It’s taking so long for them to discharge me because CT scan reading took a while. Radiologist is not here everyday. That’s the thing with hospitals in provinces, you gotta share radiologists because there aren’t enough of them here in the Philippines.

I remember writing an article about radiology and a technology that enables hospitals to transmit images like X-rays, CT scans, etc. to radiologists so they don’t have to be physically present in the hospital to read. That solves the problem of scarcity of healthcare workers, especially in the provinces. I could have been discharged yesterday but…🤷🏻‍♀️

Speaking of shortage of specialists, my older sister told me about her bestfriend’s hesitation about transfering Twin A to another hospital when she was under her care prior to the transfer to PGH. She said when she asked around about the reputation of the pediatric hemato-oncologist of that hospital recommended by Metro Pacific, people said, “OK lang” and not the enthusiastic “she’s good.” That scared her. She said the good ones have already left the country and she knows three who have just left for Singapore. She said at least if we get to PGH or UST she knows we’re in good hands. It’s dangerous to be under a mediocre doctor under the circumstances my daughter was in at that time.

Now back to the radiologist. We knew the radiologist here before, he was my older sister’s high school classmate. But since he is a product of Harvard Med, his services have been more in demand in big Metro Manila hospitals so he had to give up his practice here. The only reason why he goes here is because of his parents who still live here, as well as his in-laws since his wife is my high school classmate who is a dermatologist here. Since then, radiology reading has to be scheduled because they don’t have a radiologist here everyday. Hence the delay in my CT scan result.

I’m much better now, albeit there is still some tenderness in the upper abdomen. I guess this is a result of the massive muscle spasms I had when I was deep in pain the past few days. My gastroenterologist said what he was giving me are already meds for ulcer. If I still have aches and pains, then it might be caused by a stone or two stuck in the bile duct where my gall bladder was attached to before its removal in 2014. He said my initial blood tests showed that there is some yellowness in my blood. So they ran some more tests to check my liver.

He didn’t explain anymore but I guess my bilirubin is high, therefore, it’s not eliminated. My urine is deep yellow, so it could indicate presence of bilirubin.

What he said though that if there is indeed blockage in my bile duct, I would have to undergo ERCP, which is not performed in this hospital. I would have to transfer to Medical City, Asian Hospital or St Luke’s (I think). 🤦🏻‍♀️

I just hope the CT scan shows there is no blockage but it’s just peptic ulcer, which can be cured with meds and involves careful diet for the healing of the gut.

Let’s wait for the CT scan

Finally going home!!!

Nothing in my CT scan, it’s clean. So it was just a very bad acute gastritis. All the build up of stress, fatty/oily food and caffeine landed me here. Plus I’m no longer in my 20s to be able to recover quickly from such ordeal. Whew!

Thank you, Lord.