Saturday, June 30, 2012

Totally Kids Rotation

I was with Batch 33-B at Totally Kids in Sun Valley, CA a far place from where I live and a much more far distance from the school. If the students will take 405 Freeway for sure they will get stuck in the traffic as well as the 110 Freeway taking Interstate 5 going North.

It always has to happen every Wednesday because we have the privilege to work there every Wednesday to observe for some Pediatric cases for the student's Pediatric Clinical Rotation.

As for me it was just like about less than an hour for me to drive in order to get there but the side streets going to the Interstate North was always a struggle all the time especially the ones at Loz Feliz area, the traffic was really bad.I have to leave an hour before so that I can get there on time despite of nagging traffic.

Totally Kids was a very unique place for special kids. Most of the patients or residnets there have syndromes. They have some sort of hereditary diseases that hinder their functioning in doing certain tasks for theirselves. The place catered for them to be independent as well for a total care for some who were diagnosed with a very debilitating disorder.

Almost 90% of the patients there have tracheostomy and feeding tubes like GT. My students were very eager to learn a lot especially for this very unique and special field of Nursing. I was etehre help and guide them for what they needed to learn about the field.

There were 10 students in the group that I am handling right now and there were only 5 of them were very dedicated driving and carpooling themselves in order not to pass up this rare opportunity that was been passed to them by the educator of the facility.

I just culminate the group's exposure last Wednesday and as we reviewed and relived the events that had happened every Wednesdays for 4 weeks, I was glad that the students has a good attitude towards their studies.

Totally Kids was an awesome place, clean, organized, and very well kept. The residents looks very fragile to but as they struggle evry day to keep them alive was very inspiring and captivating as well. It was a joy to have been exposed there and I am hoping that my students have learn so much. I hope they like this Pediatric Rotation and I hope they have learn so much from their every day interaction with th Pediatric population in general.

Last Wednesday was our last day there and as I reviewed the students about their exposure their most of them says that it was very favorable to be there and that they have learn a lot about the Pediatric populations and they all swear that this experience had made them a better Pediatric Nurse and that this will be their instrument in the future had they found a job related to Peds.

Good luck guys and enjpy your experiences along the way as your education had paved you to the very intriguing and tender profession anywhere around the globe. Good night!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Eating Healthy

Life is too short. At forty-two it seems that I felt I am deteriorating. To others living past four decades is still a young, but to me it is a struggle already. I tend to have problems defecating now and I am very conscious ending up having intestinal problems. I just can't stand having the idea of colostomy.

I never like to eat fruits although sometimes I tried to incorporate it in my diet to get some necessary essential vitamins and minerals but the mere fact of preparing it was very taxing to me. I just want it done then popped them to my mouth. But have to think out in a box about what my future holds health wise so I decided to prepare my own fruit and vegetable portions every day.

I found it enjoyable actually. Preparing those foods were a joy. I never thought that at first. It was a good past time actually for me. I get to be creative in what I am doing and at the same time savor the flavors I am preparing. It was a good hobby for me. And I got to perfect my skills in food preparation. I never value my father's teachings before about food. Now I understand why he always mentioned that all in a day you will end up doing your own food. And now, I know.

My knowledge with food is not that extensive before but when I started to do my own food I research it first then tried it out from the context of a recipe. Then I tried to be innovative wit what I am doing and it fattens my heart creating a good outcome almost 90% of the time. It was a joy of life to have done it. I will never hate cooking and preparing food again.

I get to be more prudent in my choice of food, trying to lean on the healthy side, cutting back on the bad fats and thinking about the nutritious ones. It was kind of a struggle sometimes but it's worth the time, believe me. I enjoyed it most of the time. It is a good past time to de-stress also. My health is my optimum priority now and I am glad my blood pressure went down without even taking a maintenance pill

Yes, life is too short and if I will not act early on then I will end up six feet below the ground. And I would not let that to happen because I know I still have a lot of things to do and enjoy, places to visit and explore, and people to make serve and make happy. It is just a matter of choice and my choice is pro-life of course. Good luck on yours. Ciao!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Series Of Boil Erruptions

Yes, my health lately was in a lot of detrimental situations. Last month I have a problem with my eyes. I started having a stye on my left eye and I suffered the swelling and pain in my upper lids carrying that dreaded boil which can evetually infect my inner eye and make me blind. Thankfully, it went away after two days without causing a lot of damage.

Two weeks later my other eye, the right eye, had undergine the same phases of swelling and boil formation which also lasted two days and the nagging pain and itchiness was very incapacitating. The falacy that once the eye will have a stye for sure it will transfer to the other eye eventually no matter how much time it will take. And it became true to me.

Last week, my left armpit got this enlarged lymph node which was very painful and tender to touch. The surrounding area was red and very tender so I opted shaving it thinking that the hair was harboring germs so it's much better for me to shave it. One day after I discovered it the swollen area appears very worse and the pain was very bad I could not stand it anymore.

I tried to squeeze the boil trying to get rid of the pus inside it. I was pretty much sure it contain MRSA because of the pus like secretions it drained when I squeezed it. The pain was very nagging but I held the feeling because I wanted the boil to emit the pus which was very very painful.

Now that the the first boil had errupted there was another boil brewing on the same armpit but more nearer to the upper arm and this one had a small eye and the surrounding area was very red and very very tender. It's really painful especially when it rubs on the small coarse shaved hair of the armpit as well on the sleeve of the undershirt I arm wearing.

I am still confused why all these erruptions had happened in series or cycle. I am very alarmed about it and was pobably blaming it to my low immune response especially my lymphocytes which was supposed to be the first line of defense of my body because of the fact the my lymph nodes was always swollen.

Good health is the only collateral I have in order to survive on this earth and I hope that life would be a mixture of ups and downs. I hope thise series of erruptions will abate because it is really bothering me a lot especially having an excruciating pain that really affect my performance at work. I can afford calling-in-sick because I neede dto raise or save money for my income tax payment which I pleaded to pay installment for this year.

Well, I am just hoping that this boils will go away leaving me normal again doing my every day routines and performing tasks I needed to do without any bother at all. Life is always dynamic and there were a lot of choices to decide along with it. Hope yours, too, will be ok. Have a nice day!

Abstraction

Well, life is always on the go. I just couldn't live every day without engaging in a lot of mental absorption. I've been like a thinking pad lately, thinking about life in general and what will I expect every day as I keep struggling myself in the realm of reality.

It seems that I am still in confusion about pursuing my educational goals because there seems to be a lot of things hindering me lately. I kind of separating away myself to fulfilling my self goals because I've been thinking of a lot of people I will hurt if I will abandon my promises to them, especially my nieces and nephews I am helping to have a better educationm, because I know I am the only one who can help them live a better life because their father (my big brother) has no means of income sending them to a private school.

It bleeds my heart not to finish my masteral education but I have the responsibility to answer those kid's education. Life takes a lot of sacrifices and setting aside goals. I am very confused now and at the same time having no direction. I am really lost as to my goals and it was very draining to me. It is very impractical for me to pursue it at this moment and leave those hapless kids in confusion for their future. Plus, I am guilty to leave them aside.

It is very unrealistic right now to abandon them and I am in so much guilt doing it because I know they will be left out and confused in the vastness of life's savanna. I just have to sacrifice my ultimate dream for them for the common good. It will be understandable, justifiable, and unselfish to do it because they were just kids and I can't afford leaving them wingless in their flight for a better life.

It is just apt for me to do it because I am the one who already been to the pedestal of my dreams and ambitions although I haven't been to the acme or highest point yet but I have already set foot on the ground of opportunity yet for these kids they are still taking flight and still heading there.

I will just abstract myself rather than abstracting them from the picture. Abstraction is the act of considering something as a general quality or characteristic apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances and this holds true right now on my current dilemma.

Leaving them aside to pursue my dreams is also an abstraction which also means an impractical idea which is something visionary and unrealistic. Yes, it is very unrealistic for me to become selfish and not helping them for I know they have nothing and has no means to acquire such thing. I am supposed to help them or guide them to have a better life because their irresponsible parents does not try to be a better one.

I already gave up too much for myself and I am very helpless thinking and putting such stress in my life despite I should not be in a position to do so because in the first place it is realy not my responsibility but my kind heart had taught me to intervene because of my nice nature.

Deciding between the good and evil, I got stuck in the middle. I am just confused and have no sense of direction. I wanted to give up but my thoughts was making me guilty. It was my fault to have made them very dependent to me and now I have to face the consequences of my actions but well I have nothing to lose though because in the end they will be better of.

It just sucks though because I have to sacrifce my ultimate dreams but I know God will still be there to help me figure out the best way to unleash all this frustrations in me and I can't wait for that time to happen. Hopefully, it will happen in the near future.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Everyday Is Always A Challenge

Everyday when I go to work life seems like a wheel turning and turning round and round. Life is kind of routinary but there's always a lot of challenges in store. I mean I love living life and I am very thankful for what I have.

Yes, everyday is always a challenge and I love that. Challenge is always positive to me even though how hard it is. Life is always a struggle but oh well I love struggling. I love surviving for the fittest. I love all the bloody challenges. Hehehe.

Challenges makes me strong. It makes me learn things I needed to know every day. I like to imbue with it because it makes me vulnerable to learning and surviving and I love that as a challenge. I know life is continuous and we must face whatever trials and tribulations we have on our way as we usher ourselves to the cycle of life itself.

I cannot say something more but all I can say is that I am contented of my life right now. I am very much thankful that I  am living independently right now and I have the autonomy to do everything that I want. It seems that I am acting like a toddler now trying to fulfill my developmental milestones as indicated by Erick Erickson in his "Different Stages of Life".

Sometimes being alone is a challenge because I got bored sometimes on what to do. Although there were a lot of options and opportunities life ha sto offer. Life is indeed always monotonous. I don't know why I have felt that but that's how I feel every now and then.

I missed my old self when I was still growing up in the Philippines. I missed being with my friends and not to worry about work and about bills. I missed living with my mom and just be under her mercy all the time. I missed doing the simple but very nurturing things that makes me happy all the time. I just missed all of that!

Well, can't complain now because my life is here now. All I just needed to do is to keep living my life in a more simple but very productive way. I chose to live here in the United States so I have to face the consequences of my decisions and trying to live up to the expectations of my daily routines as well as my work guidelines.

Aaaah.... life is indeed a wheel. Sometimes you're up and sometimes you're down. Sometimes it is happy and sometimes it is sad. Sometimes opportunities pours and sometimes it's hard to find. Life is indeed a mind-boggling puzzle..... a big maze..... a huge challenge.

Well... no more fuss here because I chose to be like this. Life is indeed beautiful even though we have to hurdle some tribulations. That even make it more eye catching and adorable. Don't you agree?

Monday, June 11, 2012

I Miss My Mom

Well, last week was my mom's birthday (she was supposed to be 77 years old) and I have missed her so much. Although it was not typical for me to remember her birthday because she always kept it as a secret from us I had the awakening to suddenly remember her because I had missed her a lot.

My mom would have been 77 years old last June 4th and it was supposed so bittersweet having her by my sad but too bad I cannot enjoy that anymore because she was already with out Creator in heaven. I am dead serious missing her and I am kind of depressed right now.

The trouble of rearing seven children was very inspiring to me and I couldn't get my admiration off from her when she guided me until I finished college. My hats off to my dearest mom for being there guiding me all throughout my growth that's why I couldn't get over her in my memory. I loved her so much.

This year was her 3rd year death anniversary and I remember when I was vacationing in the Philippines in 2009 when she was at the brink of her death. I can see the happiness in her eyes without faltering and no fear seeing me by her side and I can see those beautiful smiles she had given me when I was petting her to get well. She was ready to leave me during those times seeing me in a nice position to be on my own.

It seems she was telling me that she was satisfied of what I had become and I was so relieved that she showed intrepidness in facing her last hours on earth having be by her side while she was resting in that hospital bed with me sitting beside her bed caressing her soft curly hair. It was sad though that I was not there seeing her close her eyes because I have to go back to the US to tender my long leave-of-absence in preparation for her interment.

I already had a feeling that she will go anytime soon that time so I decided to make preparations about my work absence. A day before she died I whispered to her that if she is too tired to breath I told her that I blessed her to go and leave us so that she will not suffer that much and I asked her permission that I have to leave for a while to take car eof some work issues and will come back to tend her which she encouraged me to do, didn't I knew that she will left me the following day.

But I already had a feeling that she will leave me anytime soon but I didn't expect that too soon. I thought she will wait for me. I told my siblings to visit her at the hospital and also had told our family's matriarch about my mom's fragile condition and that I am leaving for a short while to take care of some work issues but promised to be back immediately.

When I landed in Hawaii my sister-in-law ahd texted me that she was already gone and was taken by our Lord Almighty. I accepted the sad news with a willing heart and that I just succumb myself to cry and pray for her eternal rest. I cam back after five days after I asked permission form work for a long off but I was so numb at that time and sleep was not even apparent until I got back form the Philippines.

Despite of my issues with my siblings I had fulfilled my promise to my mom to give her a decent burial and I know she was satisfied and happy with it. I know how worried she was for being a burden to me but it was the only way for me to pay her back of her kindness to me as a mom.

Now, she was gone for almost three years now and I just cannot forget he rin my heart. I miss you so much mom and I hope you also missed me. Luv you mom!

Pacquiao's Boxing Loss

Well, last Saturday was the boxing match of Manny Pacquiao (the Philippine's Pambansang Kamao) with Timothy Bradley. I did not watch the fight because I was working. I was planning to feed myself with the Facebook feedbacks of the people watching the game but I was tied up with my three admissions that night and when I got the chance to check the feedbacks I was surprised by all these frustrated comments about Manny's blatant loss caused by the biased decisions of the two judges.

I myself was down-heartened by the shocking news because as what I have read from the feedbacks and comments it seems that it was a good fight and that Manny had given his all and showed tenacity during the game to give Bradley his own beating in his entire life rendering him sustained a bilateral sprain on his ankles making him being placed on a wheelchair during the press conference.

It was an irony though because it seems that Manny was not unfazed or hurt at all and it is a shame that the judges awarded their controversial split decision to Tim after the 12-round-bout. What a shame though. And this succumb to massive public and media outcry about the uncunning decisions made by  these professional boxing expert-analyst-judges. I myself was dumbfounded reading all the necessary articles spilling all the biased works of these so-called professional boxing judges.

The Nevada Boxing Federation had tolerated this kind of biased works and that the people were demanding a recount or a thorough investigation to prove whether there is a conspiracy for this kind of unprecedented decisions. There was even an article blaming the promoter Bob Arum fabricating this kind of show to fork out a lot of money for an expected rematched but my doubts were cleared when he himself demanded a meticulous investigation of this event.

Well, it seems that the judges decisions could not be reversed anymore and that the people are still clamouring for justice to Manny Pacquiao, but whether we like it or not we have to abide with these decisions and that we have to wait until a rematch will be scheduled to satisfy the people's doubts about the little dirty works done by the NBF and these so-called notorious judges.

Many claimed that this game was rigged because of the biased results and that some people were disgusted with the people behind this event and that some were swearing not to follow boxing any because of this corruption that just recently been transpired. It was really disheartening and until now I can't get over it despite I haven't watched the game.

Oh well, this will be a wake up call to Manny himself to prove to these unprofessional people that they were wrong for handling their shocking decision to Tim and that he will prove more next time during the rematch that he is unstoppable in proving to them that they were wrong.

I admire Manny's humility, professionalism, and mum in respecting the judge's decision although I can see into his eyes how hurt he was and how betrayed he was by these people. They let him down. Although, this happened to my favorite "Pambansang Kamao" still I swear that my admiration to him will not wane to the last drop of my blood.

He will be forever my boxing champ and I will swear my loyalty to him no matter what happens. It was sad though to have been shocked with this most horrendous news that a monster of professionals have done to him despite how nice this guy is. Go Manny go! You will always be my Champion!