My Australian Journey

Well, it all started when i was still in-love-the girl on my previous blog. Haha. But anyway, the memory is still fresh though it was already 3 years ago. Never have i thought that I will be here at the 'land down under' and it was never in my bucket list because Australia is not known in the Philippines. Most of the nurses (and yes im a PH RN since 2007) at home will either go for 

• 1. US 
• 2. CANADA 
• 3. UK. 
• 4. Middle East. 

My plans were either going to options 2,3 and 4 and never in US as i was not fascinated in going there, just a personal preference. My mom just passed away 3 months ago when I decided to process my application for Australia. I was invited by my aunt to try my luck. I submitted my application as a live in assistant in L'arche Australia on March 11, 2015. Though, i didnt really understand my future tasks but i still push through with it (good thing). Yes, they (the bosses) promptly replied on my email and still gave me goosebumps on how i started. I processed everything that is needed as the company is a non-profit organization having people with and without intellectual disabilities. So i did my research a little bit but still didn't understand how they work since we don't have this kind of program in the Philippines (until i reached Sydney). I did my IELTS-GT (dreaded) and got a 7 scores (review done via youtube) and was praying the whole time that my application was processed.

I submitted all the requirements and visa related documents (visa 408) which i was hoping that it will be approved very soon. Then, Aileen, my homes coordinator that time, was really patient and passionate about helping me through the process. I can say she's really amazing and i will be stoked to meet her. On February 11, 2016 my visa got approved. Yes, it took almost a year for me to complete the documents. I was shivering that time having mixed emotions of nervousness and excitement. I submitted my resignation  for my company that time and spent my few weeks with my friends and family in Naga City until my flight on February 20, 2016.

When we arrived at the NAIA 3 airport, it was still surreal for me. I gave my sister and nephew a hug and my aunts before i go to the airplane. This is my first flight abroad for leisure and for professional career so just imagine my nervousness that time. When the plane took off, i was just praying that everything will be alright-my flight, my journey, the experience (and it did). My flight was from 12mn (PH time) and arrived in Sydney at 2pm (Syd time).

I finally arrived in Sydney, still rattling and confused of my emotions. I was still scared leaving the airport and approaching several immigration officers but they were friendly unlike PH immigration officers. I took my bags and left the door. I tried to take a selfie but an officer told me (hearing the first Oz accent) to delete the pictures i took which i did. I was stupid and never read the signs. Haha.

I prayed and thanked God that i arrived safe and finally, i was there. I went out and Aileen picked me up together with Bonfire (core member) and Cohen (new live in assistant). First, i was amazed, shocked, baffled when i saw her. She was white, tall, wearing glasses, thin, looks really smart but most of all, she had long dreadlocks and barefoot. I thought to my self, "is this the culture here in Australia during summer?". She was all smiles, laughing and was really genuine so it was all good. Then, Cohen, black, all smiles, thin, young. Im not being racist just trying to describe them. Then, Bonfire, he had Down's Syndrome, in a wheelchair but all smiles too. They greeted me and went off to the car.

I was still nervous that time going with them. I felt inferior from their race because we never had a lot of encounters of races in the Philippines and i was afraid to utter something that my offend them or not appropriate. But as Aileen was driving,  she was really passionate to know more about me so i felt relaxed as the time goes by. By the way, Aileen is german and Cohen was South African and Bonfire was Aussie. We continued talking and laughing and talking about the history of Bonfire on how he got his name as Aileen makes it more interesting. Then, it took about 1 hour to reach the house where i will stay (and work).

Then, we arrived an entered a very cozy house. I met Katie(core member), greeting me in front of the door, Stephanie (house coordinator), Lawrence(Filipino live in assistant) and then Anthony and Janine (core members). Everyone was lovely, the first impression was really good. Then, they sent me to my room and gave me time to rest until dinner at 6pm). My room was so big (for me), it has its own couch and walk in cabinets. I took time to get my things sorted and prayed just to thank God for that time.

I went downstairs and had dinner with them. The chat continued and that was the start of my beautiful journey in Australia. Until this day, i am grateful.

Enlarged Tonsils and Tonsillectomy with Maxicare and Philhealth

On August 26, 2014, after our vacation in Boracay together with my mine, Lorraine, we directly went home to have a good rest and sleep however it woke me up during a sudden gush of blood from my throat and a tinged of blood from my left ear. I'm not actually scared about what's happening since I'm a registered nurse by profession but I'm actually worried.

So I consulted a physician in Healthway in SM North EDSA and she told me to immediately get to an operation since my tonsils is already enlarged and bleeding. She said that it was a long time problem (yes it is!) and she's asking why I'm risking the pain and the risk of having sleep apnea. I told her that I dont feel any pain or not even any sorethroat for the past 2 years. She was actually shocked that I felt normal for the last 2 years (yes, 2 years or even more).

I discovered this when I started in Convergys also known as Stream North EDSA in 2011. I felt hoarseness of my voice and when I had my check up, it was an enlarged tonsils classified as Grade 1. Then okay, so my life moved on since I did not feel any symptoms such as pain or soreness of my throat. Then, this time 2014, when I had my routinary check up, our clinic physician was shocked, my tonsils are very large that it can even block my entire airway during my sleep (yes, it did at some point) and I have severe snoring problems. It was classified as Grade 4 (konti na lang graduate na sya. lol)

Well, moving on, it was aggravated when we had helmet diving in Boracay (I'm not recommending this to anyone due to the risk involved and it will not be explained clearly by the tourist guides/divers). There was too much pressure being pumped to our heads that my left ear and throat was not able to handle it and it made me realize that it is time for this to be removed. Good thing though that my ears was not affected though there was a tinged of blood but it was not severe that it can affect my balance or hearing.

Though I'm afraid of having an operation since I know what can happen in an OR table (being a nurse-cracks me 2x). Then I was never given a choice, it has to be REMOVED. Okay then, so I was confined in UST hospital on August 28, 2014, in a private surgical ward (max of 5 patients-fully air conditioned) since there was no single room available covered by Maxicare (daming patiente, anong meron? hehe).

Then the following day at 10 in the morning, I was brought to the Operating Room for my TONSILLECTOMY. It gives me goose bumps when we entered the room, it was so cold there and the last thing I remember was when a Scrub Nurse told me that she's going to sedate me then I suddenly fell asleep (I know that's gonna happen). Oh wait, due to the fact that I'm a nurse, I requested to wear my boxers instead of being naked with the hospital gown (baka tingnan nila ksi, lol).

When I woke up by 3PM, I'm already in the recovery room. That's my tonsils in the picture below, it's the size of a regular Longganisa (sorry for those who are eating). Operation only lasted for 45 minutes and I can hardly open my eyes and I felt a little dizzy since general anesthesia was wearing off. I was covered and wrapped in plastic and I was on Oxygen. It was really cool and the nurses were very accommodating. I was even offered an ice cream.

Speaking of ICE CREAM, my partner came in with my dessert, no, its my meal. Being on fasting (non per orem) will really make you crave. Then I was brought back to our room. The doctor came in that night and check me out, then she said I'm having a fast recovery then we can go home the following day. I ate a lot of Ice Cream and Mousse since that's the only food that I can eat temporarily.

The following day I can finally go home. Then, my doctor told me to be on 3 weeks SOFT DIET and NO HOT drinks or soups to prevent the scabs to peel off and make me bleed severely. Then that afternoon I was ready for discharge. I have medicines such as Co-amoxiclav (antibiotic) and pain relievers. My bill amounted to Php 45K plus. Thank God I have Maxicare and Philhealth which covered it all for me. Wait there is still 500 pesos for miscellaneous.

1 week past and I was feeling okay. No pain after operation (my doctor said I have high pain tolerance but I'm easily pained when a needle is inserted through my skin-both of them have soft tissues and nerve endings, right?). Anyway, still reminded of the soft diet on my second week and continuous antibiotic. Then on the start of my 3rd week of recovery, I started eating rice and other viands and I was okay.

I actually felt normal even without my tonsils. It was my first operation but it really made me feel great knowing that it fixes my snoring issues and risk of dying during my sleep. AND most of all I lost 5 kilos on my recovery since I cant hardly eat. From 66 kilos to 61 kilos. Achievement. Hehe

I hope this helps for those who are nervous of having this operation. That is just normal and I understand you, I know exactly what you feel, but you need to push through with it since that will save you from your health problems and risk.

Keep me posted. ;)