Hey there!
Buhay pa po ako! (I’m still alive!)
It has been almost a year since my last post, balikat at braso, september 22, 2013. And thanks to wordpress reminding me, today is my second anniversary! Woooh!
In celebration (and in summary), let me recount the things I survived for the past year.
- October 15, 2013 7.2 magnitude earthquake
It was around 7:30am and we were just doing our nursing rounds after the endorsement when the whole earth suddenly shook the soul out of me. I was in the male surgical ward and we’ve had at least 5 patients who are bed ridden, two immediate post operation, one paraplegic (paralyzed from neck down, but very well awake), 2 on ventilator, and a couple with chest tubes thoracotomy (with bottles of drainage).
I know it is my duty to save lives, but trust me, I just shouted, everybody out! and ran straight to the garden together with my 3 other female duty mates. All that could walk followed suit. The rest, including the paraplegic, I pity as they lay there helpless.
Soon I was drenched in sweat lifting patients out of the building (thank God it did not collapse, though cracks are visible). Finding them in the open garden area along with a thousand other patients from different departments was the next thing.
And don’t forget the aftershocks that lasted a month. Ugh!
- Yolanda PH
Mother earth was not done! Supertyphoon Yolanda slammed damaged destroyed wrecked my province, Leyte. November 7, 2013.
No words could describe how much sorrow I felt as I went home a week after the typhoon, with only a text message from my loved ones (mother, father, and sister), if worst came to worststst, I was the only one left here in Cebu.
Here are some pictures of our house…
overlooking the backyard
water, water everywhere
our kitchen
a ray of hope
poor greens
To add, working in a public hospital, the rush of incoming patients from the devastated region were overwhelming.
- RN HEALS Program
As 2013 ended, so was my contract as RNHEALS Program. The last day of duty was during the new year’s eve and I ended up taking blood pressure as the fireworks colored the background.
It was altogether inspiring since my parents and sister spent Christmas in the city with me, and a little bit depressing as I slowly accept that I may have been swallowed by the profession of which I’m passionate about.
the only thorn
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But wait, there’s more…
(should’ve been separate blogposts, but for now, take a bite)
– I got an option to extend my stay for another six months as contractual nurse and I happily accepted.
– Last April, I got invited to be the guest speaker during the graduation exercises of both my high school and elementary school alma maters(?) (haha, add that to the resume!)
– I’ve went canyoneering down the Matutinao river in Badian and even jumped 30 ft off a waterfall. I’m acrophobic and hydrophobic by the way.
– I may be in love and inspired again. Maybe that’s the reason why I’m writing again. Maybe. Just maybe. *wink*
So long !
realdale 