Dea M. 🇵🇭 Manila. 41 y/o. Wife. Mother. BA English. Post-graduate intern. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~C.S. Lewis
"Doktor na kayo lahat ng mga kapatid mo."
Actually, we have 1 more sibling, a CPA. He's the smartest among all of us (BS BAA grad in UP Diliman), works for an international bank, and makes more money than all 4 of us doctors combined.
My sister called the code, did the intubation, did chest compressions, called out orders, did the ultrasounds, called the time of death, and printed the final (flatline) ECG, all while her heart was breaking into a million pieces. Much respect. I'm sure Papa is oh so very proud.
MD at 40!!!
Pursuing medicine at 36 years old with a Bachelor of Arts degree while being a wife and mother with no household help was nothing short of crazy. It's been 4 years of crazy.
To everyone who helped me get to this point, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Yes, I was once a Duts supporter who is now all for Leni. If you can't get past that, it says more about you that it does about us, that you like to dwell on others' mistake because it makes you feel good about yourself. Nakapag-character development na kami, try niyo rin.
Started med school at 36, and the only person I'm comparing myself to is my former self who was unhappy and lost career-wise.
No regrets. Never too late.
Four days until my med school graduation. My dad missed my graduation by four days. It hurts. He already had his outfit planned. He will be cremated tomorrow in the suit he was planning on wearing.
Me getting my monthly 1k stipend today as a post-graduate intern. Medical internships are unpaid, maswerte na kami na may stipend kami from our hospital (which only started a few months ago). Most hospitals don't give allowance. Please be kind to your intern friends, haha.
Kung nag-leave ng maayos, nag-arrange ng magcocover (syempre with pasalubong 😂), at mag-make up duty naman, why not? Deserve niyo yan.
Kung nagsinungaling or nang-iwan ng kaduty sa ere, ibang usapan yan.
I was left flabbergasted after finding out that a number of medical interns/clerks abandoned their duty post to watch The Eras Tour. If you think it’s justifiable then maybe a career in medicine is not for you.
One of my best friends is a neurologist who decided to take a break from medicine to pursue other passions. She put her practice on hold, closed her clinic, and left for another country to study something else. She's only in her late 30s. I want that kind of freedom in my life.
Dear Cynthia Villar, this is my little sister, an Emergency Med resident, intubating yet another patient. Now, tell me that she and all the healthcare workers in the frontlines are not motivated, hardworking, and passionate enough. I dare you.
Nakakahiya ka.
Welp, this blew up. To clarify:
1. My brothers are GPs, my sister is a resident. Hindi sila big-time consultants, sakto lang ang kita.
2. My CPA bro is happily married with kids. Sorry, ladies.
3. Whatever career you choose, pagbutihan ninyo. Hard, honest work pays off.
"Doktor na kayo lahat ng mga kapatid mo."
Actually, we have 1 more sibling, a CPA. He's the smartest among all of us (BS BAA grad in UP Diliman), works for an international bank, and makes more money than all 4 of us doctors combined.
Thank you for sympathies and kind words for my sister. She's an amazing human being. She really is meant for Emergency Med and any ER would be lucky to have her. She will be okay. We will be okay.
If your parents are still here, please cherish them. Life is short.
My brother took accountancy because of Papa. He even worked for SGV for a while just like Papa.
Papa was our hero. We are very proud to have him as our dad. I know he's proud of us.
Day 2 without you, Papa. It still feels unreal.
November 27, 1951 - August 7, 2023
Our Papa Lito was former dean of accountancy in Arellano University, University of Perpetual Help, and FEU. If any of his former students see this, please lift a prayer up for him. Thank you.
If supporting Duts in '16 is all you can fault me with, I'll take it. Bobo at tanga naman talaga ako nun. Pero hanap na lang kayo ng ibang ipintas sa akin, kawawa naman kayo. Bobo at tanga din ako sa med school ngayon, pwede niyo ring ipintas sa akin yun, I don't mind. 😝😝😝
We have a classmate who struggled with the NMAT, took it 4 times. He excelled in our first year, and I have no doubt that he will be a brilliant surgeon someday. I don't believe that the NMAT is a determinant of med school performance, it's a business more than anything. 🤷🏻♀️
Just entered med school vs about to graduate from med school, both taken July 1.
Med school is just like motherhood. The days (and nights!) are long but the years are short.
3 of my younger siblings went into med school at inggiterang froglet ako. So here I am, almost 40, almost a clerk.
Seriously though, I saw their passion, dedication, and fulfillment over the years they were in med school, until one day, it is just clicked: gusto ko rin 'to.
“Hello, mga besh! Dahil gusto namin kayong makasali sa chika, may episode question kami every week!
Our Ep 01 question is: “Bakit nag-doktor/nagdo-doktor?”
Feel free to reply or retweet your answers! ☺️
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
Was initially rejected by my med school. Asked my husband to meet me at Reyes Barbecue after my interview where I cried. I was conditionally accepted a few days later.
When I pass the boards *puhon*, we'll go straight to that Reyes Barbecue branch to celebrate.
Tonight's ep question is:
Trigger warning ⚠️
"Na-reject ka na ba?"
Love? Career? Ng cashier sa order mong thigh part sa Jollibee? Quote RT or reply away! Answer the Q&A on Spotify, too!
🎙️✨
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
Oh, wow, Maggie Wilson and Vic Consunji have called it quits. You'd think they were solid based on their Instagram accounts. Social media really is an illusion.
It started with 'Hmmm, gusto ko yatang mag-med' in my early 30s. I didn't pursue it until I was 101% sure at 36 yo because going into med meant giving up my income & having my husband become the sole breadwinner. It was too big of a sacrifice, we couldn't afford a tinge of doubt.
Gaano ka kasigurado when you chose your career? Super sure? O nagustuhan mo na lang along the way? In this ep, a letter sender asks for advice kung paano nga ba malalaman if med is for her. Paano nga ba? 💼
🎙️✨
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
It was during my IM rotation when it really dawned on me how wild it was for my dad to have quadruple bypass surgery at 45--and for him to still be here at 71. May mga plano pa si Lord para sa kanya.
Two months ago, I woke up with an enlarged lymph node. After 2 weeks of sultamicillin, 1 neck UTZ, 2 FNABs on separate areas, an OR incision biospy that left me with a Penrose drain, 9 IHC stains + AFB, and 5 agonizing weeks of waiting, today I find out that i have... TB!
I took my husband's last name when we got married 12 years ago, but I'll be hyphenating for the first time--on my white coat. It's the least I can do for Mama and Papa.
Saw this IG of a doctor who is focusing on being a fashion influencer and mother to her young son for now after finishing residency. I'm happy for her. You do you, Doktora.
A few weeks ago, I tested positive for COVID. I was scared for my daughter who is only eight and who needs me. Today, I got my first dose of the vaccine. This is for you, Audrey.
HOY MED TWITTER MAY EXAM AKO IN 2 HOURS SA OB BAKIT PINAGBABASA NIYO AKO NG 14-PAGE PDF ABOUT CHISMIS NGAYON???
PAG CHISMIS ANG SIPAG-SIPAG ANO BA DEA!!!
(Yes, please, keep the tea coming. I love it! Kahit ilang pages pa yan babasahin ko yan.)
Clerk na talaga ako. Real hospital, real patients, real surgeries. Real, real, real. This used to be just a dream. My body is aching all over from today's duty but I feel like I need to pinch myself.
Day 1 done, 364 more to go.
Being a mom-wife-clerk with no househelp is tough, and the main reason I'm able to juggle things is that I have an AMAZING husband who picks up my slack when it comes to cooking, keeping house, & child care. Tulungan talaga. Having the right partner makes all the difference.
Tonight's episode question is:
"How do you balance work and family life?"
Pahingi naman kami ng tips on how to live a well-balanced life! 🧘♀️
Quote RT or reply away! Answer the Q&A on our Spotify ep or IG story, too!
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
I was never completely happy and fulfilled professionally before going into med school. All my previous jobs were for the paycheck.
Now, as a clerk, kahit puyat+pagod+stressed+walang pera, masaya ako. I can’t imagine doing anything else. So worth it.
Tonight's episode question is:
"Is med (still) worth pursuing?"
Whether you're not-yet-a-doctor, a soon-to-be-doctor, or pagod-na-mag-doctor (charot not charot), share your thoughts para matulungan natin si letter-sender! ☺️
Quote RT or reply away!
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
I just found out that almost all clerks on duty went down to the ER to respond that night when Papa coded. I never knew.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
🤍
Sharing our story again because I love our meet-cute: nakisindi ako ng yosi. 😅
Together for 16 years now, married for 11, and parents to the coolest 9-year old girl.
Happy to say that neither of us smoke anymore.
Tonight's episode question is:
"How did you meet your partner?"
Ikwento na yang mga How it Started / How It's Going niyo with your partners!
Quote RT or reply away! You can also answer thru the Spotify Q&A!
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
100+ patients sa health center tapos dalawa lang kaming PGI, no clerks. Napa-Starbucks kami ng co-intern ko after. Yung pagod namin pang hanggang Friday na.
I can't wait for my husband to get his PhD so that when I get asked kung doktor din ba asawa ko (a very common question), I'll say yes and when they ask anong specialty, I get to say "Music." 😊
I can't help but assume that residents in certain big-time hospitals are rich. Only those with rich parents or have no financial obligations to their families can afford to be paid that low.
Slept on Papa's side of the bed last night, the exact spot where he had his heart attack and where I did CPR on him 6 days ago. It was strangely comforting. I haven't been sleeping well since he passed, but last night, I slept 13 hours. Thank you for the gift of rest, Papa.
As a 40-year old medical student, these are the stories that inspire me. Wala sa edad yan. We may have pursued our calling later than our peers, but there's still so much we can do. Marami pa kaming pwedeng matulungan.
My classmate back in college went to law school when he was almost 40. He even became my student in the College of Law. He passed the Bar exams last year. He works for me now.
He really wanted to become a lawyer since then but his circumstances did not allow him. Now that he is
To the 3,161: iiyak niyo 'yan ngayon, tapos bangon ulit. Laban ulit.
May alam nga ako na di pumasa ng Bar sa first take pero magiging presidente ng Pilipinas very soon.
One of the most useful skills that medical training has taught me is the ability to postpone or even schedule a breakdown--and then picking up myself right after.
A few years back, a PGH intern also posted mean tweets which probably jeopardized her chances of getting into PGH for residency. Think before you tweet.
Or better yet, be kind. Just be kind.
Best part of my weekend was the "Congrats, it's just TB" dinner my family had for me. It took exactly five weeks since my biopsy for an answer. We were already bracing ourselves. All this while still grieving Papa's death. Yes, we are celebrating this diagnosis. Thank You, Lord.
My husband was offered by their dean to head some sort of committee but he declined tapos ako pa 'yung dinahilan.
"Sorry, Sir, but my wife will be in her last year of med school, magiging busy ako this year."
Now that we're drowning in pre-clerkship expenses, I realize that expense WILL be a major factor for me when I choose where to apply for PGI.
Extra challenge talaga mag-medisina kung hindi ka mayaman.
My Plan B if I don't go into residency is to take up Masters in Physio in UP Manila so I can teach Physio in med school. I still don't know at this point what I want to specialize in, but I'm 101% sure I want to teach.
A beloved prof and surgeon passed away a few days ago and the sadness over Papa is fresh again. MI, code in our ER, DNR after 8th epi. Too familiar. They were even born the same year. It was an honor to learn from you in class and assist you in the OR. Rest in power, Doc F.
In 2019, I tweeted that my only birthday wish was a new cadaver for Anatomy. We got 3. For last year's birthday, I tweeted that I wanted Big Scoop avocado ice cream. My neighbor gave me 1 gallon. This year, my birthday wish is for Leni Robredo to become the next PH president.
January 10, 2014 - first theoretical lesson
January 10, 2021 - first practical lesson
I was the one who convinced my brother to take up the cello, found him a teacher, took him to all his lessons when he was younger. Now he's teaching my child. ❤️
Papa had heart failure so he was a ticking time bomb. We celebrated every birthday like it was his last. Still, his loss was sudden as he was not dying and it was a totally normal day when he had a heart attack. He died painlessly and we are grateful for that.
I can now go into our ER's critical care area where Papa passed away without crying. I can also do chest compressions now without feeling like I'm going to throw up. Moving forward slowly but surely. Keep guiding me, Papa.
I'm supposed to be on duty on Good Friday, but our Anes interns' monitor messaged to say no need na daw. 😭 Holiday today in Las Piñas so that's 5 full days off before I start my IM rotation on Monday. Grateful for the gift of rest.
Went shopping at National for my incoming 4th grader's school supplies, nalungkot ako. NBS used to be my happy place and back-to-school shopping was always exciting. They used to have everything. Ang konti na lang ng benta nila ngayon, konti pagpipilian.
@Majoming10
It depends sa school, some will require you to take a bridging program or have required number of science units. Our school didn't. As for the NMAT, any 4-year course will do.
@dongabay
Hello, Dong. This is Dea, your former classmate in Art Studies under Prof. Jun de Leon. Our class went on a field trip in Tayabas, Quezon. Life-changing. I think of you every 4/20. 😉
It was during my IM rotation when it really dawned on me how wild it was for my dad to have quadruple bypass surgery at 45--and for him to still be here at 71. May mga plano pa si Lord para sa kanya.
Weird flex but ang gandang byuda ng nanay ko at Papa's inurnment (before she started crying). She's 72. After 45 years of loyally serving and taking care of her husband, it's time for her to focus on herself. Kami na bahala sa 'yo, I hope you're ready to be super spoiled, Mama.
@genenisperos
At 4am this morning, all 3 first-dose vaccine sites in Las Piñas naka-cut off na. People want to get vaccinated, not enough supply. Hindi ang mga tao ang nagkukulang.
I created this account to get NMAT tips when I decided to finally push through with going into med after years of excuses. I am now in my last year of med school. Twitter has been a big part of my med journey. In case it goes down, thank you all. I'm almost there.
I wish I went to med school when I was younger and single.
Because doing clerkship in an old, rusty, creaking body while taking care of a home and family is EFFING HARD.
Tonight's episode question is:
"Do you have any regrets going into med school?"
Whether you took the usual pre-med college degree or traversed the faster route of an accelerated program, medyo mahugot ang tanungan tonight. 😅
Quote RT or reply away!
#KwentongCallroomPodcast
Responded to a Code Blue earlier, and I heard myself say to the patient's wife the exact words I said to comfort my mother as Papa was being revived and after he expired. The scene was so familiar. Thank you for keeping me strong, Papa. Almost 3 weeks without you now. I miss you.
Ngayon ko lang napansin na lumalabas na pala sa G-Cash confirmation yung name na nakalagay sa contacts. I just sent a payment screenshot to my neighbor which showed that I have her in my contacts as 'Ulam.' 😭😭😭
I can no longer count the times I've cried since Leni Robredo announced her candidacy. I cry yet again with this. Doctors for Leni!!! When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums. There is hope, Pilipinas!
Our 80+ y/o prof (and first Filipina neurosurgeon) lectured to the upper batch today, and I'm so proud of her! This is our prof who refused to use a microphone and a computer, now lecturing online like a pro. ❤️ God bless you always, Doc!
Hey,
@dongabay
! Dug up this pic from Art Studies 190 class in UPD from almost 2 decades ago. Fun times! Hope you're well, today and every day. Especially today. 😉
#420
Holy Week was always Papa's favorite holiday, when the family is together and everything's slow and peaceful and quiet. It seems to be extra quiet now. Missing you more than ever, Papa. Will keep praying for you.
I'm probably the happiest TB patient you'll see. HRZE lang katapat. Thank You, Lord. Makakahinga na ako. From Community intern to TB DOTS patient real quick.
I didn't smoke tonight. Not a single puff. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those former smokers who are now repulsed by the smell of cigarette smoke. It can get tempting sometimes, and it takes a lot of willpower to not light up. Proud of myself.