#upcm

[positive-infinity]

This is a late post! These are two photos with the people that made my IM rotation bearable :)

2 weeks ago, I finally ended my Internal Medicine rotation (6 weeks in the wards and 2 weeks in the ER). I definitely enjoyed managing patients in the ward. The ER was a completely different world, having to work in a limited resource setting with so many patients (each 1 intern having to handle 15-20 patients per shift). It was tiring, but definitely fulfilling.

[wurwurz]

Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch : Living-Donor Liver Transplant – Out of Line :30 | UPMC. Another narrated video HERE.

[rebelbeattt]

Let’s start counting from one to eight.

This might be the longest and most tiring way of counting those 8 numbers, but I guess also the most fulfilling one. Years ago, I have never thought about being an MD-PhD student. All I wanted back then was to become a doctor. I did dream of getting into UPCM and being part of Class 2023, but being surrounded by other stellar students, I can’t stop thinking that I’m not good enough to qualify. But here I am now, meeting these people of different backgrounds with whom I share a common goal - to improve and strengthen the Philippine health care system through research and medical practice for our Filipino people. 

I still have the same doubts of not being good enough, but this time, I plan to use these doubts as motivations to learn and explore my capabilities. The past weeks taught me that holding oneself from doing something because of fear will not resolve anything. We are all capable of doing and achieving great things, we just have to believe that we do. 

[kianmercado]

Because I rarely use my cam and ig’s aspect ratio is weird.

[cam-studies-life]

Enrollment Day

I studied in the same school all my life, so it’s my first time to enroll somewhere else. A few weeks before my scheduled date of enrollment, I started gathering the necessary requirements (ID pictures, High School transcript, chest x-ray, etc.). I read the Guide for Enrollment meticulously and followed all the steps indicated. The whole process went like this: 

A few days before my enrollment, I went to UP Manila to get my medical certificate from the PGH Health Service. I just needed to submit my x-ray results and my dental certificate and fill up a medical form. Afterwards, a doctor examined me and deemed me “fit to enroll”.

 On my scheduled enrollment day, I went to the OUR (Office of the University Registrar) and submitted all my requirements for enrollment. After these documents were processed, one of the employees gave me a paper containing my list of courses.

A freshman block coordinator, who acts as a guide for incoming freshmen, led me inside a computer room. There another student set up my account for SAIS (Student Academic Information System), which is basically where UP students can access their classes and their grades. 

I went to the Cashier to pay for my tuition fee. Afterwards, I received my Form 5, which contains my courses and my schedule. 

I went back to the OUR to have my ID picture taken. It was printed on the spot, so I claimed it right away and picked a lanyard. 

Overall, my enrollment process went very smoothly. Thanks to all the friendly and helpful FBCs who assisted me and my parents! 

[regnbogahimna]

Not my favorite week, not my favorite class activity, but I got to take photos so I guess I'm ayt. - Mediscene: Hero - March 2017

[positive-infinity]

This is the Primer given to UP Medicine Class 2021 four years ago when they were incoming freshmen. Along with a dependable team, I headed this project with a lot enthusiasm and inspiration. Looking back, I realized this is one of the projects I really gave my heart to. I did layouts of several pages, painstakingly drew the school map digitally, and even designed the cover. I’m bringing it back now because I want to give my classmates again something they can look back and treasure forever - our class yearbook. As the editor-in-chief, I really want to produce something meaningful for them :)

[positive-infinity]

My favorite rotation, so far.

I’m so thankful for my past self for choosing this elective. I was kind of apprehensive about this at first because choosing Pulmonary Diagnostics would mean I would be rotating on my own. It was a first, since I’m used to rotating with 19 other people. In the end, I’m glad it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made this year.

First of all, the Pulmo fellows and consultants were very accommodating. They really encouraged me to watch them as they perform bronchoscopy, spirometry, thoracentesis, and fluoroscope-guided biopsy on their patients. They even let me perform thoracentesis on my own!!! They also let me shadow them while they made their rounds in the wards and even let me perform simple phyiscal examinaton on some of the patients. On some days, we would go to the Out Patient Department to see patients. They even let me check up on patients on my own (waaaah!!! another first???). It just felt so surreal but of course I still needed to report my findings and suggested management to them. It was really a good learning opportunity, because they would often ask me theoretical parts and pathophysiology of the disease and they would patiently explain them if I can’t answer well. On other days, they would let me accompany them to the Intensive Care Unit and they would explain to me how a mechanical ventilator works. They would also review me on the basic physiology of respiration so that I can appreciate it fully. Lastly, they invited me to their annual mechanical workshop convention. It was a bit overwhelming to be the only medical student in a fancy hotel (upper photo was taken in the hotel’s restroom haha) with doctors and health professionals from all over the country. I got to listen to lectures of renowned pulmonologists in the country and even participate in the breakout sessions focusing on learning how to use the mechanical ventilator machines.

It was really amazing, and I felt really really really happy. It made me remember the joy of learning medicine without the pressure of exams and it really felt like I was just appreciating it genuinely. Throughout the days of this rotation, I would wake up feeling excited because there was always something new to look forward to. It was these kinds of moments that made me think: This. This is how learning should feel like. This is how it’s supposed to be. :)