Junior Intern

Hey guys... I'm receiving your comments and side comments on my side bar but don't really have the time to answer back.

This is me. It's my first assist in my Pediatrics rotation. The best day eveeer.

Clerkship is very tiring. I'll write about it very soon. I'm just trying to adjust again.

Take care :)

THE 8TH MEDICAL STUDENTS SUMMIT 2013

OPEN TO ALL MED AND PRE-MED STUDENTS!

The NCR Medical Student Summit is the annual assembly of the students of the National Capital Region cluster of Association of Philippine Medical Colleges - Student Network. It has been a venue for sharing ideas and experiences, introducing advocacy, a forum for national issues, and an avenue for socialization between students of the medical schools from the Greater Manila Area.

THIS YEAR'S THEME

Building on the many accomplishments of local physicians, the theme of the 2013 NCR Medical Student Summit is "Victories of Philippine Medicine." While recognizing the many challenges that face the Filipino physician, this year's event would like to highlight the triumph of Filipino medical innovators, successful Philippine health programs, and the possibilities available for the budding Filipino doctor.

WHO MAY JOIN?

Are you...

• A medical student looking for ideas on what medical field to pursue?

• A medical student looking to learn from the movers of the Philippine healthcare scene?

• Looking for an avenue to share your advocacies or medical researches?

• Looking forward to sharing and creating new experiences with fellow medical students from other medical colleges? 

• A pre-med student who wants to experience what it is like to be in a med event and be oriented to the different medicalschools?

• Simply interested in medicine?

If you are, then JOIN US at the NCR Medical Student Summit!

HOW DO I REGISTER?

(1) Interested participants may accomplish and submit the online registration forms in our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/medicalstudentsummit2013)

(2) You will receive an Acknowledgement Email and instructions for payment.

(3) Following payment, the deposit receipts will be emailed to medicalstudentsummit2013@gmail.com

(4) After confirmation of your payment, you will receive a Confirmation Form via email for Parallel Session assignments. Priority will be based on the chronology of Confirmation Form submission.

(5) Alternatively, you may opt for Batch Registration. Contact your local medicine student governments/councils for details.

HOW ABOUT THE FEE?

The registration fee is P 1,000.00 per participant for those who register on or before October 18, 2013. Participants who register beyond October 18 and walk-in delegates shall be charged P1,500.00 per participant. The fee shall cover expenses for all meals (2 lunch meals, AM and PM snacks, coffee and drinks, and the socials night dinner), conference kits, prizes and honoraria, and other conference expenses and logistical expenditures.

CONTACT US!

For clarifications, suggestions, or other inquiries, you may send us an email at medicalstudentsummit@gmail.com.

For urgent communication, you may contact the organizers at:

Noel Bernardo (UP) -- 09176315304

Kim Diwa (UST) -- 09178986164

Julius Caagbay (FEU) -- 09178190704

All stock effects used in this video (APMC SUMMIT TEASER) were purchased and duly licensed. No copyright infringement intended. Contact the organizers for more info.

The Neurological Side of Sleep

Sleep is a biologic process, which is cyclic, temporary, physiologic loss of consciousness that is readily, promptly and completely reversed by appropriate stimulus. Sleep involves all the neuro-axis, it just does not involve one part of the brain. It is a reversible behavioral state of perceptual disengagement and unresponsiveness to the environment. It is not a passive process since specialized areas in the brain work to maintain sleep.

Sleep follows a predetermined pattern of well-organized sequential stages and cycles. The structured temporal sequence produces a graphic display known as ARCHITECTURE OF SLEEP, also known as SLEEP HYPNOGRAM. Sleep will always cycle with wakefulness. You do not only sleep at one level. You sleep at different levels which also cycle itself hence there are sequential stages and cycle when we go to sleep.

The best way to determine of the patient is asleep or not is with the use of the ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG). This is done by putting on an EEG and apply wave, which measures brain activity and you look at the brain activity of the patient. EEG is the most important means to visualize different stages of sleep by studying brain waves.

According to various sleep theories, sleep is essential for body and brain tissue restoration, memory reinforcement & consolidation, restitution for autonomous functions, energy savings, synaptic and cell network integrity and adaptation.

What will happen to your brain if you do not sleep? It has been shown that impaired concentration, psychological imbalance such as increased irritability & hallucinations and subjective well-being impairment are the aftermath of sleep deprivation. With sleep deprivation for 60 to 200 hours, human beings experience increasing sleepiness, fatigue, irritability and difficulty in concentration. Neurologic signs include nystagmus, impaired saccadic eye movements, loss of accomodation, exophoria, slight tremor of the hands, ptosis of the eyelids, expressionless face and thickness of speech with mispronounciation & incorrect choice of words. During recovery from prolonged sleep deprivation, the amount of sleep obtained is never equal to the amount lost. 

Surpassing the Disappointment and Setbacks.

I've been too hung up on the fact that I filed a LEAVE OF ABSENCE (LOA) last semester during my Third Year as a Medical Student in the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc (UERMMCI) that I have been numbed to my feelings and at the same time been avoiding the subject matter per se.

But recent events had urged me to write about the feelings of what it is like to file an LOA since a freshman student from UP Manila committed suicide because of her forced LOA in response to her inability to pay her tuition fee.

As I try to find more objective evidences about this girl, Kristel Tejada from various news sources, one thing boils down... it is the disappointment of not graduating on time and regrets that stem from your goals in life for your love ones. I can relate because here I am, excited to be an intern at last next year but due to unexpected setbacks, I just have to learn how to cope on dealing with the fact that it's going to be delayed another year once more.

Take it as a Challenge.

I am ready to spread my wings and fly. 

Even if I have no sleep and no rest, it won't make me stop achieving the things that I want to accomplish in my life.

I don't know how. I am afraid. Everything is telling me that it's impossible (logically) but then again, my faith in God prevails. I know in the end, He will make all things possible if I just truly believe.

Don't let me go... I humbly pray. I am doing my best, I attest life as my bear witness.

But in the advent that it does, I will bear the pain--that awful pain of rejection and dismay.

Try as I must, but I can only do so much... I firmly pray that at least one sees that I at least did my best.

But even if no one else sees it, I will be standing still to be the only one to be proud of myself.

You don't know what I am going through so you don't have the right to comment on my very life.

You don't know what I have to endure just to withstand the pressure in this career I chose....

So close your mouth. Hush, the words come out are painful.

But in the end, I do not care since for me all your words are futile.

Trust in God, Angelica. He will be the one to get you through this unbearable test of strength in the field we chose, the field of medicine.

In the end, it would be worth-it. Just bear it mind, one day you too will be M.D.

Take everything as a challenge. Lift everything to God.

and....

LET GO.

Now, let's jump off the cliff and spread our wings up high as our Father in Heaven will bring us up high.

Find Ways to Motivate Yourself

My room is filled with little notes so that when I get depressed or burn-out with medical school, I am reminded on why I even did this in the first place.

Luckily, I have prepared my mind and soul for what awaits for me in this field. 

I guess, my one year break before med school was worth-it after all.

It taught me how to manage myself and how to stay focus despite the tough academic load. Maybe this is the reason why despite I have so much things to do for tomorrow, I find time to do what I want to do such as writing, hence the existence of this blog site.

I have pictures of people who matter the most to me so that when sh*! happens, I am reminded that they would be there for me. No matter if I would be at the lowest point of my life or at the highest, I know that they would back me up without judgment, without being too critical and without a single word that would hurt.

Thank you.

You don't know how your mere existence propels me to withstand this unbearable test of strength.

We will be doctors one day, and you wouldn't want your primary care physicians to be the first one to panic when things get rough. Maybe that's why they make things harder for us in order to be that source of strength.

I guess.

....

Like what my board says...

                                                                                                                                                 

"When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile."

                                                                                                                                                 

And so.... you are mine. Thank you. :)

When Death has No Bearing... Anymore.

Earlier on today, our group had to interview a patient in the medicine ward of UERM hospital, charity section. It was not my turn to take the history and physical examination so I just had to observe my other group mates. It was boring, sitting just there... watching.

So what happened was while I had to practically be there to support my group mates, the patient just beside our assigned patient was very friendly so in my usual talkative state, I kept her company.

We had a good conversation until we came across sensitive topics about death, doctors who only cares about money and how the poor would rather not consult a doctor due to their financial status.

I was numbed. I didn't know what to say to convince her of not giving up hope and to reconsider her belief that all doctors are after financial gain.

As we were having a wonderful conversation, I felt this pain in my heart that I want to help her more. I was so overwhelmed with her story on how all her life savings were washed away because of her sickness. She elaborated that she used to be a pay patient in our private hospital but because of her kidney problem (She needs to have a kidney dialysis every 8 hours, everyday for the rest of her life), she was robbed of everything. In her own words, "Naubos ang lahat ng kabuhayan ko."

My heart crushed. My eyes were tearing and that's when I realized I needed to wrap-up the conversation because if I did not, I will be swayed. And knowing myself when I get swayed, I might help this patient financially leaving me broke. LOL.

So as I was trying to bid farewell, I was crushed once more when she said that she thinks she wouldn't last another year with her condition.

Oh boy. Oh no.

I tried to comfort her, but all my words were futile.

So, the best thing I could do was to leave... immediately as I felt that tears were starting to fall.

First Day High

Just arrived few hours ago from school, and for some weird reasons I feel like writing. I'm having a lot of positive energy. Uhuh, it's some first day high madness and it's kinda cool.

I'm in the middle of organizing my schedule and my classes.

Finally, I'm on my third year in medical school. Can you imagine that?

I remembered the days when I was trying to figure out what medical school was all about as I watched the first year students gather in the cafeteria. I couldn't believe that I made it through. I mean with everything that has happened to me, I'm just lucky to have reached this far. My older brother and my grandmother died the summer before I entered medical school so the common scenario back then was hospital, funeral and cemetery. It was depressing.

Unlike others who were preparing themselves for med school, I on the other hand had to be physically and emotionally equipped to survive the academical load. Pity. If only things turned out differently, I would have motivated myself to excel in my subjects. But, alas God had other plans for me. I found my compassion however that summer. I realized that those sad and painful experiences happened for me to develop the gift of empathy, which I know would be important for my medical career.

... and the WINNER is: U.E.R.M.M.M.I :)

 This is so funny. I never knew that this blog would have so much viewers. Thanks guys. I'm happy that my blog entries are helping aspiring medical students. I only did this because I think better when I write. LOL. Hahhaa. And yes, I'm sorry, that I have been M.I.A. in writing this blog. Medical school has been eating a lot of my time at present. And yes, to those who care...the winner is the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical School. :) I chose UERM. :)

A Snapshot of UERM

UERM College of Medicine

The College of Medicine of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center was established in 1957 as the University of the East College of Medicine. In 1958, it became the first unit of the newly organized non-stock, non-profit foundation and renamed as the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. The foundation was named in honor of the late President Ramon Magsaysay who died in a plane crash in the same year. President Carlos P. Garcia described the founding of UERMMMC as a “great adventure, marking the advent in the Philippines of educational philanthropy”.


Outstanding Alumni of the College of Medicine

• Dr. Adrian C. Pena ’75- President, Philippine Society of Physicians, 2005
• Dr. Gabriel L. Martinez ’73 - Chairman, Board of Governors, Philippine College of Surgeons. 2005
• Dr. Romeo G. Encanto’72- Outstanding Professional of the Year 2005 in the Field of Medicine, awarded by the Professional Regulation Commission, 2005
• Dr. Sonia C. Rodriguez ’86- President Philippine Psychiatric Association, 2005
• Dr. Brigido L. Carandang ’68- National Representative, Association of Southeast Asian Neurologists, 2005
• Dr. Amado M. San Luis ’74- First Elected President of Asian and Oceania Association in Neurology, 2005
• Dr. Abdias V. Aquino ’73- President, Stroke Society of the Philippines, 2005
• Dr. Eric V. Nagtalon ’78- President, Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists, 2005
• Dr. Edith Magos-Regalado ’65- Most Outstanding Physician 2005, awarded by the Philippine Medical Association, 2005
• Dr. Susan Pelea-Nagtalon ’78- President Philippine Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005
• Dr. Romeo A. Divinagracia ’63- President, Philippine Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2005
• Dr. Oscar T. Cabahug ’83- President, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, 2005
• Dr. Norbert Lingling D. Uy ’79- President, Philippine Heart Association, 2005
• Dr. Gracieux Y. Fernando ’87- President, Philippine Society of Oncology, 2005
• Dr. Alberto T. Chua ’83- President, Philippine Society of Nephrology, 2005
• Dr. Cirilo R. Galindez ’78- PMA Governor, Northeastern Luzon, 2005
• Dr. Joven R. Cuanang ’62- President, Stroke Society of the Philippines 2002, Professor Emiritus in Neurology, 2005
• Dr. Jesus Tamesis, Jr. ’78- Councilor, Asian Neuro Ophthalmology Society, 2003
• Dr. Leonardo Almeda ’73- Chairman, Examining Board of the Philippine Society and Reproductive Endocrinology of Infertility, 2002
• Dr. Floro Madarcos ’76- President, Philippine Association of Academic Biochemist Society, 2002
• Dr. Antonio H. Villalon ’70- President, Philippine College of Physician, 2002
• Dr. Fidel Payawal ‘73- President, Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists, 2002
• Dr. Noel Carilo ‘76- President, Orthopedic Sports Medical Society, 2002
• Dr. Antonio Sibulo ’73- President, Cardiac Rehabilitation Society of the Philippines, 2002
• Dr. Josefina Cadorna-Carlos ’78- President, Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, 2001
• Dr. Noe Babilonia ’75- President, Philippine Heart Association, 2001
• Dr. Lauro Abraham, Jr. ’76- President, Philippine Orthopedic Association, 2001