We had our first home visits (we have to visit our clients in their respective houses. This is done to ensure that they are following the regiments that were advised to them) yesterday, though I was very unlucky because I have not had the privelege of doing my duty because one of my two patients already moved to a different town, while I was unable to go to the house of my other client because of the flood plus the high tide that regularly visits the place, though it isn't in anyway near the shore, the river only overflows with the coming of the tide.
I was paired with LA. I helped her find her patience which we were very much successful in doing. But this took us a really long time because of the following reasons
- Whenever we talk to someone to ask for the address, swarms of people will start queueing at us asking us to take their Blood Pressures. I think they do this whenever they see a student wearing a public health nurse(PHN) uniform since whenever we ask them about their normal blood pressure, they will tell us "nung isang linngo 120/80 yung Bp ko eh" (last week my BP was 120/80). Boy, they mustve been really accustomed to PHN's presence that they have regular BP check ups. we sometimes tell them to go to the health centers instead, but they'll tell us that walking that far (which is only two corners away) will make their BP's rocket to the moon and they were not joking.
- The exact address of our clients were not given. All that was written in the health records was the Barangay's name. We had to ask every single person we meet in the barangay if ever they know the person. Sometimes a group of people will lead us to different directions until in they will argue if the person we're asking was the person they know. Until in the end they'll decide that they do not know who we were asking.
- My foot hurts. I think I already have a rheumatism. Im serious.
- Dogs' poops are everywhere.
At least in the end, we finally saw our targets.
The first one was a girl who gave birth last month. She was not home (she was working). We only met her husband and her second baby. The Baby was sooooooooooooooooooooo cute. I saved a picture of him in my CP (i cannot put the picture here to protect the client's privacy)
He has really smalll eyes and white complexion. And he has 6 fingers in his right hand (two thumbs) POLYDACTYL.
The other patient was a pregnant woman who turned out to be my patient's (the one who went to other town) relative.
PS we are asked to make a daily diary of our community duty. My last entry was almost about the maltreatments that ve encounter from my CI. She made a really long "remark"on my diary.
Here's the comment... this is how she wrote it.
CI's Remarks!
>Discipline is a commitment we have to learn this in order to show responsibility.
>'have to maintain the owl's gaze to protect you fr. commiting mistakes. Rulesare laid out to be followed and not ignored.
>If you consider yourselves mature,dedicated individuals, you will do what is expected of you even without being policed.
>Follow instructions/directions. Work from the heart. Appreciate the good things you have. Many people have longed for some privelege but it's not there for the taking.
>Communication-if unsure or uncertain...ASK...
Good Luck! Show me how commtted you are.
Signed
TODAY
We started the day by making some changes within the Regional Health Unit (RHU).
We put new posters and made some "makeovers" inside the clinic, the dentist's clinic, the laboratory and the facade. We stuck different signages at the facade...and LeA is even planning to repaint the RHU.
There was a rotation in duty. Our teamleader decided (our CI was not with us since yesterday) that those who were unable to make any home visits yesterday,because they managed the sick people who came to have their check ups in the RHU, should do their turns to make their home visits instead and vice versa.
I was excempted from the rule because i was not able to find my patient because of the flood. AnA, our leader went with us this time to make his own visit. He said that he wouldn't allow us to group ourselves into twoes because he was concerned with the girls.
So they went with me to my patient.
My ptient is living in a shack within the alleys of the subdivision. The mud and the subsided pools of water are still present in her island home over there.
i really like her. Although she was only 17, I can see how much she loves her daughter. She takes care of her. Her last RHU visit was just last july 26, comparing to LA's patient yesterday who doesn't even visit the RHU even if she's already in the 3rd trimester of her pregnancy. She knows how to answer my questions and she listens to my health teachings. And she's aware of family planning. I really wish her well... and her kid. I know that she'll be a great mother even with her young age. VERY YOUNG AGE.
I did not go with the rest of the group after this visit. I went straight to the RHU and helped with the work there.
the doctor was extremely furious with our Nursing Diagnoses. She called LoA and I and asked us impromtu about the child.
the child has red spots all over so I immediately thought that it was dengue. But she, the Dr, asked the mother that she's suspecting of parasites, i knew it, those are rashes.
She asked us what those spots are called. "kahit sa tagalog" (even in Tagalog)... LoA said those were Tagulabay, i heard about tagulabay but dont really know what on earth was that.
The doctor look at me and asked "so what do you call this in Medical term?" I was not sure but i still answered, "er... uhm... General Wheal." It was general because it affects the whole body.
I think i was correct.
When there was no more patients coming, the Doctor gave us a lecture about our mistakes. We were again refreshed about our NANDA's et al.
We then shot questions and had an informal discussion with the Resident Nurse inside the RHU.
Today and yesterday were among the moments that i felt so rewarded in doing my tasks. I love Nursing.