Milk in the Middle East

I want to share this interesting health case to you all about the milk product in Saudi Arabia. 

I am a true fan of milk and everyday I always have one. But this was stopped because I found out that milk here in the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia) do have concentrated protein that my body cannot tolerate. It took me 4 months to figure it out. Please read more to see how I was able to rule out...

When I first came here, I noticed small red spots on by body, that eventually developed into something similar (please see below left). Observe closely that it spreads into circles with rough edges and is really itchy. Being a nurse doesn't mean that you can counteract everything but you have base knowledge on how to react and answer you own question. With this,  I was trying yo point out below factors.

1. Insect Bite- I sprayed everywhere though I am not able to recall being bitten by an insect here.

2. Eggs, Chicken Products- I have stopped eating this foods for 4 months and only ate beef and fish as substitute. I even decreased my consumption of peanut butter and mayonnaise as this could precipitate my case. It cannot be helped. I have spent so much already for an ointment just to buffer the itchiness. Then I have recalled something.

3. Milk- I always drink 1 glass of milk during evening as my body always wanted for it. 

I have tested my hypothesis my reducing milk consumption and gladly it worked! I stopped drinking milk and make a note of drinking soda (coke, pepsi) after a meal of a chicken or egg but not 1 full glass, I use it as a cleanser because soda products do lessen up the amount of protein by its acid effects. 

Today I am well and good. The spots are also gone, for my milk consumption I have already found some yogurt and milk chocolate drinks that does not have the same effects.

So that's milk in Saudi Arabia, a new country, new adjustment, new challenges!

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Save the last piece- a trashed medication

To graduate in nursing you should have at least 5 major cases, 5 minor cases, 5 OB assist, 5 OB handle, and 5 OB cordcare. For the given period in our curriculum, it is impossible to finish all 25 cases in just one shot because we would also consider the number of students. So that is why the word "ON CALL" in nursing is born. 

On call is out of classes time extended duty just to assist a case inside the operating room. It was my 1st major case that day when I decided to do an on call. My friend invited me to do so (a senior nursing student) while Im a junior class that time. So we both decided to take the action. Since that is my first time, I was on a havoc of imagination and wanted his full support. The case was TAHBSO, which means Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilingual Salpingo Oophorectomy. A surgical operation which removes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and both ovaries. 

The full operation was quite and being at my first day of operation assist is a thing that I cannot forget. I noticed how the surgeon maneuvers the case directing us to what is going to happen and the senior staffs are assisting us at maximum. It took us within 4 hours to finish the case and glad to say that the patient was safe and the operation was successful! But to one instance there is an unexpected move that we have made. "Where is the post op pain reliever med?" asked the senior nurse. I asked my friend if he has an idea and he whispered to me, "we threw it earlier when we cleaned the mess". The senior nurse was about to yield us but still maintained his professionalism. He advised us to go to the surgeon's house to ask for the re preparation of the meds so we can inject the post op med to the patient. Gladly the surgeon was still awake and that was really an embarrassing part for us since we have been careless with the medications. Fortunately, we were able to fix but got a debit for the thrown med worth PHP 800. 

So that was it, our careless yet careful assistance to one major case. Though we have made that mistake, we are still happy because we have made a big hit by assisting such major case. In this world we learn by mistakes, we cultivate until we become mature. And when you get old, you are still receiving the gift of learning. Because that is a long term gift coming from above. 

For my fellow nurses, always probe and ask before doing anything,. Any doubt, voice out! 

I truly appreciated your visit. Please feel free to contact me on my facebook, click here.

Jail Promotion: 2 nights stay 1 night free

"Our office mate is in jail" one of my colleague informed me. I was afraid because being sent to jail in the kingdom is really a terrifying news. 

It's a day in life with my office mate last week. In Saudi Arabia, Friday is our restday. So thursday night is our happy day plus friday. My office mate together with my bosses went for some party. They laughed, cheered, and drank in their apartment. They started 10pm and end up at 2 am. When all odds are asleep my office mate with all of his drunkenness robbed the car key from my bosses table to lure his mania. He went outside and drove the car (without a license) and drunk. 

Then the following day the news broke up. He is imprisoned and nobody can help him. Our Arabic friend offered assistance by calling the police station and plead with them, and this actually worked. The police decided to let him go after 2 days. We were on the bridge of waiting for him the next day but he wasn't able to get out for the following reason-stay 2 nights, 1 night free. No, just kidding. That is the line from our jolly Arabic friend and he said that he can go out not today but the next day. 

Finally, when he arrived back at the office all eyes where on his chest, staring him as a serious criminal, but for me I felt pity. I could understand the situation he is facing and we are not suppose to scrutinize such person. He did something wrong but there is always area for forgiveness. Then the bosses have talked, argued, and finally resolved the insecurity issues. 

Today, we are back to normal, I just can't hide that line (2 nights stay+ 1 night free), in desperate situations there is still a basket for laughter. 

I truly appreciated your visit. Please feel free to contact me on my facebook, click here.

A steth and sphygmo phobia

Yesterday, my friend asked me how a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer works on taking a blood pressure. I am very confident and taught him how. But it that thing really reminds me with the college days in nursing. I am a licensed nurse but works as a nurse entrepreneur, and regarding this thing I can teach him with my eyes closed. But way back in college I really can't help but envy to my classmates because all of them already know how to use it before we had our practicum. 

Although i took up nursing, I really don't have any idea of how it works. 90% of classmates are really masters in that field because they have brothers/sisters who helped them. And since nursing is really boomed at that time most of the medical practices are already memorized by them. When I have my first try for taking the blood pressure I am really nervous, with all nerves wracking. On my first attempt, when I deflated the cuff I did not hear anything! I tried and tried but still did not hear any. "Oh my" I whispered but I did not stop and continued what I am doing. 

This actually took 3 months for me to practice and learn the technique for it. Although some are really fast learners and they are already familiar with, for me that was really a tough challenge. But by God's grace I was able to perfect it with my Mom as my first patient. Perseverance is what it takes to practice the perfect one. 

Now, let us back to my friends case, who was struggling as well. I told him the same experience and he is not alone. For almost all of the individuals who first used this apparatus is truly a weird one. We need to hear the first striking sound and note the last fainted sound so we can interpret the data. I have walked him through the whole process and take note, we are just emailing each other. Great! so lots of confusion arises, but for sure I am pretty confident that he will also master the same thing. I am proud of my friend who is taking care of his family. Though he is an IT man, he cross the bridges and brought that thing to take care of his family. Truly remarkable...

I truly appreciated your visit. Please feel free to contact me on my facebook, click here.

Can't get hold of the bladder

a typical buko fruit

Ever had an experience of a long flight while going to the restroom frequently? I remembered one of my relatives in the Philippines who flew from MNL-DMM said that she was really pissed of of her flight because she had frequently gone to the restroom. She mentioned that she had only drank 1 glass of fresh "buko juice" from our province Iligan. Being a registered nurse, I came to know the action of "buko juice" is truly a diuretic. This actions by decreasing sodium reabsorption thereby increasing sodium in urine and water losses. 

But I gave her the benefits of inducing the juice as this is truly a healthy drink, but not before travelling I said. Because of its diuretic effects, this juice is the tree of life. One buko a day helps prevents infection in the urinary tract, as well as cleanses your bladder and bowel. 

After knowing this, the relative of mine appreciated its benefits but promised not to drink that before trip. 

So for our fellow travelers, may this be a guide to you that all substances causing diuretic effects should be avoided specially for longer flights. 

The following are list guide of foods/substances that are diuretics.

• asparagus
• green beans
• pumpkins
• pineapple juice and lemon
• garlic
• last but not the least our very own-BUKO fruit

*note: coffee is not a diuretic, except if it is consumed to more than 1 cup

I truly appreciated your visit. Please feel free to contact me on my facebook, click here.

Haps and mishaps in Saudi

I will show you how I was able to survive Saudi Arabia. For those who foresee desert in Saudi Arabia then I will prove you wrong! See the adventures below J

I took training for Sabre in Al Khobar as our company requires me to. 

We need to wear corporate here by the way!

Enjoying the winter months, 14 deg C

  A panoramic view from our office site (based in SATORP, Al Khobar)

Give me a break at starbucks... 

Some hotel convention meetings in Hotel Le Meridien. 

And finally, a splash of good music in the sandy beaches of Saudi Arabia. Location: Baher Beach Resort (Al Khobar)

                          

Working here isn't easy, to how long you can survive depend on your  initiative and dedication. See ya in Saudi!

                                  

     


























I truly appreciated your visit. Please feel free to contact me on my facebook, click here.