I am Mary Lorrainne Pingol, a DAISY Award Honoree, and this is my story.
I was rushing to go to work because I was already an hour late due to not being able to set my alarm clock the night before. As I walked hastily, a group of barangay rescuers called my attention. "Nurse! Nurse!" Even though I was in a rush, I went to them to know why they were calling me. As I walked towards them, I saw a woman lying on the sidewalk, who gave birth to a baby. The barangay rescuers told me that the baby was already out when they came to the scene. However, the placenta was not yet fully out and the umbilical cord was not yet clamped. No one among the rescuers was a medical professional. The local government has instructions that only medical professionals are allowed to attend to such cases.
Being out of clinical practice for several years due to leukemia, my self-confidence as a nurse has decreased. Despite feeling anxious at the request of the barangay rescuers to help them with the mother and the baby, I decided to help. I tried to remember what I learned when I was a Nursing student having my duty at the delivery room 10 years ago and asked God for guidance. I carefully pulled out the placenta of the mother making sure that it was intact. I cut the umbilical cord using the pair of scissors that one barangay rescuer handed me. Then I clamped the umbilical cord with the umbilical clamp that he also handed. I wrapped the baby with the cloth that I was given. Then the mother and the baby were rushed to the hospital.
Right after the incident, I prayed to God for the safety and well-being of the woman and the baby at the hospital. Thankfully, I learned from the news that they were both in good condition.
Even if I was put on the spot in an emergency situation, I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to help the woman and the baby. News about the incident came out after by-passers posted photos and videos online. I am not after fame or anything, I am just happy that I was able to help and that I was able to feel that I am a nurse. A real nurse.
Being out of Nursing practice and doing different jobs for so long, I felt out of track and I asked God to give me direction. I asked Him to gradually bring me back to the Nursing profession without compromising my health. I told Him that I would like to regain myself as a nurse. He answered my prayer as I was able to get a job in occupational health nursing. But, He didn't just simply answer my prayer. I never expected that people would appreciate me and that I would gain recognition as a nurse. I feel humbled and grateful. This motivates me to become better not only as a nurse but also as a human being. Many started calling me a hero, but being a hero is not something I will ever see myself as. I just believe that we have the moral responsibility to show love and kindness to our neighbors and to be a good human being. Compassion touches lives and saves lives. When you do good to others, you also heal yourself as well.