Another routine day on the ward. More
IVT's, more syringe loading, more passing out meds. I say routine
because, for the nurses it's routine. For me, though, it's exciting
every time I get to load a syringe or prep an IV. The nurses also
requested that I ask the patients their input and output as well as
measure the remaining fluid in any IV bags.
Asking for I &O's has definitely
been the hardest part so far. Why? Because I have to speak in Bisaya.
“Pila ka ihi sa buntag?”
“Pila ka inom tubig sa buntag?”
“Pila ka lebang?”
The nice thing is, since everyone can
understand English, if I say something wrong, I can switch to English
to clarify. Speaking with the patients here, listening to them, is
making it easier for me to understand Bisaya.
I also met an American from California
today. He's been married to a Filipina for 40 years and speaks fluent
Tagalog and is currently learning Bisaya. He told me he graduated as
a linguist major from Fresno State and has been here in Dalaguete for
2 years. One of his friends (who is also an American) was admitted to
the hospital so he was dropping by to visit. Having an American here
was nice because the nursing staff wanted me to do all the explaining
of medication so I got a taste of what direct communication with a
patient in a hospital setting will be like.
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