My Graceful Exit

My Ward Nine Family

I formally submitted my resignation as SN in September 2011. This decision was triggered by my present physical condition due to my pregnancy.

Yes, we are expecting our long awaited second child! And my exit will afford me to have much needed rest before I give birth in March next year.

In my parting I would like to extend my profound thanks to the management for giving me the opportunity of working in a modern hospital like Mount Elizabeth. I also would like to thank my co-nurses and staff to whom I have worked with for more than four years.

Ward 9 will continue to remain in my heart for it is there where I was nurtured to become a better person. It is there where I gained more knowledge. I've really learned a lot from my colleagues, something that I shall endear my whole life.

I pray that my friends in the ward will continue to render services to its patients with all kindness, patience, love and care and treat everyone the best they can afford.

I'm missing my nursing job.

Taking His Route

" Back in harness" - I have never used this metaphoric expression in my status in Facebook. I love to think that I was designed for nursing but there were times when I felt that there is no more excitement left for me to hug at work. Perhaps it is due to stress.

At the ward, I have my own "deaf-mute" culture and sadly, the best way to survive and last longer is to swim with the current (if not, you'll be drowned without you knowing).

I love being a nurse! At the wrath of typhoon (can't recall the name), I was working at Veterans' oncology unit. At the height of H1N1, I was working with full PPE at Mount E.  At the time when I should be celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary, there was I working (even if I had just undergone dilatation and curettage). Instead of celebrating the joy of the holiday season with my family back home, I wasn't able to because my job at King Fahad Hospital competed for it.
But even before I decided to join the league of nurses (although there were few times when I regretted it), I have already embraced that the important and biggest part of my time will be stolen from me.

I still chose to continue to work not only because I enjoy the OFW pay but because this is the route He has chosen for me.

Ate Mercury celebrated her birthday at work.

"My father is at work until now, so I am at work."

Happy working my Ward 9 family. Will be back in harness soon!

Another Nightingale

In journey of life, two things are sure: Birth and Death. Two more things are almost sure: A nurse to receive us at birth and a nurse to assist us at death.                       -Favourite Prayers-

5:00 AM - Starts my morning shift. Coffee for brekky despite the gastritis.

7:00 AM - After one hour travel, endorsement begins.

8:00 AM to 3:00 PM - The tales of a morning staff nurse! Same goes for the afternoon and night shifts.

You know what else would follow if I were to tell you more.

Some branded us a professional maid. Worst, others treat us poorly like the latter.

I really don't mind at all!

At the end of the day, I see a smiling face on a sufferer's bed.
I am covered with patience. My jewels are my touch and love, which know no fear.
My words can reduce fear of images of pain and suffering brought about by the stigma of incurable diseases.
I am haloed with a strong faith when in face to face with death.

Sometimes temper flares me when things become frustrating. It's actually normal!
Sometimes laziness can be so unbearable but I always try to choose to serve with diligence.
Sometimes I'm being haunted with fear but I know the guarantee of God's protection is not just a fairy tale.

I'm hoping to grow more in goodness and grace and leave off all fault-finding and self seeking.

God bless the nurse

It's such a hectic day, With little time to stop and pray.

For life's been anything but busy, Since a nurse You called me to be.

Running around doing tasks, Helping patients from morn to dusk.

Cleaning, feeding and comforting, All these things that patients need.

As I go to bed each night, Lord filled my heart with Your light.

That I may be true to my vocation, And that You'll always be my guide.
-Favourite Prayers-

My Ward 9 Family

Let me share with you my favorite prayer!

NURSES' PASSION OF CHRIST

Let me direct your attention to a horrible scene

That has all the aspects of a feverish dream

One Friday, on Calvary like a hospital ward

Three men were dying, among them Our Lord

It was the worse case of neglect that was ever recorded

These patients, whose pains Pontius Pilate had ordered

On three hard beds in a shape of a cross

Without pillows of blanket, no nurse would endorse

Now the one in the centre our own attention should claim

Jesus of Nazareth the chart gives His name

Some cardiac condition examiners find -

Excessive love for all mankind

Now you who are nurses, just listen to this:

Unsterilized nails pierced His feet and wrists

And what about this for a cruel medication

Vinegar and gall for His alleviation

And His back was swollen from the blows men dealt

But no soothing ointment to lessen a welt

No cold compress were applied to His eyes....

The world's greatest Lover just hangs there and dies

Not a grain of morphine or a tourniquet set

As Mary's Boy is bleeding to death

The chart then concludes as further we see

The sad Man from Nazareth dies about three.

Now don't blame the Jews for this frightful neglect

Our sins did it then, our sins do it yet.

This treatment of Christ demands reparation.

It falls on, nurses of this generation

Whenever you see anyone in pain,

Just make believe it is Cavalry again.

And do for that patient what you wish they had done

For the man in the centre who was Mary's Son

It will thrill His angles; it will please Him too

Just keep at it until your life is through

And when after your death your soul goes on high

He will cap you again in His Home in the sky.

-Favourite Prayers-

Our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the disasters in Japan.
And may the regions situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire always be free from danger.

Saw Syndrome

As a child, I remember looking at the huge framed picture hanging on the wall of our living room. A long hair guy with beard and mustache always seemed to be looking at me from one angle to another, even from afar!
'He's looking at me again as if I committed a mischievous act', I would often whisper to myself.... He really freaked me out!
We always pray with our eyes close. I mean, this is the general practice to reach the divine, right? But I couldn't help it! I'd still open my eyes and look at the picture again just like a paranormal hunter. 'There he is again, looking at me as if I'm not meditating enough'. He really gave me that feeling of paranoia.
That guy to me was known Jesus!
But why do I feel so close to this stranger? I would often ponder.

Every time I'm in a bad situation, I'd run to him.
Every time I'm being reprimanded, I'd talk to him.

As I grew up, that stranger became so endearing. I'm so blessed to know the other side of Him!

Yesterday morning, I took care of a patient with known case of coronary artery disease under a well known cardio-thoracic surgeon who also implements his own strict standards.
The patient's Trop-T was elevated so one of the doctors prescribed subcutaneous Fraxiparine. My colleague helped me to google it because we're not quite familiar on how does fraxiparine work with Trop-T elevations to cardiac patients. Bingo! we found the exact answer we wanted!

My morning shift went smoothly until in the afternoon when this cardio-thoracic doctor came and did his routine rounds. I sneaked into the patient's room and took a quick glance at the patient's case file. Unknowingly, he felt being interrupted and disturbed (despite my excuse) so he suddenly begun raising his voice at me but I just remained calm. He then asked several questions regarding the patient. I was just so lucky to have read the patient's medical history even before he  came. He even complimented me but he kept on questioning me why I disturbed him.
And just as I thought it was all over, I assumed wrongly! He told me to let my nurse manager see him at his office. (together with me perhaps as I heard from a colleague)
And so we did. I tried to keep my composure although I felt a bit nervous. This doctor blew the simple issue out of proportion!...and then, I remembered the guy on the wall! I prayed!
As far as I'm concerned, I didn't jeopardise the patient's equality on reaping the benefits of proper nursing care so why should I even be afraid of him? What I did wasn't even condemnable!

In his office, I was waiting for him to shout at me but he didn't. I told him the actual reason why I was there. He felt that what I did was beyond propriety.
He reminded me not to disturb him when he is doing his rounds as he tries to focus on personalised patient care (as both of us perhaps, he even added mentioning my name written on my name tag) and then he dealt on certain issues not concerning me anymore.
I felt that God groped with me at that very particular place, at that very particular moment!

Behind the heading, my colleauges would probably understand why.
Mr. Bo Sanchez inspired me through his book 'Didache'. Thanks to him.

Always be in awe of His perpetual faithfulness!