Hi, Guys! I know this blog has been quiet for weeks now, but well, you know how December is, to most if not all Filipinos a very busy month. It is the moment we've been preparing for 3 months now so come the actual month itself, everyone seems to be busy--just like me! I've been running around trying to finish my work so I can take my leaves. Also, going here and there to complete this years Christmas Shopping list.

I have tons of photo's to upload, some dating back to November and I haven't started processing them. Add the number of blog entries that I still have to write considering the number of things that happened to me through the course of November and December, Ay Caramba! I don't know where to start.

But I guess I can start with giving everyone a straight from the heart greeting for this lovely season, then I can immediately go back to my domestic chores. Hahahaha! Merry Christmas everyone, snapped this for everyone to see. I'm spending my holidays in Pampanga as always, with the family.

So there, I wish everyone is having a festive and Merry Christmas! I'll probably resume regular programming next year, or next week? I dunno. We'll see, for know let's enjoy the holidays! Enjoy the food, enjoy the food and worry about the calories later. It's the season to let your guard down!

PS

I'm still accepting gifts for the Holiday! Haha I don't have a wish list but I expect people close to me to know what to give me this season. I don't want to go around posting my Wish list, but who knows, I might have one very soon! Haha

A couple of weeks ago, the boyfran and I finally had the time to visit Manila Ocean Park. I bought our tickets last June for P500 when they had a caravan in the office. They had a package of some, not all, of the things they had to offer. Once you get there, you'll see a lot of sights you'd want to go to but of course you have to take them one at a time.

Unfortunately for me though, the boyfran and I went there after my shift so I was pretty tired. I little walk here and I'll ask him if there's somewhere we can sit and probably sip something or smoke. The fortunate thing was while having one of those tired moments, we ended up at O My Yogurt!

Mang Inasal has been one my the boyf and I's favorite restos. Not just because of the unlimited rice but because of the huge chunk of chicken that you can get for P99. Plus I love the free soup that they serve before you get the chicken, or while eating your chicken, or after eating your chicken. It depends on the number of people eating if they'll notice that you actually have or don't (for that matter) the soup you've been craving for.

A couple of weeks ago, Bunny and I decided to have dinner at Mang Inasal which is located at the back of PBCom Tower. It was closed a bit early and we asked why because we usually eat there around 9PM, the manager told us they're preparing for the 11.11.11 thingy that they're launching. Fine.

I was thinking they might've thought of adding more chicken or adding more soup and yes, adding more food to the menu. I kept on comparing Chic-Boy's line up and boy Mang Inasal is way behind. They have Sinigang na Salmon, Liempo of all sorts and what have you. Mang Inasal on the other hand is limited to the Chicken line up and the Sinigang (and other dishes such as Sisig), both actually taste good. but, if you're looking for diversity when it comes to the menu, your choices are pretty limited with Mang Inasal, including their selection of desserts.

So, 11.11.11 came, my first disappointment was:

Case # 1

A couple of weeks ago, I was complaining from severe abdominal pain and I couldn't brush it off anymore because it was more painful than the usual. We went to Aventus(Intellicare) beside SM North so I can have my check up. The guard asked me a lot of questions, I had to explain to him everything as if he was the doctor in exchange of a number. After a couple of minutes, my number was called and I was asked to go the the information/reception area. When I went there, the Nurse asked me the same questions the guard asked me so I had to relay the whole story again, after that I was asked to sit down. After some time, they called my name and asked for my health card, I gave it to them, they swiped it and asked me to sign something. I asked the nurse what it is, she said it's for the consultation fee. Well for me, before asking anyone to sign anything, I think it's proper to explain what that document is. Plus having me sign that document when I haven't been checked by the doctor yet? Oh, please. As far as I know, and as far as I have experienced, they usually ask you to pay for something after the checkup has been done.

But anyhoo, after signing the said document, I was asked to wait again. After finishing a game of Angry Birds, they called my name again and this time to check my BP. I was asked again to wait for my name to be called. After taking a short nap, I was called to go to the Doctor's clinic. While I was explaining what happened to my Doctor, she kept on interrupting me saying that my story is full of contradictions and that it doesn't make any sense. I told her that the pain starts from the upper right abdomen and eventually finds its way to the lower right abdomen. It's very easy to understand, had she not interrupted me, she could've understood.

I informed the doctor that I was uncomfortable with the door open since she required me to raise my shirt and pinch the part of my body that ached and she said, "Okay lang yan, mga nurse naman ang mga yan e.". What the actual fuck??? Regardless if those people are medically trained, I wouldn't want to expose my body for everyone to see. Moving on, the Mean Doctor told me to have my Urinalysis so we can check if it's UTI.

So, I go to the crappy bathroom where they don't have any tissue nor liquid soap. Good thing I had my own tissue, sanitizer and alcohol. Went ahead into the lab so they can scrutinize my pee and I was told I had to wait for one hour for the result. Are you kidding me? One freakin' hour???? There were only 5 people around that time and it will take them 1 hour? Okay fine, can't do anything anyway.

After an hour and a half, I can't take it anymore because it's been too long and I have errands to do. I went to the lab and ask for the result, the MedTech told me that she already released it, I asked why didn't she call me, she said the nurses were supposed to do that. I went to the Nurse's station and asked if my results were there and they were! They were just too busy chitchatting that they forgot to call my name.

So, I got the result, went back to the Doctor and I was told that I didn't have UTI but there were traces of blood in my urine. I was told that my follow-up care should be with an OB Gyne. They had no OB Gyne for the day so I had no option but to go home. So, I left not knowing why my lower abdomen was so painful.

8 hrs after my checkup, I was rushed to the ER. The pain was not intolerable, they had to hydrate me using a dextrose and inject me with pain relievers. The people in Makati Med were very nice, probably because of the pricey service. But I couldn't care less, as long as they take care of me as a patient, I'm willing to pay. I was also told that my follow-up care would be an OB Gyne.

Case # 2

Since I was so pleased with how Makati Med handled the situation when I was at the ER, i wanted to go there for my follow-up care as well. Went to Aventus in Makati (which is Intellicare's office) so I can coordinate with them. For a question, you have to get a number. The guard interviewed me the same way the first guard did, I did a repeat performance with the person at the reception/information area. I was asked to proceed to a certain room so that my question can get answered. I was told that if I plan to do my follow-up care at Makati Med, I'd have to pay for it and they'd reimburse it, not even the full amount but 80% from them and 20% from PhilHealth. What a hassle, for a checkup? No, thanks.

I decided to make do with what I have and told the person at the reception area that I'm just going to have my checkup with their resident OB, I was told that I have to get another number, so I waited patiently until my number was called and I was asked to fill out this and that sheet, had to wait again until the doctor called my name. The OB was nice, she made me feel very comfortable and even joked about a lot of things. I won't tell what the diagnosis yet is, but I was asked t have a different kind of ultrasound so we can be sure. I went to the nurse's station and was told that it has to be scheduled and earliest that they can do is Tuesday. I asked if I can have it in a different clinic and was told that I can.

I went to the information room to ask if I'll be needing anything else aside from my card and they told me that was all I need. They even gave me several addresses of different clinics. Went to the nearest clinic and I was told I'd have to pay for it unless I have an authorization letter from Intellicare. FUQDISHIT. Seriously? I asked them several times if my card is all I need to have the procedure done in another clinic and those dumbos told me it's everything! What the hell, Intellicare? Get your shit together! I was so tired and my lower abdomen's pain was really getting worse l so I decided to just come back some other day and just rest at home. I called them to have my checkup and the procedure scheduled so I won't have to waste a lot of time with them.

Guise, a health card is very important in a working individual's life; but please don't make it difficult for us. Also, update your website or your handbook because the steps and procedures you have there are outdated and they contradict what what the people in your office say. People who are sick don't have the time and energy to go back and forth from one clinic to another just because you failed to provide them one pertinent information that they'll need to get their procedures done. Please, get your shit together.

I don't think Intellicare is an intelligent choice, do you?