By Tedler D. Depaynos, MD
It was incidental that an older colleague met a relative of his from Kabayan whom he has not seen for years while strolling in the lobby of a hospital. The relative came with the municipal ambulance that brought a town mate for admission and while waiting for their return trip, they had a sort of reunion over bottles of coke.
His relative described the unfortunate damages they suffered during the recent typhoon “Ompong” and they were so happy for the various relief goods given by several organizations and agencies. He plans to return to farming because their small “mining caves” were closed by a landslide. Besides, because of what happened in Itogon, the government agencies are strict in implementing the “Prohibition”. They shifted to “mining” because of the good price of the “elusive metal” and their only capital was hard labor.
While cleaning the mountainous area in his barangay where he will do his planting, he learned from his neighbor that GI sheets were being distributed in the Poblacion. To his extreme joy, all those with destroyed houses were allotted 10 GI sheets each including him. He learned that it came from BENECO and a certain LEO BELINGON personally distributed them. Actually, he even requested my colleague to express their joyful thanks if ever he meets him.
He mentioned however, that he will be rebuilding his small house gradually because starting his farming is now the initial priority. Actually, he does not know how and where he could get adequate farming supplies. As they parted, the relative was hoping that somebody would lend him capital. My colleague gave him his word that he would be asking some of his friends because he claimed that his wallet was practically empty most of the time being a retiree in his practice.
ECHO CARDIOGRAM
When the elder colleague returned to the hospital lobby to wait for a taxi to bring him home, he met again a friend who is a newly retired government director waiting for his ride. Because the hospital was over flowing with vehicles, they had to park outside where his young looking wife went to fetch it. He just came from a cardiologist to follow–up his Echo Cardiogram or 2D Echo results.
He has been complaining of anterior chest “discomfort” and despite his normal ECG he was given “cardiac medications” which gave him no relief. He was then referred to a cardiologist who personally supervised his 2D Echo examination. He was very much impressed for the cardiologist took time explaining what is 2D Echo in layman’s terms. He was glad that he had a nursing background.
2D Echo is actually a special ultrasound of the heart which looks at its structure and function. By The use of a “transducer” which is applied to the anterior chest wall, UTZ rays are directed to the heart and are “echoed” back to an electronic machine where 2 dimensional (2D) video images of the heart is visualized while functioning.
The 4 valves of the heart could be visualized which open and close to direct the flow of blood. It could be narrowed (stenotic) or it may leak (regurgitate). The amount of blood being pumped could therefore easily be determined if enough or not.
The size of the heart could also be determined and which specific part is enlarged or not. One common cause of enlargement is hypertension. Due to inadequate O2 supply, the damaged heart muscle may also be appreciated. This is usually manifested as chest pains or angina. There could be obstruction of the coronary arteries. Even the fluid (pericardial) in the pericardial sac could be determined if excessive or not.
The cardiologist was giving some medical terms which the friend did not understand but he pretended to by just smiling. Obviously, only the highly trained cardiologist could interpret the significance of the video images.
Finally with great joy the new retiree was with all smiles when the cardiologist mentioned that his 2D Echo readings are normal. His “cardiac medicines” were just replaced with maintenance ones to support his aging heart which is expected of a senior citizen. He said he left a huge tip to the lady secretary who was also very entertaining as he boarded his new gleaming black SUV. My colleague was regretting that he forgot to mention his relative farmer whom he met earlier, who is in need for being a victim of typhoon “Ompong”.**
