task force dengue

--The Provincial Health Team Office recorded 2,293 dengue cases in Ilocos Sur as of 5 pm of August 18. This data was presented by Benjamin Castillo, Provincial Health Team Leader during the Provincial Consultative Meeting against Dengue held in this city on August 19. Cases this year is up by 370% compared to cases recorded last year. (Around Ilocandia Channel)

The outbreak is a major problem on public hospitals here in ilocos... including, of course, Sinait District Hospital where I am currently working in. In a day, at least 5 are admitted who are suspected with dengue fever.. The provincial government gave their full support to all the needs of the dengue patients forming the Task Force Dengue program but still stocks of medicine, IV fluids, foods and laboratory materials are easily "wiped out" (my term.. haha) due to high demands.. even the bed spaces is a problem.. no more rooms for patients!!! 


you may always see this set-up in public hospitals on TV, newspapers, documentary photographs.. but for me, I can't believe that its actually happening in our hospital..

the 25-bed capacity hospital accomodated more or less 75 patients

southern alley (OB to DR area) NOTE: the patients are not "in labor", they "in dengue" :)

northern alley (pedia/female/medical ward area) usually, this is the widest alley in the hospital.. it is where we wheel the patients from ER to be admitted.. but well no more space for these patients so the COH has no choice but to provide the place for them.. NOTE: the patients also brought their own beds :(

In front of Medical Records Office

we even transformed the benches into beds

GOd is with us.. That's why we always have something to provide...

my co-nurses during a tiresome-so-toxic night duty (11-7)

and yes! this is the thrill!! to add spice on our duty there was a sudden brown out!! and oops there is no utility/IW on duty that time so no one can turn on the generator.. we were afraid naman to do it bcause it was extremely dark outside so we just use candles while we wrote the charts, praying there would be no DR/ER/OR cases or else someone brave enough (or maybe would be no choice) will turn on the generator.. anyway the brown out lasted only for 45 minutes,.. thank God within that time, we didn't have an urgent need of any electric device..

As of Aug.18, 89 cases of dengue were recorded at Sinait and thank God (again) we have no mortality records...

july surprises

thank You God for the blessings:

> july 1: casual nurse na ako (yey!)
> july 2: mom's 51st bday
> july8: chicken all you can @Max's with SDH friends..
>july 9: IV insertion at a month old baby (yes!!)
>july10: new LCD TV...

..........looking forward for more ... :))

Licensed to Drive my Life

on this stage of my life, where i was so stagnant, i felt like yesterday was my most fulfilling day.. i finally got my NP DRIVER'S LICENCE.. to some, it's just so ordinary , but u don't know how this means a lot to me.

when i was still in grade 6 my tito ferdie started to teach me driving. way back then, i have dreamed to become the best driver in the world with the most expensive car.. WOW! so kiddy dream.. but my driving skills doesn't end up the way i want it to be.. for 8-9years of having the knowledge on how to operate the engine and 2-3 years of having just a Student Permit on my hand, Mama doesn't trust my abilities. So, rarely do i have the opportunity to step on the accelerator..

while we were having our vacay at saudi, Papa would allow me to drive his Toyota Land Cruiser but my mom always have to disagree because she thinks i might end up to an accident. Being a mother, i understand her. But when my little brother (though he's a big boy now) already know how to drive she would allow him to bring out the car, alone.

When i have complained about it, she gave me a condition...

"You can use the car anytime you want but someone should drive for you."

SO UNFAIR.. I already know how to drive, why do i still need a driver?

This is always our problem. This is always MY problem.

I want to become independent. I don't want my life to be entrusted to somebody's hands always.
I want to prove that i can do things for myself. Sometimes my Mama scolds me for being so dependent to others, even my friends observes it.My boyfriend totally knows this, that's why he spoils me. And i hate it.

Often times, I blame my mom for this. I grew up with a yaya plus my three aunts who would always lend me everything I need. I have a yaya until I was in college. After our last maid, thtt was when i was in 2nd year college, my mama didn't hire anymore, kasi daw malalaki na kami. It is a big adjustment for us. My brother and I made a schedule in doing the dishes. It is the only chore that we know. All the rest are for my mom. But she too is not comfortable. She can't do everything, of course, so she would then again scold me for being so lazy, the fact that I am already a lady now.

She would always tell me "Dalaga ka pa naman, ni hindi mo alam maglinis."

"You never trained me." on my mind. but of course i won't tell her, it would surely cause an argument. Well, thank God I grew up in a public school, at least i have practiced on how to sweep, clean, mop, etc. And thanks to GSP for making me more responsible.


Even during my examinations (big exams, not to include school quizes), I always want my Mama to be with me. Knowing that she's outside the examination room, waiting for me decreases my anxiety.

When i took the NLE last July 2010, she was there. It was even her birthday the day before the exams, but
instead of celebrating, she was on her way to La Union to support me. The latest was, when I took the NMAT last December. I convinced her to come with me to Baguio. My little brother was taking his college admission test during that day at Baguio also but he didn't want mama to be with him on his exams. They both laugh at me for i was just like a kindergarten with my mama with me. Again, it is because I am used to having the exams with her. During my elementary and high school years, every time I join, Journalism, Spelling bee or Math and Science quiz bee she is always present. She is my lucky charm.


But, yesterday was different. I had my driver's written and actual exams without my Mama around. I just went to the LTO with my boyfriend but he too just let me do all things. He and a friend, just waited for me at the canteen, until the releasing of the licence. I got high grades on the written exam and all good comments during the actual driving. It felt so gooood. So good to hold the licence knowing I get it on my own efforts, no suhol/lagay, no singit, no help from others, no back ups... it's just me and my own ability. It's just me, finally driving my own life!! :)

it's SERVICE, u know..

i woke up this morning with the sounds of rain.. "what a lovely morning!" on my mind.. im the type of person who is so inlove with the rain.. yes, i love the rain more than the sun shine.. i love cuddling up with my pillows, under my blanket, sleeping on my bed with the cold weather outside...  it gives me peace of mind... so relaxing..

"deedee, anak bangon ka muna", the tranquility was cut. when i opened my eyes i saw Mama beside me.. "punta tau ng hospital, d raw makakapagreport si gracia, walang magpapakain sa mga pasyente."

My Mama is a Nutritionist-Dietitian in a District Hospital in our town where I am currently a volunteer nurse there too.

"Pero Ma, ang lakas ng ulan." I complained.. with no words she left me..

since i was already awakened and i can't go back to my blissful moment again, i decided to get out of my bed.. while i was going down the stairs I saw mama busy txting with cellphones on her both hands.. Both are busy receiving messages..

"asan si raprap ma?"
"pumasok pa din, ROTC daw nila"
"ah"
"Malapit nang umapaw ang kanal sa labas.."
"tuloy tuloy po ba ang ulan mula kagabi"
"oo, di nga ako nakatulog ng maayos eh, tinitignan tignan ko kau ng kapatid mo bka nakabukas ang mga bintana nyo"

I just smiled.. she's always like that.. everytime there's a forecast of a storm, even though we are in a comfortable shelter, she just can't calm herself.. maybe that's one of the unique qualities of a mother.

"kain ka na"
"opo ma", then she went to the garage.

After i finished my breakfast, i went outside to check for Mama, she's at the laundry, trying to pull the washing machine.
"halika, buhatin natin 'to, isampa natin sa may sink" then we did. we also check for the things at the garden.

when the rain had started falling harder, we went back inside...

my Mama took a shower while i make my coffee.. while drinking, i checked her cellphone, reading the messages of her cooks, all of them can't report early due to the heavy rain. They are all from barrios (we live at the poblacion) and can't find a good way to the town proper.

When my Mama went out the bathroom,

"Tawagan mo nga kung sino volunteer doon, tanungin mo kung kumain na ung mga pasyente"

I called..

"Wala pa daw nagpakain ma"

"tanongin mo kung ilan ang pasyente"

"27 daw po"

"naku, kawawa naman cla"

then she txted somebody.. I can feel she's stressed,she can't put down her cellphones.. maybe, she's asking someone to go to the hospital, or maybe she's asking someone to pick her up for her to be the one who will feed the patients (though it is not her duty).. then i have remembered I am a nurse, i had oath that i will choose to do my duty over my personal needs..

"ma, ganito na ako, di na ako maliligo"

she smiled..

"magbihis ka na ma,tawagan ko na si pete (my boyfriend) para ihatid tayo"

"thank you baby"

While on our way, I have seen the garbage collectors clearing a canal that is full of leaves and trash for the water to flow, others are putting sandbags near the bridge so that if in case the river will be overflowed, the water will not submerge the houses near the area, and a group of  highway patrol are roaming around the town  (i don't know if its for safety and security purposes) while another group was in front of the National High School at the end of the bridge, maybe they are monitoring the water level so they could warn the traffic if in case the highway will be flooded.

All of them are out of their own houses, doing their duty for their town. All of them are out of the comfort of their beds, suffering from cold and getting soaked under the rain for the sake of other people. And us, 27 ill people are waiting for us to feed their hungry stomachs..

When we reached the hospital, only 7 nurses, 2 doctors (one is on call for an operation), and 3 IWs are able to attend their duty. They too get out from the feeling of cuddling in their beds, from the comfort of their homes and from their blissful sleep for them to be able to take care for other people.

As we distributed the foods (only breads and coffee, we don't have time to cook), the "thank you"s from the patients beat the coldness of the rain.. it is very warm at heart that inspite the hard weather, we have made something good for other people.. Thanks to the rain, it reminded me that I and my mom are public servants... we have the duty to SERVE, rain or shine... :))

A Cheer for Myself :)

whew! after almost a year and a half after graduating and 11 months after i passed the NLE, my first JOB interview (locally, since i had an interview for KSA the other week) will finally be done tomorrow.. (see how hard it is to find a nursing job here in our country?) Yes, ill be having my interview at a psychiatric and rehabilitation center. I am so much bothered on how the interview will be going... what will be asked... who will be my interviewer.. how should i answer... what will be worn.. etc etc...

 wait... the fact that it is a PSYCHIATRIC and REHABILITATION center makes me even worried. It is not a typical hospital like where i am currently having my training. I have googled some tips on an interview at psych area and over all the search i found that they will be going to ask "specifically" about psych issues, how to handle patients, etc... and of course they will be going to assess if i can handle difficult and pressured situations.. ooops seems like me, myself couldn't answer it immediately. I am a dependent person, im indecisive and afraid to go out my comfort zone. that had been my problem for years now.. that's why sometimes i lack for confidence..

but... i want to learn.. i want to spread my wings and learn to fly on my own! I know I CAN and I WILL!! God loves me because I AM SPECIAL.. i don't need to depend on others.. because there are LOTS of people who will be depending on me soon.. GOD put me here on this career because He knows I AM RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED.. I AM AN INSTRUMENT OF HIS LOVE.. So, be it... what will happen tomorrow will all be up to HIM..And I know, it will be for the BEST>> :)

making it a TRY

Well, being a first time blogger, i still cant fix my mind on what to write on this so-called blog.. I'm a reader of different articles and blogs (mentioned repeatedly :)) but rarely do i write my own creations NOW. Im a journalist during my school years (from elementary to college), i have been an editor and photojournalist back then that's why i am hesitant to create a blog because i don't trust my own ability to write an interesting one... im more fond and used to editing and criticizing the works of my staff that's why i am soooooo much afraid that i might get criticized by my own grammar, spelling and style of writing... but anyway, PRACTICE makes PERFECT, that's why i got motivated to start this thing out.. who knows, someday, i am one of the "most followed" in this world of BLOGGING :)

I always start things i won't finish (that's what i hate about myself, aside from almost getting late) like
>doing my scrapbook, where my scrapbook is now filled with dust and dirt and turned out to be real scrap.. tsk.. 
>finishing my 18th birthday behind-the-scene album (i am now 21y/o) uh-oh.. 
>and answering my modules in Master of Arts in Nursing since i enrolled last February, i should be passing it last May.. haha... but that's the deadline i set for myself, the reality is the institution didn't gave us (open-university students) deadlines, we can't just enroll for several units if we didn't  pass our present modules.
Im talking about this bad habit i use to practice, for i might have not continue blogging again if my laziness occur (what a pessimist i am).. but it's the real me...

and, right now, i should be reviewing for my job interview tomorrow.. 1st ever job interview here in the Philippines.. but here i am, creating my-first-ever-post and my concentration is again not sooo good... whoah,.. it's already 3am.. gotta review now... more to say next time and BETTER post i hope... :)