I have just shifted from Ophtha to Pedia. Pediatrics is perhaps one of the dreaded rotations by interns and clerks in PGH, mainly because SIC job and the duties are physically taxing, in addition to the challenging procedures that come with small veins, crying (sometimes super hysterical) children and unreasonable expectations from their caregivers. So anyway, our block are officially pedia interns. Luckily, we are starting the 8-week rotation at the Pedia OPD. And surprisingly, I am really loving it. I like children's stares, i like giving vaccines, I like making my diagnosis and giving suggestions in the management. I like the nice and helpful residents who are working with/supervising us at the clinic. But in less than two weeks, I know it's gonna be very very hard. Pedia ward rotations WITHOUT clerks. Huhuhu.
November 11-15, 2010. My first out-of-the-country trip with my college friends. The first stamp on my passport. We arrived at Changi Airport and the first few minutes were funny! See, bringing in cigarettes to Singapore is not allowed, and if you get caught not declaring them, you will get jail time and will be required to pay a few thousand singapore dollars. It was my first trip out of the country, and I am sure that Singapore is more stringent in enforcing their rules. The best thing to do is to play it safe. My friend was asked by her singapore-based friend to bring a few packs. We were able to convince her to surrender them. She was ushered to the customs office where the cigarettes were cut and thrown in the trash. We, on the other hand, thought of having our picture taken in front of the customs office with the logo to document the experience. An officer walked over to us and demanded to see the camera. Turns out taking pictures there wasn't allowed. Good thing ...
Yesternight was emotional. My patient died. Knowing his condition, I knew he had a bad prognosis. But in the midst of his very loving and hopeful parents, it was easy not to think that he'd be gone on that bed, during my tour of duty. The sad part is that, his parents had made the decision to go home so he can enjoy the company of his siblings and relatives instead of hanging out in the very infection-laden ward and endure the agonizing IV insertions and blood extractions. They were just waiting for the van that would take them back to Sariaya, Quezon. Guess the decision was a day late. That evening, the worst happened. His lungs gave way. He was in respiratory distress. The resident on duty decided that it was best to intubate the patient so we can help him breath. His parents, seeing that their son was turning blue due to the lack of oxygen, agreed to the procedure despite the fact that they felt strongly against it. And so it happened. His mother was holding his lower ...
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