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When Adulting Becomes More Real (And A Real Pain In The A**)

Adulting first hit us when Ayacchan and I became doctors. We had to start working, earning money, paying taxes, and living independently.

But a different punch hit us a few months ago when we found out that Ayacchan needed treatment. She was severely anemic, with her hemoglobin levels sometimes dropping to around 50 mg/dL (normal range for females is 120 - 155 mg/dL). Clinically, I would recommend that any patient with such a low hemoglobin level undergo a blood transfusion. Imagine her trekking the streets of Tokyo on that hemoglobin level. What a hero.

Yesterday, we visited SLMC-BGC, as she was referred to a specialized consultant for a procedure that could alleviate her symptoms. We are aware that this procedure will be quite expensive, especially since it would be done in one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. Additionally, SLMC-BGC is the only hospital that offers this particular treatment. We were also advised to consider freezing her ova (eggs) because the procedure might render them non-viable. Unfortunately, we had no other options.

As expected, what she heard made her anxious—the expenses, the procedures, everything. I reassured her that everything would be fine. We just need to assess our finances and prepare for the procedures. The most important thing is her full recovery and ensuring she can live a full life without the burden of having a low blood count.

We often joke with each other, saying, “Gusto ko nang pumanaw.” Whenever we hear news of someone dying, or a plane crashing leaving everyone dead, we say, “sana all.” But it's the opposite. In reality, I want to live a long, healthy life with her.

(I am writing this at Sparx Cafe in Project 8 while waiting for Ayacchan's microblading thing)

Photo: Tendon Kohaku, Uptown Mall, BGC

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On the road for almost a day.

El Nido to Puerto Princesa (280km)

Puerto Princesa to Aborlan (57km)

つかれた

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Day Three

Today marks the third day since I liberated myself from the shackles of social media. Three days ago, I deactivated my Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts. There is simply too much negativity on those platforms. Additionally, the waifu recently pointed out that I had been spending an excessive amount of time doom-scrolling on my phone and procrastinating, which was causing me to neglect the more important aspects of my daily life (even gaming).

Now, we find ourselves in a quieter space. It feels good to return to real life.

El Nido, PH

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Been a follower since 2020 i guess. Thanks for trying your best to update and feed us med stuff, doc!

Med student here 🙋

Thanks for your kind words. It's nice to receive messages like this from time to time. However, med-related stuff has been a rarity recently since I've been wanting to keep this space for postings related to my life outside the hospital. Hehe.

Good luck with med school and see you in the ranks, future Doc!

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Snowfall at Odori Park

Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan February 2025

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2025 Sapporo Snow Festival at Odori Park

4-11 February 2025

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Today’s Adventures:

There weren't as many photos today since Ayacchan and I spent most of the day shopping.

I ordered a new pair of eyeglasses at Own Days in Susukino because I accidentally broke my previous pair after falling asleep while wearing them. To my surprise, the new pair was much cheaper than the prices at Own Days-Rob Mag. I spent around ¥12,000 (₱4,500) for the new glasses with transitions, compared to roughly ₱2,500 for the frame and ₱5,000 for transitions at OD Philippines.

We also bought a pair of Vans shoes for the both of us to keep us alive by preventing accidental slips while walking on the icy streets of the city.

Next stop? Uniqlo and GU. It’s a mandate in Aya-chan’s POV. I also bought my pamamgkins some stuff from Uniqlo so I could bring it to them by June. In UK, Uniqlo costs 3x as much as in Japan. I remember the coat that I bought in Tokyo for ¥5,500 (~₱2,000). Pagdating sa London, £90 (₱6,400) na siya. It’s that freaking expensive.

Lastly, we stopped by Animate and Mandarake, still in Susukino, where we failed to control ourselves from buying anime merch and figures. Complete na agad ‘yung “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” collection namin.

“Gumastos na naman tayo”. She said. “Okay lang. As long as masaya naman tayo.” I replied.

P.S. The buttered boiled patatas and the soft serve ice cream are all compliments of the hotel where we’re staying. Unlimited. They also serve freshly baked breads, donuts, and soup everyday. All for free for their guests. Sarap, no?

Tomorrow, we head to Asahikawa.

Susukino, Sapporo City, Japan

6 February 2025

11:43 PM

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Tokyo International - Haneda to New Chitose Airport.

Note the baggage claim area at CTS: no “stay beyond the yellow line” bullshit. This is Japanese discipline.

New Chitose International Airport

Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan

4 February 2025

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“Sana Pikachu Jet masakyan natin.” Ayacchan said weeks earlier.

ANA: “say no more”

How lucky are we, Ayacchan? Lol

“Sarap talaga maging anak ng Diyos. Dikit ka lang sa akin lagi para maambunan ka.” She told me.

MNL Terminal 3

3 February 2025

2:01 PM

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36 hours in PPS

There goes an easy flight #2 and #3 for this year.

I flew to Puerto Princesa (PPS) for a business trip the other night to meet with regional PhilHealth officials. I had initially planned to stay in El Nido afterwards for a meeting with local officials on the 27th, but that meeting was postponed. As a result, I quickly canceled my January 29 flight back to MNL and booked a flight for today instead.

I spent 90% of my time in the hotel, watching Netflix and playing Stardew Valley on my Nintendo Switch as I wait for my 10:30 PM flight back to MNL. I can’t wait to be home.

Puerto Princesa International Airport

22 January 2025

9:20 PM

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Himeji Castle Part 2

Full Story at Ezrapades.com

December 2024 Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

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Himeji Castle Part 1

Full story at Ezrapades.com

December 2024 Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

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First flight of the year! Sometimes I ask myself, am I a doctor? Or a traveler?

I can do both, if you ask me.

This year’s first flight is aboard an 8-year old ATR72-600 from AirSwift’s fleet. We got this flight for free as a reward for being a frequent flyer of Cebu Pacific’s (formerly Ayala’s) boutique airline. I flew with Ayacchan so syempre she gets the window seat. /sob

Here’s to hoping for at least 30 flights for this year. Cheers. 🍻

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Did something cool the other day.

A resort contacted us for a house call for an Italian couple suffering from symptoms of acute gastroenteritis.

A nurse from our hospital and I were escorted from the hospital to the wharf, where a speedboat was waiting for us. We were then transported directly to the resort, where we diagnosed and treated the couple.

By the time we wrapped up, the sun was nearly setting. We enjoyed some free food, transportation, and a little adventure that provided a nice break from the usual routine of hospital life.

El Nido, PH

9 January 2025

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how can you travel so much? i'm jealous of your lifestyle huhuu

Hindi naman "so much". But if I only could, I would.

Hmm. Aya-chan is so good at finding cheap flights. Mapa-Cebu Pacific man yan o full-service airlines like PAL, Emirates or ANA, she's just so good at it. Kaya kapag may seat sale, we usually just book the damn flight then bahala na. :)

Sa travel expenses, hati naman kami lagi. We take turns in paying. Credit cards also help a lot kasi parang spend now pay later ang eksena. Just make sure lang na if you're using your cards sa travels, dapat spend within your means lang din. Otherwise, good luck sa pagbayad lol. Kapag shopping, KKB syempre. :D

Take advantage of seat sales. Madami nakakapagtravel abroad dahil dyan. Galingan mo lang sa pag-abang hehe.

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Kobe, you are a rarity.

Kobe, Japan

December 2024

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Okayama, JP

December 2024