Chapter 10

                                    

                                          
Lea
                          
"You can choose your specialty kapag nasa fifth year ka na ng residency mo," I told Kimberly, tenth grade student, who is planning to be a surgeon too and that is the reason she's asking stuff. 
                          
She was my patient. She came here when she was in sixth grade that is why I got to know her and drew close to her. 
                          
We are having a video call while I stroll on the hallway of the hospital. It's like touring her while I answer her questions concerning anything she is interested about which are mostly about medicine.
                          
"I found a word which is neuroblastoma and I trust it is a connected to the specialty you have. Would you be able to mention to me what is it?" she asked loaded with interest. 
                          
"Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor  which is framed of early stage ganglion cells," I told her. 
                          
"Malignant means?" 
                          
"Malignant means cancerous. So neuroblastoma is cancerous." 
                          
I kept strolling on the hallway of the emergency clinic since I have the spare time and I need to walk kasi I feel sleepy because last night, I studied and I didn't have enough sleep to keep me up the whole shift.
                          
Yes, doctors still study despite the fact that they are doctors now. Studying doesn't end when you are a doctor. It continues until you resign as a doctor. In short, doctors are forever students. 
                          
Why? It is that medicine is developing. Diseases and illness advances. There are diseases that are just found recently so doctors need to study it. Also, clinical instruments advances. So for us to stay aware of the human body, and all that things we need to know about medication, we need to study.
                          
"Neuroblastoma has a risk of paralysis on uppper body, right?" asked Kimberly once more. 
                          
"Yes, Kim, if the tumor is touching the spine." 
                          
While I am revealing to her things about medication, she is recording it on a piece of paper. 
                          
"If a person who has neuroblastoma didn't get operated, death in a quarter of a year." I kept discussing the subject. 
                          
"However, if agreed to be operated, there is just five percent or somewhat less possibility of success on the surgery." 
                          
"At that point, it's a gamble if the person who has neuroblastoma will agree and there is just a very less success?" 
                          
"Each decision is a gamble." 
                          
"Thank you, Doc Lea. I'll call tomorrow for the following questions," she said farewell. 
                          
"Farewell, Doktora Kim." 
                          
The call ended and I am now on the nurse station. 
                          
"Room 303 chart, please." 
                          
A nurse gave me the chart I asked and just in time, the intern I am with this month is here. It's Dr. Colleen Jimenez. The one who gazes at me. 
                          
I went into the patient's room and the family is there too with her. 
                          
"Hello, Doc," bati nila. 
                          
"Great morning as well," I welcomed back cheerfully. 
                          
"Dr. Jimenez, present," I asked the intern. 
                          
"Luisa Pimenta, 59. Diagnosed with benign meningioma—" 
                          
"I don't need the medical procedure," cut Luisa, the patient. 
                          
"Luisa, kahit na hindi cancerous ang tumor mo, you need to get it removed." I tried persuading her. 
                          
"I just want to die." The family gasped after hearing Luisa's words. 
                          
"I'm not terrified of dying. Living is more alarming nowadays," she added. 
                          
"Luisa, gusto mo ba na sa remaining time na you have para mabuhay, lagi na lang meron 'yang tumor mo?" her Mom said. 
                          
"Mother, 'yung tumor ko has been with me the entire time. Kasama ko sa buong journey ko. Kasama ko sa lahat ng desisyong ginagawa ko," sagot naman ni Luisa. 
                          
"Luisa, if you keep that tumor, it'll confuse your brain. It'll be risky if you keep it there," I attempted again persuading. 
                          
Luisa delivered a profound murmur prior to replying. 
                          
"Alright. I'll have the surgery," she picked. 
                          
Her choice fulfilled us all. 
                          
Living can be more terrifying, however, leaving your love ones is even more frightening than anything else. 
                          
Colleen explained more of the tumor Luisa has. I also assisted her with explaining the dangers and all that is identified with the tumor. We additionally responded to her inquiries and I disclosed to them the schedule of Luisa's surgery. 
                          
We left the patient's room with a grin put on our countenances when we at last caused Luisa to consent to have the medical procedure. 
                          
I composed my orders on the chart and offered it to the nurse yet I saw Colleen gazing at me once more. 
                          
"Colleen, if you'll gaze at me the entire day, you will not learn anything." 
                          
"Apologies, Doc Lea. I can't resist po e." She was sorry. 
                          
We began to stroll on the corridor to go to the following patient. 
                          
"Do your best to not gaze. Your gazes are making me think I have something incorrect on my face," I advised her. 
                          
"I like you, Doc Lea." 
                          
We stop in the passage and we took a gander at one another. 
                          
"Dr. Colleen Jimenez," I expressed her name. 
                          
"I realize this isn't right. I'm your intern and you are my mentor. Yet, I can't stop it," she began to stammer. 
                          
"I'm not against the affection you have but rather I'm so sorry, we're not at the same page." 
                          
I proceeded to walk and she followed. She's currently quiet and is attempting to not gaze at me. 
                          
During the rounds, she is trying to not gaze at me. She is trying to maintain all her attention on every patient we visit. She is putting forth a valiant effort and I think that is a good beginning for her to stop whatever she feels. 
                          
Her sentiments is correct, yet it turns out to be off-base since she felt it for someone who isn't feeling the same way to her.
                          
"I requested another CT for Katrina. I need you to go get it for me. Find me on the off chance that you have it," I ordered and she left after the order.
                          
"Doc Lea," Doc Aga called who is at the nurse station with me. 
                          
"It's been half of the year, Doc Lea, pero hindi ka pa rin sumasama sa dinner." 
                          
I just grinned and didn't try to tell anything concerning Doc Aga's words. 
                          
"I've been sending you roses and espresso pero mukhang that is not the correct method of treating you kasi as of recently you didn't allow me to bring you out for dinner." 
                          
I offered back the chart to the nurse. 
                          
"Dinner lang naman, correct? It is not a date?" I requested affirmation. 
                          
"Obviously, it's a date. It's incomprehensible na Aga won't think about that as a date. Right, Aga?" Dawn went along with us at the nurse station. 
                          
"Dawn, papayag na sana si Lea to eat with me not until you uncovered that it is a date for me." Aga and Dawn laughed. 
                          
"Anyway, what now, Lea? I've been sitting tight for you to join sa dinner for a very long time. So then, once more, I wanna ask, would I be able to take you out for dinner?" asked Aga while taking a gander at me with his grin. 
                          
"Wait for me at the lobby by 7 PM." 
                          
I began to leave the nurse station departing Dawn and Aga who are both shocked that at last, for six months, the dinner will happen.
                          
👩‍⚕End of Chapter👨‍⚕