Today is the day for my follow-up check-up. Before, my check-ups were twice a month, then it was reduced to monthly, and it's now every three months. It's been a couple of years since I first started my treatment for lupus, and even now, the memories of the day I was diagnosed are still fresh for me. It's probably one of the saddest days in my life because that diagnosis meant that I would never be healthy again. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that will stay until I die, and even though I'll undergo various medications, there's no cure for it. So what is the use of my medicines or maintenance? Well, it helps me to keep my immune system calm because we Lupus patients have a pretty rebellious immune system.
Unlike normal people, ours are oversensitive and react violently whenever there's something foreign happening in our bodies. It kills everything—even our own healthy cells. That's why way back the first time I experienced getting Lupus attack, the clinic doctor confused my condition with dengue and anemia because my platelet, white blood cells, and even red blood cells numbers were all abnormally low. Thankfully, I was diagnosed just before it destroyed my kidney and other organs, so despite being diagnosed with it, I can still say I'm fortunate compared to other patients who were diagnosed too late.
Before I make this sharing a flow-blown medical discussion, let's go back to my check-up today. It was still past 4:00 A.M when we made our way to our first ride, which was a motorcycle that would take us to the multicab stop. Since we went out early, we were able to arrive at the hospital early. Our commuting time took almost a couple of hours, which is why it was already 6:00 A.M when we arrived. There are already a considerable number of patients waiting, but thankfully, since I have a PWD card, I was able to get the priority number. However, despite having the priority number, it still took time before we were able to pass the triage and assessment. Plus, after that, we still need to wait for my specialist to arrive.
It took almost four hours of waiting because usually the specialist who monitors my condition arrives at almost noon. So why come early? Well, it first-come, first-served, and there's a limit to the number of patients she caters to that day, and since she's one of the few specialists in the hospital and she's only present on Fridays, we need to be sure that I won't be part of the patients who will be cut off. I already did it once before, and it's really a waste of money, time and effort. That's why it's a must for us to be early. Fast forward, it's almost 12:30 P.M. when we're finally able to went out of the hospital. What happened today was not different from my past check-up days, yet today felt more challenging because I have another responsibility after the check-up and that one is definitely challenging.
How about you? Have you experienced a grueling check-up experience before—especially in a public hospital? Well, if you have and you want to share, feel free to comment it down. That's all for now everyone, and I hope my little sharing sustained your interest even in a wee bit.
Salamat!
All of the pictures used are mine, while the first picture was edited in Canva.
This is the sad part in choosing to go in public hospitals. The long hours of waiting!
I hope time will come that out health care system would improved.
If my parents are not feeling well, as long as we can we chose to go in private. So they won't wait too lmg as they are old.
Yes, that's one of the main concerns that's hard to address. There are a limited number of hospitals, so the tendency of people to flock at that hospital is always high, and I'm one of those people. We aren't from that city; however, our mucipality's hospital doesn't have the facilities to address all of the various illnesses, which is why I ended up getting referred to that hospital. It's always an effort during check-ups, but what can I do? Even in a public hospital, the charge for all of my lab tests reached almost 1k, and that's already a discounted price since I'm PWD...so how much more if I'm in the private ones?
Yes, it's really not a good situation for the elderly ones that's why I really hope that in the near future, more hospitals will be built, so that people won't crowd in just few available and decent hospitals.
I remember you mentioning being sick when you posted about a Japanese MV, and you also shared about your condition at that blog. That had me wondering what sickness you had, and now I know through this blog. I’m sorry to hear about it, but I believe you’re strong 💞. As someone who has also experienced going in and out of the hospital from a young age and even recently these past years, I really feel you ~ especially with all the waiting in public hospitals. Being sick, waiting for hours, then going home exhausted is so draining. Not to mention the expense pa.. I hope you get your energy back 💞 and get some full rest!
Ahhh, you remembered that! Thank you! I'm glad you also kinda relate to my situation. It's really exhausting, especially with my condition. It randomly made me feel tired, so most of the time I get easily exhausted. I'm not really that sickly before—maybe one fever a year, so it was really hard for me to cope when I was diagnosed. Plus, the frequent hospital trips aren't helping because the waiting part is seriously a patience tester. It really suck to be sick, but still I'm grateful I'm alive and yes, rest na lang talaga if I get tired.
Again, thanks for the kind and warm words...I definitely appreciate them.
Always pray, sis; even they say there is no cure, nothing is impossible with God. Just pray and believe that your pain will go away have faith. 🙏🏻
Ganyan talaga pag public lalonna wala Kang kakilala sobrang haba hihintayin mo.
Yes, nakakapigtas pasenya talaga most of time yung sistema ng public hospital. Not only short-staffed sila but sometimes yung tacky nila na process yung nakakaburyo.
Also, yes...I do pray most of the times that I'll just feel healthy—kahit hinding hindi na talaga ako babalik sa times na totally healthy ako, pinagpapray ko na lang na hindi ako atakihin ng flares and malessen both yung physical and emotional tension ko.
Btw, thanks for stopping by and for the soothing words...I really appreciate them.
Oh it's very sad to know about your condition. There's miracle to happen. And that part of waiting, it's the hardest thing to do. I do experience it too with my uncle and it's really frustrating especially when your number hasn't been called eve you were the one who got it first. But still, patience is the key. Hehe.
Yes, it's always the waiting part that's really hard, and I can relate much to the frustration because even though I arrived early, I know I won't get the check up that I wanted immediately because the doctor's still not there...but like you've said, patience is the key. For after all, it's just a bad day, not a bad life.
Praying for your good health. I hope public hospitals will improve in the future just like the private hospitals.
Thank you! Same...I do hope also because a lot of Filipinos need such, especially those in the marginalized sector. It really suck to be poor and sick at the same time, so I'm hoping in the near future more hospitals will be built to cater to all those who need them.