Oh Happy Tired Day

I am just so happy to report that I have successfully completed the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course AND the LAST requirement of my midwifery degree. Ha-Le-Lu-Ya!!!

It wasn't easy. And there were a few people who didn't pass. I have to say it was one of the most challenging trainings I've ever participated in. I was the only non-Nurse/MD/EMT there. I've had no previous training in heart rate tracings (ECG) and know very little about emergency meds and indications for their use, oxygen doses and methods of administration, etc.... Since I wasn't able to find the exact course that I was required to take, which would have been limited to neonatal resuscitation, I had to take the PALS course, which teaches you how to manage a wide variety of respiratory and cardiac emergencies, including every form of possible shock, in infants and children through adolescence. Very, very interesting. It kind of makes me want to be an ER doc. But only kind of.

The class was fun in that very little of it was lecture. Most of it was playing out case studies. We had dummies and cardiac monitors/defibrillators and all sorts of oxygen delivery systems to play with. We even got to practice inserting a needle into bone marrow of a chicken leg. Who knew that you could administer fluids and meds via the bone marrow!? So cool. Apparently it's quite useful in children and infants during an emergency when establishing an IV line is difficult or impossible due to shock or cardiac arrest. The class was taught by a team of about 8 pediatric cardiologists. They were very kind and cordial and clearly knew what the heck they were talking about.

For the tests today we had to perform as a team leader in a cardiac case and also in either a case of respiratory failure or shock. I'm so glad I passed! I really had to cram a ton of new information into my brain in a short amount of time. I am feeling quite tired.

At the end of the class today they presented us with our certificates. They put on some graduation music and then just before they called my name the doc said, "And now... All the way... from the United States...of America... Jenifer Sawchenko!" As I walked up front, she said, "So, tell me, what is the biggest problem you see facing the Philippines? And what is its solution?" I just smiled and acted shy and took my certificate back to my seat. It was a mock Ms. America pageant so as I walked away I said, "World peace." This is why I love the Philippines! They make ordinary, stuffy, boring things fun. Silly, immature and unprofessional at times - but fun!

So here I am, sitting in the terminal at the airport in Manila having just had dinner. I also had a beer to celebrate all by myself while I wait for my flight. I'll be happy to see Andrey when I arrive in Cebu tonight.