Haven't posted anything for more than two weeks I think, I apologize to my audience (if I have any). I was so busy these past weeks that I just couldn't commit myself into updating my post as regularly as I used to. Where have I been you might ask...let me give you a short account of what happenned these past two weeks.
23 June 2010
My Mum was scheduled to be admitted at The Medical City the day before but asked her attending Cardiologist Dr. Rodrigo Santos, to go home that night so she can make "hatid" to my Aunt ( her older sister) to the Airport the following day. Doctor conceded.
24 June 2010
Accompanied our Aunt to the airport as planned. Stupid taxi driver did not dropped us at the Departure Area and went straight to the parking lot. Had to carry a very heavy luggage up stairs and everyone's looking at us probably thinking that we're from some other planet! My God, the embarassment!
25 June 2010
The scheduled Angiography is to be taken on this day instead, and I was tasked to accompany my Mum and report back to my Aunt later with the results. Since we came in after lunch, they had to re-schedule it the following morning as early as possible so that if my Mum's heart is clear of any problems, we can go home in the evening. Delays, delays.
26 June 2010
As the nurses were strolling my Mum towards the CATHLAB, I couldn't help but admire the hospital's facilities, how "high-end" the modalities that they were using. It must cost millions! The last time I was able to operate something as sophistacated was when I was still doing clinical rotations at the East Avenue Medical Center in Q.C.
So, Dr.Michelangelo Sabas (who looks like Allan Caidic by the way!) will be the one to perform the test. Once they are done preparing for the procedure, Dr. Santos called me into the lab to watch it. It's like being in a studio, there's a glass window in front of us, gadgets for monitoring Heart Rates,BP, etc. And the coolest thing is this monitor where I can literally see my mother's heart beating, it's like a moving X-ray.
When I went in, I noticed that Dr. Sabas and the rest of the staff was looking at me and they all looked amused for some reason. I smiled back not knowing what else to do when I started to turn my head around to see the monitor. To my shock and confusion, I saw 2 safety pins, a chain, and what seems to be a flat round object on top my Mum's beating heart! My reaction must have been apparent through my face so that when I turned and looked through the observation window, the dorctors, nurses, everyone was laughing out loud! I realised that it was my Mum's "anting-anting" that I saw and she must have refused to remove it even when doctors specifically told her to do so. Pasaway! So, everyone's anticapating for my reaction pala.
They finally injected the dye so they can see if there's any blocked arteries, the moment the dye went into the hearts circulation, Dr. Santos who was sitting next to me exclaimed "Ayun oh, dalawa! Bypass na ito." I felt a cold chill run through my spine, I couldn't think clearly and it seemed that time has stopped. I had to shake my self out of it as it is my responsibility to raise any questions or concern, that was my Aunts purpose why she asked me to accompany my mother instead of my younger sister. I had to be tough. I told them that an open open heart surgery might not be a good option considering my mother's age and most importanly, she has undergone six major operations already. We're afraid that she might not be able to take another one. Doctor said she's healthy enough but will wait for the final result so we can think of other options. And that option is an Angioplasty.
28 June 2010
My Mum told me that while she was lying on the operating table, Dr. Sabas approached her and said "Hi Ma'am, this is your big day!" If anything, I am very grateful that my mother was well looked after at that hospital, the nurses are compassionate and very approachable (haven't encountered a nurse that is masungit), and of course she's got the best Doctors/Surgeons. It was worth all the money I would say.
As they started with the procedure, I was back in the laboratory room, observing everything that they were doing. I saw how they inserted the catheter via the Femoral Artery which is in the inguinal area (singit), then right through where the lesion is which is the Left Anterior Descending Artery if I remembered it right if . Sorry for the medical terms guys, let's just say that it's one of the major (bigger) arteries of the heart. Dr. Sabas was very effecient and quick, it only took him more that 20 minutes to finish the job. ASTIG! As I was watching, I felt a sudden rush through my vein like I wanted to jump off the walls. I really don't know what it was, but I wanted to do something...something with my life. Then I asked my self, what if this is what I'm really suppose to be doing, what if this is where I'm suppose to be? And I have been trying to avoid it for more than 10 years. I remebered what a former colleague from IHG told me a few montha ago, that at the end of the day we will still go back to what we are used to be doing, what we were taught to do.... as Physical Therapist.
Present Day
Finally able to go back to work, but not not lovin' it. We were back at The Medical City yesterday for my Mum's first check-up after being discharged and also to pay the doctors. They were kind enough to let us go home and pay them lated (that's nearly a quarter of a million mind you!) otherwise we will be held hostage by the hospital. We will always be grateful to the entire medical team.
I will miss that place...I want to work in that hospital someday. It's going to be a long shot but I will do all that I can and not turn back on it. Back in college I knew I was better than most of my class mates, I even once got the highest grade for the midterms in our entire batch. Then of course I choked and went back to being a lazy student. Those are my signs & symptoms. When I cannot handle the pressure I become lazy and complaicent and just let others shine. I will change this time. Now I know why I had to keep on transfering Call Center companies, why I had learn one difficult account to another, lose and gain friends, and that is to gain confidence, to believe in myself. Back in college, I can sit in an entire class not uttering a single word to anyone. I had friends but I really coudn't tell if I was their friend, so pretty much I was still a loner.
Well, as they say God works in mysterious ways and never question his purpose because it is all for your own good.
Thanks to everyone who has prayed for my Mum! =)
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