it will test my ability to deal with people in a foreign country.
        This week,I reviewed on my grammar and ability to convey a message. In the test for speaking,  the manner of starting and keeping a conversation matters. All the gestures that comes in speaking my mind will also matter such as the use of facial expressions and hand movements.
        I have been a Clinical Instructor for 5 years but I still feel butterflies in my stomach when taking these tests. I  just hope to keep focused and be relaxed in the whole experience. I believe, the key to a good conversation is being sincere with one's thoughts and merely enjoy opening up to another person.
         I have 3  hours to go before the "big thing". I might as well read some information on current evens and reflect to personal preferences such as music or hobby. Knowing the various interest I have and the numerous emotions that every nurse has developed in her work, I need to focus on one or two ideas and be able to elaborate on them.  I believe, that is the  best strategy in answering personal questions or statements that requires one's opinion.

Bidding Goodbye to CI Friends in Tears

 

              (Thanks to Ma'am Lourdes Pastoriza for the effort to compile the images to speak what we have been through for the past days.)


It has been heavy for me to see the people from workplace to leave all of a sudden. The entry of new management and the sudden downfall of nursing enrollees have affected much the college that it had to resort to cost-cutting measures. We have seen this coming but sudden change of events made an organized planning result to something more than chaotic. The gloom was not because of the measure, it was because of the manner of implementation and the untimely order.


To go back to the story, will hurt me again. I have been bestfriends with some of the CI's leaving, and even considered them family. I will miss the company of Ktine Pedreso, Ate Malu Serrano and Ken Sabido badly. I will always be grateful for being there at times that I seem grasping to breathe.  I will miss a dear friend, Jim Ofonda, who has helped much the College of Nursing in giving the best ceremonies which the nursing students deserve. I  will miss the times that we poured our hearts out in ceremonies over a beer and ..o well, beer.


I will miss the rest of the CIs who, in one way or the other,  have helped me respect my discipline. I may have had clashes with the others, but I believe that the best of what I am now is also because of them.


I will always be thankful for them who allowed me to comfortable with them, share laughter with them, even allowed me bullying them for clean fun. I will aways be grateful for them, who I shared strengths with in our quest of giving the best to our students.  I will always treasure the friendship we shared amidst the difference in maturity, opinions and lifestyle.


Then, I will miss the old lair.. the Nursing faculty room, where all of us meet and breathe from a tiring hospital duty or classroom lecture. It will now house other educators. I will miss what we had dearly.. it will never be home again.

"How can we get through this effectively?"...taking the words of Louie Dagangon ..THAT will be a thought for us to ponder as the new sem begins.

We bid goodbye and good luck.... to our Dean Linell Malimbag, Assistant Dean Danilyn Isidor, RLE Supervisors Rose Barza, Jim Ofonda, Rachel Cornites, Galacio Luciano and Paolo Santos, Clinical Coordinator Mam Leah Arrangues..and to the Clinical Instructors who went out last April 20 and availing the early retirement offer. (these are the CIs seen on the late part of the video)

And lastly to the12 CIs who recently had been categorized as redundant...the DDC College of Nursing will not be the same again.

          Balmores           Suello  
          Estalani              Castillo    
          Serrano              Sabido  
          Estrada               Gacusana  
         Arrangues             Alfaras
          Cabradilla           Branzuela

     I wish these colleagues the best of life. We all have our own reasons for leaving and for staying. We may not be close with all of those who are leaving but we cannot deny the fact that each of them is a part of what we are today.. that our disciplines are crafted because we worked as a team.

      The respect and friendship among us is something they will never be able to take away from us , no matter how much others project that they share the same with us and no matter how great others think of themselves. 

       God bless colleagues.. see you around.

Out Patient Chemotherapy

      For 4 days, I will be on hospital duty orientation. Together with other clinical instructors Don Bansuan, Lloyd Lepiten, Chona Barrun and PJ Arrangues, we will be acquainting ourselves with the  Out-Patient Chemotherapy Infusion Room of  Davao Doctors Hospital, the FIRST and the ONLY one in Mindanao.

     It has followed the regulations being set by PhilHealth, allowing more safety area for the nurses in preparation and administration of this drugs. Chemotherapeutic drugs are toxic in nature and  the preparation should not be anymore be done in clinics or bedside of the patient.

Chemotherapy cycles, depending on drugs and the case, or  hours of infusion varies and may range as little as 3 hours which means that there is no need for the patient to be admitted in the hospital.

Patients are also kept comfortable with Lazyboy couches which can be reclined when they want to lie while the treatment is going on. The room is also air-conditioned  with one TV to give the place a homey feel. For the meantime, both adult and pediatric cancer patients are treated in the same infusion room but a separation of the two will materialize soon.

I observed the facility more today and the process much more than the patients. We weren't allowed to deal with the patients much . I wanted to watch the insertion of a Porta-cath today, one of the central lines inserted in the upper chest and  just below the clavicle or the collar bone.

Earlier, we got more familiar with the common used chemotherapy drugs and those that values as high as P 300,000 per vial. Yes, there are people who can buy that given at the rate twice a week.

      The unit is one very hepflul area for many cancer patients. I believe, that this again will boost the level of medical competence of the hospital also. More than that, a place of hope for patients who is fighting for one disease feared by many because of its unpredictability.

   I have 2 cancer stories to share making me appreciate the treatment. It has taught me to appreciate science and its quest to augmenting one cancer patient's life to a lot more year. It has taught me of the value of the facility being able to understand the care of the cancer patients.

    I still have 3 days to more to this area which I learned does not allow students inside due to probably of the small space. However, they can be called to observe  minor procedures such as Bone Marrow Aspiration.

    Tomorrow is another day. Earlier, we dealt with Liver Ca, Breast Ca, Multiple Myeloma.  Tomorrow will be another round of nursing care for patients with cancer again..another round of learning..and another round of appreciating life.

The Nurse is on Camotes Island Vacation

 As i browse pictures, I never fail to stare much at the recent summer I had with college friends in Camotes Island.

Cebu Arrival:
I arrived at Cebu around 9:45am with Chime and Doods but we had to wait for a friend who'll be arriving in an hour from Davao also. The others were already in SM Cebu waiting for us.. Anne, Ching and Tong.  They came in earlier flights and decided that we eat at SM Cebu at a dimsum place where you have to make ur fingers sound to call a waiter. Tong and I was so hungry that we would take whatever is ready to be eaten.

Going to Camotes

Thanks to Tata's frend, Paul John, who bought tickets for us to Camotes Island. We had to buy even before coming to Cebu knowing that Holy Week might mean a lot of people also buying a lot of tickets. PJ was also kind enough to go with us to the port in Cebu. Pier 1 is located in the City to transport us to Camotes island by water in almost 3 hours. There's a scheduled trip every day at 6am and 4pm for P300 (one way). Like any ports, the porters will swarm around you to carry your luggages for P10.00 .

We arrived there around 8pm and very hungry. We rode for 30 minutes. in a multicab going to the resort we reserved. The place was so dark since there were no electric posts along the roads. We just trusted the driver and laughed a lot to mask the fear a little.

 We stayed at Keshe Resort which has beautifully crafted native cottages for its guests. They were kind enough to prepare a delicious dinner for us. The food was so great considering we were so starved. The huts were so huge we could fit  in one hut or cottage. We were the only tenants, so we had the resort all to ourselves. The air was cold and we were approximately 50 steps away from the shoreline. If only we weren't that tired, we could have dipped in the waters right after dinner.

From the moment we came until we ate, we were laughing at the funny things that went with our travel. We exchanged things we knew about the island . The rest of the night, we spent talking and of course, drinking. The island didn't have corkage fees, so we bought a number of drinks for our 4 days stay at the island. For the first night, we drank Tequila Rose which was according to my friends, tasted like Calpol (a cough syrup for kids) and Arbor Mist (blackberry). The latter tasted like "tuba", a local wine from coconut.

Touring Camotes

Breakfast was great since we had it with the view of the peaceful beach. The water was so tempting, yet we had to stop ourselves since we have to be on tour first. Like all bakasyunista, we wanted to see the whole of the island first and what it's know for. PJ hired a multicab to tour the island with Kuya Edward as our driver. We knew that we will be touring in beaches also, so we wore already our swimsuits.

Kuya Edward decided what places to take us to.We went to the Tumubo Cave which proved to be very scary and exciting at the same time and paid P10 for entrance fee. There are cemented steps to prevent tourists from slipping while going in and out of the cave. At the end of our trail, we found ourselves in a clear body of water. We couldn't resist dipping in. We were already in our swimsuits by the way.

We went to explore the rest of the island like Danao Lake and the other resorts. We had our lunch at Mangodlong Beach Resort. It's one of the sought after beach in Camotes. Then, we also toured the rest of the beaches like Santiago White Beach and others.

The rest of the island proved to be so peaceful and very clean, even saw their garbage bins being color coded. And even the houses are labeled "Balay ni Rosa" which made me think, the place was so little that all that is there could actually be labeled. We even stayed awhile in their sentro which was as relaxing as the beach. We had also the chance to watch a local "rugby" tournament, a game i did not know much.

KESHE RESORT

We spent the rest of the days at this resort, well actually the rest of the vacation.  We had the whole resort for ourselves which was the best part of the vacation though we shared the beach with all of those who were on vacation.  The rate was affordable for an accommodation that seemed so luxurious.The staff are so friendly that they will always attend to your needs, anytime you need them. They will even offer buko or saging when you know you wanted to have it so bad.

We slept and woke up when we wanted to and we plunged in the water each time it invited us in. We enjoyed the day in the sun and the darkness of the night. We unloaded burdens and re-crafted our dreams. We went back to the old days when we enjoyed even the mere sight of liquor.

There were still much of what the island offers but we had only 4 days there. We had to be picked up by Kuya Edward early 4'oclock in the morning. Yes, we woke up early with even an hour of sleep.We rode Ocean jet again back to Cebu mainland (but this time, the travel was disappointing due to disorganized ticketing and seating scheme of Ocean jet Liner).

It was the best get-away for me. For long , i haven't been in trips with them, a pledge we made back at school. I knew i needed this. It was running away from all the pressures at work or even with personal matters. It didn't solve problems but it did give me time to breathe and gather myself again.  The good thing about it is that i spent those days with the friends i knew i could breathe well with.

 A nurse needs a break from being the strength of every patient she encounters. A clinical instructor needs a room to breathe from being the source of knowledge of the aspiring angels in the sickroom. I had my best summer break in Camotes island, now I am ready to a new whole challenge at work or elsewhere again.