jadgatera

[jadgatera]

ANESTHESIOLOGISTS DO CRY: On Becoming Anesthesia Provider in the Philippines - Jad Gatera (Unedited)

“it has been a while since i wrote a blog. so tonight, i decided to write one. and tonight, i will write about the recent past, the past three years of my life… THE. RESIDENCY. TRAINING.

You can’t talk about residency training without imagining the blood, the tears, the sweat, and everything else in between. i mean every single word i said. not your hyperbolic expression i’m afraid. so whoever who might have the time reading this. i’m about to unfold the truth not all can discuss, no holds barred.

THE BLOOD. i worked as an anesthesiology resident. handling surgery cases day and night. and ofcourse, there was blood, left and right. and talking about blood, i literally had minor CVD bleed. it was one ordinary day in my life, when suddenly i lost my balance. hypoglycemia, i thought. i walked again. i was falling towards my left. the doctor in me was now more worried, panicking what could the reason be. but the resident that i was, chose to still go on duty. for reasons better be forgotten. lack of manpower most probably. i went on duty for another three days. it was until i experience slurring of speech that i need some help. i went to the emergency room and ran some tests. normal glucose. normal blood pressure. normal everything. i asked the IM resident if i can be CT scanned. and she let me. lo and behold, there was minor bleed inside my head. the occasional headaches. the loss of balance. the slurring of speech. it all sank to me one by one. i was immediately admitted at the same hospital i worked at. i will be forever grateful to all my doctors, friends and family, who have helped me recover, visited me at probably one of the most fearful moments of my life. had it not been for the love of the profession, the passion and care for the patients, i would have chosen to stay at the comfort of my home. might have lost my mind. but staying. was one of the best decision i made with my life.

THE TEARS. There is no person alive who never shed a tear during him or her residency. now that’s probably a hyperbole. but the thing is, even the most stone-hearted person i know, one way or another, has cried during residency period, be it the simplest of reasons down to the most heart-breaking ones. to say the training will send you into rollercoaster of emotions isn’t a lie. there was this one patient whom i will never forget. he was a seventy-four year old with terminal illness for major operation. the case was toxic i can remember. “Doc, huwag ninyo na po ako operahan. matanda na po ako. hindi ko na po kaya. Hayaan n’yo na lamang po ako mawala.”, he told me in private. i want to tell him. “tay, huwag n’yo pong sukuan ang sarili niyo. Nandito po kaming lahat para tulungan kayo. huwag nyo po, sa lahat ng tao, sukuan and sarili niyo. para sa mga taong nagmamahal sa inyo, tay laban lang.” But these words never came out from me. I wanted to speak. I wanted to tell him all these things but i cannot utter a single word without shedding a tear from my eyes. as his doctor, i needed to be strong. i know i had to be strong. for him. for my patient. tears were welling up in my eyes. no one should see me like this i thought. i hid and cried my feelings out. his family made him convinced to do the operation. and thankfully it was a successful one. To tatay, you are my inspiration not to lose hope, not to give up that easily most specially on yourself.

THE SWEAT. we were fifteen residents in total during my senior years. given the number of hospital bed, we should be atleast 29. just imagine the difference. we were definitely undermanned. duties and responsibilities kept on getting bigger as you level up. Came second year, i was nominated and got elected as Resident Staff Organization President. It was like my golden age. my renaissance. and with renaissance, i meant, it was one wonderful year. i was tired with all the activities i have had but i was happy. i was happy being of service to my fellow residents, representing the whole residents of my institution. My favorite part was December of 2022. we had fund-raising activities like Christmas caroling for a cause where the AUP Chorale and AUP Ensemble performed Christmas songs. We were able to raise funds and give food gift for noche buena among our fellow BatMC staff. Aside from being the second year resident that i was, i was able to fufill my duties and responsiblities as their leader. juggling this extracurricular activities was no joke. But i was happy. even grateful to all the person behind the Organization. you know who you are.

AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN BETWEEN. the best part of being an anesthesiologist is that… after the surgical procedure, you can already see the outcome that you want. from your patient who’s having abdominal pain is now relieved of the pain and suffering he’s been enduring for the past days. your patient with large mass are now confidently at ease. life extended. all i can say is that… RESIDENCY IS HARD. probably understatement. Residency will bring the best and the beast in you. Residency is the definition of everything outside your comfort zone. Nothing worthy comes easy, as they said. And it will be worth it in the outside world. the harder you were trained, the easier outside. to those who want to get into residency. it’s not going to be easy, you know, BUT IT IS WORTH IT. IT IS GOING TO BE WORTH IT.

(Will delete tomorrow)

[jadgatera]

I guess there is ONE word to resolve all this conflicts we have today in this digital era. I have narrowed it down to just ONE WORD so it can be easily remembered. RESPECT.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. (One word, two syllables)

Respect differences.

Respect we all have differences.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ. You believe in Buddha. He believes in Allah. And one probably is an atheist who believes there is no God.

And I... respect that. I respect that you have no God to believe in. And I will not say anything against it. Because i respect (we have) differences.

Cutting the drama off. I just hope we won’t live in a world that Respect is so rare, it’s just a word you can find in history books. Like mommy i have found this rare word “respeto” and i don’t know what it is.

The future depends on us.

The future is OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Ask yourselves before doing anything: Is this something I want to teach my children?

Though i have read the article myself and it sounds just a mere joke. But as a faithful, i have to defend my God. Let religion serves its purpose. My God saves. My God knows how to forgive.

[jadgatera]

ANO ANG PAGKAKAIBA NG PAG-IBIG MO SA PAG-IBIG NILA?

- Jad Gatera, 2018

PILIPINAS, kaya mo bang maging masaya ng walang tinatagong panghuhusga para sa dalawang taong nagmamahalan na parehas ang kasarian? Mga taong handa rin namang maging masaya para sayo.

Huwag mong ikulong ang isipan mong sarado sa nakasanayan. Bagkus ito’y palayain mo at yakapin ang pagbabagong sa ati’y magpapausbong. Huwag mong ipagkait ang kasiyahang hindi naman ipinagkait sayo. Karapatang lahat ng tao’y siyang dapat isinasapuso. Anong pag-kakaiba ng pag-ibig mo sa pag-ibig nila? Kailan nga ba naging mapili ang Pag-ibig? Kailan nga ba tayo naging matalino sa Pag-ibig? Ang Pag-ibig ay wagas. Ang Pag-ibig ay busilak. Huwag mo itong yurakan ng iyong makamundong pag-iisip. Sino ka para husgahan ang pag-iibigan ng dalawang taong nagmamahalan dahil lamang sa kanilang kasarian? Iyong mga matang mapanghusga’y subukang ipikit, ng ang iyong isipa’y mabuksan sa mga bagay na tanging puso lamang ang makakakita. Kundiman matanggap ng yaring pag-iisip na sarado, sana’y mga mata ay sikaping ipikit na lamang. Nawa’y mapagtanto ng mundo nating ang Pag-ibig ay walang kinikilalang kasarian. Walang binibilang na edad. Walang pinipiling anyo. Walang nakikitang kulay. Ang Pag-ibig ay wagas. Ang Pag-ibig ay busilak. Ang Pag-ibig ay Pag-ibig.

Anong nga ba ang pag-kakaiba ng Pag-ibig mo sa Pag-ibig nila?

[jadgatera]

your smile was so radiant our night has brightened

like a spring of hope this world of ours hungers

smile, oh smile my dear child, for you owe us nothing

shall we not steal it until you have had grown.

[jadgatera]

BAKIT NGA BA? Why did i end up choosing MEDICINE as my profession?

PS: Though i thought for a long time it was a job. it isn’t. it is a lifetime, day-to-day passion of healing and caring for people of your own kind.

In medicine, there are a lot of sacrifices you’ll face along the way: from missing family’s reunion or bonding time to losing your own personal routine that in a way defines you as you are.

there will be thousands of exam questions you will answer, tons of paperworks you’ll be busy with, hundreds of patients you’ll encounter and have to deal with, years and years of sacrifice and for what? for the TWO letters you will be adding after your name. TWO letters. but it’s worth it. i tell you it’s worth it.

PS: MEDICINE ISN’T ABOUT MONEY. if there is one thing i had to clarify to everyone with, it is this. there are a lot of doctors i know who’s having just enough. not all of us live an extravagant life, riding a mercedez or living like a king in mansion-like home. There is money, yes. but medicine is something SO MORE THAN THAT. it is about passion. it is about persistence. it is about guts. it is science and art combined. it is about power to heal someone from everything you have learned from the first day of medical school down to what your patient’s cases would have thought you. and it is to go the extra mile. it is all about the patient’s care. More than the amount we’re all receiving is the thought that we have saved someone’s life, that we have eased someone’s pain and that we have helped someone’s life to become better. i can’t put to words how noble this profession is. i remembered someone saying that in medicine, we are all working our lungs out towards our very own extinction. we’re working hard to see everyone’s in good health and that would mean there’ll be no place for us. Though that might not happen soon, atleast in this lifetime i guess. but it is our very essence: to keep you in your good physical, mental and social well-being.

Seeing your patient walking out of your hospital relieved, healed, with a grateful heart, is the best compensation one doctor could ever have.

[jadgatera]

Early morning thoughts:

Simple lang naman ang pangarap ko. Mabigyan na magandang buhay ang pamilya ko. At magkaroon ng magandang bahay. Oo, magandang bahay talaga. Haha! At madala ko sila kahit sa hongkong man lang. tska na ang eurotrip. That would be my ultimate goal in life. At syempre matagpuan un partner in life. Haha. Bagay na hindi ko naman minamadali. Sana maestablish ko muna ang sarili. Pero kse hndi naman natin masasabi kung kelan dadating ung tao na yun. Someday. I know magmmeet din ang landas namin. I am looking for a partner who will go side-by-side with me in achieving those dreams. NOT A SUGAR PARTNER. Social status has never and will never be a factor. Because I CAN AND I KNOW I CAN BE ATLEAST FINANCIALLY STABLE MYSELF WITHOUT DEPENDING ON THEM. Partners. PARTNER. NOT A SUGAR PARTNER.

Nararamdaman ko. Haha. At sisipagan ko talaga to achieve that dream. Siguro sasabihin ng iba na sobrang taas kong mangarap. Well, i would not be who i am today if it wasn't because of that. Yung simpleng pangarap na yun. That made me achieve so many things. It's not too late to dream. And it's never too late to change for the better. We all have families. To love, to cherish and protect. To give them the life they truly deserve. Bakit mo gagawin sa kapwa mo ang ayaw mong gawin sayo o sa kapamilya mo.

I know i can do so much more. So much more. And i am just one license away to achieve that. Alam ko sa sarili ko na napakarami pa ng taong matutulungan ko. And by God's grace, i hope i can use all these skills and knowledge God has bestowed upon me. Sabi nga ng ninang ko, she's very proud of me. No. i am very much proud of her. Bagay na hindi ko naman nasabi. She has this self respect na hindi basta basta natitibag. She has this sense of yabang i wish i have. I really, really respect her.

No one knows what future may bring, why bring someone down, someone na pwedeng makatulong sayo in the future. Someone who could save your life and that of your family. Someone na pwede mo ring lapitan if emergency comes. For me, para saken lang naman, the world can be so, so much different and best place to be if we will build each other up and not doing its antithesis. Kung meron man akong gustong ipaglaban sa buhay ko. Yun ay world peace. Charot. Haha. Just imagine. No hate. Just love. I choose to live in peace with my family. I chose to forgive. I chose to love. I chose to care. I chose to understand everyone's situation. Yung feeling mo ang santa santa mo na. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. I am more than my mistakes combined. I am so much more than that. I chose not to be defined by my past. And I deserve respect as much as anyone does. Not because of my profession , but as a human being living in the same place as you. After all pantay pantay lang ang lupa na tinatapakan natin. And we should realize na ang baluktot ay kailanman ay hindi naging tama. More than anything, i want to move on, to move forward. And dwelling on the past wasn't part of it. All we have is now. And all the lessons the past have instilled us. So we can embrace the future with a change attitude and outlook in life. We should become wiser. And that doesn't come with age. Be the better person. And I promise that. With all that i have and all that i am, i will be a better person in any situations life could give. A promise to self i will bring to every place life will send me to. I will be better. Better than i was yesterday.

Soft heart: both a strength and a weakness. A blessing and a curse.

[jadgatera]

9 and a Half Ways towards

Healthy Living

By: Jad Paulo Gatera, MD

Finishing reports for tomorrow’s deadline? Buried neck-deep with reading materials for next week’s exam? Nowadays, many of us specially to those career-oriented persons, tend to neglect their health to give way for other matters be it work or home-related. Stress, as a matter of fact, is part of our daily diet. So as a health educator, let me give you 9 and a half easy ways on how to stay healthy despite our tight and busy schedules, ways i assure won’t have to be pricey. So what else do a busy, stress-is-my-middle-name slash sleep-not-my-ally person have to know about his/her health?

1. You are what you eat.

It’s more of our daily food preferences. Limit eating red meat such as beef or pork. Choose white such as chicken meat or fish as your source of protein. According to study, it is now well-established that regular eating of red meat, particularly processed meats like your salami, pepperoni, and ham, is detrimental to health. Although, red meat, if taken moderately, is a good source of iron and zinc. Let’s drop the saying “kung ano ang bawal, siya ang masarap.” Try some new recipe. You could devour on a green leafy vegetables in a much different way. Avoid too much preservatives. Avoid MSG. Go green! Go for fresh foods as much as possible. And don’t skip meals! It is recommended eating at least 2 and a half servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits each day. Avoid fast food chains. Most of their meals contains trans fats. Trans fats are especially unhealthy as it can raise your bad cholesterol leading to heart diseases and stroke. And did you know that as you continuously use your cooking oil more than recommended, turns your oil into trans fats as well?

2. Regular exercise is wise.

Move that body! According to American Heart Association, 30-40mins per day 3-4 times a week is advisable most specially for those with high blood pressure or diabetes. Working in a 3-4 floored building? Take the stairs! Avoid elevators. Walking is good exercise for the heart. Our leg is one of the biggest muscles in the body. So if your planning to lose some weight, brisk walking or jogging is a good workout of choice. Make your schedule. And stick to it!

3. The magic of water therapy

Drink a lot of water. We, Filipinos, live in a hot, humid weather. One way to fight that is good hydration. I won’t advise you to take 8 litres of water a day. Our body is as intelligent as we are. If ever we lack water, our brain will send signals to our body and there and then we’ll experience thirst. According to Center of disease control and prevention, we absorb more water when we are thirsty and during each meals. If your lifestyle’s always on-the-go. Take a tumbler with you. That wouldn’t cost much.

4. Don’t smoke. PERIOD.

Why smoke? Stress-reliever? I tell you: cancer and lung problems will give you a much, much higher level of stress in the near future have you not quit puffing that cigarette down. Feeling of independence and defiance? Boosting self-esteem? I tell you: yellow stains in your teeth and bad breath that that stick can give you sooner or later won’t boost any esteem whatsoever. Peer pressure? Tell them, i have plans to live a longer and healthier life with family of my own, do you? It can affect fertility. Google it!

5. Drink alcohol in moderation.

Alcohol isn’t that bad, IF AND ONLY IF taken in moderation. A glass of red wine daily is recommended. SMALL amount of beer is actually good for the heart. How small? Most doctors recommend that adult women not have more than 1 drink a day and that adult men not have more than 2 drinks a day. (Cheers guys for that extra one beer!) But if exceeded, it can cause liver diseases and other types of cancer. Have the discipline to limit your intake. Not everyday is your birthday, or your friends’, or your relatives’. Be a liver lover!

6. Should i take vitamins daily?

Should you? Daily intake of multivitamins or supplements won’t hurt. But according to recent study in Harvard, there isn’t a proven beneficial effect to protect your heart or brain in daily intake of vitamins. Some doctors still advise them for there are still potential benefits and hope that it will have a positive effect in the long run.

7. Talk to your friends.

Smile. Greet your workmates and neighbours one sweet “good morning.” Mental health, specially in the Philippines, is often not given much priority. Let me tell you, depression is real. Anxiety disorder is real. Suicide is no joke. Have you had any problems with school, or at work, heartaches, call your relatives. Have a chill night with your best friends. Talk it out. Release the tension. More often than not, they’ll give you non-sense advices in life (which most of the time their advices are more applicable to them!) Have someone close to you know your feelings. Build your own support system. And be their support if they need one. Boost your mental resilience! Healthy body goes with a healthy mind.

8. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Hand washing CAN save lives. No matter how basic or simple you think it is, hand washing prevents transmission of various illnesses. Proper food handling and personal hygiene will keep us healthy.

9. Sleep. Take some power nap!

As we aged, the time we spend in sleeping decreases. If work won’t allow you to take a straight 7-8 hours of sleep, at least take a nap in between work. Study suggests taking a nap give your brain some time to relax, repair and reenergize. Sleep is vital to our health. If you’re hyperacidic, might as well have a good enough sleep to prevent epigastric pain. Sleep actually improves memory, cognitive function and creative thinking. So take a POWER nap every now and then.

9.5 Wonder what it is?

I intentionally added 1/2 health advice for everyone, most specially for those who were diagnosed with medical conditions. Regular follow up with your doctor is advisable. Maintenance medication shouldn’t be stopped without your doctor’s advice. So why half? Because HALF of this will be discussed by your attending physician.

[jadgatera]

To heal: the job that was once just a dream #oathtakingofnewphysicians

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Truth is, the more you get exposed clinically, the more you will realize you still have sooo much to learn. Learning never stops.

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[jadgatera]

OFF TO WORK The line i've been dreaming of posting since ever. FINALLY! you've got no idea how much "kilig" it gives my spine after my duty. student image now gone. THE DOCTOR IS "IN" 'twas my very first work experience as a doctor. and i did straight 48 hours duty as a pedia resident at New Sinai medical center, Sta Rosa. work XP that was offered to me by my friend Jan. i wasn't regular there though. but it was quite a good experience to start with. how the staffs and codoctors treated you. i felt like THIS IS REALLY IS IT. I AM A DOCTOR. I work as one. diagnose, prescribe. i was able to catch a baby. admission. IT IS FOR REAL! i have to admit. day before my first duty, i was really, really nervous. on what to expect? what to do? how to deal with all the stuffs presented to me? it goes to my mind all at the same time and it really hits my nerves. i didn't have a good sleep before that. OA, i know. but i guess everyone went through that phase. to sum it up, it was very fulfilling. to receive my very first sweldo. the money i earned by myself! after almost 20 years of studying here i am now, finally pursuing my dream job. so where did the "very first" sweldo go? according to my lola, it shouldn't be spent. so i gave her half of it for her to keep. afterall, she deserves it after everything she has invested in me in pursuing this career. finally, THIS IS JAD GIVING BACK. 🙏🏽 where did the other half go? still on my wallet. i'm planning to open new bank account since my former sorta turned down. lack of maintaining balance i guess. haha. YES I don't have savings YET but that doesn't mean i am not planning to do so. i've got so many things in mind to save for. that would include Australian exam step 1. the price was no joke so i really have to work for it. to save money. and hopefully by next year i will be working in AUS already. first things first. SAVE. SAVE. SAVE. I needed hospital experience as well so i really have to work. the work that was once just a dream. TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE!!!

[jadgatera]

THE BURGER.

What to say? Haha. I wasn’t a big fan of burgers until last year i guess. Hmm. Why have i been soo indulge with it? Idk. The cheese perhaps. Plus the patties. And the bacon. Then add some caramelized onions. Together with onion rings. And tomatoes. Don’t forget the extra fries on the side. Why won’t i love it? It is worth the extra calories.

TOP 10 Burger house i have tried so far. 1. ZARK’s burger 2. 8 CUTS burger 3. BROTHER burger 4. BURGERS & BREWSKIES 5. THE YARD 6. BURGER STREET 7. D'TREZZ 8. PAUL 9. BRAND X burger 10. THE BLACK APARTMENT

Needless to say, i have to give some awards to the best burgers in town. (Drum rolls)

Best burger patties award: THE BLACK APARTMENT Most innovative: D'TREZZ Cheesiest: BRAND X BURGER Best in presentation: PAUL Baconest (lol): ZARK’S

And lastly, Blogger choice award: BURGERS & BREWSKIES 🍔 I love the mac&cheese idea! Match made in heaven.

[jadgatera]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 😊

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Suit up!

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Rest, my white coat, rest. @Jacob&Andie’s wedding 12/18/15

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Good morning, El Nido: