Aftermath

Gee, those two months went by pretty quick..

After resigning from my MROD duties at CSMC, I sought to return to my real passion.. NEUROLOGY (and PSYCHIATRY na din :P) Where else better to train for this but in the old alma mater? :P

So I swallowed my pride and applied once more to UST for a position in the NeuroPsych training program. With a bit of luck and divine intervention, I was able to hurdle the entrance examination and interview with nary a hitch. Then came pre-residency.. We were informed that this year, pre-res period would last 2 months instead of the usual 1, thanks to the GME messing around with the previously established system. I dreaded the possibility that we might have to go on every-other-day duty for 2 months as well, although the NeuroPsych tradition is only 1 month of sliding.

It was a time of great change as well, since the whole pre-residency thing found me finally living on my own sharing an apartment with a former Med classmate who incidentally was my batchmate in pre-res! It's really funny how things turn out when you least expect it. There I was, just applying for pre-res with the need for nearby accomodations bothering the back of my mind. Lo and behold, my classmate was going into NeuroPsych too! We were able to find an affordable place and had set up just in time before all hell broke loose.

We were told that there were 12 of us who applied and took the exam. 10 showed up for the interviews, and 8 went to the orientation prior to the start of pre-res. On the first day, we started out as 7, only to be cut down to 6 after a couple of days.

The 6th member of our merry little group bowed out after 2 weeks, leaving only 5 of us who went the distance. Luckily, the powers-that-be looked kindly upon us and we reverted to the all-too-familiar Pre-Duty-from schedule after the compulsory 1 month of sliding.

The breadth of experience I gained is too great for the intended size of blog entry to contain, although I would say that it has been the most challenging 2 months of my life. :P During pre-residency, I not only grew in knowledge, but in wisdom as well. On the flipside, I lost quite a number of pounds as well! :P

After two grueling months, we weren't through yet! We were required to attend the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) workshop, and a weekly lecture covering the basic neurosciences at the medical school.

Seeing as we only had a probable 2-week interval before the possible start of residency, my co-pre-residents cooked up a plan to go to the island paradise of Boracay, which eventually came to frutition. :D There we bonded and got to know a little bit more about each other which would hopefully prove useful if ever we were accepted into residency together.

Looking back on everything, it has been one heck of a ride.. From CSMC MROD, to UST pre-residency, to Boracay of all places!! :D I wonder where I'll get to in the years to come.. :P

Oh yeah, we LOVE Boracay.. :P

That Familiar Feeling

Several days ago, I found myself putting on yet again a long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and tie. Going through the familiar motions brought me back to the time when I was still an MROD struggling to survive day after day (and still looking as sharp as possible while at it!).

Alas, I had departed from that path for quite some time now, and I was dressing up for a very different, albeit familiar, event.

It was interview day at the hospital I had applied to. As with every other interview I had been to (after Medschool), I was to put on my sharpest "get-up" for the occasion. Dad once told me that the reason people dress up is to give importance to the occasion in question and/or show respect to those involved, and I fully agree.

Trying to see things from the interviewer's point of view, I would probably favor an applicant who came in looking formal than one who seemed totally lax about it. The choice of clothing alone would already convey the attitude of the interviewee and how serious he/she is about wanting the job.

I was really fortunate to have made it this far, seeing as they trimmed the list a bit after the written examinations. Now, with pre-residency looming in the distance, I have decided to just take things with a grateful attitude, and just put my trust in Him and His plans for me. That isn't to say that I'll be slacking around, because I'll also be working and studying my butt off in order to be as smart and sharp as I need to be.

Things will be a lot different this time around. I'm now older and wiser, and hopefully these will help me pull this off. ;)

To everyone going into pre-residency for "this season's draft", goodluck and do your best!

2009: The year that was..

*This entry was supposed to be my "2009 year-ender special", but since I blogged a little too late, I was forced to make some changes.. :P

Well, it's been a very interesting year to say the least.. This will probably go down as one of the most eventful years in my life..

I had already mentioned the other significant stuff in previous entries, like: the trip to HK, the XS Tiong Lian championship, getting engaged, surviving Ondoy, etc.. so I'll focus on the last few months of the year, which have been REALLY packed with stories just waiting to spill out..

The previous entry showed me as an anxious pre-res , around 6 days before the start of the action. When I eventually got started in Cardinal, I really didn't know what to expect. It was really fortunate that one of the first year residents was a batchmate from my MedTech years. Besides that, everything was an unknown quantity.. The consultants, the other residents, the training program, heck, even the hospital layout was unfamiliar to me! I had not been in a hospital for so long that I had no idea where to begin.. It was here where I had the pleasure of meeting six smart and lovely ladies who were my batchmates for that month. I had drawn first duty, and what a duty it was! November 1 was our first day, and since it was a holiday, the residents were on skeletal force duty. This meant that only the residents (and interns) on duty that day were required to come in. Although the duty itself was pretty toxic (we had around 3 mortalities, along with a bunch of other crazy stuff going on), I found myself slowly falling in love with the place. As the days dragged on, I found myself more and more immersed with life in the hospital, and I was kinda liking it too! :D Everything was starting to come back to me.. The extra energy needed for duty, the insertion skills, the necessary rapport with patients (and consultants as well). When the month finally came to a close, we had a "batch night out" at Banapple at El Terazzo along Tomas Morato. The portions were generous and the food was excellent! The price was definitely worth it! :D Afterwards, we then hung out at Triad bar along Mother Ignacia, but had a little detour for a photo-op at the Big Brother House in front of ABS-CBN before proceeding.

Having finished with 2 batches of pre-residents, the training committee called us back for our final interviews. 20 were called for pre-residency, 13 survived, and 8 were chosen.. Congratulations to my MROD batchmates!!

- Dr. Uzziel De Mesa

- Dr. Janice Ong

- Dr. Jonathan Vincent Paez

- Dr. Joy Sarmiento

- Dr. Marie Christine Semira

- Dr. Marc Josef So

- Dr. Gretchen Olivia Soriano

*It was also a real hoot when I found out that I had 3 medschool bachmates who were also accepted in different departments.

- Dr. Chad Conrad Panlaque (Surgery)

- Dr. Ryan Benedict Babasa (Anesthesiology)

- Dr. Maria Sofia Batto (OB-GYN)

*See you guys around! :D

Shortly after we received the good news, we got texts requiring us to show up the following day for DANCE practice.. Apparently, it was a long-standing tradition at CSMC that the incoming first year residents performed a dance number at the annual Department of Internal Medicine Christmas Party. It was a dance contest invitational of sorts, with cash prizes awarded to the winning teams. We were fortunate to have Dr.Abby Te dancing along with us because she missed dancing with her batch last year since she was out of the country. Just our luck, because she is an accomplished dancer and made most of the choreography we used. We danced to a medley of Michael Jackson songs. :D Prior to the presentation, some of us went on an adventure to the heart of Divisoria to buy much needed costume items and Christmas decorations for the party. It was one of the most exhausting days we ever had!! :P After coming back to the hospital with our loot, we still had to attend dance practice, and then go to the welcoming party our incoming chief resident put together for us (Thanks Dr. Jay!)

Fast forward to the day of the event.. Our group, composed of pre-residents, interns, doc Abby, doc Nino (the ultra-nimble chief resident), and with the special participation of Dr. Percival Pangilinan, took first place during the IM Xmas party! (first place among only 2 competitors! :P The opposing team was really good, as they traditionally took home the first prize year in and year out).

Fresh from our victory, we then danced again during the Hospital-wide Christmas party 2 days later where we represented the Doctors and took 3rd place out of 4. Not a bad haul overall.. :P

After all the madness died down, we started going on duty again to assure a relatively smooth transition to next year, since it's really difficult to be expected to "hit the ground running" :P The department had its annual Residents' Christmas party at the office, where we gave gifts to our Kris Kringle "babies". Starting Dec 21, w e went on sliding (every other day duty) so that the residents could be split into two groups, with one half having vacation before Christmas, and the other one, after. It was pretty rough, but we managed to pull through (thank goodness). A last party at the house of the IM Department Chairman capped off this wonderfully interesting year.. Now we stand at the peak of the slope, bracing ourselves for the long and steep ride... Wish us luck, 'coz here we go... 

Buckling up..

It's now just 6 days before the start of my pre-residency.. Time to get really focused and downright serious. :P I still can't belive its already been more than a year since I first got my license and signed up for my first pre-residency at UST NeuroPsych.. So much has hapened since then, and within such a short span of time! I've had the chance to "live life freely" for a little while, mainly due to fatigue, but also because I wanted to have no regrets before I started training again.

In line with this, I would like to thank everone who had been instrumental in making this year a very unique and memorable one..

- God, of course. He set me along this path to help me rejuvenate and rediscover what he probably wanted me to do with my life. Thank you for helping me maximize what would otherwise have been a wasted year. You truly work in mysterious ways, and I thank you forthe many woderful surprises I have stumbled across along the way. :D

- My family, for their continued support during the rough time I had during the transition from pre-res to normalcy, and beyond. :D

- My "Sweet Inspiration", it was an honor to see you make it through the boards. Thank you for your unfailing love and support especially during those times when I really needed you.. ;)

- The "Brotherhood", thank you for answering the call. It was great to see you guys again, and I hope we could all meet up sometime in the near future (and hopefully we'll be complete by then :P) But November is a little sketchy for me, so I guess you'll have to convene the "Brethren Court" without me. :P

- The staff of the "Company". :P Thank you for accepting me as one of your own, and for entrusting your health to me. Thank you for the experience I've gained as your company doc, and all the different insights I've gained while being a part of something other than a medical/hospital community. A big thank you to my loyal patients (mostly from the warehouse), whose unfailing commitment to follow up with me makes me feel like I'm doing something really worthwhile.

- "Grand uncle", thank you for the warm welcome, and for treating me as one of your own. Thank you for this unique opportunity and experience, and for all the food too! :D

- Cousin "Grumpy", you've affected my life in a way you'll never imagine, setting me along a path where I now feel I should have tread a long time ago. Thank you for showing me the way, and for believing in me (although you hardly show it :P).

- "Auntie Doktora", the mother of "Grumpy", who is probably looking down from heaven watching over us. I guess you had a hand in all of this as well. Thank you.. I won't let you down, and your legacy WILL live on in us.. I promise...

- "LittleSister", it was a pleasure to finally get to know you. I feel you deserve special mention here because meeting you was one of the things that made this year so unique. :P Thanks for all your concern for us during the flood. Good luck in your studies and playing! :D

- "Second cousins" (Rain, TwinBrother, TallTree), thanks for all the fun times we shared this year. It was great reconnecting with you and getting to meet your spouses (NineBoss and CrocWrestler), and the little baby too! :D Thanks for letting me see the world through a whole new perspective.

- Dra. "Pulmo consultant", thank you for letting me share your clinic and position for this limited period of time, and for all the experience and advice you've imparted. Thank you for your words of praise and encouragement. Sorry I chose not to train at your hospital. It's just too far po kasi eh. :P

I've been studying (relatively) more as of late, in preparation for the forthcoming month. I hope I can make a good impression and eventually get accepted, because I've already had my year off, and now I'm raring to go!..

The starting line is in sight.. The tank is full and I'm revving up the engine. Strap yourselves in, we're in for one hell of a ride! :D

Saddle up, lock and load plus a Tech Retrospective...

I spent the greater part of the day going all over the metro to complete the stuff I need for my "Neuro Bag" including the bag itself. :)

Just the other day, I bought a Welch-Allyn otoscope/ophthalmoscope set. something that I had been saving up for since internship which I intended to buy after I had passed the boards. And it was pretty lucky that I did! Turns out it was one of the things required for us to have at all times..

I'm getting a little anxious about pre-residency, but then again, who isn't? I just hope I can pull myself together in order to pull this off.

My lawyer's blog has been pretty silent lately. I wonder what's up with him?..

For the nth time, my life stops at a particular date (this time it's October 14, the last day of pre-residency), and the stakes are progressively getting higher and higher. It's just maddening..

Tomorrow, I'll be having my oathtaking as a newly licensed physician. Then the following day, we start pre-residency. It's kinda like saying "Congratulations, now get to work!!"

Though I may seem a bit apprehensive with what lies ahead, I'm also a bit excited because I'm finally going to be immersed in the specialty of my own choosing, unlike in clerkship and internship where you are required to rotate to all the different departments, like them or not.

I just hope my enthusiasm tides me over the next few weeks..

It never occurred to me that blogging could be relaxing.. I guess being a frustrated writer helps. :P

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Computer technology has evolved so quickly in the past 20 years, it just boggles the mind. I remember being a tech-savvy kid who worked well with DOS and understood (to some degree) the minute differemces between hardware models. However, its as though I just turned my back for one second when POW! An entire truckload of new tech has arrived and I haven't realy been able to catch up ever since.

When I was a kid it was clear cut and simple. Processors were the XTs, ATs (286s), the different incarnations of the 386, 486, and the first Pentium (which at the time was so fast that it was rumored to burn itself right out, thus necessitating it's own cooling fan, a novel concept in itself). If you wanted sound, you'd have to shop around for something made by Sound Blaster, Roland, or those other small players like Covox which faded into obscurity. There was also the monitor (monochrome, CGA, EGA, VGA, XGA, sVGA) and it's accompanying video card (?). This I'm not too sure of, since I believe that dedicated video cards began to come out only with the advent of more demanding 3D-extensive games and programs. USBs were just barely carving a niche in the market, and CDs were only slowly being introduced as a new form of mass storage media. You see, when I was a kid, PCs didn't have hard drives yet. DOS was booted from the big floppy drive, and you had to run programs using their executables MANUALLY, There was no point and click, no double click, heck, the mouse was probably still under development during these early monochrome years.. Computer memory at the time was a mind-boggling 64 kilobytes!! I remember being struc with awe when my cousins bought a "highly advanced" 286 with an EGA (16 color) monitor, with their own hard drive whose capacity was a whopping 20MB!!! Whoa!! I was dumbstruck as I watched them install Hero's Quest 1 (all 10 floppies of it) on the HD and play seamlessly for hours without having to change the disk even once!!

Yea, those were good times indeed. Every new advancement shook the foundations of computer technology as we knew it, unlike the present age where the improvements are just a bit more of the same, and the changes in performance not nearly as drastic or groundbreaking as before. Sure, I acknowledge that the computer industry is still moving forward by leaps and bounds, but the joy of discovering something totally new and novel has long gone. We've taken technological advancement for granted that it's no longer fascinates us to see what new things the new hardware can do, as compared to how awestruck we used to be before..

Man, I sound like a techie granddad...

The battle lines have been drawn...

I just had my orientation for pre-residency which starts 2 days from now, and I am pretty hyped up about it. As I brace myself for what would probably be the toughest schedule that I have ever faced, my insides churn at the prospect of what lies ahead..

I guess I hit the nail right on the head when I told my folks that my life would be put on hold for this coming month.. Imagine having to go on-duty every other day, checking in at 630am and leaving for home 8pm the following day.. Damn...

And oh yeah, you're expected to be a good doctor during the time in between.. Remember, we will be 7 pre-residents fighting for only 4 slots..

I guess this will be one of the final posts that I'll be putting up in quite a while..

See you on the other side.