Hurrah! It's been a year!

Today marks as my first year of practicing my nursing profession, of course as a registered nurse.

Let me recall and refresh my memory from the first day I arrived at QM as a trainee (PNTP), our termination and re-hiring as a DOH RN contractual (RNHeals).

It was a hot monday of the same date last year that we had our orientation at the nursing division office of Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

I had difficulty reaching out to people back then. I was so quiet and shy, since it'll be my first time working with other people. Masyado ata akong naattach sa mga RLEmates ko :p and i thought to myself "this iz it pancit, i'm out of my comfort zone".

One week of excruciating orientation has passed-by before we were designated to our respective areas. Of course, we have had our tour before hand. I was assigned together with the other 9 people jn the CNS and Ent-ophtha ward. For 3 months of stay there, I became acquainted with the staff and co-trainees and eventually became close friends with a handful of people (up until now) Joyce, Myra, Ruvie, Ivory, Ma'am Pau, Owen, et.al.

I can say that I an thankful to our Clinical Manager Ma'am Narille for accommodating us (trainees). I am most in debt with the staff of the CNS and ENT-ophtha ward, for teaching and guiding us...oh well especially for those with out working background like me. I learned some and improved most of my skills at that area.

* this is the part one of my 1-yr story as a rn, will update this as soon as possible :)) thanks for reading :)) *

Don't Mess! I have PMS

Menstrual cycle refers to the cyclical development and then the shedding of the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus. This cycle has 3 phases, which are menstruation (bleeding), follicular (proliferative)  and luteal (secretory) phase. Menstrual cycles are counted from the first day of menstrual bleeding. The length or duration of a woman's cycle will typically vary, from short to long periods. There are some who experiences irregular cycles (less than 8-21 days or more than 21 days).  blah blah blah (just google or bing it for further discussion)


Along with these changes or shifts with phase,  definitely, there are hormonal changes. The number of estrogen and progesterone varies with each phase. 


I have discussed this to understand what is menstrual cycle for us to be able to understand the topic, "PMS".

Premenstrual syndrome refers to the collection of symptoms or sensations women experience as a result of high hormone levels before, and sometimes during, their periods. - http://www.fwhc.org

I have a regular 30-day cycle. It's longer than the usual, but it's still regular in terms of duration (cycle), length and flow of the bleeding. What bothers me is that the PMS that I always experience weeks before the start of my new cycle (Mens or bleeding marks the start of the new cycle). 


Physical Symptoms include fatigue, bloatedness, breast tenderness, acne (alot!) and food cravings. While the emotional or psychological (mood) symptoms that I experience is irritability , or sometimes depression, oversensitivity and moodiness (not mood swings since it is more related to psychologocal d/o)


These feelings are usually relieved with the onset of bleeding. Most likely, it relates to the balance between estrogen and progesterone. Example, if estrogen predominates, anxiety occurs. If there's more progesterone, depression may be a complaint.


I have come across an article regarding PMDD or Premestrual Dysphoric Syndrome--a severe form of PMS. 


I feel that this was discussed to us in our PsychNursing lecture, but i think I didn't listen or slept during the discussion...anyway...


The symptoms are the same as PMS but it's severity interferes with the individual's usual way of life (daily activities). The exact cause of PMDD is still unknown but researchers believe  that it is brought about by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.  There are also other studies that relates certain neurotransmitter, like serotonin (a NT w/c helps transmit nerve signals) . Apparently, PMDD seems to be connected to low levels of serotonin.

Certain brain cells that use serotonin as a messenger are involved in controlling mood, attention, sleep and pain. Therefore, chronic changes in serotonin levels can lead to PMDD symptoms. - WebMD

The symptoms of PMDD can include any of the following:

• Mood swings
• Depressed mood or feelings of hopelessness
• Marked anger, increased interpersonal conflicts
• Tension and anxiety
• Irritability
• Decreased interest in usual activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Change in appetite
• Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
• Sleep problems
• Physical problems, such as bloating

It is diagnosed when a person experiences at least five of the above listed symptoms (at least one of the first four) occur for most of the time during the seven days before menstruation and go away within a few days of the start of the menstrual period. - WebMD


---
PMS vs PMDD?


Well what I always feel is only PMS. It doesn't bother me and it doesn't affect my daily activities.


It can't be help since I live with such annoying people, and I can't help not to burst out in anger and annoyance..most of the time :// 

PAINFUL CRAMPS + Lack of Sleep + HEAT = don't even think about it

Psych 102: Don't mess! I have PMS 
A bientot!

Psych 101: Haircut therapy

DSM*-IV and DSM-IV-SR defined compulsion as:

(*Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Mental Disorders)

(1) repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly 

(2) the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive 

I have noticed that I have this "hobby" where in I cut my hair, specifically my hair bangs . It began when I was in my 4th year High School. I have realized this last night when I've watched a movie  (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) where in the protagonist suffers, as described the neuropsychologist, is experiencing compulsion, or repetitive behavior where in this behavior affects her daily life. I'll leave the story and just focus about compulsion. 

Compulsion is one of the major manifestation of an Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Well, I have read from my psych book that "the person feels compelled to continue despite an awareness that the thoughts (obsession) or behaviors (compulsion) may be excessive or inappropriate, and feels distress if they stop them." Obsessions or compulsions causes a marked distress, are time consuming  and it interferes with the person's normal daily routine, work, school and relationships. Well, of course a person to be diagnosed w/ any psychological disorder, should not be under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any substance that has a direct psychological effect.

So with these information, I wonder if i have anxiety disorder, specifically OCD. I am a very anxiety-prone person, and often get stressed whenever I am unprepared for something. With the criteria given , luckily I can say that I do not have the disorder (yet, i think).  I don't t think that these hobby/behavior of mine is excessive or unreasonable for it gives me relief after a long-time stress. 

We all have a way to reduce our anxiety, depression...in short problems. It's how we properly deal with it that matters the most. As long as we don't hurt others and ourselves, and it cannot affect our normal routines, it's fine. 

---dahil dyan, I have decided to write again (but not in the near future) other psych d/o I fear that I might have :)))

Here's my photos if FAILED Haircut therapy from the past years (2006, 2008 and 2009 respectively)

(",)

Run! Run! RUN!

May 10, 2011

Sorry for the late post :))

" San mo bet? 3K, 5K, 10K, o 21K?" My friend asked me. 

Last March my high school friend (and also my college dormate) asked me if I am interested to join a fun run.

WELL...Since we don't have anything to do..yet..why not giving it a try?

Repost 1: Top 5 Reasons to Stay

Few posts ago, i have decided to repost my blogs from my previous "blog provider"--Multiply. I'm not using it much anymore since, for me, there are other better sites to post photos ( i have to update my picassa!) and blogs :)  I am dismayed in sooo many reasons in which I don't want to elaborate.


Well, I am not going to repost all :)) and I'm going to repost it randomly 


Here's my first repost:


TOP 5 REASONS to STAY
Feb 9, '08 4:46 AM
Finally! prelims is now officially over! what happens now?It's saturday!!
Does this mean i can now go to malls? watch a horror flick?dance the weekend out?
Th answer is NO
Can't count things to do..Don't know what to start..amf!
I have reports to do, projects to finish, sample nursing chart to revise, household errands to make etc..and to make things worse I broke my laptop!

To solve my problem and unwind my ego...
right now...
I'm spending my weekends here at my sister's place like what I usually do. 
What I like about my stay here and the reason/s are stated as follows.
  
     TOP 5 REASONS to STAY
    1. free food - I'm always broke and can't buy myself a nice meal and these are the times that I cook pasta for her.
            Note:we had our meal delivered last week    
    2. free Internet connections - no internet connection @ the dorm, internet cafe there is          either :
                                                a)no free computer
                                                b) in a major haywire!!
    3. near makati malls! he problem is i have so many things to do!!
    4. I can get all the help that I need - she's a computer expert ( i think)
    5. I can play with her PSP all day - ha ha! best so far!
            Note: I'm seeded rank 3 in Virtual tennis 3 and I play better than her!LOL

I'm expecting that I can finish all the things that I needed to do today! and I hope that my stay here today would be a big help..CIAO





One of my first posts during my first year in blogging :) 
(Natatawa na lang ako sa mga nabasa ko for obvious reasonssss: grammar, sentence and thought construction error, and tooo much pink)
 

"Ze Eye"

My Ate and I went to Divi to scout and canvass some stuff :)) We ran into a shop that sells over-sized/ anime-like contact lenses. Me, who's not interested and has never worn contact lenses just watched as my sister bargained for a lower price and dealt with what color should she chose, is it purple or brown? Well, she chose the latter one since it's the best seller as what the saleslady claims.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

Honestly, I just want to share with you what an over-sized contact lenses looks like when worn. It should make your eyes look bigger, brighter and errrr more expressive :)

Whooolah! The anime otaku now has an anime-ish eyes
..looks scary though :p

Behold!
Ze EYES..

Be Vigilant, Be Extra Careful

My sister told me this story last night and I have read the same article/news from a friend of mine.
To all commuters (and even to those who aren't), please be extra careful. In today's time, crimes can be done anywhere, anytime in the most inconvenient and unexpected way. We should always survey the places where we are to avoid being the next victim. So here's the story:

Hindi ako makapaniwalang may mga tao talagang handang pumatay para lang makuha yung mga materyal na bagay na gusto nila o siguro dala na ng desperasyon kung paano makakatawid ng gutom.
Kwinento sakin ‘to nung kaibigan ko kanina:
Papunta sila ng kaibigan niya sa CEU kahapon para sunduin yung isa pa nilang kaibigan. Sumakay sila ng jeep sa may bandang Ortigas. Pagsakay nila, konti lang yung mga pasaherong nakasakay. Mag-jowang magkayakap, isang matandang babae, sila, tapos yung driver. Sa may bandang likod sila nakaupo. Yung mag-jowa yung nasa may bandang unahan ng jeep. Nakasandal si ate kay kuya na parang natutulog tapos si kuya nakayakap kay ate. Yung matandang babae naman nasa may bandang gitna. Inaabot na nung kaibigan ko yung bayad niya dun sa lalaki pero hindi siya pinapansin kaya yung matandang babae na lang yung nagabot ng bayad. Yung matandang babae din yung nagabot ng sukli sa kanila. Napansin na din nila nung mga oras na yun na ang sama ng tingin ng driver sa kanila. So medyo nagtataka na din sila. Mayamaya, biglang sinabi sa kanila nung matandang babae na bumaba na sila. So lalo silang naguluhan kung saan mas matatakot. Sa manong driver na masama yung tingin o sa aleng bigla na lang nagyayayang bumaba ng jeep. Hindi na din sila nagisip tapos bumaba na sila ng jeep. Pagkababa nila ng jeep, sinabi sa kanila nung matandang babae kung bakit. Buti na lang daw hindi sila nagtanong kung bakit. Sabi nung matandang babae patay na daw yung babaeng nasa jeep. Hindi daw mag-jowa yung dalawa. Kaya nakasandal si ate kay kuya tsaka nakayakap si kuya kay ate kasi may nakasaksak kay ate na ice pick. Kaya hindi din inaabot ni kuya yung bayad. Napansin din daw ni ale na medyo nangingitim na yung bandang leeg ni ate. Kaya din daw siguro masama yung tingin ni manong driver sa kanila kasi baka binabalaan na din silang bumaba.
Nakakatakot lang kung iisipin mong isa ka sa mga nakasakay sa jeep na yun. Sobrang nakakatakot. Sa panahon ngayon, hindi ka na talaga makakasigurado kung sino yung mapagkakatiwalaan mo tsaka kung hanggang kelan na lang yung buhay mo. Nakakatakot na, lalo na kapag gabi.
Kaya paalala lang sa mga madalas bumyahe sa gabi, mag-ingat. Hangga’t maaari, maghanap ng kasama. Tsaka wag kalimutang magdasal. Hindi mo man akalain pero malaki ang impact niyan.
Ingat!
-A student from AB Pol Sci. (UST)

I hope this story will serve as a lesson to everyone.
Be aware of your surroundings. Don't bring out your wallets, phones and ipods, better bring it out in a secured place. When we're not in our comfort zones we should always have presence of mind!