Depression is no laughing matter

It puzzled me why we are polarized over TV personality's "joke" on national TV.

Filipinos love smiles and laughter. We make fun of ourselves and others laugh with us; other people laugh at themselves and we laugh with them. Happiness is ingrained in our culture as we make living easier to bear.

But issues about mental health, which includes depression, is something that everyone, not only doctors, should take seriously. It has consequences that affect both the person inflicted with the illness and the people around him or her. Just imagine how much a person has to go through fighting depression on top of his daily life struggles.

Depression and other mental health illnesses are difficult to recognize, but they are VERY REAL. I am not an expert on the workings of the mind (i would rather deal with microbes), but this is no laughing matter. A pronouncement on national TV that depression is ".. gawa gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila" may be understood as true. And for those who really have this illness, this may cause delay in seeking proper treatment.

The calls of the people on this personality's comments is not to undermine his ability for comedy, but to correct the damage he may have created. There is a fine line between what people will perceive as a joke or what they will believe as the truth. Straddling on this line may cause someone's life.


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" Indifference and neglect often do much more advantage than outright dislike" --J.K. Rowling


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As of this afternoon, Mr. de Leon has publicly apologized for his statements. This is commendable as he was humble enough to accept his ignorance on an important matter. and I agree that one good thing that happened with this fiasco is the enlightenment of people on the importance and impact of mental health illness, which facilitated a more in depth discussion.

once again

The worst part of any story, is for it to never have an ending.

Sometimes i just feel that life goes around in circles, when you feel you have come out of a sink hole, here comes another stupid act that drives you back in. There's really no other word for it except stupidity.

I want to be optimistic about life. But it gets depressing eventually to have things turn out not the way you planned. You find little joys in your day that makes you smile, and treasure it hoping for more.  But at the back of your mind, there's this nagging feeling that it will be a fleeting event. You try to hold on to whatever little you have, but like water in your hands, it just drifts away.

It gets tiring that i resorted to having short term, single goals. Hoping that other aspects of life will serendipitously fall into place.

I pray for it every day. And i still pray for it still.

But i am tired...

to see the sun shining

It was a bad day. More like a murky day. Surrounded by negative energy that people around me can also feel the tension.

I try to shrug it off and go about my business. But sometimes it just gets to you that your patience is tested way more than the length of patience you have set for yourself. And it came to a point that i had an outburst. It was a silent outburst though.

i was never confrontational at the onset. But if i cannot take it, i can talk upfront. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. For this instance, with the help of friends, i was able to show some restraint. I just had to internalize that this all boils down to professional jealousy.

I came home. And snuggled under my warm sheets. I had more friends encouraging me, boosting my self esteem. And so i slept soundly.

I woke up the next morning. It was rainy, dark. But i had a glow of just minding my own business. And it shows! A radiance from within. A sunshine amidst the storm.

Let jealousy be. I do not care.

angel

I received a viber message last December. It was an unknown number.

And when i asked who it was, it was you.

It was not a good time for me. And i guess you felt my indifference. And true to your form, i never heard from you again.

But at the time when i was most distraught, when i didn't know what to do... It was like a twist of fate, that you made your presence felt at the moment when i most needed someone to confide with.

It was something else. It was like you brought back the past, when we had each other, when i felt so safe and comfortable with you.

And i let go. I gave in to you.

After 8 years of parting ways, i never expected to have any connection with you.

I never thought i'll be able to forgive you.

I am not a forgiving person. I end up forgetting the whole person to non-existence.

But you didn't allow that to happen.

Maybe, it is a sign...

Maybe, the world is telling us,

we will forever be tied...

15 february 2014

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The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.

Steve Maraboli

view from afar

I first saw you a year ago. You were silent, shy. You barely smiled. And as much as i tried to catch your attention, you never responded. And so i conceded. But i know i find myself still giving you a second look every time you pass by.

Mystery and fate it may seem, when at my lowest times, i find you staring at me and smiling. Eventually, talking to each other. Ranting. Telling and listening to stories. Laughing a lot over dinner. You were a breath a fresh air, which i so badly needed at the time when i was choking.

You kept me afloat, without you knowing it. You saved me from drowning in my misery. And i will forever be grateful for you being my strength.

And now, as i try to stand on my own, i still see you. But this time, i watch from afar. Maybe, in my silence, you will also give me a second look.

7 february 2014

----------o0o----------

There is an innocence in admiration: it occurs in one who has not yet realized that they might one day be admired.

Friedrich Nietzsche

Bitter-bitter-an

Isang kabaliwan ang maging masaya.

Sino nagsabi na dapat ang tao maging masaya? Kalokohan yan.

Walang karapatan ang tao maging masaya. Dahil kahit gaano ka kasaya, kahit sa tingin mo ay nasa langit ka na sa sobrang saya mo, maghintay ka, mawawala lang yan ng parang bula.

Yun nga mas mahirap e. Kung mas mataas ang inabot ng kasiyahan mo, asahan mo, mas masakit ang lagapak mo sa lupa. Mas supalpal sa mukha mo ang katangahan na ginawa mo. At mas mararamdaman mo ang sakit ng kalungkutan, sa sobrang taas ng kasiyahang inabot mo.

Proportional yan e. Your happiness is directly proportional to your sadness once you reverse the equation. Di pa ma-disprove ang batas na yan. So an increase in happiness, means an increase in sadness. Simple lang diba?

Alalahanin mo na lang ang panahon na sobrang saya mo dahil sa isang regalong nakuha mo nung bata ka. Laruan na paka-asam-asam mo. Aba! Kung laruin mo araw-araw ay parang walang bukas. Kasama mo pa matulog. At sa bawat paghimbing mo, alam mo na kuntento ka na. Pero hindi! Isang araw, nakita mo na lang nasira ito, o nadungisan, o natastas. Basta, biglang nawalan ito ng silbi. Iyak mo na lang nun diba? Kaunting dabog sa nanay. Pagmamakaawa na bilhan ka uli. Pero dahil kasalanan mo, wala na tong kapalit. Kahit ilang luha pa ang iiyak mo, tapos na. Wala na. Move on girl!

At yun nga. Wala kang magawa kundi pilitin humanap ng bagong kasiyahan. Tiisin ang walang laruan. Matuto ka makuntento kung anong meron ka.

Bata ka pa nun. E ngayong malaki ka na? Ano na lang ang lungkot mo? Times 5 pa ang hirap! Dahil mas complicated na ang buhay. Hindi lang laro. Hindi lang dahil sa laruan. Ang daming factors na pampagulo pa lalo, at pampahirap.

Ano na lang ang saya mo na natanggap ka sa una mong trabaho diba? Matapos ang ilang panahon, di mo na rin makaya  dahil ang boss mo ay sobra kung tratuhin ka na halos nawalan ka na ng respeto sa sarili mo. Gusto mong umalis pero naduduwag ka. Ay girl! make up your mind! Stay or go! Sadness or sadness!

Ang saya mo nung na-promote ka. Malaki na sweldo mo. Permanente ka na. Pero goodness! Naging bahay nman na ang opisina mo. Kulang na lang ay pati maligo gawin mo na sa opisina... O baka nagawa mo na? Sige. Dyan ka na! Yan na life mo!

Ang saya mo sa bagong kotse mo, kaso tumaas ang gasulina o nagasgasan ito o baka nabangga at ang hassle na lang ng police report at insurance. Aba! Sa maynila ka nag-drive e. Pareho kayong may kasalanan!

Ang saya mo nung bago kayo ng boyfriend mo. Aba! Honeymoon stage kaya. Hanggang ayan, nawawala na. Di mo na alam kung ano nangyayari. Biglang labasan na ang kaliwa't kanang issues at dahilan na di mo alam kung san nanggaling na ang gusto mo lang isigaw ay "kasalanan ko ba yun? E di pa nga kita kilala nung panahon na yun e!". Susme! Simple lang dapat ito!

Gusto mo sumigaw dahil ang saya mo. 

Gusto mag-mura dahil sobrang lungkot mo. 

Gusto mo umiyak sa saya. 

Gusto mo humagulgol dahil sa lungkot

Di maalis ang ngiti mo sa sobrang kasiyahan.

Sa loob-loob mo, pinagtatawanan mo ang sarili mo dahil inulit mo na nman ang mali mo kaya malungkot ka.

Goodness!!! Ano ba naman ito? San ka na lang lulugar?

O di ba? Kabaliwan ang maging masaya?

4 pebrero 2014

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“Kung nagmahal ka ng taong di dapat at nasaktan ka, wag mong sisihin ang puso mo. Tumitibok lang yan para mag-supply ng dugo sa katawan mo. Ngayon, kung magaling ka sa anatomy at ang sisisihin mo naman ay ang hypothalamus mo na kumokontrol ng emotions mo, mali ka pa rin! Bakit? Utang na loob! Wag mong isisi sa body organs mo ang mga sama ng loob mo sa buhay! Tandaan mo: magiging masaya ka lang kung matututo kang tanggapin na hindi ang puso, utak, atay o bituka mo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyari sayo, kundi IKAW mismo!”  - Bob Ong

week 3: sustain

letting go

less messages. less conversations. For fear of hurting or being hurt

to immerse yourself with work just to keep the mind occupied

to push yourself to stand alone

to will yourself to move on without anyone's help

to start living again

and maybe in time

be able to walk alone

week 3: sustain

4 february 2014

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I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.

Charlotte Brontë

Week 1: survive

prayers and mass

friends near and far

a moral compass

a down's syndrome patient asking for prayers

a girl crying in the chapel while praying

a reflex glance at black cars

avoiding eye contact

daily morning greetings

nightly conversations to smile and laugh

a sparkle in the eyes

maybe, i can live another week

week 1: survive

22 january 2014

----------o0o----------

But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself.

Albert Camus

prayers for strangers

I was in the adoration chapel, praying for God's mercy, tears welling up in my eyes. I committed to pray the rosary especially when i feel like crying. At least this way, my eyes and lips get to do something worthwhile. After the sign of the cross, i stood up, went to get my shoes, then i heard a woman's voice calling "Miss, miss". A reflex to such impersonal recognition, i looked at her. She was cradling her son, who had Down's syndrome. "Yes po?", i politely asked her, half expecting her to ask for alms. "Miss, makiusap lang po ako. Ipag-pray nyo naman po ang anak ko na sana matanggap sya sa Down's syndrome society. Marami po kasing benefits dun." That took a while to register until i told her, "opo ma'am. Isasama ko po sya sa dasal ko parati". "Salamat po" was her joyful reply.

I was still processing what happened. And what could that have meant at this time of my life. I went to hear mass after. At the end of the mass, i sat down for a while. Collecting my thoughts, trying to control my own sorrows, when i heard someone sniffling. I looked to my left and kneeling on the next row of pews was a girl, crying and praying. I have seen and been through such depression, and i know how one can be left hopeless enough to succumb to crying while praying. I can feel her heart's pain as she wipes down every tear that falls on her cheek. I am not sure if i should approach her or leave her in her solitude. Helpless as she is, i knelt down and prayed to God to have mercy on her and to ease her pain.

It's been more than a week and i have been praying for God to have mercy on me and to show me miracles. But each time i do, i tend to believe that  these two strangers are my miracles. I pray for them daily and may God show them His mercy.

22 january 2014

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Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.

---C.S. Lewis

insanity in a day

days of tears and sadness, when as if the world has left me with nothing

then comes a ray of sunshine, simple meetings, simple messages, that unexpectedly made me smile

as my head lingers above the clouds, a vision pulls me back to reality, reminding me that my grief has not ended

attempts to break away from the harshness of pain blurs my mind to the little joys that surround me

until i hear that beep, asking me, and giving me once again that funny flutter of butterflies in my stomach

is it too soon? is it too fast?

is it time to go through this again?

i do not know.

swirling in my head are the ups and downs of emotions that is driving me insane

do i have to choose now?

16 january 2014

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A sense of freedom

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others".- Nelson Mandela 

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I can say that i was educated by the government of the Philippines. My elementary education aside, i have been taught in a public school during the formative years of high school and college. I have walked out of class to join  rallies, see a pill box explode meters away from me, join students backed up against the wall as frat men chase each other w/ cutters, and ultimately see an unknowing college student gunned down to death and be rushed to the nearest hospital. But despite this seemingly morbid scenarios, I still value my public eduction, and it was instilled in my mind the real freedom that was given to me. I experienced the mass walk-out of students with professors included, when the people gathered in front of the EDSA shrine for the second people power. Seeing the senators and the generals walk by, as one by one they declared their support to oust President Estrada. I have never been so proud to be a Filipino. I have learned to sing UP Naming Mahal and the Philippine national anthem with my fist raised in the air.

And thus, I continue post-grad training in medicine in a government institution, and even pursue further residency training in a government hospital. I did try to embark on a private road for my residency training, but it was a failed course. "I wanted more learning" was my reason for leaving. And so i learned. I learned from the patients with different cases that we handled. I have taken on the knowledge passed to me by my seniors and teach them to my juniors and students. I treasured every teaching rounds done by the expert consultants as they showcase their skills. I am still at awe whenever I see a case that even with the most minimal of diagnostics, a severly ill patient can be pulled out of death, and have him walk out of the hospital alive. oohh! the learning was intense and cutthroat.

And i learned big time. What i got from my 3 years of residency experience in PGH was multi-tasking to a level unimaginable. I was not just a doctor, i was also a nurse, a social worker, a "manang" and a "bantay." No one was in charge of my patients except me. If i do not make rounds on my patients, no one will. If I do not re-order the entries of the fellows, they will not be carried out by the nurses. I've learned to prepare inotropes and hook them on a hypotensive patient. I have learned to mix antibiotics and push them thru the IV line of septic patients. I have begged for blood, run up to the blood bank to waive the crossmatching, and hook the blood to a patient with massive gastrointestinal bleeding (after a dose of hydrocortisone and diphenhydramine that is). I have pushed a dyspneic patient on a stretcher, through the crooked hallways of the hospital, up the rickety elevators to the echo room and have a massive tamponade stare at you for an emergency pericardiostomy. And I have begged for funds, sought the help of social service, talked to different charitable foundations, even the church to give a patient money so that she can have dialysis. 

Three years of residency has not only taught me to have a thick face, to endure the roughness of the system, but to eventually be numb to the labyrinth of the hospital system. This bureaucracy must have trickled down from the high government to the lowest ranks in the hospital. I have learned to see the price of our freedom- the overflow of people and yet still have a shortage of skilled workers, the abundance of knowledge yet still see the lack of education among the people, the richness of our resources, but have poverty reek throughout the hospital.

Oh yes! Freedom has a price. And as i once again sing the national anthem, clench my fist, i am unsure if i should raise my hands or keep it on my chest. It made me think, is this the price of freedom?

a breath of peace

No. This is not a post-election blah-blah about how our freedom is once more exercised. I think we can see that with our blind eyes (ye.s i say this because I do not think that we are entirely free. But this is a different story). Sorry to be a disappointment, but i speak of a different kind of peace.

Today, i found myself distraught, confused, panicky, maybe a little hormonal. Almost to the point of what we have often referred to in medical school as BRP or brief reactive psychosis. I cannot put a grasp on it but I cannot seem to bring myself to waking up and living another day.

Yes. Today I woke up wanting to sleep eternally. Something was holding me back, preventing me from living a life, as if chains were wrapped around my neck, strangling me to death. My head hurts so much not knowing what to do... and so, I've gone auto-pilot just to survive.

I went to the hospital to make rounds- in a pair of pant-shorts and black high heels, covered by my smock gown, appearing as if nothing is wrong, when in fact, my mind is not in the same room as I am. still, i did my job-- in auto-pilot that is. did what was required of me, nothing more but nothing less.

however, in the process of my absent-mindedness, in between walking up and down the stairs and texting and calling using any of my 2 cellphones, i happened to have dropped both in the process, causing one to simply reboot. this especially added to the stress i was feeling because i cannot simply fix it or i am just not in the proper mind to know what to do...

and so i went home. hooked it to my laptop and restored it to initial settings. for the next 2 hours, in front of the TV, i found my surroundings suddenly silent.

amidst the hustle and bustle of the city life, the noise of the hospital, the loudness of the paging system and the calls, my mind seemed to have been overwhelmed by the insanity of the world i chose to pursue. and unfortunately, i wasn't able to handle it.

but for that 2 hours, of laying back, of rebooting, of silence, i got to re-arrange my thoughts and, like my phone, re-boot my mind. re-focus on what i came to do. revert back to my goals and live towards a vision i've always imagined.

and so, i find myself thankful, being released from such chaos. for that few hours, i found myself at peace

18 may 2013

in memoriam (part 2)

the world has lost a beautiful person. (PART 2)

last week was particularly devastating for the medical community, especially the small community of infectious disease specialists. we lost 2 prominent figures in our field. i am priveleged to have known them both.

=====o0o=====

I'm sure when dr. Vilma sees me writing a blog about her, she'll tell me to make her look beautiful.

Dr. Vilma Co, or as she wants me to call her, ate vi, was one of my mentors when i was a hospital epidemiologist in makati medical center. I remember that time when she interviewed me first. i was actually scared coz i heard stories about how strict and obsessive-compulsive she was. but after a failed stint in residency, i had to find a good paying job with maximal learning. And just my luck to have such an opening in one of the biggest hospitals in metro manila.

unfortunately, my biases were broken fast. i was not interviewed by a strict boss (that was a different person :-)), but i found myself having a conversation with a colleague.  i did not expect her to treat me as an equal, but dr. vilma treated me as such. She gave me responsibilities that i never expected a boss to give a newly hired employee. but all of these, under her meticulous eyes (which i hopefully passed with flying colors!).

She was a techie senior ID consultant, with the latest macbook air and latest phone. She didn't want anything printed. everything was reviewed online (i think, i strained my eyes several times coz of this). whenever we'd find ourselves going overtime, here comes the food delivery. she knows i'm always hungry :-).

Everyday, especially after her clinic hours, I'd find myself in her clinic making chismis. Oh goodness! i remember all our chismisan- from our previous work <wink, wink>, to the poeple we previously worked with, to beauty tips, and even our love lives. As always, i got the sisterly advice of "it will come" (i wonder when???).

Then came the time i had to leave my job for residency. it was with her blessing. and dr. vilma knows i'll follow her steps as an ID specialist. But even with a different affiliation, everytime i find myself in makati med, i'd visit her if i can, even just to say hi. and often, i'd find myself texting her, especially when i'm worn out. she never failed to lift me up.

sadly, the past 2 years had been difficult for dr. vilma. she wasn't well. and i can feel her sufferring through her text messages. Then last week, the world lost Dr. Vilma Co to breast cancer.

I never got to see dr. vilma before she passed away. as one of my mentors (dr. dorothy agdamag, who is also my ate) told me, "alam mo naman yan si vilma, gusto parati maganda sya sa paningin ng tao. ayaw nya na makita syang pangit". I guess that's why she didn't want to be seen suffering.

I just realized, i can never make dr. vilma ugly in words. such soul will always be remembered beautiful.

And now, God has rewarded one of the best ate's in the world with the gift of eternal happiness. I'm sure, Dr. Vilma Co is enjoying paradise.

=====o0o=====

in memoriam (part 1)

the world has lost a beautiful person. (PART 1)

last week was particularly devastating for the medical community, especially the small community of infectious disease specialists. we lost 2 prominent figures in our field. i am priveleged to have known them both.

=====o0o=====

Dr. Lita Vizconde was our ADHO when i was still a medical student in PGH. not only was she the assistant director then for hospital operations, but she was our adviser during our Pasay community programs. i remember that i was always with that group of girls who will ride with her (with a driver of course!) as we snaked through the metro manila traffic to go to our community. she would then observe us as we conduct our trainings to the barangay healthcare workers. The best part of our long day, was a meryenda treat from her in Robinsons ermita. This was a monthly thing for our whole clerkship year, finishing the productive year at Chef de Angelo. We were one of the lucky groups to be handled by such kind soul who was so easy to get along with, always in a happy mood, and who made us appreciate community medicine (and not just for the regular treats :-)). And as we ended our 4th year, we gave her our parting gift, a bangled bracelet, coz she was so fond of such.

Come internship, w still had moments to interact with Dr. Vizconde. Many times, I found myself begging in her office to give me blood for my patient in medicine. And she was always so kind as to give me even 1 bag of pRBC or 4 units platelet concentrate. Oh how happy I would be! I do not think i would be able to swallow my pride if it wasn't Dr. Vizconde I was dealing with.And despite the toxicity of internship, i was still able to find some time to sit in her office (away from the orders and still be on an official business :-)), a have small talk on life and the future. Many times during these small talks, I had noticed her wear the bracelet we gave her.

But as all good things come to an end, Dr. Lita Vizconde succumbed to cancer a week ago. But i'm sure, her happiness now is eternal.

=====o0o=====

Used

It's unfortunate to meet people and be used. But sadly it happens.

I believe nothing is free in this world. Everything, every act, every deed costs something. Someone will do you good, but that always comes with a price for that person- may it be his satisfaction, or inner happiness, or flirtation- whatever it may be, it always comes with something in return. Most often, for the good ones out there (of which i also believe that man is innately good, but that's another story), there is mutual benefit for the two parties involved.

Unfortunately, there are people who simply use others for their personal gain, draining every resource, every emotion from another, until he'll find no use for that person and just drop him off. I call them simply the "users".

And i'm sure you know that there are a lot of them around, waiting for their next prey to use. Unfortunately, for unsuspecting people- like me (so stupidly naive!), you rely on the innate goodness of the person believing that goodness was presented to you. And that's when you get hooked into a blood-sucking game. But you're the one being drained of everything you have. Then comes the point when after giving so much, you start to need something. Then you ask for help. And such is the start of being dropped off. You're no longer needed. You're of no use anymore coz tou have nothing to give.

I'm sure, most of us have fallen to such predators. They lurk around. So be cautious. Leave while you can. Run if you must. When the red light starts blinking in your head, listen to that.

But if you've fallen to such antics, always remember it was never your fault. I believe that good always result in goodness and bad will be returned as well. Pretty soon, karma will befall that person who did you ill. All we can do is be thankful that somehow we have rendered help and assistance to someone in need (or we thought was in need). Sure it wasn't returned by the same person, but soon it will be returned a hundred fold in a whole different way.

I belive in karma. Your goodness will be accumulated and good karma will come your way in the most unsuspecting but rewarding circumstance.

And for that person, sooner than you expect, his bad karma will make him remember he's human, that he's in no way above anyone, no matter how powerful or influential he thinks he is.

Believe. And the world will soon turn.

pursuing happiness

It is only now, at 32, when i found myself thinking if i have really been happy.

Four years of high school, 4 years of college, 5 years of med school, 3 years of residency, i found myself hanging on to the security of continuing education with the fear of change.

Six years of earning on my own, i enjoyed the perks of having my own money to spend for some luxury and for that sense of fun and freedom

Eleven years out of college, i started my independence, in the process, looking for that ultimate happiness- career, education, relationships. Lots of ups. But lots of failures as well.

Now, in my third year of residency, my third vacation during residency, i found myself thinking, have i really pursued my happiness?

Met with friends and relatives who took us to good places to eat- restaurants, large buffets, that i just had to stuff myself with all i can see and finish everything off (so glad i don't gain much weight). Ahh, why haven't i tried this before?

I found myself in a vegas hotel room, waking under a warm blanket late in the morning, with the view of the strip. Ahh why haven't i done this before?

Went out to the outlet shops and goodness! I never thought such can be that cheap. Ahh why haven't i bought much stuff before?

In a party in LA, there was this cute puppy who is just so gorgeous! Mumu is your ultinate toydog, ultimate companion. Ahh, why haven't i had one of these

In the same party, my cousin brought her 8-month old baby girl, carried her in my arms. tried to pacify her crying (well she doesn't know me), and eventually she did. made her laugh, and i laughed with her. Ahh, why do i not have one of these?

At 32, i thought i would have done a lot but i realized, i have a lot more years to spend looking for happiness.

Maybe i'm living my life wrong.

Life is short. I choose happiness. Let go of sadness or anything that will just lead to that.

With that in mind (and not stepping on anyone's toes), i can never go wrong.

Be happy.

health from the eyes of a citizen

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”--- World Health Organization

The 1978 Alma Ata Declaration stresses the importance of health as an essential human right. It also recognizes the existence of inequalities in health, especially between developed and developing countries.

abandoned

I heard on the news that a baby was found wrapped in a plastic bag, hanged on a tree. The people of the neighborhood came across the child because they heard a cry somewhere and followed it. Lucky that the baby was still alive. But thinking about this, whoever left her there, left her for dead. How can a mother have done such a thing?

a mother's woes

Allan was a 31 year old male, whom I admitted due to persistent abdominal pain. He is married with a 1 year old son, previously worked as an office employee until this illness which made him stop working. He was admitted in the hospital accomapnied by his wife and mother for a 2 month history of abdominal pain.

in prayer

As i walked through the male ward of internal medicine, i saw a patient sitting at the side of his bed, head bowed in silent prayer, beside him was a priest. It was one of the most solemn scenes i have witnessed.