Dealing with all the syringes

It was the third night since Santi accidentally wounded my finger with her tooth. It bleed and i just cleaned it up. I was not really concerned. Ever since I got my first cat, im already used to have little scratches everywhere. It's part of having cats.

But this time, it was different, I have been feeling a bit different. My head seems to feel numb. I can't really describe it, basta it's not normal. I started thinking of that afternoon. I told my office-mates about it and they all started saying i should get shots to prevent any infection.

I got a little scared I must admit. I kept on saying to myself that it was not Santi's fault, i was the one who mishandled her fragile body, that's why she accidentally wounded me.

So I decided to go the Makati Medical Center. I said since i have a medicard, i don't really need to pay for anything so I went to get the shots.

It was around 8PM when a lady doctor checked me and prescribed anti-rabies shots.
As we were getting the approval of my HMO. I found out that the cost of all the treatments for that night alone is P35,000. I was so surprised, I can't believe it. That's how expensive these medicines are? Then the Hospital staff informed me that I will have to pay in cash because Medicard only covers P10,000 for the rabies vaccines.

I got the phone and inquired, that's when I learned that its a special or additional package for the regular HMO package they give for companies. I was also advised to go to other hospitals to lessen my expenses.

So that's when me, my brother and my boyfriend decided to go to another hospital other than Makati Med. Before I was aloud to seek for another hospitals service, my doctor instructed me to get the tetanus toxoid shot first then we proceeded to go the Potenciano Hospital in EDSA. There, they are charging me P26,000 pesos. Still very expensive. Last resort for the night. The doctor said if I want a cheaper medicine, I should go to San Lazaro. So we did. We arrived at San Lazaro hospital around 11PM. We traveled more than an hour to get there and seek their ER's help. To my disbelief, we were blocked by a security guard before we got to the entrance door. He asked in a very arrogant way, what is it that we came there for? I showed him my finger and explained that it's been 3 nights since I was bitten by a stray cat and that I'm experiencing headaches that's why I decided to get the shots just in ase I'm infected. Then a woman, I presume she was a nurse, approached us and asked in a not so nice tone again... That's when I realized it was a mistake to go there. I just wanted to go home and never mind my flight. I just don't want to endure this treatment from people who look so different from the people who attended me at Makati Med and Potenciano Hospital. They are so unprofessional and disrespectful. The woman asked where was I bitten, I showed her my finger. She looked at it in that dimly lit area and in an instant she said " bumalik kayo bukas, don kayo sa Out Patient dumaan!." I wanted to scream at her at the same time I wanted to cry. I wanted so much to level with her and try not to give her the same treatment she gave us. I figured these kind of people does not deserve any of my energy and time anymore. So I decided to just let it go and turned my back to walk away. It was my boyfriend who wanted so much to burst in anger and I just touched him and said let it go. Let's leave this place now.He still talked to the 2 staff and sarcastically asked them for the directions of the OPD. The tone used by the guard never fails. There was no trace of compassion, or the willingness to guide those who are in need or immediate care. Nothing.

I just walked away.

I never went back to that hospital again. Because I know I might not have the same level of self-control when I was feeling so vulnerable that night..
I know if ever I'll return to that place I will prepare myself to put those arrogant staff to their rightful place. But I figured it's just a waste of time.

Since I have a very important event coming up. I decided to wait for it to finish before I get my shots.

It was on the event day when a friend asked about my condition and checked if I got my shots already. I was really surprised how she knew about my condition. That's when I found out that my boyfriend was ranting all over facebook about that unfortunate experience we had. I didn't even know about it. Anyway, that friend advised me to go to RITM Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang. She said the service is good there.

So I decided to go there.

Thank God. I commend RITM not only have I got all the vaccines I need with less the P4000. For those who wants to know, before getting the actual dose of vaccines; a patient have to undergo skin test. I was unprepared for this experience. though the nurse warned me that it will hurt, i didn't expect that it will hurt so much, and to think I have a high tolerance for pain. Once must wait for 30 mins to see if you have allergies on the midicine, once cleared you may proceed with the anti-rabies shots.

I must say that The service and the systematic procedure they have is very commendable. Not to mention the doctor and the nurse who assisted me. I got the name of the nurse, her name is Teodora. I must say that she was a big help. Before getting the shots, you can just imagine the anticipation I have as I waited for my turn. asking those who finished their injections, I tell you I got scared. Knowing there was not 1 but 6-8 injections needed for that procedure. They said the amount of vaccines depends on your weight. I endured 2 shots on both arms, 1 on my finger, and supposedly 2 shots on both thighs. Ms. Teodora asked if I can handle having all the medicine in 1 throw. Meaning 2 injections maybe injected in 1 site. I took a deep breath and said yes. I cried, the injection on my finger was really painful. But I feel so safe with the concern showed by the nurse. I am thankful to her. I hope there will be more nurses and doctors like her in our public hospitals.

There are 3 more sessions of PVRV shots after these. Right now I'm done with my 2nd. I am scheduled to get the final dose after 1 month. I'm so glad it's almost over. :)

I hope the people in the medicine field does not forget that they are treating people. And sometimes its not only the medicines or treatments the patients need. It will make a big difference if these people who are suppose to care for us when we feel so helpless will show real care or shall i say genuine concern for others after all it was them who engaged themselves in this profession or shall we say vocation?
I believe that caring for the sick is such a noble responsibility, very admirable.

More power to those who truly cares and help sick people.
May you touch more life on earth.

A stray kitten named Santi

There I was in Greenbelt Church, waiting for my boyfriend outside. I saw a little kitten staring at nowhere, sitting still.

a couple or 2 walk pass her, and i kept on watching her... waiting for any movement she will make. but she was not moving. and then a a loud scream of a child shook her stillness and there she was sprinting her way out as if to avoid being stepped on by the kids running towards her.. I moved very quickly and tried my best to block the kid and grab the little kitty to safety.

That was the first moment we laid our eyes on each other. She was my Santi. My boyfriend gave her that name. It came from "saint", since she came from a church. :)

As I was holding her on my chest, she cried softly and stared at my eyes. I saw a little angel, helpless, and i imagine how hungry she must be. How much I wanted to take her home, but I already adopted 5 kittens, and adopting another one is really very hard. The expenses and all the medical treatments they have to get is affecting my budget already. :(

But her eyes, oh i can't seem to leave her alone in the dark. I said to myself, i will just wait for my bf to see him and maybe he can keep the little angel.

So my bf arrives. He was so surprised to see me standing outside a dark corner, so surprised to see mr grinning at him... there as he walk towards me. He saw what the grin was all about. Oh my God he said... where did you get that?

I told him i just wanted you to see her and then I will let her go... so he smiled... you will let her go???

I was not sure anymore. Because my heart wants to hold her more because i wanted her to feel loved and I want her to have someone and I wanted so much to feed her immediately. So we paused and think of a way how to feed her. I said lets buy her food in the nearby grocery store. And then what? Leave her again? Oh no I can't... I don't want to...

So I said let's skip church tonight and head back home because at home I have a lot to feed this little angel.

I put Santi on my lunch bag, peeping outside she suddenly cried while we were inside a jeep... she wanted to get out of the bag.. i was so unsure what made her cry that way... and there it was... she had discharge. We rush to clean her up and there at home I assessed her feces and with the smell and how it looks... it was obvious that she is a very sick kitten. As much as I wanted to keep her I was suddenly afraid for the other cats in the house. But what am I to do. I cannot throw her away and leave her to die. No, I can't.

So, with prayers and hope that my other babies will not be infected. We kept Santi.

She was so fragile, skin and bones... I tried to give her something to eat. She did ate a little.

All the while I thought she was improving. With a little cry once in a while as the big ones tries to hiss and growl at her but eventually she was able to feel at home after 2 days.

We consulted a vet and was advised to give her antibiotic. Deworming at this time is not advisable because her body is so weak, we needed to revive her and make her strong first for her to receive deworming and other preventive vaccines.

Her feces improved on the 3rd day. So I was happy. But she was not eating, very little and it worried me.

We gave her medicines, vitamins and other stuff to give her energy and revive her immune system.. but then again on the 7th day. I last saw her lookin at me... she was there lying and still like she always have.. but she was looking at me... i touched her head and said "i love you baby"... then i don't know why... i don't usually take a nap but I did. I felt my head ache and so I said I'll just take a little nap.

I woke up. Looked at her usual spot. She was not there. I thought maybe she went inside her dome box... so i got up and as i walk outside the room... there she was.. lifeless...

I touched her, she was so pale and she was gone, really gone.

I didn't know what to do... i cried and call my boyfriend... i was crying so hard my heart feels like exploding... I thought she was going to make it. I thought she was recovering and so I was wrong, silently with all the sleepless nights I spent just to keep an eye on her... she left me as I was on my sleep.

Maybe God didn't want me to see her death, I don't know but I'm just consoling myself and we just want to believe that now she doesn't have to endure anymore pain.

I wanted so much to give her my home. For her to experience how to have somebody who will take good care of her. I wanted her to play with my other cats, but maybe i was too late to save her life. Or maybe God just wanted me to meet her to give her some love. I'm not sure.

One thing is sure. She will forever be remembered and a part of our family.

Someone says Santi means peaceful. Well, by now Im happy that Santi is peaceful. Go and play without the pain baby. Mama and papa misses you so much.