When I became a parent, all I want for my son to have is a better life. This means, a good of quality education, surroundings, the food that he eats should be healthy and clean, and the list continues. But amongst all, health should be on top. He cannot achieve a better life if he doesn’t have a good health.
In Catholic, there’s a belief that a child should be christened as soon as possible in order for him to avoid being sick. That’s why when Johann turned one and a half month, we decided to have him baptized. ( I will also post here how to have a baptism celebration for the only 25k).
After I gave birth to my precious angel, he was diagnosed with Sepsis. A blood infection he got from me. The doctors said he got it when I had my UTI. As early as days old, Johann already has had a series of antibiotics. Although, physically he is doing well which we were thankful for. There are no signs at all that he’s sick.
When he got out from the hospital, aside from common colds and rashes in the skin due to the hot weather, Johann’s health is good. Although his common colds sometimes accompanied by coughs often comes back, there’s nothing else. Not when he turns eight months old. It was October 4, Thursday when he got a fever, with vomiting. After his third vomits, we rushed him to the ER of VRP Medical Center where Maxicare is affiliated. Good thing, my son has his HMO under his father. After some questions asked by the resident Pedia during that time, it’s just viral. Meaning, a common fever due to the timely virus. They discharged us, gives us some take-home drugs and instructions. Johann was actually doing well the moment we arrive at the hospital. In spite of his fever, he’s playing. We didn’t pay anything because of his HMO.
Why VRP? It’s near our home and affiliated with Maxicare. Just one tricycle ride for Php 35.00 (special trip). It is accessible because it’s just along EDSA.
First established as Polymedic General Hospital by Dr. Victor R. Potenciano along with Col. Pelagio G. Potenciano, M.D. Arsenio G. Francisco, M.D., Mrs. Irma P.E. Potenciano, and Flora P. Caviles on Sept. 22, 1967. The name was changed to current “VRP Medical Center” on Feb 28, 1998, to prevent confusion from other “Polymedia” entitles in the country. Located in 163 EDSA, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1501 with Telephone number (02) 464 9999.
When at home, he’s fever often rise then subside. We just continue to give him Paracetamol Biogesic then an occasional flash of sponge with water. Then observed. The vomiting continues, though not successive. When the fever didn’t go down, we again rush him to the ER for the second time around. This time, they took a CBC and Urinalysis from him. It’s so painful to see your son cries because of the needles. Honestly, I hate needles and I’m afraid of it. I even fainted sometime due to injection. The results say it’s viral. Again. We were again instructed to go home, this time with Pedialyte and Erceflora on the prescription for his vomiting. The Pedia’s instruction is to give him Pedialyte equal amount of his vomit. That’s a lot of hard work to do since Johann doesn’t like the taste. Pedialyte is to replace the fluids that were lost while Erceflora contains Bacillus clausii a good bacteria.
On the third day, his condition worsens. The vomiting continues, then red spots occur on his body. We thought that was just measles which usually occurs during his age. We decided to rush him to the hospital not because of the rashes but because of the vomiting.
When at the ER, they took vitals, checked him then the Doctor decided to admit him. I am thankful we have Maxicare Card as our HMO, we got to admit him to a good hospital without worrying about a large amount of cash. They instructed me to proceed to the Information/Admitting Section so that the admission shall be processed. Since we are under Maxicare, the room they provided for us was Regular Private which cost Php 2,060.00 per day. As soon as they finished discussing the rules and regulation, let you signed the papers, then you’re good to go.
The admission kit consists of the following:
- 1 roll Tissue Paper
- 1 pc. Face Towel
- 2 pcs. Calibrated Cups 210ml plastic
- 1 set Toothbrush with Toothpaste sachet
- 1 pc. Small Antibacterial Soap
- 1 pair Spoon and Fork
- 1 pc. Digital Thermometer
- 1 pc. Transparent Eco Bag
Admission Kit 
I went back to the ER since my patient was still there. After the Pedia Doctor finished my son’s IV sets, yes the Pedia Doctor did it, with the assistance of the nurses, when they’re finished, they connected it to a machine which monitors the flow of the fluids and the state of the veins in which they inserted the needle. Actually, in my son’s case, hindi needle yung kinabitan ng IV kundi parang microfiber at doon na dumadaan yung fluids. So less danger sya unlike dun sa needles, lalo na’t naturally malikot ang kids. Although the Pedia have had a hard time looking for his veins since malusog si Johann, even with the use of the vein scanner. It will alarm if there’s a problem with the IV which is good, maiiwasan ang pamamaga ng part kung saan connected yung IV. After that, a nurse assisted us to our room.
Maxicare has an exclusive wing in VRP. It is located on the 8th floor. The floor was provided with a small pantry for its patients. It has a socket (for charging), an electric kettle and a microwave for reheating food. I am not sure if other floors or wings in VRP has also a pantry like on the 8th floor. The Nurse station is located in the middle of the wing with a lounge for visitors and a telephone is available also.
The Regular Private Room has a tv, refrigerator, sink with faucet, a cabinet and a restroom with hot and cold shower. Oxygen is also built-in and Nurse call button.
During the first day at the hospital, my son’s conditions improved. The final diagnosis was Roseola Infantum.
- Roseola is a mild contagious illness caused by either one of two viruses. Characteristically, roseola has a sudden onset and relatively short duration.
- Roseola is most common in children 6-24 months of age, with the average age of 9 months. Less frequently, older children, teens, and (rarely) adults may be infected.
- The signs and symptoms of HHV-6 (or HHV-7) infection vary depending upon the age of the patient.
- Infants and toddlers routinely develop sudden symptoms with an abrupt onset of a high fever (103-104 degrees) that lasts for three to five days.
- The child may also develop irritability, swollen glands in the front or back of the neck, runny nose, puffy eyelids, and mild diarrhea.
- Within 12-24 hours of the fever breaking, a rash rapidly appears.
- Older children who develop HHV-6 (or HHV-7) infection are more likely to have an illness characterized by several days of high fever and possibly a runny nose and/or diarrhea.
- Older children less commonly develop a rash as the fever abates.
Here are samples of their food, which taste good unlike what other hospital food myths said. It is cooked by Sodexo which is located on the lower ground. The food tray consists of fruits, coffee, sugar and creamer or milk, meat for proteins and porridge or rice, soup and dessert. Diet will actually depend on the patient’s nutritional needs.
If you opt to buy food, in front of the hospital is the newly open Mini Stop and there is also a 7-11 Convenient Store on its side. Mercury Drug Store, Watson, BDO, China Bank, Goldilocks, LBC Center, Andoks are also walking distance from the hospital. There is also an ATM Kiosk inside the hospital.
On the third day, we were discharged by his Pedia, Doctor Rosario O. Gabriel and paid nothing-everything was covered by the HMO. Please also take note that Roseola Infantum is not covered under Philhealth because according to the Philhealth officer I spoke with, it can be cured at home. In our case, the Pedia was concerned about the dehydration due to vomiting. Thank God, the HMO still covered the whole bill since it was just Php 23,000.00 more or less, sorry I forgot. But originally, their policy is that a member under Maxicare should have a Philhealth membership and if and when during the final billing, when there is no Philhealth, the member shall pay the Philhealth part.
On the final note, we were just thankful that our son was back to its healthy shape and also thankful that we were covered under an HMO. (More about HMO’s in the next blog)
For your reference, please click the VRP Medical Center’s link https://www.vrp.com.ph/.
Thank you for dropping by Momsh ♥ I hope it helps 🙂
Love,
the tipsy royal pen 