Three days in ICU

Friends were surprised to learn that I spent three days at the Intensive Care Unit of the Rizal Medical Center. To be honest, I was not planning on it either, but when the doctors at the ER determined I had AFib or erratic heartbeat, there was no going home.

After the initial screening at ER, the MDs ordered a blood test to check for enzymes that indicate if a patient had a heart attack or not. Then I was wheeled out to the various departments of Rizal Medical Center. First off was an ECG, a recording of the heart’s electrical activity.

After ECG, I got a 2D Echo test which uses ultrasound to view the heart and measure your blood flow. Then they wheeled me for X-ray, I suppose to check my lungs for congestion or bleeding, etc. All these are standard tests using modern equipment.

I have to share with our readers that in terms of equipment, technicians, etc., the RMC is up to par with both private and public hospitals that are bigger and more prominent. The X-ray, for instance, had robotic features.

Given my guarded condition at the time, getting up was not allowed so I wondered how the X-ray would be done. No problem: the X-ray had an “arm” that extended beyond the main table so an immobilized patient can stay in a gurney instead of transferring to the table.

In addition, I was tested for thyroid, cholesterol, blood sugar levels as well as sleep apnea, care of my friend Dr. Mike Sarte.

After all the tests, I assumed that my biggest “test” would be the room I would be staying in for observation. Public hospitals like RMC technically do not have private rooms, even if you are paying.

I prepared myself to staying in a ward or even a corridor like every ordinary Filipino. It would be a grounding and informative experience anyway. Besides, I have been saying that in an emergency at home, either call LIFELINE 16-911 or bring me to Rizal Medical Center!

But instead of a ward or corridor, I was sent straight to the Intensive Care Unit or ICU. I did not realize that in those three days I was like a ticking time bomb because AFib causes stroke or heart attack.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Rizal Medical Center ICU beds are actually separated by walls, well kept, spacious enough and well lighted. I expected to be in a wailing hall of suffering patients but experienced peace and found the attentive doctors and nurses very pleasant and reassuring.

Being a “Maritess” or nosy, I would pick up from conversations in the ICU and I quickly realized that a number of my “next door neighbors” were in bad shape and one was terminal. But through the three days, as I listened, the doctors and nurses sounded like sons and daughters caring for a sick parent or grandparent.

They made an effort to ask what the patient felt, wanted or informed them of procedures as well as the doctors who had visited that day. We take this for granted but in the ICU, as a patient you study tone, facial expression, words people use when describing your medical condition. After all the medical solutions, hope is what’s left to give.

I confess that I have never been an ideal patient. To this day, my wife Karen tells people about the time I was ordered to have complete bed rest at home. I did initially but after a few days, she came home unexpectedly and found me on the rooftop trying to climb a coconut tree.

After hearing that story, Dr. Andrew “Kiko” Francisco put his foot down and declared I would not be released until my ECG monitor showed a stable and regular rhythm. I was even declared a flight risk!

I was eventually released, and I am thankful that through the dedicated and professional work of RMC doctors and nurses and technicians, my unscheduled three-day sleepover was both healing and pleasant. Thank you also to the MSGC members who dropped in to monitor my status.

It will certainly surprise readers to know that the RMC is a very well-equipped tertiary hospital that serves not only Pasig City, but all of Rizal province as well as Calabarzon. It is also a training facility that trains and equips doctors working in different regions and provincial hospitals.

I have written and featured the RMC in past articles and made mention of their Sleep Lab, cardiac center, blood extraction area that looks more like a salon in the mall, their cancer treatment facilities and their new Stone Center, state of the art equipment for neurosurgery, cath lab and physical medicine and rehabilitation center. There is even a poison control center.

The modernization of RMC in terms of equipment and personnel started during the term of Dr. Lito Saquilayan, who first exposed me to the heart and soul of RMC. Upon retirement to the golf course, he was followed by Dr. Rica Lumague, who has been instrumental in bringing in innovation and modernization to RMC. She is also an unabashed prayer warrior at heart.

What the RMC lacks in size it makes up for in terms of modern equipment, highly trained physicians and health workers. RMC in fact is a model hospital. But in order to give more and help more, it needs space, more land for satellite hospitals or clinics and corporate support or grants once their new building is constructed.

Public hospitals can deliver even better services, but it becomes easier when everybody helps. RMC – my choice, my hospital.

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