Confession of an Atypical Physician

"Atypical pneumonia is a term used to describe a form of pneumonia not caused by one of the more traditional pathogens. The term 'atypical' is used because atypical bacteria commonly affect healthier people, cause generally less severe pneumonia, and respond to different antibiotics than other bacteria." Source


A few weeks ago, I met up with a new friend. After waiting for him for several minutes, and seeing me for the first time, his first words were “Uy, ‘di ka mukhang duktor…!” (You don’t look like a doctor at all…)

I want to entertain the idea that the reason why he said that was because I look like a ramp model or a matinee idol but he was quick to say “…kasi mukha kang high school!" (…because you looked like in high school!)

It was not the first time I heard that.

Nurses in the ward would ask me how old I am because to them I have the physique of a 16-year old. They will jokingly say that I resemble somebody who’s just running an errand for his mom but then ended up having 24-hours duty in the hospital!

I can’t figure it out if it is a compliment or otherwise.

But on the other hand I admit maybe I really don’t look like a doctor—not because of my appearance but because a huge chunk of my personality and everyday life is very “un-doctor-like.” Let me share these things with you:

Generally, I don’t see myself in the future as a “hardcore physician” but, instead, I envisioned myself doing other things not related to medicine. I want to have a great family, serve the poor, be an investor, etc.

I want to put up a business that will be my main source of income (I see my medical practice as a form of service and compensation will just be secondary).

There are times I hate having patients! (if I am not in the mood!)

Sometimes, I don’t dress like a doctor. I am fond of wearing denim jeans, shirts, and sandals. There was one time I saw a patient in our house wearing only sando and shorts! (hehe!)

I am a budding entrepreneur, infopreneur, and soon I will be a financial consultant and will be in the business of educating people how money works.

Everyday I walk approximately 200-300 meters from Fatima University Medcal Center on my way home as a form of exercise (also to save money).

Before I go on duty at the hospital, I drop by at the chapel and ask for His guidance. After my duty, I say my thanks to God. I tithe. I pray the rosary with my family every evening. I even say a prayer before I insert an intravenous line (so that I won’t miss—but I miss the vein anyway!)

And there are a lot more!

Yes, I am a doctor. Unconventional, sometimes even radical!

iSTETHOSCOPE Medical Apparel

Hello guys! I’m launching my first line of medical apparels in the market—the iSTETHOSCOPE Adult BP cuff. So if you’re bored with your usual BP cuff, why not spice it up a little! For orders just email me.

P.S.
iSTETHOSCOPE Pedia BP Cuff to follow very very soon!

Smoking is Bad for Your Health

This morning I was approached by a pretty, young, sexy lady—asking me if I smoke.

You see, she's a promo girl working for a popular brand of cigarette. They were showcasing a new look for that brand name and as part of promotion she told me they are giving away freebies if I buy just one pack of cigar.

Fighting the temptation to flirt (which I did with utmost will power), I politely said that I don’t because it is bad for the health. (I felt the urge to enumerate to her conditions like pulmonary carcinoma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and halitosis but I thought it wouldn’t make sense.)

I returned the question to her. She said she does. But probably trying to connect with a potential buyer like me she said she’s trying to quit.

Our conversation ended as she approached another customer, sensing that her charms didn’t work its wonders to me.

Yes, she’s pretty but she’s a total turn-off to me.

Medical Trivias

Hello everone! I just want to share this interesting trivias I got from http://www.triviacountry.com/17_Medicine_Trivia.htm.
Enjoy!

How many miles of blood vessels are there in the average human body?
A: About 62,000.

How many fat cells does the average adult have?
A: Between 40 and 50 billion.

Do identical twins have identical fingerprints?
A: No. No two sets of prints are alike, including those of identical twins.

How much saliva does the average human produce daily?
A: One quart.

How many muscles are there in the human ear?
A: Six.

How many bones are there in the human hand?
A: 27.

What physical symptom is exhibited by those who suffer from blepharospasms?
A: Uncontrollable winking.

Where on the human face is there a muscle known as the corrugator?
A: On the forehead. It's the muscle that contract the forehead into wrinkles and pulls the
eyebrows together.

What part of the human body has the thinnest skin?
A: The eyelid--it's less than 1/100 inch thick.

How many bones are there in your big toe?
A: Fourteen, the same as in your other toes.

What is the average lifespan of a human being's taste bud?
A: From 7 to 10 days.


Truly, our human body is a product of ingenuity of a remarkable Creator! Astig!

Intubated

“This is the air I breathe

This is the air I breathe

Your Holy Presence, living in me…”

- Darlene Zschech (Hillsongs)

A few days ago we admitted a 54 year old female complaining of generalized body weakness, easy fatigability, and pallor. She was conscious and coherent, responding to the queries of her attending physician. I thought nothing special about her, probably just a case of iron-deficiency anemia.

Yesterday, I even talked to her in the morning, asking how she was. She still had body weakness although she was gaining some color after several transfusions of fresh whole blood.

Suddenly, in the afternoon she had changes in sensorium, to the point that her respiratory function stopped. She was eventually intubated. Her stat cranial CT scan showed massive bleed inside her brain, causing a part of her brain which contains the respiratory center to herniate down to the foramen magnum, thus the cessation of breathing. Before she was hooked to a mechanical ventilator I was holding the ambubag—her only means of respiration. Her children cannot help but cry because of the sudden deterioration of their mom. Silently, I said a little prayer for the family, and for her.

There she was, unconscious—dependent to the machine that was mechanically infusing air to her lungs.

Anesthesia

Today marks the end of my anesthesia roatation. During the past month, I was always at the operating room helping administer Bupivacaine and Midazolam to patients who were about to undergo herniorraphy or C-section. I experienced tapping the subarachnoid space several times (although some were traummatic, hehe) and delivering the anesthetic agent. I also experienced intubating for the first time but I must admit I still lack the suave moves in doing so. I guess the past month was a productive one because I learned a lot!

Yes, during the past month I'm a full-pledged "anesth" (short for anesthesia) intern. But aside from the technical stuffs, I'm also reminded during my stay at the anesthesia department of the little things a doctor like me should learn.

I learned how to be more humane and talk nicely to a nervous patient who's about to go under the knife, especially to an elderly or a child. To try to understand their intense anxiety and make them feel comfortable as much as possible before their procedure.

I saw the value of being nice to the OR staff (or any hospital staff for that matter), because they are the ones who will make your life easy as a doctor.

And, finally, being an "anesth" intern reminded me to be an honest doctor. Being in a position of authority requires one to keep his integrity intact. It's pretty hard to do, but not impossible.

Wounded Healers

Since yesterday I was having moderately-grade fever, cough, and body malaise. Well, it's been a while since the last time I got sick. Surely, going to the hospital almost everday would expose one to a lot of illnesses.

It just shows that we, doctors, are not superhuman beings.

I know of a medical intern who has cerebral palsy since birth. He's about to take the medical board exam in the near future. (And he is even married with one kid).

I had a doctor-professor, a pediatrician hematologist-oncologist, who suffered from poliomyelitis. She has difficulty in standing for a long time that's why she lectured to us sitting down. She's always with a cane.

I met a medical internist who is one of the best in his field. He's probably between 65-70 years old and he is undergoing dialysis due to failing kidneys. He still continues to attend small lectures and conferences to impart his knowledge though he had to be brought in with a wheelchair.

And there are many others who may not be suffering from physical ailments but is battling emotional, financial, spiritual sickness.

Again, we are not superhuman beings. We are very much susceptible to the many adversities of life, just like any other people.

But we continue to take part in the healing process. This is our commitment, no matter what.