At the end of the day

One month is almost over and I can’t help feeling sad. Another month ending brings me closer and closer to closing another chapter of my life. In 3 months time, my life as a doctor to the barrio will end.

As much as I could, I try to document it. Take pictures of patients who see me at least once a week (sick or well), chat longer with pedia patients or even drown my eyes with the scenery in front of the RHU.

Part of that would be picking out the 10 Lessons that I have learned these past 18 months in the barrio.

Photo from Career Hub

1. If you want the world to change, change first.
2. Live simply. Learn to weed out the real necessities, like rice, from perceived ones, like a cup of frappucino.
3. Family is your most important wealth; especially when one feels alone. So appreciate them as much as you can.
4. Whinning never helps.
5. There are things that are within your control, some that are not. Learn to know the difference.
6. Rice does not grow miraculously in grocery stands. There are people who actually break their backs to plant, grow and harvest it.
7. TV is evil and one can survive without it.
8. Not all politicians are corrupt. Stay away from those who are.
9. Count your blessings. You will feel happier.
10. When all else fails, pray.

They all sound so simple. I only had to put it in writing so that when I go back to the rat race in the city, I have this to remind me. That life can be simple and uncomplicated.

At the end of the day, the choice is within our hands.

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He said, she said

Picture from Sandra Sunnyo Lee

This is a tale of a HE and a SHE who did things differently but ended up teaching me some of the greatest lessons in life.

She was a developmental pediatrician. He was a surgeon. They couldn't be more different than day and night.

She has a ready smile for everyone and encouraging words to students (despite your hanging off the cliff grades). When your answer is wrong, she'd make it look like, it's the right answer to the wrong question.

He, on the other hand, is known for his off-topic 'kwentong barbero' lectures, the Merry Go Rounds (this is what we call his teaching rounds during our Clerkship surgery rotation) and knack for embarrassing you in front of an entire room of patients (and relatives), with or without your consent.

She was a mentor. He was a tormentor.

She taught Ethics and Microbiology. He taught what else but surgery?

She was uber nice. He was ... indescribable.

She taught me that being a physician starts with patient care. Do what your conscience tells you. Get your way with people by being the best person you can be. Doing what's right and what's proper will make you a great physician.

He, on the other hand, taught me that this is dog-eat-dog world. No once gets to the top by simply being nice. Watch your back. Be tough. Be ready -- be it in teaching rounds, a surgery, or life in general. Not being ready might cause you a patient's life.

She's a Yin. He's a Yang. Just the perfect combination of a mentor and a tormentor to teach me about surviving this complicated profession, and a more complicated life, outside it.

Thanks to Drs. Cielo B. Malijan and Harry Go. You might not know it, but you taught me valuable lessons in life. Thanks.

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This is my contribution for The Blog Rounds, 9th ed, being hosted by PinayMegaMom.
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Planning Ahead

I just had to post this one forwarded email, by Teacher Carol from our UP FLCD egroups. I can totally relate.

PLANNING AHEAD

Author Unknown

The best gift anyone can give me this new year is a planner.

I like planners because I am a planner.

I like thinking ahead.

I like being prepared.

I get a high from being on top of things.

But some things are beyond planning.

And life doesn't always turn out as planned.

You don't plan for a broken heart.

You don't plan for a failed business venture.

You don't plan for an adulterous husband.

Or a wife who wants you out of her life.

You don't plan for an autistic child.

You don't plan for spinsterhood.

You don't plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to be young forever.

You plan to climb the corporate ladder.

You plan to be rich and powerful.

You plan to be acclaimed and successful.

You plan to conquer the universe.

You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.

You don't plan to be sad.

You don't plan to be hurt.

You don't plan to be broke.

You don't plan to be betrayed.

You don't plan to be alone in this world.

You plan to be happy.

You don't plan to be shattered.

Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.

But most times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan. But so does God in the heavens.

Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God's plans especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours. Often, when God sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger. True, we cannot choose the cross that God wishes us to carry, but we can carry that cross with courage knowing that God will neverabandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul. Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole. Sometimes, God sends us pain so we can be stronger.Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble.Sometimes God sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.

Sometimes, God takes everything away from us so we can learn thevalue of everything He gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by God's grace.

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