Isolated Delight

As a punishment, our latest CI sends off the late comers in the isolation ward. The isolation ward is the most dodged ward in this district hospital. It is where all sorts of patients with all sorts of communicable diseases (like Tetanus and Rabies) or even those that are suspected of having these diseases are “isolated”. It is no wonder that nobody wants to be stationed and be”isolated” in that ward.

Although Neil and I live in Mariveles, Bataan… the southernmost tip of the peninsula. We, together with his Girlfriend Rose, were always the first ones to come. We were like always thirty minutes earlier. Today, however, is different. I tried to wait for my other groupmate. Therefore, when we finally reached the hospital, I hastily ran and told them that whoever is last would be banished to the distant, noxious ward… THE ISOLATION WARD.

To my relief I was at the number five in the sign up sheet. The list was 1.) Rose Ann Almario 2.) Neil Franz Andoy 3.) Alexander Acosta (not related… never have… never will… and I thank God) 4.) Reza Liza Areja… and NUMBER FIVE RICHMOND Q. ACOSTA.

After we passed our assignments, my CI started handing out the patients… Rose’s name was mentioned… then Neil… then Alex… then Reza… then my… my… what the… hey she jumped my name and called Aiza… until she has finally handed out all the patients in the decent wards to my groupmates then asked very (VERY) quizzically… “That’s all?” so I raised my hand and said, ”Maam I think you have forgotten that there are two Acostas here.” You see she calls us by our surnames.

She said, “Oh, yeah, the first Acosta was Alexander… and he’s going to Pediatrics Ward.” She looked at me pitifully almost sorry but still with a tinge of perky smile. “Tumatakbo ka pa man din kanina Mr. Acosta.” (And you were even running earlier) I am so sorry but all that is left now is the… ” AAAAAARRGGHH! In my head I was like,”Don’t say… just please shut up.” But she still dared mentioned the evil place she ended, “…all that is left now is the isolation ward.”

“…all that is left now is the isolation ward.”

“…all that is left now is the isolation ward.”

“…all that is left now is the isolation ward.”

The ending of the sentence reverberated in my head like a ripple that has found the courage to pester the peacefulness of a still water. My brain started jolting like a jelly ready to burst out any moments. My groupmates (curse them!) are having a fiesta.

“But there are only two PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis) patients there. At si Bed number 1 pala ay magpapasa pa ng pangatlong sputum sample” (And Bed Number 1 is scheduled to pass his last sputum sample) Sputum sample?!! Somebody save me!

When I finally came to the site I made sure that I am wearing a mask. Both my patients are sixty plus and they are extremely thin. Mr E, at bed number 1, looked more cheerful than MR D, at bed number 4. He greeted me with a smile showing the only three that has not yet dropped. He asked me if I would love to share his breakfast. I almost (ALMOST) rolled my eyes and politely declined.

Somehow his smile made my disposition earlier to fade and after the usual “establishing rapport” that all nurses, students and registered alike, do, I asked if he would like it if I give him a bed bath. (I am so nice. I am really am an angel.) And so I gave him the morning care that no one has ever done to him hitherto (that’s according to him, okay).

I then faced Mr D. He was with his wife (old, squinted, fat woman). I talked to them and found out that the guy was just admitted last night and he had a feat in breathing marathon the other night that he even prayed that the nurses to just end his life by injecting potassium chloride or any poison. This fact made me come to my senses and put up my guards again, a person with PTB is not contagious only after the third week of month and months of treatment. And MR E at bed 1 has just finished the last sputum sample (he has already spat and all I have to do is to deliver it to the still closed lab.) This means that MR. D and MR. E. are only suspects for the disease. And they have not yet received the proper therapy. And I still am positive that they have the disease… all they need is the confirmation.

In the end Aiza was put in my ward to help me cope with depression… and I was glad.
We both saw the frustrations and sadness that both men encompass.

Mr. D. thinks that his current condition is a divine punishment for all the things that he has done. He was, as I learned, a member of a gang when he was still single. He became a drunkard when he got married. Thank goodness he never had the power to beat his wife who according to him was very loud-mouthed. However he failed to provide his family the financial necessities that they needed since he didn’t work. He let his wife wash other people’s clothes as a living. He was ousted from their church (he was an Iglesia ni Cristo) and thinks that he is very much unworthy to go back to Christ.

Mr E. on the other hand was the total opposite. He was very hard-working during the days; in fact I can still see the signs of long ago muscular body that now has wasted into atrophy that he used to utilize to plow their farm in Masbate. He really misses his family and is very much depressed when the doctor told him that he can’t still go home. When his family came they have had a lengthy crying session… and I tell you seeing an old, sick man silently cries as he tried to wipe his eyes melt my heart so much.

I really wanted to tell the both of them how I wish them the health they deserve. But I didn’t have the heart to get all emotional and deep so I just told them to pray.

In the end (thank goodness there is an ending for this long long post) I said goodbye to them without any regret to have had the chance to spend my day with them. This was a real one of a kind day.