defibrillated back
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009“any changes during the night?” the nurse asked her as she slowly gathered herself. “none,” was her waking reply. the nurse smiled as she proceeded to him to check the instruments and get the usual readings–heart rate, blood pressure, pupil dilation–and other signs. “i see the rain finally stopped,” she remarked as she noticed the warm sunlight going thorugh the droplet-stained window. “yeah, it was raining non-stop the whole night,” the nurse replied. she then observed her as the nurse went about her daily routine when she noticed one of his fingers on his left arm twitch. although she has seen this before and is considered normal for someone in his condition, she somehow felt that this was different.
“he’s… he’s…” she stammered to get her words out to the nurse as she continued to see the twitch become successive in nature. “i’ve told you before that that is normal,” the nurse replied without even paying attention to the movements. then suddenly, the monitors started beeping long and loud as his vital stats started to deteriorate. the nurse, startled by the turn of events, pressed the emergency button near the head board and called on the intercom.
“emergency on room 524, we need a doctor immediately!” shouted the nurse as she started doing CPR on him. teary eyed, she fell to her knees as the nurse frantically tried to revive him. doctors and other nurses stormed into the room a few seconds later and surrounded him. one of the other nurses checked for a pulse and a doctor asked the first nurse information about what happened. the room was filled with a series of instructions, monitor noises, and frantic requests for more equipment. “get the crash cart!” one doctor ordered. “continue giving CPR,” said another. “still no pulse,” one nurse reported. amidst all the chaos, she was still on her knees, crying that this revival attempt may not end well and may be the last. there have been similar instances before, but during those times, the doctors and nurses were able to bring him back, only to a more deteriorated state.
more medical personnel came rushing through the door with crash cart in tow. it seemed like an eternity as it was hooked up and ready for a last ditch effort to save his life. “still no pulse,” the nurse shouted as CPR was still being administered. “get ready to charge the pads,” the doctor instructed. the high-pitched sound of charging then filled the room. “charge to 60,” was the first order. “charged to 60,” the nurse reported back. “okay, stand clear!” the doctor yelled as he took the pads and placed them on his chest. “clear!” a shuddering thud was then heard, followed by the long beep of a flat line status. “still flatline,” the nurse shouted. “continue CPR and charge to 80,” said the doctor. frantically, the nurse resumed CPR as the defibrillator was being charged. “charged to 80.” “clear!” another thud was heard and another flat line tone. “still flatline,” the nurse repeated. “still no pulse either,” a second nurse said. “continue CPR and charge to 100,” the doctor reordered. at this point, the doctor was starting to be convinced that continued revival efforts may be futile. “charged to 100.” “clear!” a third resounding thud followed, but still another flatline tone was heard. “re-charge to 100. this is it,” the doctor said as he prepared to get ready to shock him for one last time. her cries now can be heard in the room amidst the flurry of activity. “re-charged to 100.” “clear!” and a fourth and final thud was heard as the last revival effort came.
there was silence after administering the final attempt, then the familiar long tone of a flat line was heard again. everyone in the room then became silent as the long tone overcame the air. even her cries were silenced by the realization that it was all over. the people around him had their heads bowed. then suddenly a solitary blip was heard. followed by another. and another. the nurse quickly held his wrist. “got a pulse!” she then shouted. “heart rate and blood pressure stabilizing,” said another. she slowly rose to her feet, not believing that this was happening. she was still fixed on his face, as she then moved towards him. his eyes then began showing signs of movement, which had everyone in the room in a collective gasp. slowly, his dark brown eyes began to show themselves to everyone after a very long time. she again cried, this time, with tears of joy as she then lunged at him with a warm embrace. the long wait was over. in the midst of celebration, he can only whisper two words to her as she held him tight,
“i’m back.”
return of the comeback
Sunday, August 30th, 2009the title says it all. check back on september 1, 2009.
big step forward
Sunday, April 26th, 2009i was supposed to write a review about my recently purchased nokia e71 to let everyone know it fared compared to the previous mobile phones i’ve owned, but i guess that’ll have to wait for another day. i know i promised some people in posting that review but please do bear waiting for a little bit longer.
a major change is going to happen here at home. to be more specific, my mom and my younger sister will be leaving for the US this coming saturday. yep, it’s my kid sister’s turn to try it out on the other side of the world, career-wise. though my mom has always been wanting to go back there, this is a big step for my kid sis. she filed a month-long leave from her work with uncertainty as to whether she’ll come back or not. though she’ll still go to work up until the end of the month. both of them have already started packing their things. as to where they’ll stay, well, they have plenty of options. we have lots of relatives and friends there, specifically in the west coast area of california so they won’t have any difficulty settling in. my mom will be doing some baby-sitting duties like she did before, and as for my sister, well, she’s a big girl now, and i wish her nothing but the best. it’ll be awfully different here now that it’s just me and my brother at home. but, we’ll manage as always. it’s just kinda sad that little sis isn’t around when you’re used to spending every day being with her.
i just wanted to share that feeling with the world. it’s kinda sad, but at the same time, i’m very happy for both of them. it’s hard to believe that we only have one week left to be a solid family. but, as they say, always look at the brighter side of things.
again, my apologies for not posting my e71 review yet. but to give a generalization, it’s a good phone to use. more details on the review. here’s wishing everyone a good week ahead.
greetings
Friday, April 24th, 2009before the month ends without any posting whatsoever, i would just like to greet my younger brother a
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
i respectfully regard you as the more good-looking, smarter, wittier, and more successful than me in terms of everything in life. here’s wishing you more health, success and happiness in everything you do. i know i don’t get to say this much, but i love you brother. you’re the reason i’m trying to be better than myself. have a great, great day!!
flip-flopping, darkness-drunk, and my new baby
Sunday, March 29th, 2009
emotional rush
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
unusual heroes
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
despite the news of the sudden demise of francis magalona this past friday, i was able to see the movie “watchmen” after i got off work. i reserved my ticket online two days before, but had second thoughts on the day itself about seeing the movie, since i knew nothing of the comic book franchise and worried that i might get lost in the movie’s plot and storyline. but i thought that this might be a chance for me to be acquainted with the group, plus if director zach snyder did a very impressive job on “300,” then this might be worth seeing as well.
in a nutshell, it’s not your typical superhero movie of heroes versus villains. surprisingly, it’s a “generational” movie about superheroes of the 1940s and 50s, with some their children carrying on their parents’ legacy (except for doctor manhattan who stopped aging) and adopting their namesakes and continue what they started. it’s also set in an alternate timeline of 80s america, where the term limits of the president was lifted, therefore having richard nixon still the incumbent president. the story starts with one of the original members being murdered and the crusade of another devoted member finding out whodunnit while trying to solicit the help of the others in the team.
the plot unfolds amidst the twists and turns of each member’s relationship with their fallen comrade, and how they continue to live their lives in the present setting where society has forgotten them and they themselves trying to have a life outside of their more popular alter egos. the movie takes you on a roller coaster ride of flashbacks and sub-plots, of emotions and principles. i would believe that the person who watches this movie who doesn’t check his or her brain at the theater doors won’t be able to understand or keep up with the continuous bombardment of narrative dialogue while trying to find out for themselves who the murderer is.
what i liked about the movie is the constant presence of conflict. be it among the superheroes themselves, within each one, with society, and with their desinty. there was one line that really stood out which was mentioned by the mother of silk spectre II. i don’t remember the exact words, but it goes something like, “the future gets dimmer and more bleak, while the past, even with the most gruesome of events, keeps getting brighter and brighter.” i really don’t know why that line stuck, but i guess it has something to do with where we peak in our lives, be it professionally, personally, or whatever. once we reach that, everything is downhill moving forward. for silk spectre II’s mother, she had the height of her powers, abilities and fame and is headed towards insignificance. i suppose all old people are like that, but you’re left to wonder if other superheroes share the same sentiment as her’s.
the movie was a good watch for me. it was worth paying an additional 45 pesos to my usual carpark rate (i initially thought of moving to another carpark near the theater but decided against it eventually), and having dinner by myself (again). the theater was sold out for a 7:45pm screening which is a good sign that the movie will earn big at the box office. i would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be entertained in a different way by a superhero movie. it’s definitely the start of another big and highly anticipated summer movie season. up next, nicholas cage’s “knowing.”
black day
Saturday, March 7th, 2009
part of me is still in a state of shock over the sudden passing of francis magalona yesterday. i just finished having lunch yesterday when the news broke out. being someone who admires his music and his talent, i felt a heavy feeling inside my chest as i tried to accept the fact that one of the most influential and recognizable talents in philippine music left this earth. dying at such a young age of 44, he’s still in the prime of his career and can do more. even now, i still find myself shocked speechless whenever i think of what happened to him.
turn of the tide
Monday, February 16th, 2009
one down, 11 to go
Saturday, January 31st, 2009


