Do You Remember The Netizen Who Spotted A “Poging Nurse” And Called Him The “Needleman? There’s a Touching Story Behind It

After reading this, I hope you will stop judging people and you will be kinder in commenting because not all articles you read online are nonsense or just seeking fame.

BagMan, ChicharonMan, JeepneyMan, CarrotMan, these men became famous because of their trending posts on Social Media. Essentially, those people who took a picture of them had amazing stories behind it. Just like the article we shared about a trending picture of an admirable nurse in Laguna or dubbed as the “Needleman.”

The Netizen-turned-Facebook friend Iscen took a photo of the head nurse at UPH-DR Jose G. Tamayo Medical Center in Laguna and believed he deserved some attention, too. This cutie’s name is JEROME MURIEL. Sadly, instead of warm welcome, Iscen got bashers and even I had a few. (That time, Iscen wanted the article to sound light and funny).

Salamat pala sa pagawa mo ng article but unfortunately upon checking may mga comments na lahat na lang daw pinapa sikat, shared Iscen through Facebook messenger.

But, little did these bashers know, there was a touching story behind it.

According to Iscen, the reason why he shared it because he appreciates the person who gives the utmost care to his sister who was a cancer patient. He said that people have no idea of the agony they felt during the hospitalizations. It was emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially draining. Luckily, Jerome gave them hope and inspiration by giving proper care to his sister.

Here’s the full message:

Madami naman daw mas guwapo. I’m just sad to see some comments na ganun, inggit lang sila siguro. To be honest with you there’s a much deeper reason kaya ko siya pinost sa IG ko. Kagaya ng sabi ko sa ‘yo this morning, my sister is a cancer patient and we’ve been battling her condition for over a year now. And maybe most people have no idea of the agony because it’s emotionally, mentally, physically and expensively draining. Jerome showed us kung gaano siya ka concern sa pasyente at sobra ko na appreciate yun. What happen that monday morning is unexpected my sister was immediately scheduled for thoracentesis procedure. It’s a minor surgery at the back of a patient inserting a small tube to drain some water on the lungs. My sister was not prepared to undergo another surgical procedure kaya natatakot siya. Alam ko kung ano hirap pinag dadaanan niya for the past 12 months, chemo treatment and all na halos every two weeks nasa hospital kami. That monday morning kailangan palitan ang iv needle ng kapatid ko to a much thicker needle kasi nga she’s being prepared for the surgical procedure. However the first nurse who attended on her took 5 attempt para tusukan ng malaking karayom kapatid ko and I can tell kung gaano na naman kasakit yun na halos nag puputukan na ugat ng kapatid ko. Sa inis ko dun sa nurse I asked for a senior nurse who can do it smoothly. After 10 minutes or so dumating na nga si jerome, approached my sister with a big smile. Hindi niya agad tinusukan kapatid ko but instead nakipag usap muna siya sa amin. I was amazed to see how sincere at kung gaano siya ka caring sa pasyente. Nag explain muna siya kung paano yun gagawin at hahanap nga daw siya ng ugat na hindi brittle. Mababaw akong tao lalo na kapag nag papakita ng totoong care at concern sa kapatid ko, ako kasi nag aalaga sa sister ko and we’ve been together since day 1 ng ma diagnose na may cancer siya. Kaya naman meeting and/or seeing people showing care to cancer patient really touches me at ganun ang nakita ko kay nurse jerome. It only took him two attempt para tusukan kapatid ko and sa second attempt niya pumasok agad yun needle. Hindi lang dun natapos ginawa, he keeps on telling us na if there’s anything we need just approach him or ipatawag nga daw namin siya sa nurse station. He did an extra mile, hindi lang basta ginawa niya ang trabaho niya kasi nga nag extend pa siya ng effort like explaining to my sister kung bakit nagiging brittle ang veins ng mga cancer patient. He even stayed for a couple more minutes before leaving, nakipag usap siya as if he can be a friend. And that’s exactly the reason why I decided to take some photos of him not to expose his physical appearance but rather to tell the world na he’s not just good looking on the outside. Kasi nga he’s really nice to my sister at alam ko ganun din siya sa ibang patient. Kaya I’m just sad to read some comments na OA na daw masyado. Well, kaniya-kaniya naman reaction yan. Basta ang sa akin po sobra ko na appreciate yun extra mile service na ginawa niya sa kapatid ko. Pasensya na po ang haba na ng message ko. Hehehehe!

Today, I was scrolling my NewsFeed and I saw a strange post from Iscen, the Netizen who shared the photo of Nurse Jerome. I asked how his sister was doing and unfortunately, his sister passed away today after a year of battling cancer.

Iscen also said that even until the last moment, Nurse Jerome was there to show compassion and give the best care a cancer patient could have.

Moral of the Story

“If you don’t have nothing nice to say, just keep it to yourself.” Also, be kind to others, online or offline. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s achievable. Please know that cancer remains one of the leading reasons of death worldwide. Be sensitive. Don’t wait for something tragic to happen before you make a difference.

We’d love to hear your views on this.