Busy days in Blood Bank

What's more intoxicating is being assigned in Blood Bank where time is ticking faster than you think. This is where most of us can't go out on time to beat crossmatching procedures and processing blood products. What's more, we've got to take phone calls from the stations and we have to deal donors who at times can be irksome when deferred as he asks an acceptable reason why he can't donate blood.

Although I find this tedious, but being assigned in the blood bank department taught me a lot of things. Aside from honing my phlebotomy skill, I learned to harness my way of dealing with other people.It  taught me to be patient and to be firm to hospital policies when someone tries to bend it. But at the end of the day, what matters most is I've done my work with passion: and that is to be of good service to others who need utmost by providing a COMPATIBLE BLOOD as a gift of life.

Medtechs take the best CELL-fies during the Parasitology workshop

Reunited with my co-interns during the seminar. This is Mary Ann
and Arman, both working in a government hospital.

The need for standardization of reporting results in the field of parasitology has to be elucidated and if must, be established to ensure uniformity between hospitals and free-standing laboratories within the country. Thanks to PAMET-Cebu Chapter for the effort in organizing a two-day seminar entitled Quality Assurance and Reporting of Parasites for Standardized Routine Stool Examination held last August 14-17, 2017 in Gullas College of Medicine, Banilad Cebu City presided by Madame Lerma de la Llana-Paris, RMT, MSPH as the guest speaker. 

Preparing the Kato-katz smear

Hard to admit but it is disappointing to think that we give less importance in parasitology than we do to other departments in the laboratory. Hence, parasitology has been taken for granted in the corners of the clinical laboratory. While others do the routine stool examination wholeheartedly, some of our colleagues in the profession omit things that appallingly contradict to the standard operating procedures and this calls our attention to adhere to the protocols and improve ourselves particularly in the microscopy aspect. 

On the first day of the seminar which we call as the dry workshop, the lecturer gave us the overview and the status of parasite microscopy in the Philippines. The lecturer gave emphasis on how important the pre-analytical variables are such as the time the specimen was collected until it is submitted to the laboratory, the importance of microscopic exam and the microscopist’s proficiency in parasite identification. Concerns were raised regarding to the practices and problems encountered in reporting parasites in stool analysis. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the standard reporting of ova or cysts should be quantitated per smear and it was agreed that upon reporting Entamoeba species, the remark should be E. histolytica/ E. dispar cyst or E. histolytica/ E. dispar trophozoite unless hematophagous E. histolytica trophozoite is confirmed. 

Fecal Ether Concentration Technique

On the second day which is the wet workshop, techniques such as the Kato-Katz, Kato Thick and Formalin-Ether Concentration Technique for food handlers were properly observed and performed by each of the participants. We had the chance to look up-close the eggs of the unholy three: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and the Hookworm and fed our eyes with the not-so-commonly encountered parasites such as Fasciola hepatica egg, Balantidium coli cyst and trophozoite, Heterophyid, Hymenolepis nana and Giardia lamblia cyst to name a few. Lugol’s iodine alongside with the NSS in direct fecal smear can definitely aid in observing the parasite’s morphology. An evaluation through the given post-test gauged the participant’s knowledge in identifying some clinically significant parasites prepared on slides. 

We may not become experts right after the seminar but as we get along, we will learn more through experience. What we’ve learned from the textbooks won’t suffice once we are in the practice. Continuing education in diagnostic parasitology through exposure to seminars and workshops like these can help establish the microscopist’s confidence and reliability to identify and distinguish one parasite after the other. 

As medical technologists, we must not let ourselves stagnate our knowledge and neglect what has been the necessary. One must appreciate his/her role in the delivery of quality healthcare even in routine stool analysis to meet the needs of public health.

With our completion certificate! With Madam Paris the guest speaker.

Medtech reliever: Part-time job in my day-off

working area is sometimes messy in a busy shift 

God only knows how I needed money these days. So I've been thankful that aside from my regular job in a hospital, I also work as a 'medtech reliever' in a free-standing laboratory in my available time. I don't think it's a conflict of interest since I work for them during my day-off.

Sometimes, I have to process 200 urine specimens!

A 'reliever' is someone who takes over an important position while the company is still looking for a permanent staff. I got this job when my workmate referred me to the management and I didn't hesitate to take the offer in an instant. 

I work as a generalist in this laboratory, that means I can take blood from patients, processing blood, urine and stool samples manually then release the results. I can have a chill shift if there are just a few walk-in patients or a busy shift if they organize a mobile drive in their partner establishments. 

What's the good thing in this laboratory are the people working on it. They are approachable, fun and easy-going people. They don't treat you an outsider hence they treat you as part of the family and endorse everything for me to avoid mistakes. 

For me, working here keeps me balance since I perform manual urinalysis, stool analysis and differential count. Although tiresome, but I see it as a learning experience everytime I see parasites in stools.

In regards to the pay, I receive more than the minimum wage after the shift and this is a life saver for me especially when I'm out of money already and the payday takes long to wait

How to get reliever/part time jobs?

There are several reliever jobs that you can choose from depending on the location, job description and sometimes, the pay that you want. You can find them in some posts in Facebook group pages. Establish trust with the management is a must and they will contact you whenever they need your service.

Looking for jobs other than what you have is not easy. In my case, I have to sacrifice my time in order for me to earn money and sustain the needs of my family. Lucky for those people who were born privileged because they can go places with the salary they have but I know my sacrifice will pay off through God's guidance.

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

Night life of a junior medtech

Night shifts (for me) are the most anticipated shift of the week. While others are sleeping, this is when you have to work as fast as you could to finish all the things on time. So let the COFFEE PARTY get started!

Night shifts had never been easy for me. Setting spooky stories aside coz Micro lab is kinda scary. Before going up for warding, we have to prepare things for the next day by running controls to machines. Reconstituting controls can be stressful at times when the controls don't go well as expected. This is where our pipeting techniques developed.

When I'm assigned in warding department, I really need to be quick in getting in and out of the patient's room for blood extraction. Waking them up can be time consuming so you gotta have a loud voice with a gentle tone to let them know. Each of us has a game plan on how to get all the patient's blood before the time runs out just like what floor comes first or should you prioritize the nursery rooms but in situations when some patients are difficult to extract esp babies or those in ICUs, we take our time..

Well, at the end of the shift you will realize you've survived. But one thing that I don't like from the night shift is that I keep on worrying if everything is OK after I left from work. That wears me out. After that, the day off is spent for the whole day of rest. That's how a night life of a medtech looks like.

What is MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY and why I chose it?

As I graduated from high school, I was really firm with my plan of choosing Information Technology course in a well-known university. It was a neat plan to start building my future career until suddenly.... fate have shifted its direction...it changed my life...and the next thing I knew, I found myself in a medical school taking this course I'm not so familiar with... the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. 

Let me introduce to you my chosen profession... 

What is Medical Technology? 

BS Medical Technology is a four year degree program that equips students with knowledge and skills in laboratory tests used in the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases (finduniversity.ph).  Medical technologists also known as medical laboratory scientists work in hospitals or free standing laboratories to collect and analyze/process patient's blood samples and other body fluids. They are trained to operate the machines used in each sections. They are the key players in patient diagnosis by providing accurate results to the physician. 

They are well-trained in the areas of:

• clinical chemistry- where tests like lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides), fasting blood sugar, creatinine are performed
• hematology - CBC
• microbiology - identifying isolated bacteria, fungi, viruses in cultures
• immunology -  performing Hepatitis panel, HIV Test, Thyroid panel
• immunohematology (blood bank) - crossmatching, preparation of blood units, operating the platelet apheresis machine
•  urinalysis and body fluids - stool exam, semen analysis

Why did I choose this course?

My father wanted me to become a doctor and he told me that this is the best pre-med course to take. Also, I've always loved science and it made me realize that the course is not so common as compared to information technology. Because of that, I defied the odds and choose this interesting course.

About my college life...

Choosing medical technology was very challenging yet interesting. To add, I had a scholarship to maintain. There were times when I don't know what subject to prioritize. All of them are difficult but then I had friends who made medtech life fun for me. I learned that it's not just always memorization on terms but also you should be able to understand its concepts. This was the time I was not that good in phlebotomy but I got better as internship came. It was a balanced learning actually, as we were fed with lots of theories during lower years and immersed with its application during the internship

Am I using what I learned in college?

Yes. During school and internship, I was able to apply everything I learned.  In school, I learned the manual method in the microscopic examination of urine as well as manual differential counts already. The identification of each cells made easier because of the morphology our instructors taught us. It made me appreciate more  the concepts that I learned in books in the actual practice. 

How long did it take to find a job after graduation?

Since most of the laboratories prefer licensed medtechs, I spent 4 months of preparing for the licensure exam. After I passed the boards, it took me only one week to find my first job. I worked as a all-around medical technologist in a secondary primary laboratory with a good chief medtech that served as one of my mentors.

My current job?

I'm now working as a registered medical technologist in one of the private hospitals here in Cebu.

Do I recommend studying Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology?

Of course. The Philippines needs more medical technologists. Aside from being considered as the best course if you're going to pursue medicine, being medical technologist has a lot to offer.  This profession provides you a continuing education. The pursuit of learning new techniques regarding new clinical advancements are endless and so are the employment opportunities. 

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course?

Be in mind that this course is a survival to the fittest. If you're already in it, you have to finish what you've started. Medical Technology entails sacrifice, dedication and confidence in your part, may it be while you're still studying or in a working scenario already. You have to possess a positive attitude that you will pass. Focus in your studies and learn to know the subject matter by heart. Theory and application should come together. The microscope is your friend so expect for practical tests on identification on various organisms. A licensed/registered medical technologist gets higher salary compared to those who are not so it is better if you pass the board exam.

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I hope this blog will enlighten your mind on choosing the right course. Good luck!

Newbies in Hema department..what to do?

As a newbie rotating in Hematology department, familiarizing the procedures in your respective institution is a must. A proper orientation by your senior MT can help you understand the workflow as well as to troubleshoot some problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Since you are a newbie in Hema (like me..lol), it is best to ask from your senior MT for clarifications and be open for any corrections. :-) Keep in mind that you are encouraged to ask/confirm if you are confused of something. Don't ever be afraid to approach. It is the senior MT's pleasure to help and guide you to become a self-equipped and independent MT in Hematology Department in the future...

But then, an extra effort is expected for us newbies. We have to do our part too and that is to go back to study again. The procedure manual in your department might be of help and at least will give you the overview of the different procedures to be done in hematology department,

Here are the things that I learned in Hema lately...these are just random pointers.

1. Learn how to use the hematology machine analyzer (Beckman Coulter): reviewing and troubleshooting problems, running the controls, and replacing empty reagents.
2. Familiarizing the RBC and WBC precursors.
3. Taking note to panic values and flaggings!
4. Getting to know the different cells (their characteristics) as well as if there are malignant cells in the differential count.
5. Adjusting the normal value with that of the patient's age: newborn, child, adult
6. Correlating patient's previous results (if there's any).
7. Total cell counts and differential counts on other body fluids (CSF, Peritoneal, Pleural, Synovial fluid)...the dilution and the manner of counting
8. Preparing blood smear to each patient
9. Indirect platelet counts below 100
10. PLATELET CLUMPS...patient's smear needs to be checked. If there are platelet clumps noted, a patient's citrated blood is used.

Now, tips number 2 and 3 are to be given much attention because there may be flaggings (such as MO blast, Left shift, Imm Grans) to show up and we may have mistaken these blasts as lymphocyte or monocyte. So, a referral to your pathologist of your manual diff count is advised before releasing the results. 

And lastly before you leave your working area, make sure you leave it clean and order as it is. You don't want your co-worker talking about how irresponsible you are. Also, observe a proper endorsement (even before and after) to the MT next to you. Double check the requests you've released. Through this, you'll gonna be out from any trouble in the future. Keep on counting cells folks!

The rainbow colors in our phleb area

Ever wondered why phlebotomists/medtechs fill different tubes in one extraction?

Here is why:

- Each tube has different kinds of what we called as ANTIcoagulants. An anti-coagulant is a substance (be it liquid or spray-dried) inside the tube that prevents the blood from clotting. Take note, some tests require PLASMA as it retains some substances essential for testing. Also, there are also tubes that needs the blood to be clotted so as to obtain what we called as SERUM.

Now, you maybe asking what anticoagulants are inside each tube and which one hasn't? Let me explain to you starting from the left tube up to the last tube.

First, the phlebotomist makes sure to practice the correct ORDER OF DRAW to avoid anticoagulants mixing up (coz it could affect some results if not).

• Light Blue-Top Tube

This tube contains sodium citrate as an anticoagulant. We use this for coagulation studies such as Prothrombin time (PT), APTT, D-dimer, and Fibrinogen split product in the lab.

I've come across different kinds of citrated tubes having different fill lines but what matters most is that the tube must be completely filled on the line. The ratio of blood to anticoagulant (mostly 9:1) is critical for valid prothrombin time results.

• Light orange tube

This is the Serum Gel Tube. This tube contains a clot activator and serum gel (thixotropic gel) separator. This is commonly used for chemistry tests. Not recommended for clotting time studies and in crossmatching though.

• Red-Top Tube

This tube is a plain tube. That means no anticoagulant. This is widely used for the collection of serum for chemistry tests (Fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, serum electrolytes) as well as clotted blood for immunoserological tests (Hepatitis panel, Thyroid Panel, Allergy panel).

• Green-Top Tube 

This tube contains sodium heparin -- used for collection of heparinized plasma or whole blood for special tests such as Venous Blood Gas, Ionized Calcium in our case. This is a good tube for parallel testing in coincide with the red top tubes in chemistry.

• Lavender-Top Tube (EDTA)

This tube contains EDTA as an anticoagulant -- used for most hematological procedures (Complete blood count, retic ct, peripheral smear morph), Troponin I, and HBA1C.


Invertion is a must after getting the samples filled inside the tube. This is to ensure that the blood is getting mixed with the anticoagulant. There maybe times the phlebotomist has to recollect blood because of the clots being detected in the machine (like in CBC where Platelet clumps could lead to inaccurate results if not to be examined manually through the patient's blood smears).

These are just commonly used blood collection tubes in our laboratory. Yes, there are other tubes that you may come across with. So check out my other posts later.

REFERENCES:

www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/customer-service/faq/specimen/collection-tubes

Lamentations of a Medtech

Bilang isang medtek, di niyo alam kung paano namin naranasan ang:

...pagkahiya sa tuwing pinaggagalitan dahil hindi nakakuha ng dugo
...antok, sa tuwing nasa night shift kami nagwawarding
...pag-aalala dahil hindi pumasok ang controls sa machine
...baho sa bawat tae na pino-process namin
...panghe ng mga ihi na nasa tube
...nanlalabong paningin sa kakagamit sa microscope for diff count and platelet count
...panic sa tuwing may blood typing, crossmatching at transfusion
...pagkahawa sa tuwing may culture, gram stain at AFB na pinoprocess
...ma.IR (incident report) dahil hindi kaagad na release ang STAT request
...lungkot sa tuwing may hemolyzed o clotted na sample


Araw-araw kinakaharap namin ang mga panganib na ito na pwedeng ikamatay namin.
Pero hindi alam ng lahat, na kami ang gumagawa ng lahat ng to para matulungan ang mga doktor na mapagaling kayo. Lahat na lang kinakaharap pero ang liit pa rin ng sweldo. Only in the Philippines kung saan hindi pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga tao sa loob ng laboratoryo. We are the 'unsung heroes' ng hospital pero bakit walang nakakakilala sa min? hindi kami nakikita?

May dagdag pasanin pang CPD points. Pag-aabroad na lang ang tanging paraan maiahon lang ang pamilya pero may ASCP at IELTS pang dapat ipasa. Malaking pera pang kailangan. Hahay..Laban at kapit lang mga medtechs! May makakarinig rin sa tin. Makakaahon rin tayo. 

Appreciate the work you have

First of all, it would be a hypocrite for me to say 'I'm contented' when I want something more but lately I'm sick and tired of listening complaints from people about their work. True, private hospitals pay you less compared to government hospitals which I think a double of our salary, but what about that? Some wondered what if they work in a government hospital or 'why the facilities in the other hospital are far beyond compared to ours? Too many comparisons and what-ifs. If I could just tell them to keep it to themselves or ask 'why you're still here when you don't like it' then these would sort things out.

People keep complaining about work but do nothing about it. Tsk2. I understand everybody wants something for the better but you could be at least thankful of what you have for a while. To have landed a good job and earn a good salary, you may settle for it for some time while you work for your next big step. In short LESS TALK, MORE WORK.  

That's the problem to some of us. We tend to ignore what is laid in us until we realize its worth when it's gone. Think about the people still looking for a job, I'm sure they'll take your place no matter how little the salary (for a start),

Wherever the place you're working now serve it as a stepping stone and a training ground. Learn from your experiences. God has a reason why you're there and had some plans for you in the future. Work for it and He will help you. Put passion in your work and never tag everything with a price. 

A CRY OF EVERY PHLEBOTOMISTS

If you think that being a phlebotomist or a warding medtech is easy, think twice.

"Here comes the NURSE...", as people sometimes call us when getting a blood sample, but at the back of our minds, how we would love to tell them that we are medtechs. But that's how they see us and to make things easy, we remain silent.

At just a simple look, a patient might ask: "Are you an intern?" but then we just ignore the insult and laughed at the thought to stay confident and prove to them they're wrong.  As the Coldplay song goes, 'Nobody said it was easy'. Sometimes, they have no idea how nervous for us just palpating the small veins of a cancer patient, obese patients and even babies when pressured to do it JUST ONCE (either thru syringe, vacutainer or butterfly method).

Well, the issue in here is...they just don't have the idea how it feels like to be degraded by someone emotionally, professionally and even physically just because you failed to extract. Here's also the thing, the SOs or the significant others cursing us for being so incompetent and pointing their fingers like we owe them a big deal. Even calling the attention of other people just to humiliate or compare us to other phlebotomists as well. REALLY! These situations do happen just to compensate that one mistake we did! They were not in the position when some of us phlebotomists want to disappear in an instant just because of shame, and the dignity that was taken out from us.

Yes, we encounter these scenarios everyday not mentioning the health hazards we face! They don't have an idea how frustrated we are trying to get blood as we swim the needle through and through. Even a simple 'Tsk, Tsk' is an alarm that we need to pull it out because it's hopeless and the patient complained already. Worse, we get discouraged that at the end of the struggle, the blood is still hemolyzed, clotted and needs re-extraction.

Yes, our job is to inflict pain to patients by using needles. Yes, we do accept our mistakes (even the hematoma on your skin, we're really sorry) because humans as we are, we fail. We're just asking you to give some understanding and a little of your respect to be considerate enough. We're also health professionals who took our time and dedication of studying and even passing the licensure exam. If we fail, I think there's a formal or a right way that you could vent your frustration, not to shout or curse us in public. Take note, this job is just a portion of being a medical technologist. Don't judge us as a whole.

But in the lighter note, we commend those people who regard us phlebotomists as vital in the laboratory. We really do appreciate those people who reply in our sincere 'Thank you' after every extraction.

This is a shoutout for those people who don't know us yet.  You just don't know...AS PHLEBOTOMISTS, WE CARE. To all the phlebotomists and warding medtechs out there, don't just say 'I'm just a phlebotomist.', Be proud of it because the patient's laboratory results depend on you. Blood collection is where it all started. We are the key players of the patient's diagnosis.

LONG LIVE TO THE SO-CALLED BLOOD SUCKERS IN THE LABORATORY!

Things learned in Chemistry section

the struggle is real if you'll be assigned in chem.. why? 

Having MINDRAY BS300 as our machine, here are the things that we should look at:

• should avoid probe collisions! I always check the reagents open before running tests 
• controls should reach the target value or at least within range..
• ensuring there is sufficient reagent available 
• pipetting stuffs like preparing Creatinine, Total and Direct Bilirubin and SGOT
• correlating results 
• Rerunning to assure abnormal or panic values 
• Diluting samples if there's any linearity
• checking the distilled water and its waste tank regularly
• Calibrate when using new reagents (only when it has a different LOT NUMBER) 

Hoping that the company would replace a COBAS E11 over this. :-)

ALL OF ME

Now that I have money of my own. I need to help my family as hard as I could.

Every 15th day of the month comes, I see to it that I give all of my salary to mother.
It really hurts me everytime I heard my mother worrying all of the expenses of the house.

If I could turn my body into two, I would do anything just to shoulder all the debts and bills that we have. But sad to say, I can't. My salary isn't enough to cover all that we need.

My mates are always telling me that I'm too serious with my life but who couldn't be serious when your family depends on you? Sometimes, I just don't know what to do when mother would tell me that starting this month she would get less with her salary since she loaned a sum of money.

Sometimes, when I don't know how to hide my problems anymore, I wish I could find some space being alone and cry out all these burdens. I realize that you have to endure everything even forget yourself for a while to provide your family all they need. Another thing that I worry about is how could I get my siblings go on with their education? With Cherry taking up Dentistry and Kenneth in a private school, how would my salary help them when exam comes? That's why I'm sorry my salary is too low, I couldn't shoulder it all. I also blame myself. Whew!

Lucky for others who got a job with a higher pay. While they are going out in parties during pay roll, I on the other hand would go straight to the house. Despite of that, I'm happy to hand all my money to mother. Seeing both of my parents happy as I'm now making a living makes all of my effort worth it. Finally, that would pay some of our bills and buy some groceries still.

But despite of this, I'm still thankful for the work that I have. I've got a nice workplace, good people and a great experience each day. For now, I will do anything to keep my family safe and secure. I know God is with me all the time. All of this is for them.. as long as I could, I will give them all of me.

Be inspired to inspire

After passing the board exam, I was so overwhelmed to receive lots of messages from my relatives and friends. I never expected that some were so happy when they hear the news. I feel so glad knowing their prayers for me have been answered.

As I read all of them, I realized that I was not the only one being so happy with my success but others as well. I can't imagine how my relatives didn't doubt my abilities and keep on telling me that I can make it. Also, friends greeted me and even told me I serve as an inspiration for them. Wow! All of these comments make me touched. I don't know what to say and don't have an idea they look at me that way. I'm not a topnotcher by the way.

Well, the bottomline is apart of your sweet success are the people around you. Since day one you set foot on your arduous journey until the end, there were people who walked with you to reach your goal. Isn't much fulfilling on your part, people are so much happier just as you did?

A message from dear friend of mine, Jasper inspired me the most:

Lord, please make me an instrument to inspire more people. Lord make me humble at all times and please guide me all throughout. Thank you for giving me such wonderful friends. I know you'll be there for them just as you were there for me when I need you. This I ask in your name. Amen

Registered Medical Technologist (RMT) at last

One thing I realized after the boards:
...it's not about the grades in your transcript..
...it's not about the school where you came from..
...it's not about the review center you chose
...but it's all about DISCIPLINE and YOU.

Until now, I can't find the right words to say how grateful and happy I am to pass the board exam. To tell you honestly I was in the verge of giving up when I realized I have more to cram before the exam begins. I thought I would feel much relief after taking the boards when my heart beats unusually, feeling like I can't breathe everytime I think about what the results would bring. The longer I waited, the more I suffered anxiety asking if my hardships were enough to pass. But those doubts faded away whenever I see my family and people around me feeling positive that I will make it.

Only God and my family witnessed how hard I tried to study every night. Fighting sleep as I leap through the pages of every subject and recall some important things. Only them I took refuge. There I regained my strength and courage to pursue the dream my parents want for me.

As the days passed, I always ask God, Mama Mary and to St. Jude for guidance and wisdom to grasp all those things until the big day came.. on the 12th day of September 2015 I woke up early brought by too much excitement to be honest. Not knowing what would happen next, I walked with hope and faith as I bid goodbye to my mother and my aunt who accompanied me to school.

As expected, the exam was difficult. There was one subject in which I'm not sure with all of my answers. In those times I don't know what to choose, I followed my instincts and asked God for some clues. After every exam, I tried to avoid discussing them to friends and kept on saying MOVE ON. That built my composure and confidence to answer the next subject.

Those three days of waiting for the result were the longest days. I can't sleep! This time not because of excitement but of anxiety. Too many 'what-ifs' popped up added with family and relatives expecting you to pass. Whew! I kept myself busy all the time by cleaning the house or watching movies and because of these, I forgot it for a while.

The tension didn't stop on the day of releasing, September 16 when I was about to give up waiting for the results. The night came and no results still. At 11;00 in the evening, my eyes were about to close for sleep when suddenly my brother knocked. A phone call for me! It was Mom's officemate. When I answered the phone, I felt like crying and at the same time speechless of what she'd announced.....'I PASSED!' 

What? I just couldn't believe what she said! I'm not dreaming, right? After that I shouted with joy and it was confirmed when my cousin saw on FB that I was tagged by a classmate. Wow.. This is a dream came true! This is real.

When I saw my mom and the rest (except for dad), I feel so proud of them, not for myself. They deserve this success. They are the ones who gave me motivation. How I'm excited to tell this to dad since he's now in the province.

Confirmed: I am now a certified Medtech...RMT at last! Yes! Thank you Lord!

As I opened my FB account, I was so thankful that most of my classmates did also pass but it was also sad to know that some of my classmates during the review failed. I wish I have the power to console them or tell them it's just alright but I don't know how. Maybe we'll just give them some time to recover.

Because my classmates have now RMTs posted (registered medical technologists) on their names let me try it here:

Cindy A. Escoba, RMT 

WOW!!! what was once a doodle on every back of my notebook..turned into reality. My short name was added now with three big letters! How cute! The four years of tears, sadness, joys and laughter were a part of the wonderful years of being a medical technology student. I guess, this ends another chapter of my life as I embark on the next...the adventures to REALITY.  wow! My endless thanks to all the people who supported me all the way and believed in my ability to survive. Many thanks to St. Louis Review Center for the different review experience. To God and to my family, you deserve all of this success. Thank you so much!

Welcome to the next chapter: Employment life!

Catching time before the board exam

Realizing that time runs so fast, all you have to do is to get things done as soon as you can.

Whew! September is fast approaching and you know what that means, the Medical Technology Licensure Examination is getting nearer! 

I'm still not convinced to myself if I'm ready enough to take the boards but for the sake of my parents, I have to and will try to pass by God's will. 

Everyday I make a schedule as what topics to study but the ending is always I can't get all the subjects for that day. One thing that I have to fight each night is the sleep which makes me hate myself I end up sleeping without studying a thing.

Even though most of my classmates are halfway done, I still need to do it my way. I'll just focus to what's basics then go deeper to each subjects later. 

Well, it's three hours past and I haven't studied anything. I know it's not too late, I'll just mind my own pace I guess. I can do  this! To top the board exam! 

medtech level up...INTERNSHIP! (my expectations)

at last, so happy with my scrub suit on!

Wow! This is it! The blue internship uniform! I couldn't believe that I'm wearing it now and will be wearing for the next six months to come. Right in front of the mirror, I see myself differently. It's like an updated version of me wearing that dignified scrub suit. Though I look so professional on that blue outfit but I just couldn't hide my worries and made-up 'what-ifs' to would happen for this span of time.

Yes, I know this will be the toughest one. Being a medtech intern isn't something to brag on because you're thinking you're near the finishing line but it's not yet. We need to work hard and if must, two times the effort that we do to our studies to pass not only internship but a subject called Seminar 2 as well. Now here's the deal, if I was able to escape from the evil clutches of seminar 1 then our clinical instructor reiterated that this time she will be hard on us to see who are those worthy to join the commencement exercises this coming May. Whoa! If most of us think this semester will be all about duty to different medical center, rotating to every department and catching each shifts then that's not it. I have to study still or I'll end up crying again seeing failing grades because of quizzes and practical exams.

my driving force why I'm trying my best to
every step of the way

During the two-week module, honestly I found it so difficult to do the laboratory procedures with order and precision. Truth to this is because when we were still third years, our performance in the laboratory is not evaluated individually. It is a group work all throughout semesters and we just have to observe the person actually doing the test. Well, I have to say that I'm not also that kind of person who easily gets the things to be done after being told. If possible, I have to clarify it first just to make sure things will run smoothly. At times, I'm not with my self letting fear overcome me that took our clinical coordinators to notice it. Waah! Presence of mind please. Most of the day, I feel so sorry with my partner he got himself a clumsy pair like me. (So sorry, please forgive me)

What I have to work more now is phlebotomy and the blood smear preparation coz these two are the essentials in the clinical laboratory and still I couldn't get it right. My first center is in the Sacred Heart Hospital and I hope I would be having a good start on my internship experience. Although they say the center is not so busy but I'm looking forward as to the help that I could render to the patients and for me to harness my skills in the clinical laboratory.

I know there might be extensions along the way but I hope this will not stop me from finishing all the rotations till May. I hope that I could get along with my groupmates as well. What I only ask are their understanding and their willingness to help their co-interns because that alone would lift up our mood and somehow that would build the trust the RMTs would be giving us.  I hope I'll learn more and more as I hop in to one center to the next.

I guess this will end my expectations. I have lots of them on my mind but I give it up to the heavens to be with me all the time. More internship diaries to come!

Feeling excited,

Cindy♥♥♥

feeling disappointed and nervous this semis..

Problems..Problems..Problems.. I'm sooo tired..physically, mentally, emotionally.. Why the world seems so selfish to me? Why?  

I've done everything but it seems all that I've sacrificed and worked hard didn't turn out so well. I don't know what to do especially when I realized that my status this semi-finals isn't great. Why? I failed the blood banking exam! Huhuhu..

Whenever I think I'm gonna fail, I can't breathe. The thought of what would my classmates think of me and how would I break the news to my parents horrifies me. Am I that dumb enough I was not able to pass it this term? (sigh)

PROBLEMS

• While I'm struggling to make our research done this month (because no one opted to help me) I think I can't have it too because we have to wait for a month for the needed chemical to arrive. 

• I keep on telling myself to think positive but the negatives keep coming to me. I did well in Pre-lims and Mid-terms in my Seminar 1 when suddenly I was shocked on how I failed some quizzes and exams during the semis. 

• I was not able to answer the first quiz in Blood banking. (but I studied hard, it's just that time was not just enough)

What an inconsistent student I am! I can't keep my grades high. I'm so stressed now and I don't know if I will be an intern for the next semester or not. Why things turned so complicated right now? 

Just like from the excerpt of the song 'I will sing' by Don Moen....

"Though I haven't lost my faith I must confess right now that it's hard for me to pray"

I still believe that good things will come at the end but on the other side, how will accept it (with open arms) if in case I'll fail? huhu.. I hope God will shower me the gift of wisdom to grasp things easily with full understanding.

Finals will be over in a week or two. Can I make it? Only me and my fate can answer it. I will cling to the LORD no matter what! If I will fail, then maybe there's a reason why.....

SURVIVING MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY: How hard is MedTech to fail a many?

I and my bff Gerardine♥

MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN

As I was walking along the wide and well-lit corridors of the Medical Technology building, there I saw a flight of interns. They were wearing the very enticing blue scrub suits already, the color that shows they were now interns. As I watched them passing by, as a neophyte, a sudden thought hit upon me, ‘Wow, I wish I could be like them someday.’ but then a follow-up question burst in a split second, ‘but HOW am I going to be like them anyway?’ 

Well, we can not deny the fact that medical professions are one of the in-demand jobs of today. And because of that, schools that are offering medical courses are opening its doors wider to the increasing number of students who want to enter the field of medicine especially in medical technology. 

It is sad to reminisce that we were once a big happy family in our block. I’ve got my circle of friends then, had enjoyed studying as well as working with them no matter how hard the circumstances were. I thought we will be just the same brood of med tech aspirants who will continue for the next journey when suddenly I have seen changes after every semester. The changes of not just having new load of subjects to study but the considerable amount of students who yielded for their ambitions. I was left with curiosity when I found out that one of my friends could no longer proceed to the course for a reason yet unknown. 

As I’ve noticed, as the year level gets higher, the number of students tends to decline. Let’s say last year, 100 students were enrolled for the second semester then it happened that by the end of the said semester, only 90 students survived, feeling persistent that they should keep the fire burning while others took rest. 

There are a handful of reasons why some who took the course relinquished. First, it is because of the financial security. Tuition fee increases yearly due to the requirement of having laboratory subjects and books as reference materials. Second is the lack of interest, some were just forced by their parents to take up the course without asking their thoughts about it. It is also when other carefree students prioritize things other than their studies. The major problem of having ‘terror teachers’ and ‘nosebleeding subjects’ is a nerve wrecking to all of us because it gives us heaps of chapters to study. Notions that third and fourth years are the crucial stages for the lives of each med tech students are true for this is the time we are getting closer to the reality and must be hands-on to the profession. What made medical technology a course to be pondered upon is that it requires a lot of familiarization and a keen sense of understanding to things within a scope. Take note, we juggle 9 major subjects! Time to time, we can’t expect reposing ourselves but keep on spending sleepless nights and think endless possibilities of failing because the pressure keeps up. A single failure might pulls us down and it might lead to resignation, letting fate take its course after failing an exam. 

studying the structure of the heart..
it is not easy during moving
exams

These observations are appalling knowing that some were discouraged, crestfallen, and doubtful if they are still on the right track. 

Then here goes my realization about this dilemma: Medical Technology is not as easy as ‘peanuts’. It needs hardwork and not to be taken for granted. Hence, we must explore beyond its depths and be more passionate about it. That is why I was able to relate this with the bible verse that says 'Many are called but few are chosen' because we see good students right at the beginning, feeling so sure of themselves but as time passes by, only those ‘survivor’ Med Tech students came out to be the victors of the bloodshed. We want to be registered Med Techs someday but the problem is, are we competent enough to surpass the test of time? 

This course challenges us to be more responsible and be persistent to our focus no matter what happens. Getting involved with this field of study requires much of our interest, skill, and diligence to heed what is being asked on time because it involves diagnosis to various illnesses found in the human body. I’m writing this not to dissuade people but I want to plant an infinitesimal yet a germinating seed to the minds of each Med Tech students to fight against the odds. We must fuel our minds with positivity amidst of the trials hindering our way and should have an incessant faith to the Providence that by the end of this strife, we will find ourselves grasping the sweet scent of our diploma and the opportunity of serving the masses using our high caliber skills our dedicated teachers instilled into us. I hope that we’ll be able to keep on making footprints on our way to the zenith of success because together, by believing in ourselves and to God’s will, we can do it. Believe and you'll be RMT someday...Kudos to everyone!