OR assignment

Among the 20+ volunteers in MCGH, there are only 3 of us assigned at the operating room. Siguro kase hindi kami mukhang maingay at behaved kaming tatlo. I want the OR slot kase malinis at kakaiba ang mga makikita mong mga bagay at eksena sa loob ng OR. We three were lucky to get the OR slot because this is a special area and MCGH (Mary Chiles General Hospital) is offering low training fees compared to other training hospitals. MCGH advocates harmony among their employees and health care professionals. What they're looking for in a potential applicant is a good attitude and good performance. They are not so much impressed with bookish or smart-alecking trainees. Almost all the staff in the OR emphasized to us that "don't assume; always ask first before trying to do anything, or else you're screwed; magpaka-bibo ka lang maaabsorb ka dito." So nice to hear those tips and advices. The chief nurse said that they will extend your stay into 4 months if they like your performance, otherwise, you're only given 2 months of training and then they will let you go. Hindi sila nagpapaasa or namemera lang.

Day 2 at the OR

My legs are sore. Standing for almost 8 hours at the OR is like a "Survivor" challenge. The only time I was able to sit comfortably was during lunch break. It was a heavenly lunch. Aside from abling my legs to rest, the tinolang manok at the hospital canteen was so good (medyo nabitin ako sa serving).

First case was CS (cesarean section). My colleagues, Ruby and Rainier, were standing at the unsterile periphery of the OR observing like grade schoolers at the CS procedure. From time to time, we were asked to hand out sponges and water to the scrub nurse. The next case was cauterization. Don't ask which part of the body will be cauterized. The next case was TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate).

As what I've expected, the nurses and doctors are all nice and accommodating. Kahit na volunteers lng kami, we were given nice treatment and warm welcome from them. There's harmony among them, even among the surgeons. I think tatagal ako sa institution na ito. Aside from masarap ang tinola at mga food sa canteen, okay makisama ang mga tao dahil tao ang trato nila sa mga tao.