SGH: The Spinning ER

Post originally published on InadvertentlyDomesticated.com by Ms C.

Hospital mentioned in this post is St. Joseph Medical Center, 1800 N. California St., Stockton, CA 95204

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Perhaps, this post is more appropriate to be posted on @grandtagonist’s blog, but since Ms B and I are trying to categorize our posts, I thought that, with the two klutzy monsters that I have, I would have a lot of SGH stories to share. To resolve this dilemma, I thought of sending this post over to @grandtagonist’s blog as well.

With the majority of our readers being women, I doubt that any one of you would be asking what SGH means. For whatever its worth, SGH stands for Seattle Grace Hospital, where the fictional characters of Grey’s Anatomy work. Strong emphasis on the word fictional.

Commercial: I want to say thank you to those who sent well wishes on Twitter and Facebook, and text messages on my phone that I WILL PAY INTERNATIONAL FEES FOR (LOL…kidding…greatly appreciated, you guys).

I’ve been having bouts of vertigo since Friday with excessive vomiting. I was able to power through on Friday night that I actually managed to go out and shop for a gift for this baby shower I was supposed to go to Saturday afternoon. I woke up on Saturday morning with the whole world spinning like crazy. Funny, it was one of those mornings we sometimes have when we have a particular line of a song that we keep singing in our heads. Ironically, the line I was singing was, I’d like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly (Fireflies by Owl City). No.Kidding.

I thought I was going to get better the way I did the day before, but I didn’t. I had only two slices of bread the entire day. Getting something down was such a challenge. By 8 pm, after my dad has had dinner, I decided to ask him to take me to the ER of the same hospital where I gave birth to Little HRH five years ago because of their impeccable service.

So, last night, I checked in and I was surprised to see big security men at the reception in place for the warm concerned looks of nurses. At this point, I was already thinking, what on earth happened here? Still, though, it was a promising start.

Big security guy: Ma’am, would you like to see a doctor?

Me: Yes, please.

Big security guy (seeing I was about to throw up, hands a bucket): Here you go, Ma’am? Would you like a wheelchair.

Me: Yes, please.

My dad filled up the forms and gave them to the triage. Everything was still moving efficiently. He asked the initial Why are you here? questions and sent me over to I-don’t-know-how-many nurses for my vitals, specimen and blood tests. Then they asked us to wait, which I thought, is still pretty normal as they bring my DNA samples to the laboratory and wait for results. The shocker was that they asked me to wait at the main emergency room lobby where family members are supposed to wait. The room was filled with people waiting for medical care. At this point, I was thinking, shouldn’t we all be in a bed INSIDE the actual ER? Apparently not. There were even notices all around saying that RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WHO CAME WITH THE PATIENTS SHOULD LEAVE THEIR NAMES AND CONTACT NUMBERS AND (a) WAIT IN THE CAFÉ, (b) WAIT IN THEIR PRIVATE VEHICLES or (c) WAIT AT HOME as they will be contacted when the patient is either ready to be admitted or discharged. WEIRD! See, I understand the risks, especially since we had that A(H1N1) scare a while back, but to make the patient wait alone in the MAIN ER LOBBY? Hell, no! Anyway, my dad stayed with me.

9:40 p.m.: In the main ER lobby, I heard people IN PAIN complaining that they’ve been there since 1 p.m. You already probably know what I must be thinking. Thankfully, I didn’t wait for over 8 hours to be seen by a doctor for 1 and a half minute to ask for information that was already IN THE CHART…just 5! He didn’t diagnose me of anything because it was clear it was “just vertigo”, nor did he say anything I could do to minimize the triggers, recommend food that are best for me to eat or anything. All he did was ask questions that were already answered and slightly dabbed his stethoscope on my chest for a fraction of a second and left.

At almost 3 a.m. a nurse came to stick an IV on me since I have not eaten anything, gave me oral medication and three intravenous ones. Oh, I was so high and I dozed off right away.

An hour later, nurse comes to tell us I’m being discharged, took the IV out and sent us back to the reception. I never saw a doctor again. Grey’s Anatomy could not be any more fictitious. There were no doctors fighting over patients. There were no doctors who are so dedicated to advocate for the patients. Hell, there weren’t even doctors on the floor that are attractive, but that’s subjective and let’s just say, it’s the drugs talking. There were hardworking nurses, though. Real hardworking nurses who are doing all the work – admitting patients, administering drugs, sticking IVs AND CLEANING UP ROOMS!

What the hell happened here? Maybe I just set my expectations so high. Maybe giving birth just demanded more delicate and prompt attention compared to what I was in for last night. Maybe.

Or maybe, it’s the signs of times. The recession. The new administration. The so-called road to recovery. The historical recent health care reform. I came back to the US when the lawmakers were still fighting about all these health care issues. It may be too late, but I’m going to dig into these issues and try to find out what actually demoted the quality of service to the ill.

I cannot believe I’m saying this, but my experience last night actually made me miss the pathetic Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City.

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The Capitol Medical Center experience deserves another post. The quality of health care services in the Philippines could not be more disappointing.

Capitol Medical Center is located at Quezon Avenue corner Scout Magbanua Street, Quezon City, Philippines

The Filipina

InadvertentlyDomesticated.com is a community run by two sisters, Ms B and Ms C. I have got to say, this blog has started some kind of buzz, no matter how barely audible for now, on Facebook and Twitter. Like most blogs today, this blog has greatly made use of Google Adsense. I am honestly one of the very few people who click on these ads. I find the most useful and, at the same time, most irrelevant online finds from there.

There was one ad displayed on the ID blog a week ago that was more than inappropriate. The ad said, “Philippine Wife/Fiance”. Already shaking my head, I clicked on the link. Apparently, this website gets you a bride AND takes care of her visa to be processed by the National Visa Center for only $195!!!

Now, like me, Misses B and C are both Filipinas, who are greatly proud of their roots. They actually blog about their experiences in the Philippines – good or bad, Filipino dishes, Philippine politics, vacation destinations all over the country and whatnot. I don’t think this should be the blog where such ads should be posted no matter how “relevant” the ad is to their post, in search engine optimization terms.

Sigh.

Then again, this reminded me of this sighting in Hong Kong when I was on board the train to Disneyland from the Tung Chung station with the entire family – parents, brother and sister, husband, brother’s wife, my two kids and my nephew. Just when you thought that a train that leads to nowhere but Disneyland and its resort would be wholesome, you find that you couldn’t be more wrong. In the same cabin where we were, was this Caucasian man who seemed to be in his mid 50’s with two teenage Filipinas who couldn’t be any older than 18. I was infuriated at the scenario. I wanted to pull the girls’ hairs! I want to yell at them and tell them that it is girls like them that damages the reputation of the Filipina. While I was thinking of all the things I wanted to tell these girls, I saw the dirty old man looking at me with the kind of look that would really disgust you. How sad can people get? I noticed that he took a glance at my husband and then back at me.

I figured out what he was thinking. My husband is Filipino, but looks Chinese. This dirty old man must have thought I nabbed myself a foreigner to save me from dying of poverty in my country.

Mrs. Grandtagonist

Facebook Tales: Showing Off the Money

Urbandictionary has two definitions of Facebrag. They’re basically the same, but for fairness’ sake, I am posting them both:

The second one was lame-o. So, let’s focus on the first definition, which made more sense and would be more fitting for today’s post.

Well, we all have bragging rights that we want to share (or rub in to the face of) with the world – our step up in our careers, our son or daughter’s academic excellence, our survivor-type adventures and so on.

But, when does Facebragging become “inappropriate”?

Sometimes you just can’t help it. You’re too excited on this trip that you’re about to take that, as soon as you get your tickets and book your hotel, you shout out on your status where you’re going and when. That’s fine. But would you post the itinerary of your trip – including the date and time, stopovers and transportation transfers – on your status and/or the wall of the person you’re traveling with? I wouldn’t. I shouldn’t.

For the past couple of weeks, Facebook has been on the surface of scrutiny because of all its privacy booboos. Now is not the time to post such details of your whereabouts. So, you’re going on a European cruise. So, you’re going to Venice, Pisa, Amsterdam, Nice, Paris. Oh. My. God. Paris. Didn’t the movie Taken shake us all to our very core?

Yeah, sure, your itinerary might not be as personal as, say, your home address, but how could you risk your safety like that?

Seriously. Weed out what you share in cyberspace…by tuning down your bragging urges.

Dodging Bullets: How to Stay in Power…For a Long Time

Ahh.. Philippines. The land of the morning. Full of vibrant, talented and happy people.  Home of the famous smog-screened sunset. Led by the smartest people in the history of third world countries. Successfully regained the top spot of the Most Corrupt Countries in Asia.

A proud race with ZERO tolerance (or humor) for satire or any JOKES about their people or their motherland.

I’m sure you’re dying of envy already. “How can I be one of the leaders of this proud nation? “, you say.

That’s easy!

Obviously, showbiz is the first step when running for public office. Or, you can earn a degree from one of the top universities in the country AND affiliate yourself with looooots of connections. Once you’re there, kiss some major ass or  use your alumni status for instant beneficial bias and work your way to the top. When you do, just keep in mind these tips:

1. Mingle with the Rich. RICH FRIENDS = NAME-DROPPING LICENSE

There are 94 million Filipinos and 8% belong in the AB market. Out of that 8% , most of them are already in government, socialite drug dealers, or mistresses of . Knowing them won’t be any problem at all.

Try to develop a love for casinos, horseracing, yachts and golf.

Always give priority to your rich friends when it comes to big government projects so that they’ll OWE you. That will be your leverage for the future.

If you have no intention of becoming a lawyer, make sure to be friends with the best lawyers in the country. You should already be safe from any kind of prosecution. Don’t forget: name-dropping works here. Use it.

2. Keep the Middle Class Where They Are: IN THE MIDDLE.

Civil wars start when the middle class is erased from society. That is when all that is left is the Super Rich and the Very Poor. You wouldn’t want your dear Philippines to fall into that. Otherwise, where will you get your Pork Barrel?  Middle Class = Working Class = Taxes = Partaaaaay!

Keep the next generation of Taxpayers contented with their mediocre lives. As long as they can buy their own food, watch blockbuster movies, and let them drive drunk on a Friday night, they’ll keep quiet.

When political tensions are rising, have American Idol losers, has-been pop icons, Nickelodeon stars, Disney on Ice or NBA players ready for a Philippine Tour. Schedule them strategically throughout the year. These should keep them busy and more importantly, they’d be spending their hard-earned cash!

You have to have all bases covered! Keep those couch potatos or graveyard shift employees stuck to their homes by having all their favorite shows on TV. Basketball, late night shows, talk shows, F1, World Cup, reality shows, etc. Make sure you have more of these than local news. DO NOT DISRUPT THE SYSTEM!

3. Keep the Poor Poor.

More than 60% of Filipinos are poor. Make sure they stay that way. No money might not mean no food, but it will surely affect education. 56 million brains working as one can definitely get you in trouble. You have all the tools to keep them grounded. Shower them with goodies once in a while. Money is always good. Again, they’ll OWE you.

These people are suckers for fantasy. Make sure your local showbiz is up and running. Soap operas will give them something to talk about everyday. These will also brainwash them that beauty is more important than anything else. Just be flawless and pretty, and you can make your way to somewhere near the showbiz industry. This will give them something to dream about and not to think about going to the streets to protest.

Remember, do not spread your wealth. You are outnumbered. Project yourself  as the “Jesus Superstar Cojuanco de Ayala-Sy”. The ONE. The only hope.

Neo: What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?
Morpheus: No, Neo. I’m trying to tell you that when you’re ready, you won’t have to

- The Matrix

Politics

News broke this week that the single mother daughter of Sarah Palin, Bristol, earns as much as 30 grand per speech. And she’s writing a book!!!!

photo source: The Huffington Post

On the other hand, 7-time world boxing champ, Manny Pacquiao won a Congressional Seat in the recent Philippine elections. According to a broadcasting network’s Twitter update, he is to take up Public Administration and Law.

photo source: examiner.com

Mediocrity is the Jesus of our age.

Homosexual Habits

I finally understand why gay men smile like this…

House-Hunting: Landlord Lies

Looking at classifieds for an apartment for rent in the Quezon City area for a couple of weeks, one stands out from the others – 2br, 1T&B, Kitchen space, laundry area, living room and parking for 1 vehicle. Its within a well-gated facility along a main road, lots of commercial establishments, and a pretty quiet neighborhood (whether you see being quiet as a good thing or creepy is up to you).

The apartment is cleaned, newly renovated (you’ll know why in a bit), and well-maintained. The price? Just 4 digits! It’s pretty much considered a steal here in our world given what I just said. Ok then. You like it? Good! Alright then, give copies of two ID’s, make the deposit, sign here and here and… here. Here’s a copy of our binding contract. Here are your keys. You have my number so just call me if there’s anything else you need.

Landlord leaves. Neighbor comes and talk to us while carrying boxes into the house.

“Pssst…Some time ago, someone hung herself to die in  this unit.”

Neighbor Leaves.

Address: 99 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City

Owner and Contact Person: Theresa Aprieto

We were given the unit 99-”O”. We thought it was weird that the letter of the unit given to us was too far from the chronological order of the alphabet compared to the other units. We theorized that they changed the actual unit letter for us as there might have been records of the suicide incident in the said unit that could possibly ring a bell on new and/or prospective tenants.

It took a lot of yelling with our contact person’s mother-in-law, who is a part owner of the apartments, lawsuit threats and a little over a month before we got our deposit back. Of course, we didn’t get it in full. Deductions? Utilities usage (as we’ve been moving stuff for a couple of days and we had to use electricity and water), parking space and pre-termination as stipulated in the contract.

I guess, on our part, we should have done more research. Learn from our mistake. Take the extra step and acquire more knowledge of the rental space. It’s worth it.