The Wicked Doctor

85: Progress Notes

Progress notes: An ongoing record of a patient's illness and treatment. Physicians, nurses, consultants, and therapists record their notes concerning the progress or lack of progress made by the patient between the time of the previous note and the most recent note. In patients who are not critically ill, a note concerning progress may be made daily or less frequently; for patients in critical care, notes may be made hourly. It is important that each note be clearly written, the date and time recorded, and the note signed.

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"Kumain ka na ba?" He asked me as I was writing on a patient's progress notes. 

"Hindi pa. Mamaya nang konti pagbalik ni Kristine from break." Patuloy akong nagsusulat habang sumasagot sa kanya. 

"Kanina pa nakabalik si Kristine. It's 13:10, An." Napatigil ako sa pagsusulat at tumingin sa wall clock.

My mouth turned into an O-shape as I stared at the clock. I was supposed to go for lunch break at 12:30 as soon as Kristine comes back! Hindi ko man lang namalayan ang oras at dire-diretso ako sa trabaho! 

I bit my lip and cast a sideway glance at Terrence. "Sorry. Hindi ko namalayan. Kanina mo pa ba ako hinihintay?" 

He just chuckled and shook his head. "I knew you wouldn't eat on time kaya nag-take out na lang ako para masabayan kitang kumain. I really waited for you to call and I was also preoccupied with something in the emergency room kaya hindi kita nacheck agad."

He took my hand aof yournd pulled me up from my seat. "Let's go. Hindi ka pwedeng magpalipas ng gutom." 

He put an arm around my shoulders and told the staff nurses on duty to notify us if there is something else. "Pakakainin ko lang tong doktora niyo at nangangayayat na. Nakalimot na naman maglunch." They laughed and gave us knowing smiles. 

I dug into my meal with my fork and enjoyed my burger steak as Terrence kept me company. 

"We'll fly to Oslo in two weeks time to get your surgery. Gerald can do it for me. Even in Oslo hindi ako papayagan na gawin ang surgery. Everybody knows how the two of us are involved and at the moment, he is the only one I can trust with your surgery." He said as if he was just talking about the weather. 

I placed my fork on the pack and stopped eating. "Wala na akong valid entry visa, Terrence. It's been years since I've been there." Uminom ako ng iced tea at ipinagpatuloy na ang pagsubo ng pagkain ko. 

"I will take care of it. Don't worry about anything and just rest. Bukas na ang start ng medical leave mo. Leave all of your cases to your reliever at wag kang mag-isip ng kung-anu ano." He patted my head and looked at me lovingly. 

I could feel my heart racing, almost trying to jump out of my chest. I'm becoming tachycardic by the minute. 

Bigla akong tumayo at tumakbo papunta sa toilet at nagmadaling magtoothbrush at maghilamos. Agad naman akong sinundan ni Terrence nang nasa banyo na ako. 

"Hey!" He yelled as he entered the door and came directly to my side, laying his hand on my lower back. "Nasusuka ka na naman ba?"  

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko kaya tumango na lang ako. Agad naman niya akong inabutan ng towel at bottled water. "Do you still need anything? Do you want an anti-emetic? I could get one for you right now." 

Akmang tatalikod na siya para kumuha ng gamot pero hinawakan ko siya sa braso n aagad namang nagpatigil sa kanya. "No need. I can manage, T. I'll be fine."

If only he could hear my heartbeat. It's like a galloping horse in the middle of a race, strong and fast. Tila mapupugto ang hininga ko nang ilapat niya sa pisngi ko ang isa niyang kamay at tinignan niya ako nang diretso.