ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

College of Nursing

BAHAY ARUGA
DOCUMENTATION
(September 19 21, 2016)

Submitted by:
Group 1
Justine M. Abarca
Fejlean Angelica S. Antineo
Matthew Rich L. Cortes
Precious Ophelia Danso
Khim Margarette Dionisio

Group 3
Jiang Xi Ni
John Michael R. Opolinto
Aileen Grace S. Rodrigo
Howell G. Villanueva
Yang Danna

Submitted to:
Ms. Maria Floredeliza U. Donato, RN, MSN

NARRATIVE REPORT
The Group 1 and Group 3 of the Level IV BS Nursing Students had their oncology duty at
Bahay Aruga last September 19 21, 2016. It was a three-day interaction with the children at the
free halfway house for prediatric cancer patients.
On the first day of duty, the student nurses talked
with the children and ask them some questions. The student
nurses were tasked to establish rapport and know the
everyday lives of the children there through the nursepatient interaction. There were also tasked to accomplish
the Gordons 11 Functional Health Pattern to determine the
condition or status of the children in given specific aspects
of health, as well as create a Nursing Care Plan for the
children there.
On the second day, the student nurses planned and
conceptualized their activity for their last day at Bahay

Bahay Aruga: A Free Halfway House for

Pediatric Patients

Aruga. They made their concept paper to be presented and for approval of their Clinical Instructor.
During the second day, they also
planned the things that they
are going to use for their
activities and the delegation
of tasks and committees.
On the third day was
the socialization day. It was
also the last day of the
student

nurses

for

their

oncology duty. A program

was held at the premises of
During the Opening Prayer for the Program for the Children at
Bahay Aruga

Bahay

Aruga

with

the

children and their parent or

relative guiding and watching over them. The student nurses started the program with an opening

prayer followed by a simple

dance number joined by the
children as their ice breaker for
the day. After that, health
teaching was given to the
children. It was a health teaching
regarding the proper way to
wash hands and the importance
of

handwashing

in

the

prevention of the spread of

infection. The video clip was
enjoyed

by

the

children

Music and Art Therapy Activity for the Kids

especially the catchy song and

visualization on how to wash hands which they followed throughout the video. After the health
teaching, they were asked regarding the video clip and anyone who gets the correct answer will
receive a price. After that, the student nurses gave each child a coloring book and color for their
music and art therapy. While the kids are busy coloring, music was played at the background to
help them relax. Some of the kids enjoyed so much that it was already time and they are still
coloring and does not want to stop. After the activity, the student nurses gave their gifts to the
children at Bahay Aruga. The student nurses also held games with the children. The program ended
with a closing prayer and blessing of the food for the children of Bahay Aruga. Unfortunately, the
food was not yet ready at that moment. The student nurses waited for the food but then it was time
to leave for school. They were assured by the people there that the food will be given to the children
for their lunch. They left leaving the children with smiles on the faces and a touched heart.

Socialization Day:

Sharing Happiness
The Vincentian
Nurses Way
September 21, 2016
9:00 AM 11:00 AM

BAHAY ARUGA
(A Free Halfway House for
Pediatric Cancer Patients)

During the preparation for the

design for the program at
Bahay Aruga

In front of Bahay Aruga,

waiting for the signal to start
the set-up for the program

Registration Area

During the Health Teaching

Activity: Proper Handwashing
for the Children

Music and Art Therapy Session

Closing Prayer to conclude the program

Photo Opportunity with the Children at Bahay Aruga

Reflection
Paper

Abarca, Justine M.
IV- BS Nursing
Reflection Paper: Bahay Aruga

I love kids so much, the way they do things, I easily gets attached to them. To see them in
that state, that makes me question everything, that why would they be suffering at such a young
age. As a nurse, I really felt my purpose here, it was to give them the best care I could give and to
put a smile in their faces. Some of them doesnt even have their parents beside them, this is where
we nurses come in, to provide support for them, to somehow make them feel like theyre not alone.
I learned so many things at Bahay Aruga, like how to communicate with kids experiencing these
kinds of chronic debilitating disease. We talked to them about how their lives are inside and outside
bahay aruga, if they are feel that something is changing in their body which they have somehow
accurately detected like being tired easily. It was also hard for me to gather as much information
as I can without even tackling sensitive topics that would make them remember the pain they have
gone through, I was being careful not to offend them even at their young age because I have
observed that unlike other kids whose mind is only focused on playing, these kids somehow
understand their situation, so it is necessary to be sensitive on what we will talk about. I discovered
that our lives as nurses doesnt stop in the hospital, it doesnt revolve on admitting patients, giving
medications, and charting. Our calling doesnt restrain us in the knowledge that we acquired for 4
years, it also involves our humanity, on how we would respond in case that one fellow human is
in trouble or is experiencing life-changing situations. At the end of the duty, we organized a party
for them, we played games, danced, and had fun! I was touched when I saw the smile in their faces,
I felt that I somehow did something good for once, that in the few hours of that event, they
somehow forgot about their hardship. We also understood what are the effects of cancer in
pediatrics, more than what we learned from our discussions, we observed the side effects of the
treatments like chemotherapy, alopecia is evident on them. As kids, they also play but unlike the
others, they usually play inside the four corners of Bahay Aruga. The process of their living is
really diverse and as nurses we are glad to witness it but at the same time sympathized them of
their state. That makes me dream big that after I finish nursing and proceed to medicine, I will
create a medicine that can finally cure and stop cancer.

Antineo, Fejlean Angelica S.

IV- BS Nursing
Reflection Paper Bahay Aruga

I was so excited and nervous before the activity. Our assembly time was seven in the
morning. Then we went to Bahay Aruga. During the first day of our exposure I felt sad while
observing the children there because they all have cancer and that institution is their home where
they can have free treatment through donations by people. We had our assesment and NPI , the
mothe ad kids participated well. Then on the last day we had our Socialization On the first part of
the program we had our energizer folllowed by the health teaching about hand washing, the kids
were asked questions and they answered correctly then the next part is the musc and art therapy
and I can see that they really enjoyed it . The program ended with a prayer and lunch some of the
kids still dance and they seem to never get tired. I was inspired how they kept fighting their illness
through smiling; I realized that being contented in life is important. It was heartbreaking for me to
see themto have cancer at a young age instead of playing with their friends outside their house.
For me, Childhood is the best part of life because it is where we can enjoy and appreciate a lot of
things. It felt like childhood was taken away from them especially the toddler. After the activity I
can say that they changed my life through their smiles, and simplicity. I can see on their eyes the
happiness on them. Despite of the struggles they are going through. It is really good to give them
something. It is better to give than to receive. As a future nurse I believed that a compassionate
heart will help me to be successful. Giving a safe and Quality care to all patients regardless of who
they are is a true compassionate nurse. I do believe that a vincentian nurse is one of a kind.

Cortes, Matthew Rich L.

IV BS Nursing

A cancer diagnosis is upsetting at any age, but especially so when the patient is a child. It's
natural to have many questions, such as, who should treat my child? Will my child get well? What
does all of this mean for our family?
There are institutions that caters and help support pediatric cancer patients and their family
for their treatment. One of which is the Bahay Aruga, located at San Macelino, Manila. Bahay
Aruga is a free halfway house for pediatric cancer patients is supervised by Ms. Marietta B.
Bonilla.
As part of our requirement and completion for our RLE at Adamson University College of
Nursing, we had our duty at Bahay Aruga last September 19-21. For the 3 days of duty, we are
only allowed to meet them during Monday and Wednesday because they had an appointment at
Philippine General Hospital for their regular treatment. On the first day of our duty, we had a
courtesy call of their head/supervisor. She explain stresses thing that are allowed and not allowed
to do and give for the patients. After that, we met our very cute patients and they warmly welcome
us with their precious smiles. Since they easily get tired, we just had 2 hours of interaction with
them. We get their names, assess them, talk to their family, history taking, and other thing that
might help to elicit some information I need. On the second day, since we cant meet them, we
stayed at nursing consultation room to make our requirements: 3 NCP, Gordons Functional Health
Patterns, Physical Assessment, and Concept paper of the small activity for Wednesday. Last
Wednesday, we held our small activity for our patients, we had a health teaching about proper
hand washing, an art and music therapy, dance session, and games. We also give them a gift. We
can see in their eyes the happiness and their priceless smiles during our activity, even though they
are facing a big challenge in their life, they still fight for it.
Childhood cancers have gone from being rare and almost inevitably fatal, to lifethreatening but highly treatable diseases. Supporting children with cancer and their families makes
a real difference in what its like to be a kid with cancer, and helps kids and families move forward
after treatment is over.

Danso, Precious Ophelia

IV- BS Nursing
Reflection Paper
Bahay Aruga

We started our duty in bahay aruga on September 19-21. On the first day we were there at
9am. We met a lot of kids and I chose one of them to be my patient. With that I had the chance to
ask her some personal questions that helped me in doing my nurse patient interaction later in the
school. We stayed there up to 11am back to school because they have to go to PGH for their daily
check-up.
On the second day we stayed in school throughout from 8am to 3pm where we were asked
to do our nursing care plan, Gordons functional health pattern, and concept paper for our activity
on the next day and also the plan for the activity.
The last day was Wednesday we were there at 10am to prepare the place for the activity.
The kids came in their numbers we played, danced and taught them how to wash their hands
properly since they are prone to infections. We gave them the little gift we had and left there to the
school.
It was nice knowing them and hearing their story concerning their health.

Dionisio, Khim Margarette

IV - BS Nursing
Reflection Paper

Caring is the essence of Nursing. Last September 19-22, we had or duty at Bahay Aruga.
It is the free home for the pediatric cancer patients. At first, I was so nervous on how to
communicate with them especially they are only pediatric clients. People we spoke to whose
cancer had been cured or were in remission, talked about the extent to which they felt able to put
the experience behind them and about what had helped them to overcome the illness. It was
common for people to say that being positive had helped them to overcome their cancer. Positive
thinking means different things to different people. For some it was to do with a determination to
fight the cancer or deal with it and get on with life, while for others it meant looking for the positive
aspects of the situation and being thankful for what they had in life. During our last day, it was our
Grand Socialization day. The day that we are going to say thank you and goodbye to them. We
made a program and my heart felt over happiness because I saw them enjoying what we prepared
for them even if it is so simple yet they were so happy. I enjoyed playing with them like Taya
tayaan and Sasara ang Bulaklak, I enjoyed watching them because I know in our simple effort
we made their day happy. But the most touching and meaningful part of my duty there was when
I met this beautiful little girl and talked to her the entire time. She hugs me and tells me things that
were very inspiring. We talked, laughed and play during my last stay there and she tells me that
she dont want me to leave. But she needs to go to the hospital for checkup and our duty time is
about to end but before she leave she kissed me on the cheeks. Then, I realized that I am so very
lucky because I have a healthy body unlike the pediatric cancer patients that fighting a battle for
their life. That girl touched my heart and my life for some reasons. Some people come into our
lives and touch our heart so deeply that we will never be the same again and the best and most
beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

Jiang Xi Ni
IV BS Nuraing

Reflection

This week we duty in Bahay Aruga, that you lived a group of children who have cancer,
where they live, are free . when every Tuesday they would go to the hospital. Some of the children
and their mothers to help them live there daily life, where very young children, but despite some
children five years old or less, but they can say: when I grew up i want to become a doctor so I
can help some child same like me was sick, let them healthy. even this is our big people did not
necessarily able to say such a thing, they are really very sensible, well-behaved. There has a little
girl, she liked to paint, she painted an umbrella propped himself well under a light rain weather,
her painting of the great. She said: "very happy to live here, you can find a lot of good friends, we
can play games together." A little boy, he told us he was every week to do the waist puncture, we
asked him if he did not cry, he said he never cried, where the child is very strong, very brave.
I think the kids here even if they are suffering from cancer, but they are kind-hearted
courage, they believe they will become healthy, they are lovely angel

Rodrigo, Aileen Grace S.

IV BS Nursing
Reflection Paper: Bahay Aruga

Our duty at Bahay Aruga, a free halfway house for pediatric cancer patients was indeed a
meaningful one. It was not only helpful for us as student nurses but also as a person. Our 3-day
duty there from September 19 21, 2016 helped us understand not only the disease process itself
but the implications it bring to those afflicted with it. In our case, we get to be with children with
cancer. I think anything that has something to do with children affects most of the people. Children
are known to be innocent, young, and playful. They should be healthy and happy. They should do
nothing about problems and fighting for their lives but at a very young age, they already have
their own battle.
During our stay there, we got the chance to talk to them and play with them, ask them how
they are and what they are feeling. I got the chance to know their everyday routine. I was actually
nervous because I dont know how I am going to talk to them. I am afraid that I might say
something that would hurt them. But after talking with them, I sensed that these children do know
what is going on in their bodies and yet they managed to stay optimistic. They do not cringe
anymore with the sound of cancer and at times can talk about it openly with others the time they
were diagnosed, their initial reaction, and their medications. Despite their condition, they live
normally like any other healthy person, and they have dreams too. The child I talked with said that
he wanted to be a policeman so that he could stop the bad guys from doing wrong things. I think
it something I have to admire with children they are full of hope and are very positive.
Every time we go back to school from our duty there, I think about them. I dont think I
have ever seen so much courage in one house. There is courage at the back stage before a
performance at a concert or school play, there is courage at a class reporting but not as much
courage I have seen from children battling cancer. Sometimes I cant help but compare them to
normal adults. We have everything we need and we can have anything we want and yet we
complain while they are just simply happy with what they have.
During our last day at Bahay Aruga, we really made sure that we will share them happiness.
We wanted to touch their lives even for that very short three days. But as it happens, it was us that
was touched by them more than what we have done.