Diagnosis: Multi-Organ Pleasure secondary to Life’s Verve & Dynamism

Dear MaSci  Batch mates of 1995,

Mabuhay!!

Science-Truth-Country

A few months ago I took the opportunity to return to the grounds of

Manila

Science

High School

. And I was surprised by what I have found! A great many things have changed significantly along with their new roster of faculty members and administration, surrounding area had new and remodeled buildings as well. Desolately, many familiar landmarks were gone and altered- quadrangles A & B where we used to have our CAT/PEHM activities, the mini-grandstand, and the infamous “Batibot” area or lovers’ lane to others. The campus seemed smaller and those remaining trees appeared taller than I remember.

If you could take a few minutes, look objectively at your MaScian experience. Delve into the painful, pleasant, and the emotional roller coaster that may have been your life for that time. What of value did we take away, and what do we continue to learn from this leg of the journey. Do we perceive that uniqueness in the MaScian experience? I most certainly do. I have come across with a number of secondary and college students through the years, and it is hard for most of them to perceive my experience. I carry that banner proudly. From what I perceive, my fellow MaScians are surely a unique group of people with a powerful base and strong desire to reach for ideals. This blood runs deep at MaSci. Those rainy seasons and rush hours along

at are not comfortable, I know, but as a facet of the diamond, they make the gem quite valuable.

Yes, it’s been almost twelve years. But one thing that has not changed about MaSci is its reputation for excellence. Many of us have heard about those three great young minds whose names would be up in the sky or those who emerged champions in various interscholastic competitions locally and abroad.

In line with this, a group of concerned batch mates, friends and I conceptualized a strategy to build and strengthen not only our lasting friendship among ourselves but our relationship to our school as well through engaging to a worthy endeavor - “ Kayamang Handog sa kapwa Masci” - A Book Donation Project of MSHS Batch ‘95.

As our Alma Mater envisions herself as the country’s nerve center of educational leadership, innovations and achievement and is committed under a tradition of excellence to the human formation of every Filipino through a relevant, responsive, total Science/Mathematics program to enable him to succeed in life and to contribute to the further development of the country and its people, we are now appealing to you to heed the Call.

We would like to invite you to be a part of this endeavor. We will be happy to receive books (old or new), maps, charts, journals, scientific papers and other reference materials in various subjects that can be utilized for library research or instructional purposes.

The gift of book is the gift of knowledge we share to the younger generation.

Meanwhile, together with equally nifty minds of fellow MaScian ‘95-      Mr. Jasper Llewelyn Loverio & Mr. Joven Larin, we’re still planning the details, logistics and approach needed for the said project. And for that reason, I would also like to encourage you to give your suggestions/recommendations or any assistance you can lend to make this activity a success.

Finally, please overcome your modesty and send me some news about what you are doing now. The rest of us are interested so let’s keep in touch thru emails, Friendster or here in our yahoogroup.

SCIENCE*TRUTH*COUNTRY….remember??

Yours truly,
Elrey L. Navarro, M.D.

p.s. should you wish to know my whereabouts, my recent movie offers, viewpoints on LIFE & LIVING & everything in between, be my guest &
drop your comments thru this blog,okay??hehehe…

"May you have a cool morning, a warm

noon

, and a golden sunset. If
clouds appear, may God give you the faith to look beyond".

elrey_md@yahoo.com

It’s not easy to just sit here lethargically inside my clinic all day long (especially if you were used to a knotty, toxic urban life) confounded with stuffs on how to ease boredom while onboard this dreary ship, and do nothing except to wait for any” Russian crew casualties” that needs your medical attention. In the end, you might loose your sanity or become cracked, don’t you think?? Good thing I found ways to be preoccupied, somehow.

Incidentally, I submitted my monthly medical report to our captain this morning & I have only seen 10 patients for the whole month of January!! Nah, not even close to the number of patients seen everyday in Out-Patient-Department of any hospital in the

Philippines

, or elsewhere hehehe,..( I know, that was something I shouldn’t have to be haughty about!)

Reading my e-books (hey, thanks to this amazing website, www. esnips.com ) and/or medical references, trying my culinary savoir faire (well, I only do pastries & sweet stuffs), catering personnel/environmental sanitation inspection and of course, checking my emails/friendster/pinoyMD for updates would round up my ordinary, languorous day here in MV Zephyr 1.

Yes, what a mind-numbing job I’ve got here now, you might think, right?? Nevertheless, neither I am belittled nor belligerent about it. On the contrary, I feel so blessed and obliged to be in this kind of position. Obviously, I can have all the time in this world to contemplate on some deep-seated aspects of my life ( without a doubt, some would find it so corny/impractical thing to do but as for me, it’s sensible and rejuvenating, and that’s for sure!). Yeah, there were times when I would just stay for hours at the top most spot of the ship ( monkey bridge) usually before sunset, merely having some sort of self-analysis and rumination….(oh no, don’t do it so hard folks, you’d still have to guard yourself conscientiously, you know….hehehehe!!)

“This life is the only one you’re given…..look for opportunities to grow and never be discouraged to do so. Replace your weaknesses with positives; take Life’s broken pieces and recreate your dreams……Never measure the future by the past; let yesterday become a memory, and tomorrow…… a promise.”

……and what else I have done to make the most out of it???

My answer was simple. I was motivated to do a lot of selfless deeds lately. (well, it must be Mitch Albom’s or Paulo Coehlo’s influence on me ..hehehe,..I’m not sure though!)

The UST Nursing Batch ’99 Student Financial Assistance Project, which my friends & I initiated last year, is doing quite well now with almost 600.00US $ in our fund. We were able to help these two young aspiring nursing students to continue their college education ( to my fellow college batch mates who also wish to give his/her humble share, we are still accepting donations/endowments and you may read my previous post in this blog for more details, thanks!).

Recently, I even tried to contact old friends/colleagues to have a medical outreach program/ orphanages visits when I get back home this May or just simply organize an activity for a noble cause and that is, to share our blessings and help out other people to see that Life is indeed beautiful and our world is still, a better place to live in.

Nope, I’m not running for a public office. I just want to give back all the glory to my Creator through my own simple and modest way I know. I owe Him everything I’ve got and what I have become now (along with fervent prayers, love & support of my family & dear friends)

Besides, reaching out to others is my passion. (precisely, that’s it!). It’s hard but it makes me happy.

Let’s learn to share and give till it hurts. And you know what the Buddhists say? Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent! (Cliché it may sound but true, the more you give the more you receive…believe me!)

Three days ago, I called up my agent just to say “kamusta po” and gave feedbacks to our office regarding the current status of Filipino workers here onboard. Surprisingly, he told me that even if my 6 months contract has not yet ended with Zephyr , fortunately, I was already included in the line-up for the next vessel that might sail

Northern America

or

Europe

! Haha! Honestly, I haven’t thought of it! In fact, I thought they will not renew my contract anymore and I would just have to have my indefinite onshore leave until I find another job instead but, it looks like yet another blessing has bestowed upon me!!

They say. It’s good karma. I say it’s God’s will.

And that leads me to this idea of giving my own share too to my other alma mater-Manila Science High School. A school which I firmly believe, not only her students and graduates should be proud of, but the entire Filipino nation as well.

Okay, this part might be so egotistical but c’mon,…it’s hard to be humble when once you had the chance to mingle with gifted kids in one highly regarded institution, right??( as if you were also that smart!!! hehehe…it’s smart to be cool and it’s cool to be smart!!!)

MaSci ( as we fondly call her) stands a bastion in Philippine education. Her countless graduates serve and lead in all facets of

Philippines

society. Indeed, the MaScians are achievers, true to their calling. And yes, it’s been almost twelve years.

But one thing that has not changed about MaSci is its reputation for excellence. Many of us have heard about those three great Filipino young scientists whose names would be literally up in the sky (won the top prize in 55^th Intel-International Science and Engineering Fair in

Oregon

,

USA

) and other fellow Mascians who emerged champions in various interscholastic competitions locally and abroad.

And to further help those great young minds, I conceptualized a strategy to build and strengthen not only our lasting friendship among my high school batch mates but our relationship to MaSci as well through engaging to a worthy endeavor - “ Kayamang Handog sa kapwa Masci” - A Book Donation Project of MSHS Batch ‘95.

Meanwhile, together with equally nifty minds of fellow MaScian ’95- Mr. Jasper Loverio and Mr. Joven Larin, we are still working it out to lay down all the details, logistics and approach needed for the said project.

And for that reason, I would like to encourage my fellow MaScians to take part of this project. Our Project. We will be happy to receive books (old or new), maps, charts, journals, scientific papers and other reference materials in various subjects that can be utilized for library research or instructional purposes.

"The gift of book is the gift of knowledge we share to the younger generation".

I am utilizing the flicks of the Net to ask for my friends’ assistance locally and abroad.

And hopefully one day, we will have our small, simple gathering, along with our books of course, have some chit-chats, rekindle the amity and try to recollect those uncanny, sweet teenage experiences we had altogether.

Again, I am appealing to you ( MaSci ’95/ UST Nursing ‘99 ) to heed the call.

Share. Give. Believe….& you’ll be Blessed more!

MASCI- SCIENCE*TRUTH*COUNTRY…..

UST- ONCE A TOMASIAN, ALWAYS A TOMASIAN…remember???

Two days ago, I responded to Mr. Iliac Diaz’ message on his Bulletin Board entitled “I Hate Valentines Day” so let me share again with you my own unobtrusive insight thru this blog.

First and foremost, I don’t want to sound a bit anti-romantic (which in reality, I am actually a self-confessed sappy, sentimental foolish one!) and also, please don’t get that wrong notion that I am just being grumpy, sour graping or having that feeling of resentment on this V-day thing. It’s just I wanted to react on some key aspects of V-day and perhaps, would like to be enlisted as well in this “Singles by choice are… NOT Losers Crusade” well, if there’s such a thing! (making some lame excuses? ? nah!) Just try to read it first and see where I’m getting at.

It’s OK to be mushy at times, however, some people just have the tendency to ride on the bandwagon and others would even attempt to swank those huge bouquet of flowers or brag their precious gifts just to gratify the “call of season” for their ladies.

I had once my own share of giving expensive flowers or gifts to the lady I adore ( with all my sincerity and pure intentions) but I guess, as we grow older, there are more essential things in life that we tend to just take for granted or don’t even bother to appreciate them at all . And some of those are actually SIMPLE yet TRUE. (Perhaps, that explains why some people don’t buy COURTSHIP- thinking that as if some Romeos were only just putting their best foot forward just to win thier Juliets’ hearts.Well, it’s a different story though!)

We don’t need special occasions nor expensive gifts, flowers, or chocolates on V-day just to express our sentiments and sincerity of our affection. Shame on those guys who are manipulated by smart advertisements and commercialism and same thing goes as well with those girls who would expect a lot of shabby material things from their partners.

Wouldn’t be nice to treat your guys with just a simple cake you baked or maybe give him a good massage after a long day work instead of nagging around why he wasn’t able to reserve an expensive restaurant for two? On the other hand, it won’t make us less macho if we could do the laundry sometimes for our wife or drive our GF to visit her dear Lola/Grandma in the province that she hasn’t seen for a long time. And no need to wait for the 14^th of February to do it folks!

Spontaneity and unfussiness must be an essential part of making a relationship more amusing and endearing, don’t you think??

Sad but true, it’s just a commercial day taking advantage of people by making them feel culpable that if you do not do anything romantic on this ONE day out of the other 364 days something is WRONG.

Yeah, a day to express your love to that person ,so does that mean that the other 364 days are meaningless?

In a nutshell, the main aspect of Valentine’s Day for me, that is, if it’s really fair to call it a celebration is, doing a lot of sacrifices so your partner could be the better person he/she can be without expecting something in return. Trying to complement with your indifferences and resolve them so you can both grow and learn from it.

Well, for all the singles out there (like me..hehehe), maybe on this coming V-day, we could all unite and convene in this place called Never Neverland! How to get there?? So easy. Second Star to the right… and straight on ’til morning….No Passport needed only your imaginative reveries and a cheerful spirit……heheheheh!!

See you there!!!

"What really brings people closer isn’t what they have but what they share."

Before I embarked on my ship and started my job as Vessel Physician, it was few months ago when I took the opportunity to return to the grounds of my alma mater ( FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation) in a “far away land”..and since hindi naman po ako duon nag PGI kaya sobrang na-miss ko rin pala ang school ko. During my JI days, our school offered us a sort of a peek to the façade of both worlds-6 months inside rotation (“private practice” school based hospital) and 6 months outside rotation ( government hospitals & institutions) and eventually, I chose to have my PGI training (Post Graduate Internship, 5th yr. before taking the Board Exams) in the latter setting.

Looking objectively at our Med Life experiences, delve into the painful, pleasant, and the emotional roller coaster that may have been our life for that time, what of value did we take away, and what do we continue to learn from this leg of the journey. Do we perceive that uniqueness in that “atrocious” yet altruistic chapter of our lives? Most of us or should I say everybody ( in medical field ) would certainly do but in various perspectives and demeanor.

I have come across with a number of foreign medical students across the Asia and Oceania through the years, and it is hard for most of them to perceive our experiences. I carry that banner proudly. And from what I perceive, my fellow Filipino trained medical students/clerks/interns are surely a unique group of people with a powerful base and strong desire to reach for ideals. This blood runs deep among us at kahit saan pang lupalop ng mundo tayo makarating .( health system in my country is indeed,deplorable wherein quality & comprehensive health care services are sometimes, a luxury instead of a right.nevertheless, somehow, a lot of local Filipino doctors still manage to be resourceful enough, dedicated and responsive to the needs and plights of their patients amidst of the poignant condition. sad but true!)

Those rainy seasons, 24 hrs nonstop manual ambu-bagging, walang kamatayang IV insertion,”doc,pa sanction po ng pasyente namin”, doing clinical abstracts, home visits, referrals THOC, otso-otso (CPR) , boldyakan during endorsements, pagtataray ng ilang mga nurses, panakaw na pagtulog o panunuod ng ‘”oh yeah, oh yeah” VCD/DVDs sa Male JI lounge, CPCs( case presentation conferences), “fermented malt hydration” sessions, and not to mention those endless walking monitoring machines were all not comfortable, I know, but as a facet of the diamond, they make the gem quite valuable.

Masaya.Magulo.Mahirap.Masarap. Misteryoso…hehehe-ilan lamang marahil sa mga salitang maglalarawan ng aking buhay MED sa ‘Pinas. At salamat sa mga taong naging bahagi rin ng aking makabuluhang paglalakbay (my fellow interns/clerks from St. Luke’s, Fatima, Perpetual, UERMMC, DLSU, UST ).Marami akong natutunan hindi lamang sa panggagamot ng maysakit bagkus, ang kahalagahan ng PAKIKIPAG-KAPWA TAO at pagpapahalaga ng ating BUHAY!

Allow me to quote Dr. Meredith Grey of Grey’s Anatomy-

I cant think of any one good reason why I want to be a doctor..

But I can think of thousand reasons why I should quit….

They make it hard on purpose..

There are lives in our hands..

There comes a moment when it’s more than just a game.. …..

and you either take that step forward….

….or turn around and walk away.

I could quit, yes.

But here’s the thing….. I love the playing field!!!

MEDICINE.I LOVE THIS GAME!

Note: This was actually the same message I posted in PinoyMD, an awesome website dedicated for Filipino Doctors and was not intended to bring dispute or arguments but rather, I just wanted to share my own personal sentiments and experiences in this profession so called “The Science and Art of Healing” . And for those who can’t decode a number of Tagalog items I used here, the following are some of the explanations/translations (not actually verbatim but something to that effect) that I would like to convey:

1. “hindi naman po ako duon nag PGI kaya sobrang na-miss ko”- I missed my school so much since I opted to have my Post Graduate Internship (5th yr) training outside.

2. “at kahit saan pang lupalop ng mundo tayo makarating “- wherever in this world our fate bring would bring us

3. “walang kamatayang IV insertion”- never-ending IV insertions

4. “doc,pa sanction po ng pasyente namin”- instead of asking us (clerks/interns) to suction their patients’ copious pulmonary discharges, some relatives would tell sanction.hehehe..

5. otso-otso (CPR)- imitating a famous dance move (otso-otso) “eight-eight” while doing the external chest compression

6. “boldyakan” during endorsements- being grilled/ tortured/tormented/eaten alive by some consultants, professors, and senior residents during bedside endorsements or case study reports

7. “pagtataray ng ilang mga nurses”- nasty/ spiteful / mean treatment of some nurses to med students mostly noted in some government hospital thinking we just meddle with their jobs whenever we asked for the patients’ charts or need some assistance from them….again, some but Not all…I used to be a Nurse, too before becoming an MD.

8. “panakaw na pagtulog” – stolen nap/siesta/forty winks/rest

9. “panunuod ng ‘”oh yeah, oh yeah” VCD/DVDs”- men’s stuff, no need to elaborate (censored!!!….hehehehee)

10. “ Masaya.Magulo.Mahirap.Masarap. Misteryoso…”- Fun. Chaotic. Hard. Fulfilling. Mysterious.

11. “ ilan lamang marahil sa mga salitang maglalarawan ng aking buhay MED sa ‘Pinas”- just a few of many words I could think of to describe my MED Life in the Philipines

12. “At salamat sa mga taong naging bahagi rin ng aking makabuluhang paglalakbay”- and my heartfelt thanks to those people who, one way or another, became part of this laudable journey

13. "Marami akong natutunan hindi lamang sa panggagamot ng maysakit bagkus, ang kahalagahan ng PAKIKIPAG-KAPWA TAO at pagpapahalaga ng ating BUHAY!"- okay this one is hard but I’ll try it though!—I have learned a lot from those experiences, not just treating your patients, making them well but most importantly, the CAMARADERIE and FRIENDSHIP I had and the SIGNIFICANCE OF LIVING SELFLESSLY and LOVING LIFE to the fullest!

Mabuhay UST NURSING ’99 Batch mates!!

Once a Tomasian, always a Tomasian.. and we are proud to be one!!!.

Many of us share common characteristics, including a love of learning, a sense of responsibility and a propensity for challenging ourselves and others. We are united by shared memories and our conviction that The Royal and Pontifical Catholic University of the Philippines- University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing is an exceptional institution. We cannot fully measure the value and experience of our undergraduate education in dollars, as its true worth becomes more evident with the passing of years. In time, we recognize that our growth into the individuals that we are now (the individuals that we became) is intrinsically linked to the people we met and the experiences we enjoyed at UST.

In the next three years to come, we will be celebrating our 10th Alumni Homecoming and to commemorate the event, plans of having get together dinner and other activities are underway. Our participation counts!!

In line with this, a group of concerned batch mates, friends and I conceptualized a strategy to build and strengthen not only our lasting friendship among ourselves but our relationship to our College as well through engaging to a worthy endeavor- The UST College of Nursing Batch 1999 Student Financial Assistance Program. Realizing the vision-mission of our College i.e., producing nurses who are scientifically informed, technically, socially aware, appreciative of one’s culture and deeply committed to carry out their professional and individual responsibilities in accordance with Christian ideals, we are appealing to you to heed the call.

Most people give because they have a relationship with the College. Personal contacts help build these relationships far better than the typical letters to alumni and are far more effective. Contact from a peer is interactive and dynamic. It allows for flexibility, negotiation, and personalization. It is much more compelling to ask a peer to join you when you have already made your own philanthropic contribution.

In these trying times, the burden of good quality education in our country costs too high. We are hoping you to partake this noble act of giving through your financial contributions. All of us are challenged with the current economic uncertainties that make contributions a luxury. Please remember that what we face now is not a great deal worse than conditions couple of years ago when others made sacrifices that enabled us to benefit. It is now our turn to give in tough times to benefit others. I encourage you to consider a gift now regardless of amount. It will be a great way to start the celebration of the 10th anniversary of our graduation. If you want to help plan any activities/parties contact me or any Class Section Agent. Finally, please overcome your modesty and send me some news about what you are doing now. The rest of us are interested so let’s keep in touch thru emails, text messages or Friendster.

See you in 2009!

WILL YOU HEED THE CALL?

GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

UST College of Nursing Batch 1999 FINANCIAL TRANSACTION DETAILS:

For financial transactions (in PhP) by cash or by check, please make your deposits to:

*Bank : Allied Bank (UE- Recto Branch)

*Acct. Name : Dr. Elrey L. Navarro

*Acct Number:: 313 00 95 995

For financial transactions (in US$) by cash or by check, you may contact deposit info with:

Mrs. Sherr Ann Quito-Arabit ( Class Agent Section -6)

752 Shore Concourse

Keyport New Jersey 07731

+17325706043 +17329255948

edsherrrn@optonline.net

Please email elrey_md@yahoo.com the following details:

Name (indicate maiden name if married)

Class Section:

Bank Branch:

Transaction Number:

Date of Transaction:

Amount Deposited:

Should you need a copy of the Official Receipt, we can Fax, mail, email it to you in jpg format. Please include your preferred contact details with the information above.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

*Note:Please be informed that abovementioned bank account would only be utilized temporarily. Our Official Batch Bank Account is still underway and has to be registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

There are some people you meet that are special, that instantly become part of your life. It was like that with Tine. Soon after we met, we joined at the hip and laughed a lot. We clicked. For the rest of her life, Tine was a part of my life. Along with our other college friends- Benjie, Queenie, Irene, we did a lot together. We stayed in Medicine building till midnight doing student council’s stuffs…, we laughed together, we played endless games of LIFE together. Tine was there when I attempted to court a long time crush, we spent a couple of hours in their humble abode helping each other  to rationalize things and shared point of views, rebuild my coolness, she was there when I flunked my Biochemistry subject in Medicine, she was there through the best & worst times I had. There are few people that know you as well as those friends you grew up with.

Tine had a wonderful sense of humor. She looked at things with a slightly different eye. She was perhaps, a little child living in a woman’s body- sassy, audacious, clumsy, tactless. Like her, her humour was contagious. She would even tell you the whole detailed story of anything or everything she found amusing as if you were also there when it happened.

Tine was a poet at heart. She wrote wonderful poetry and kept a diary as her solace. She used it to express her feelings about her friends, her life, her family. I know any of you that have lines she wrote will treasure them.

Tine can’t live without books especially with passionate themes & about the mysteries of life & living in general. You’ll get a bit of her romantic side once you’ve seen the movie  or read her most loved  novel “The Notebook”.

And music. Tine loved music. From Parkoya ni Edgar’s “Mr. Suave” to Apo Hiking Society’s “When I Met You”.  She’ll always be remembered with her humming rendition of her favorite song by Goo Goo Dolls’ “ Iris”.

Tine’s life wasn’t easy though. Her family always comes first. Working abroad as a nurse and leaving her comfort zone was a big, big risk on her part. But she has to do it for her siblings. Giving so much of herself without inhibitions nor regrets.

She had loved and would always be forever loving.

Christine Lea Marie Chua Omania was many things. She was courageous. She was intelligent. She was incredibly funny. She was immensely talented. She was great company, and she was as good, and as true a friend as any person could hope for. I was priviledged to know her, and to call her my friend.

I hope, I pray, I know she has found peace.

WE MISS AND LOVE YOU, TINE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR FRIEND.