Not Money

PFM – PFM – M Bridge installed! Haha. Not without oclussal adjustment though. Anyway.

It’s almost midnight and I’m still up sending an email for my dad. Since I’m already online, why not blog, right? Today was not extraordinary but I learned a few lessons. This morning I was a bit down because I was worried I couldn’t pay all the things I have to pay this month; rent, dental chair, electric bill, cable. Actually, I have enough money to cover all my expenses; my problem was I wouldn’t have much left in my bank account. In this state I was a bit grouchy this morning. I was thinking about all the things I could buy with my money. Parang lugi, bakit walang matitira.

But then my dad told me a story about a family who lives on the streets. That was all I needed; a slap in the face, making me realize how blessed I am. My dad also said that it is natural to be financially stressed right now because I am still starting out. Everyone goes through this stage, it is a must, he said, in order for me to learn the value of money. I was nodding, almost absent mindedly. But when I think about it, he’s right.

It should never be about money. But when you’re faced with a list of expenses you have to pay, it’s so hard to focus on what’s important.

Today I resolve that I will not live for money. I will earn, but I will not let my world revolve around earning. Today I resolve I’ll value people, relationships and character more than additional numbers in a bank account. After all, as Se would say, money is just paper.

Days in the Clinic

(Some dental terms are used. Bear with me. =))


Throughout my several years of dental school, I have always feared two procedures – extractions (bunot) and any procedure with pedo patients (kids). But today, just today, a patient made me love doing extractions! He is a 9 year old patient who had to have his tooth removed. He sat down on the dental chair, holding a dog puppet in one hand. He had no apprehensions, if he had it did not show. I carefully explained to him why we need to remove his tooth and what the procedure will be like. I especially took caution when I tried to explain that we need to poke his gums with a needle in order to deliver the anesthetic solution. (Syempre, I did not use the words “poke” and “needle” when I was explaining to him.) When I told him that it was ok to cry but never should he jerk my hand away during the procedure, he immediately put his hands under his thighs. When I told him to close his eyes so that he wouldn’t be scared of the instruments I’ll use, he, without blinking, closed his eyes. When I started to inject the anesth, he moaned a bit, but then after counting to 10, he was ok, we were ok. No tears. No shouting. No fuss.

I wish all patients would be more like this boy. He was so trusting and he was so brave.

Days spent in the clinic are becoming more and more stressful. I have to admit that sometimes, especially when I’m in Plaridel, I get so bored, I’d do silly stuff. But when days are full of appointments, I get stressed out. I now know why Dr.T kept on with all those discussions and mock preparations and wax patterns. How I’d love it if he could check my every work! It will keep me from embarrassing situations and a lot of mistakes. Haha! It’s funny how I think of my professors everytime I’m doing a procedure. When I’m scaling I usually think of Dr.M and Dr. S. My professors would always remind me to be thorough, that even a little deposit left on the patient’s tooth is not acceptable. I think of Dr. M whenever I do restorations – syempre pa, rubber dam and good isolation techniques. I even think of Dr. S and Dr. A whenever I mix alginate – 8-folds! Haha! My professors’ words continue to haunt me to this day. And I guess that is a good thing.

Dedication to excellence – that would what my professors would say. And believe me, I’m trying my hardest to do just that.

But it’s so different when you’re in your own dental practice. I wish I’d always have someone looking over my shoulder, checking if what I’m doing is acceptable. But I can’t have that. I’m learning though. And I just wish that when all is done, I’d make my professors proud.


-----------

I hope I'm really back to blogging. B said I should rekindle my passion for writing. So we'll see. I'm using up my time reading books... so much books... so little time!! =)

Another hectic day tomorrow. Bridges to be installed and started! Excited!