God’s reason for my delay

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Aside from this COVID-19 crisis, God has a reason why he delayed my flight to the United States. Instead of getting impatient, I even thank him for he let me spend most of my time doing the things that I’ll definitely miss like spending time with my family and awakening my talents. But aside from that, through this delay, I got to know God better.

Each and everyday, my need to follow His footsteps grows.  As I wake up early, I find the stillness of the morning my avenue to thank God for another wonderful day and to praise him for the awesome creations he gave for us. The freshness of the wind and twitting of the birds are music to my ears as I feel his mighty presence and imagining that I am talking with him in the paradise. The inspirational books in our shelf serve as my fuel to strengthen my faith.

Because of this delay, I found my purpose and existence in life. I turned away from my wrongdoings and followed God’s teachings by reading the Good News in the bible daily. I watched Bro. Eli Soriano’s bible expositions. My family made a strong connection to God by reciting the rosary in the evening, calling Mama Mary to relay our petition to God for world peace and the discovery of cure to this virus. This is a beautiful conversion for us to be closer to God and put him as our center of our family.

God is truly amazing! Days turned into weeks and I didn’t seem to mind the day of lifting of the quarantine.

Thank you, Lord Almighty Father for the delay. I’m savoring the time I left before I leave home. I will definitely miss my father’s homecooked meals, meaningful conversations with mother and the fun times I had with my siblings. I come to appreciate that no matter how financially challenged we are, I am blessed with a family who share the same passion and interest as mine and that is to get to know You.

Thank you, God for giving me the chance to improve myself.  This is just the beginning. You opened my heart and soul and you made me realize that your love is eternal. You are always there when we are persecuted and suffered greatly.

I hope that as I live in this temporary life, I will propagate your goodness and will strengthen my faith when times are not in favor of me. You are my salvation. You are the God of wonders!

Home Service MedTech at your service!

My mini homeservice kit 

In the laboratory, we offer home service. Yes, a patient can have his/her blood drawn in the comforts of their home. That means they could get a phlebotomist to do the venipuncture and shall be the ones to deliver the samples to the lab.

My first home service was memorable. At that time, I was assigned in the Clinical Microscopy and medtechs assigned in this section will be the ‘first call’ if there is any home service available. At around 10 in the morning, while I was processing urine samples, the lab encoder informed me that there would be a home service and I should prepare the phlebo kit since the driver was waiting.

After knowing the request, nervousness hit upon me and several questions popped out like, What if the patient is hard-stick? With fragile or collapsible veins? What happens if I can’t get a blood sample?

I always blame myself for being so pessimistic but I need to do this to keep my pride. Since this was my first time being a home service medtech, I decided to bring an intern as my assistant. As I prepared the kit, the driver was indeed waiting for us so after I made sure that my provisions are complete, we went with the driver to the parking lot.

Whoa, at first, I really felt uneasiness within as we were on our way to the patient’s house. Good thing the driver was talkative as I asked him questions about the patient. He said that ‘Sir’ is nice and there is nothing to worry about. They used to have an on-call medtech before (a former colleague) when that medtech decided to work abroad so they don’t have a choice but to get another one.

The patient lives at an exclusive villa and as we were near the place, I could say that he’s extravagantly rich as the gates automatically opened and the landscape of the house was breathtaking. I and my intern thought it was like a retreat house. Their house was so peaceful, the twits of the birds and the freshness of the wind welcomed us.

Panic started to crept when we were led by the caretaker inside. The patient was already there and I told myself that I will get the blood as soon as possible. I greeted ‘Sir’ and I figured he’s a nice man already in his 70s. I looked at his lab request, it was Executive Panel C. That would be 3 EDTA tubes, 3 Red Tops and 1 ESR. As I asked him to stretch his arms, what a big relief I had in my body as the man’s median vein was palpable! Thank God!

I decided to use Evacuated Tube System and I successfully filled the tubes. My intern helped in assembling the supplies and after I filled the last tube, removed the needle from the vein and applied pressure, the patient didn’t complain. I put the labels into its respective tubes and the patient gave me the homeservice fee or the professional fee. I just put it inside my pocket first and thanked him. I told him that all the results will be released in the afternoon.

Never did I expect that the man was gallant, when we finally returned to the lab, I realized he gave me a double of the suggested homeservice fee! I was thankful and gave the intern her share. I vividly recalled I treated myself a mouthwatering ‘sisig’ for lunch. Yum!

That marked the start of being the family’s medtech of a prominent business owner here in Cebu. I also had the chance to get the blood sample of his wife then time came when they recommended me to another generous family. The driver told me they were satisfied of my service. Since then, they always call me for monthly lab tests or when they feel ill and the doctor requests for CBC. I feel so loved by them and so are the drivers, they were ready to fetch me even from my home when need of blood extraction arises. I always receive a warm welcome from them.

Holy water given by Ma'am Marilyn from 
Lourdes, France

As I spent my days in Clinical Microscopy, I found homeservices enjoyable. It was not only challenging as a phlebotomist but through this, it saved me financially when I’m almost running out of money. Honestly, I was able to earn extra thru this. Although it’s inevitable to come across patients with difficult veins but butterfly is always on the rescue. Also, you couldn’t help to face strict patients or inquisitive family members when you have to try on the other vein since you are in their abode. Confidence is the key here! I always keep myself calm to each homeservice and I make sure that I return to the lab with the patient’s sample.  

Well, I’m gonna miss home service. I wonder if my new hospital offers this. My prayers to the families I’ve serviced for almost 2 years. Thank you so much, Ma’am and Sir. It’s a pleasure to work with you.

Cindy's friends: the microscope

Meet one my friends, the microscope. One thing that I like hanging out with the microscope is that (unlike other people who are so mean and who pretend like they care when they pray the worst behind you) the microscopes are REAL. The microscope never lies. It will magnify things for you and will let you see its true form beyond the naked eye. How I wish I could use the microscope to identify people who are bitch and who's not coz microscopes stay where it is and it adjust for you. It's really hard for me to trust people these days.. whew! #medtechhugot

The introvert in me..

enjoying my time in the field after work

Truly, if you would ask me one thing about myself, I would say I'm an absolutely an introvert person. Yes, that pretty describes me. Right now, I'm comfortable keeping my circle small. I just realized I don't need a lot of friends to hang out. I may just count my friends on my fingers but they're precious to me. Introverts are not really anti-social. Introverts have friends... it's just that they keep that QUALITY OVER QUANTITY philosophy. They might have misunderstood me. Some might think I'm angry just because I stay silent and some might think I'm a snob. It's just about keeping my comfort zone intact but the truth is I'm being expressive to the closest people I know. I love conversations more than small talks. When I'm with other people, I rather stay quiet instead of trying to open up small talks coz it makes me feel weird. As they say, when you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything.

The most common thing introverts do love is that moment of silence, enjoying his own company and being quiet with the loudest mind. That's why I prefer writing my thoughts through my diary or in this blog to have my say. An interesting book to read and a quiet ambiance are my heaven. When I was a kid, I was in the middle of depression. I used to blame myself for being such a boring person and the shy type but as I grow up, I appreciated the fact that I come to love who I truly am. I'm also trying to come out in my shell sometimes.

No need to act like somebody just to be loved. If others don't like you, so what? As long as you didn't hurt anybody, there's nothing wrong for being an introvert. Few friends? Fine! Just focus and surround yourself with the people who know your worth and keep you to the positive side of life. It's nice to know that although I may have the introvert personality in me, still there are some people who come to understand my weirdoness. I do believe all of us have that introvert side but on a different level though. I love being an introvert and I'm proud to say it.