This was another week full of adventure while figuring out life in The Philippines! I’ve enjoyed getting to know more people, exploring new parts of the town, learning so many skills in the hospital, experiencing nursing “firsts,” and topping it off with traveling to Manila! You can read more about the highlights of this week below!
The Hospital
This week we had our rotation, led by Sir Jeff, in the ICU. It was my first time working in the ICU and was a really neat experience. It was also my first time working a 12-hour shift (we had two this week). Because of our experience this week, I feel more prepared and confident to start our critical care clinicals next year. We got to care for patients in a more severe state where they require much closer monitoring and are not as autonomous as a gen floor patient is. Some patients were there with infections, seizures, sepsis, TBI, and more. We wore protective PPE when in the ICU and in patient rooms. We became pros at NG feedings since they are done as often as anyone else would normally eat. Along with doing feedings, I assisted in an NG insertion, foley insertion, and IV insertions.
It was neat to see how the status of the patients we saw in the ICU changed. Unfortunately, one of the patients we cared for did pass away. There was another patient there who we had worked with all week but improved so much by the end of it that he could finally recognize that there were a bunch of foreigners in his room. We introduced ourselves and he could communicate (via another nurse’s translation) just a bit! We also saw how the nurses interacted with doctors, patients, and families and could compare how that environment differed from the general ward and the ER.
One of our most memorable experiences was when one of the ER nurses called us down to help in/observe a code situation. We assisted in reviving a 12 yo 3 times until our measures outweighed her physiologic state. I drew up medications, took her blood glucose, and suctioned her trach during the codes. The health care team eventually abided by the family’s wishes and let her pass. After the family had their time with her, Jake, Aileen, and I assisted in performing post-mortum care. It was a tremendously emotional experience to be a part of my first code and patient death, especially with a child.
ICU staff on our last day on the unit! 
Buko Juice treat after a day at work. thank you Sir Jeff!
Weekday Activities
Because we worked two 12s, we were able to take a day off to do a hike with Sir Jeff and his father-in-law! They picked us up bright and early on Thursday morning so that we could beat the Filipino heat. It started with a McDonald’s breakfast and a drive to a nearby mountain. Our plan was to hike up it but we learned from some locals that it is still closed due to COVID. So, we took another “hike” down to Taal Lake. It was 1,500 steps down with beautiful views along the way. Once down, Sir Jeff’s Father-in-law cut down some mangoes for us. We caught our breath, ate our mangoes, skipped some rocks, took pictures, and enjoyed the view. Then, we trekked back up the stairs for our workout of the week. After that, Sir Jeff took us to his family business – a store and a restaurant. I ate some yummy Lomi at their lomi house before they took us to see their backyard – full of livestock like chickens, turkeys, pigs, and more! They even had people climb a palm tree and cut down bukos (coconuts) for us! We hung out with them and made our own buko juice (fresh coconut water, condensed milk, and brown sugar), and ate some hard-boiled duck eggs which were even better than chicken eggs. It was a really awesome day and a great way to break up the week.
Taal Lake at the bottom of the 1,500 steps 
fresh BJ! 
shaving out the coconut meat with the hand carved spoon 
group selfie after our hike
Weekend Travel – Manila
This weekend we also found our way to Manila. It was so refreshing to be in a city. Never have I ever even imagined so many malls in one area! Not only were they everywhere, but they were huge! Our hotel was right across the SM Megamall where we happily spent our morning and afternoon watching basketball competitions, shopping, eating, and people-watching. We didn’t participate but we also could have ice skated, bowled, or done archery in this mall! We explored a little of Manila on our own during the day but it wasn’t until one of our classmate’s aunts took us out that we saw more of what Manila has to offer. She brought us to a shopping area and a fun bar/bistro on Saturday night. On Sunday we stuffed ourselves full of all-you-can-eat Korean bbq in, you guessed it, another mall. It was delicious! After that, we visited a knock-off market which was so fun to look around in and see. We also visited a coffee/donut shop to hold us over for the drive back to Sto. Tomas.
cooking up our Korean BBQ! 
The Podium mall 
having fun in the mall 
exploring the city on saturday night 
basketball court in the mall