Personal best

I've quickly become the abscess guy.  Had a gal with a large breast abscess that drained 700+ml of pus.  Two emesis basins weren't enough and had to use the tray the instruments came in for the rest.  Sorry, I forgot to take photos.  ;-)

Guts, fat, and fetus ...... oh my. We're not in Kansas anymore

Love the Filipino food and nothing better than a little roadside BBQ of intestines and pork fat with fetus eggs after work.   Now, if I only can come up with a crock pot recipe for this ..........  ;-)

Rural Health Center Cabangan

Started working in the health center and received a warm welcome from the staff here.  They have a schedule of seeing pediatric patients on Monday and Friday mornings, adults on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, well baby on Wednesday, and emergencies during the afternoon.  Fairly typical to see 50+ patients in the 4 hour morning session with one doctor and a handful of staff.  I've been pretty much observing the first couple days but have drained some pretty smelly pus from a couple abscesses.

Exhaustion after a busy morning

It seems a coworker of mine gave some notice that I'd be coming and there was a big welcome sign for me.

No Reservations

I made it to the Philippines after some eventful in-flight GI disturbances.  Filda's brother was kind to pick me up from the airport and drive me to Cabangan and the great beachfront room they had arranged.

Sunday I was invited to lunch by the mayor and some council members at a local's house.  It was something out of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations".  The table was full and more dishes of food kept appearing every few minutes - squid cooked three ways, rice, fresh fish stew, raw fish, dry fish, red mango with a salty shrimp dip (sort of like Filipino chips and salsa).  Pretty amazing introduction to the Philippines.

My kingdom for a zofran

I saw my first patient on the flight to Tokyo - me.  Projectile vomiting for 5 hours and curled up in the lav for half the flight.  Yuck.  Getting off the plane I ached to a 20 on the 1-10 scale.  ;-)  I narrowly escaped the health quarantine that Japan does for any sick people arriving.  Still concerned over the bird flu from past years.  So much for the noodle shop I was going to eat at tonight.  Hopefully the morning will bring a new and improved me.

Off to the Municipality of Cabangan, Province of Zambales, Philippines!

On my way to the Philippines with stops in Chicago and Tokyo along the way.

Thanks to Filda for introducing me to her family in the Philippines who will assist me in this next adventure.  Also, thanks to all those who donated supplies for this trip - I'm sure they'll be greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned for adventurous tales and interesting culinary experiences.