A time lived.

It’s amazing to be a part of this gathering. The conversations I’ve had with family members over the last two days have brought us closer than any other time. Witnessing the opportunity my uncle has taken to talk to each of us has been fulfilling in an unexpected way. I liken the talks to a [...]

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Stage 4. It has spread beyond the liver.

The only good thing about this diagnosis is that it gives us all the opportunity to know that now is the time to say what we need to say and do the things that matter the most. This weekend will be hard but it will also be “true” in the sense that now is [...]

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Choices, Circumstance, Coincidence.

Shelby Allabella (sp?) Loyola, my newest of many cousins, was born yesterday morning. Just as she is going to turn 1 week old I’ll be flying to California to visit my uncle.
It’s funny how life enters and exits as easily as players move on and off stage.
When does someone decide to have children?Will someone [...]

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Here and now.

The diagnosis was made official today – liver cancer, inoperable. Doctors are giving my Ninong 3 months to 1 year to live depending on the cancer’s response to the medication. We’ll be flying out to visit next week. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone together again.
With all that has happened I’ve come to realize that [...]

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Moving forward.

In the last 18 hours I’ve lived an amazing life. I was a part of surgical teams that, among other things, removed a brain tumor; harvested a kidney that will be transplanted in another person; stopped potentially dangerous bleeding in an otherwise routine ENT procedure; implanted a new knee in an elderly woman; removed [...]

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Like Nothing Ever Happened

I’m back to watching more television than I did during my trip. Sure, they’re “quality” programs but it’s television regardless. I’m not listening to Filipino radio stations these days. I’m not reading as much as I did during my trip. Damn television. I’m probably not exploring as much as I should either.
The trick to being [...]

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jus sanguinis

“The child’s American citizenship is derived from the principle of jus soli or place of birth, while his Philippine citizenship is derived from the principle of jus sanguinis or citizenship of his parents.”*
What does all this mean?
I, quite possibly, may be a citizen of both the United States of America and the Republic of the [...]

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Too much going on.

I accepted the offer from the HIV clinic. I gave my notice to the O.R. yesterday. This is my last month in surgery. I know UP will be fun. I know I’m going to love my time back in the Philippines. But honestly, I’m looking forward to August 20 when [...]

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