Upside down

Sample Articles

2010-06-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Sample Health Article by Thad Hinunangan

Neck pain may be caused by a number of reasons from a simple muscle strain to a serious spinal injury. Poor posture, uncomfortable neck positioning (and prolonging in such a state) may cause pain radiating from the sternocleidomastoid or even the trapezius- in plain English, your neck muscles. The symptoms could vary from mild ache to serious respiratory disturbances or even neurologic deficit and paralysis should the cause be spinal fracture.

It is emphasized that if upon assessment, the injury is serious- such as involving trauma (i.e. a person who fell a flight of stairs or involved in a vehicular accident), the patient should immediately seek medical attention. Note also that care must be taken in moving the patient so as not to worsen the injury. Any spinal injury as high as T3 (in the thoracic spine) would immediately impair breathing, and lose both sensation and movement below the injury. If the injury is in the cervical spine (the neck area) neurologic deficits, breathing, and even spinal shock could occur- thus it is emphasized that this is an emergency case and home remedies are not applicable.

For minor neck pains, such as those in simple muscle strains, several options may be available. A hot compress or “hot pack” may be applied to the sore muscles. Heat may be applied in the form of either hot water bottles, electric heating pads that produce moisture (dry heat may cause skin damage), or warm towels. The warmth causes vasodilation in the area. Care must be taken in heat application compresses should be wrapped by a cloth and never applied directly to the skin as these may cause burns. Care must also be taken in patients with impaired sensation (such as those with Diabetes Mellitus) because they may be injured without them knowing it.

Alternately, cold packs may be used if there is swelling. Cold packs cause vasoconstriction in the area, thus limiting the inflammation. It may also reduce pain especially after trauma. Cold packs may be in the form of plastic bags containing ice, commercially available gel packs that are reusable, ice packs, or even just a simple bag of frozen vegetables that’s available in every kitchen.

Application of hot or cold packs should be limited to fifteen to twenty minutes, otherwise it might prove to be detrimental if used longer. Check the skin five minutes after application to assess its integrity.

If all else fail, one would have to resort to medical management. Several over the counter medications, which are available in almost everyone’s medicine kit, may provide relief. Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Mefenamic acid, or any NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are available without prescription; however please take time to read the label carefully to check for the appropriate dosage. Self-medication is generally discouraged, but for minor aches and pains, it may be allowed.

If the pain becomes chronic, or if it does not respond to treatment, then it is wise to visit your physician. Be sure to be very thorough in giving your history, including the medications you have taken.

Thus, Summer Ends...

2009-06-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe it. A day more and classes would begin again. The summer had been a blast- surprisingly the whole Psychiatric and Community experiences were truly memorable. Even our Enhancement Duty was interesting- a case study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and one very pitiful case of a 12 year old who was hit by a car- she had been unconscious for 5 days and they were waiting for the swelling to go down so the surgeon can perform the craniotomy. Seeing the girl's cousins and siblings take turn with the ambu bag was heartbreaking. I stifled a tear as I did my 30 minutes pumping oxygen through her tracheostomy tube.

It did get me a new attitude for hospital duties- they are opportunities for students to learn so we should take advantage! Tiring, yes, but its also a fulfilling part of the training.

The summer was capped by a lovely escapade to Cuatro Islas with N. and friends, and to Sohoton and Balantak- just the two of us. Sweet! hehe The rest of the summer I also tried to write, tried to exercise and diet and lose weight, and most importantly ahem, read a bit.

The summer ends and what an eventful two months it had been! Many changes, I won't even mention some.

This collegiate year is our last, and we hope to graduate on time, God help us! I'm certainly prepared to do my best- maybe set aside all the other things I do like blogging? Nah, maybe just minimize the posts.

Projects for this year- there's the very promising (can't tell you about the possible collaboration yet) and very important research. As for the yearbook for Chrysoberyl- I declined the Editor in Chief position because of the possible conflict of schedule (and besides I might be spreading myself thin already) with the Basey project. Oops, I slipped. But of course nothing is set in stone yet.

My GWA... a little below the Laude cut off and I don't even know if its still possible to raise it by .04 to make it hahaha I'll certainly try! I'll do my best with my home and school responsibilities and hope I make it! Go for the gold!

My third book- in the works, but not a priority. School comes first. Just a trivia, I just totalled 500 entries for my blogs, explored new writing styles, getting a lot of hits for the articles.. So blessed.

With that said, I thank everyone in my life- my family, N., friends and classmates, online friends, and of course to our Almighty God. Lord, please give me the strength to fulfill my responsibilities and please forgive me for my trespasses. I don't do everything perfectly inasmuch as I'm just human but please set my path straight and always guide me. Bless us all. And thank you!! Thank you all! Here's to a productive and successful new collegiate year!

Love, Thad.

A Matter of Perspective

2009-03-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

It's about a week before April 5- our official date of departure for our Cebu Psychiatric Affiliation, I suppose this is a rite of passage for every nursing student all over our country, but somehow the dreadfulness of anticipating the heavy workload weights a lot on me. I can't remember the last decent break I had. We have been working like maniacs since the first semester of 2007- and now, 3/4's of the way I am beginning to feel the strain.

Everyone tells me to just endure- and I am truly willing to do so. It's just that... I'm tired. Really tired- bone tired, in fact. Perhaps a change of perspective might do me good- I'll look at this as an incredible opportunity to learn. This is a chance to still work on my GWA to (hah!) run for latin honors.

After the two week exposure, we return to Tacloban for a week-long intensive lecture on Communicable Diseases, followed by another week in the community (as in we are going to live there!). The summer is capped by another week of hospital duty, before classes begin June 3 for the first semester of senior year. Whew!

I hope God will give me good health and enough strength to face the challenges ahead. Perhaps I just need to take it one day at a time if it all proves to be too much.

Not only will I look at the glass half full- it's 3/4's full!! I offer the following semesters (our senior year) to my Mom who was a good nurse, a great person and the best mother to us, also to N. who supports me every step of the way while allowing me to decide on my actions, and of course to our Lord. I hope I would, in time, be able to give back all the goodness you have given me.

I Lied!

2009-03-01T02:54:00.000-08:00

"If Estrada gets removed from power, I will jump headfirst from a helicopter!" and then... "I lied.. Bwahahaha!" - my all-time favorite Miriam Santiago qoutes. Applicable sya sa akin dahil recently I bid goodbye to blogging, tapos heto ngayon at nag-blog ako.

Sorry medyo di ko lang matiis, siguro ganito na lang. "Blog leave" na lang instead sa madramang notice. Diba? Pero mas marisyu mangud it drama uday!

Amo la, bow!

Each Passing Night

2009-02-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

For those nights when I toss and turn in bed when I'm beside you, for our nightly calls and quiet conversations, for each day spent with you that are like holidays...

I miss you hun, and I can't wait to be with you again soon. ;-)

(Photo above is from the deck of Surf Camp, Guiuan- where we took our first adventure together)

Senti Sunday

2009-01-11T03:28:00.000-08:00

Guess what I'm doing right at this second? No, dire nagba-barbara. lol! The opening strains of "One more chance" of Michael Jackson is playing through the headphones..

That's right, senti sunday na naman. I suppose no one is excited about Mondays, but the melancholy I feel during Sundays is so heavy it actually forces me to do something else to distract myself.. It feels like goodbye to the past hours of relaxation huhu = (

In the cusps of the passing days...

Tenk You Po!

2009-01-11T00:34:00.000-08:00

Lord, thanks for the food that we eat everyday. Thanks for my brother who works hard in the navy, thanks for Papa. Keep them safe. Bless Gavin and his parents, and Nanay as well, may they live long, happy lives. And I hope one day I get to repay all these blessings by touching other people's lives in the field of health care or otherwise. Thanks for everything again!

xoxo

Thadie

So long 2008!

2009-01-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

Mga iday, mga iduy. Adi na liwat kita, new year na! Pero before kita makipagsapalaran (char! Kumakain ng pandiwa, siring pa man), dapat mag look back anay kita han past year…

Thank you!

Ha akon bugto nga hi Ted for taking responsibility and practically being our breadwinner along with Papa. We are devastated (till now) when we lost our Mama, but we stuck together and my brother really stepped in. He's our youngest- we're so proud of you bro!

My brother Tye as well- I'm so happy he finally got to spend quality time with his son Gavin. They both look alike haha! Tye spent the most time with Mama while they were in the US, I know Mama is proud of you also and I hope you would be safe as you join the US Navy.

Papa- thanks for the support as always.

Nanay! Idol hehe, I hope dire gud ako nagpipinasaway hin duro. I'll do my very best to take good care of you. Ikaw pa! You changed my diapers when I was a baby, and took care of me and my bros till we were teens. You are our second Mama, and of course we know favorite mong anak si Mama hehe. We love yoU!

To my friends Jude, Jo, Ann, Haidy, mga Section Aw-anon, group 3! High school friends, my twin sis Tatat, my soul sister Remejoy- I enjoyed the company bitches! haha

Of course to N., you are a big part of my life = ) You changed me, I love you!.

To all who had ever touched my life- fellow bloggers, sina Mink, lola Dave, Gripen, Mugen, etc., mga pedicab drivers, yung suki namin na taxi, yung suki ko sa palengke lolz, people from Eastern Visayas Press! Thank you! I've had a blast, promise!

Mama:

Gogogo! meet our Maker! Don't be sad because we are ok!! I love you Ma! You keep me striving, you inspire me to do my best always. I'll be a good kuya.

Resolutions:

to be less bitchy (lol!) balit,to be more patient,

to go to church every sunday, regardless kung busy o hinde, no excuses! to trust God always,

to study (charot!) so that I can maintain the 1.72 GWA so far lolz parayawnon! to get 1.0 in at least 1 subject this sem,

to be more friendly

to always be calm and mature pag may family problems

dire na pwede mag-emo!

to never, ever stop trying to pursue my dreams no matter what the hardships.

to help people as long as kaya ko.

Here's to a wonderful new year!!
Amo la = )

Nyahahaha

2009-01-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

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"More Better" Man Gud!!

2009-01-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

LOL! Welcome to the blog that makes no sense. As in, waray gud! I created this because I got tired of the constraints I impose on myself in The Emancipation of Thadie blog- dapat walang typos, dapat relevant yung topic, dapat maganda ang pagkasulat blah blah... Malapit na kasing mag-two years yun, at feeling ko dapat i-"up-a-notch" ko na ang mga posts doon para bang to try and grow (kasama na din pagmature) ng writing chorvabells ko. Pero what can I do, medyo krung krung lang talaga ako by nature? Saan ko na naman i-express ang kabaliwan ko aber?

E di create a new blog!

Yup this is what this shit is about. Total, complete, exhaustive, unabridged, unimpaired, whole, whole enchilada (tang'na, ang daming kokopyahin sa thesaurus!) kempet, kempet- basta you get my point- FREEDOM.

Walang spell check o editing. Basta kung ano maisulat ko, yun na yun!

The Title

My friend Jude and other classmates heard someone utter "more better" and we thought it was so funny na ginawa na naming expression. "More better talaga ha Ormoc!", "More better talaga it waray rules!", etc. To me, it tells me to just inject humor kasi mahirap pagpalagi kong inaasam ang perfection sa sarili o di kaya mga tao around me, e diba tao lang tayo? So pag nasabi ko na "more better" na-remind ko yung sarili ko to take it easy.

More better man gud it pirme la happy!

The Best Part of Me

... has always been independent, may sariling values at pag-iisip, masayahin, krung krung, considerate sa ibang tao, enjoy sa company ng mga friendships ko, expressive, may pagka booba minsan, at generally mabait. Ayoko itago yung taong yun behind a facade of an educated, refined individual... pero minsan kailangan, especially in real life. But my essence is always there. That's the best gauge for friendships and relationships- if the people around you could love you- lahat lahat, good and bad things about you including pagka-baduy, then totoong love ka nila! Ching!

My name is Thad, and this is the semi-secret, organic (charing! organic chemistry!) version of me.