Favorite Oblivion

Chapter VI

WITH CLENCHED jaws, I almost stooped down on my swivel chair. Glad I have a break to mourn for all the shits I had done these past few days.

Minutes after, someone didn't knock on my door and immediately entered my consultation office.

"Zac." I looked up to Carl as I heard him call my name. "Anong drama 'yan? Hindi ka pa ba kumakain?" I saw his curled brows.

"One of my patients died. Asthma," I stated then I sighed.

"Sino? Yung bata?" I heard care in his voice. Hindi ko pa rin maiwasang manlumo.

Bagsak ang mga mata kong tumingin sa kaniya saka tumango. "Room 302. Severe asthma. The one who has ACOS."

"Yung kinuha mong case two years ago? Yung..." Natigil na ang sinabi niya dahil tumango na agad ako.

ACOS. Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. It happens when patient has both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hindi lahat ng may asthma, may COPD. Hindi lahat ng may COPD, may asthma. Hindi rin nada-diagnose na may COPD ang taong may asthma kapag mild lang ang symptoms niya. But with patient 302, it's severe.

I read her records. "Cleo Francine Ramulo. Thirteen years old." I repeatedly shook my head. "Tightness in the chest. Difficult in breathing. Wheezing. Frequent coughing. Excess phlegm. After some tests, I found out that she could easily feel tired. She has low physical tolerance for exercises. Shortness of breath during routine activities."

"Paano siya namatay?"

"After a severe asthma attack, she died," sagot ko.

Carl played with my cradle steel balance on the table. "Ibig sabihin hindi totoo yung balita na hospital inconvenience?" He creased his forehead as his eyes turned back at me.

"Naniniwala ka na pala sa chismis? Don't go that low," I bantered him as I playfully shook my head. "Ginawa ko ang lahat ng makakaya bilang assigned doctor. Hindi rin tayo nagkulang sa facilities at equipment. Sadyang mahina na ang mga baga ng bata. Pati mga magulang niya, aminadong kahapon na ang huling araw na makikita nilang dilat ang mga mata niya. Kahit hindi siya mamatay, mako-comatose pa rin siya. Aabot lang din sa puntong pipiliin na lang nila na mamatay si Cleo kaysa mahirapan sa hospital bed," I carefully explained.

"Bakit malungkot ka?" balik niyang tanong.

"Ms. Ramulo is my first patient to do. My record got broken. I'm a doctor. We face death every single day. We save lives and we prevent death as much as possible. Nakakapanghinayang lang mamatayan ng taong dalawang taon mong tinutukan." I looked at him with cold expression. "Ililigtas mo yung tao kahit na anong mangyari," I added.

"I onced visited her. Napag-usapan ka namin at sinabi niyang halos kaibigan na ang tingin niya sa 'yo. Akala ko ganoon ka rin sa kaniya. Pasyente lang talaga sila para sa 'yo, 'no?"

I cleared my throat as I tried to read his thoughts. "You sounded like it's wrong. Kapag na-attach ako sa pasyente, maaapektuhan ang desisyon ko sa kalusugan niya at kung ano ang makakabuti sa kalagayan niya. Kaya nga hindi tayo pwede basta-basta gumamot ng relatives. Paano kapag dumating yung araw na nahihirapan na siya at wala ng chance, bubuhayin mo pa?" I gave him a rational question to deal with.

"Of course!" he avered. "Lalo na kung importante sa 'kin yung tao, gagawin ko ang lahat para mabuhay siya. Hindi sasagi sa isip ko ang prosesong legal sa ibang bansa," he explained his side.