St. Luke's Medical Center

St. Luke's Medical Center, Global Village, Makati

All I can say, is WOW!  Immaculate, latest equipment, knowledgeable staff, especially the doctors, and the most polite people you will ever have the honor to meet.  Jackie took me to the wrong location, but they said. "No problem, we don't have anyone for a kidney stone treatment, so the urologist will be happy to see you right away."  My close friends know how bad I am about blood samples...the tech was a magician.  He found the vein first try and didn't hurt me at all.  I was sitting up, and didn't even feel dizzy.  I had to have 2 blood tests and 2 different types of ultrasound.  My total lab bill was 10,000p and the doctor's fee was 1,500p.  So for a total of $250 I was seen by a specialist and got red carpet treatment the entire time.   I go back Friday to get the test results and hopefully get the catheter out.   It was comforting and reassuring to see that the doctor knew all about HIFU and was aware of all the potential issues.  The cleanliness and cutting edge equipment also help a patient relax and be confident they are in good hands.

So a big thanks to Jackie for insisting I go there, and to all the staff, nurses, and doctors who took care of me today.

We saw the daughter of former President Marcos touring the hospital today.  Jackie says the Ms. Marcos has served as a representative, and her brother has run for senator, so apparently the children are not blamed for their parents' actions.

A note added much later: Imelda Marcos, wife of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, is an elected representative from the district where Marcos got his political start. She claimed in an interview, that the 3000 pairs of shoes and panties was a gross exaggeration, but I saw pics of her closet right after they fled the country, and I'm not buying her story.  Much like many U.S. districts, people are willing to tolerate some level of corruption if they think the person represents the district well.