Read At Your Own Risk

Sunday, June 30, 2019

First of all, I’m not pregnant.


This is a very personal and sensitive topic but I still want to share it because it is SO amazing. 

It all started last April 24, 2 days before I was scheduled to go to Manila after almost 2 months of working in Iloilo. I noticed that my period came 4 days ahead (it comes at least a day or 2 ahead or behind, but never 4, so it was really noticeable and that’s why I remembered). 

To cut it short, I went back to Iloilo the week after that, and back to Manila again after a few days, and again- back to Iloilo on May 29th and I still had my period! I knew it wasn’t normal, but I wasn’t alarmed UNTIL I experienced a very heavy bleeding that I only used to see in movies when someone has had a miscarriage. 😂

[This paragraph contains very gross description so you can skip this] I had bled out almost a handful of blood which I can easily compare to dark red jellos because of its color, texture, and thickness.

The following day, my bestie accompanied me to Iloilo Doctor’s Clinic in Robinsons (Google suggested there’d be an OB-Gyn that day!). 

We went in and saw my very first OB in my entire life. She requested for some tests and within te same day, we found out that I had a thick endometrium lining and follicular cyst in my right ovary.

The following day, I went back to see her, this time, in Medical City. She checked the ultrasound result, the CBC result, and my pad (you know!) and was very alarmed at how heavily I bled that she requested me to be admitted immediately for a D&C and biopsy. 

And guess what I did? I refused. I sought a second opinion from my friend’s OB a day after that, just in case she would suggest a different procedure. 

Obviously, I dreaded D&C! My family and friends weren’t too supportive of me though. I was alone in that desire to not have it, and it stressed me too much that I had to give in and agree on having it done. 

Since I didn’t get a go signal from my cardio-pulmonologist (who I think scammed me LOL) already a week after I was advised to have a D&C, and i remembered my OB telling me I might need a blood transfusion because of the amount and length of time I’d been bleeding, plus my mom constantly bagdering me to come home, I booked the soonest flight available and messaged my sister to come pick me up at the airport (to my mom’s relief). 

I got home late Saturday evening, June 15. Early the next morning, I got up early to go to church with my fam. Pastor was surprised to see me in church because my mom kept asking them to pray for me and my pending medical operation in Iloilo. I told him why I decided to come home and after the church service, I approached the altar and asked the elders and Pastor to pray for me, the procedure, as well as the biopsy result. The entire church prayed with us. I went home feeling more confident about the operation. 

The following day (Monday), my mom accompanied me and we were only supposed to go see an OB-Gyne but went straight to ER (I still had the admittance request from my first OB in Iloilo). The ER doctor requested for a repeat CBC, telling me that the Iron supplements I’d been taking all along couldn’t have been enough to sustain and I might need an immediate blood transfusion. 

When the result came out—no surprise, the numbers were low, but thank God, it wasn’t critically low that she then requested for a repeat ultrasound instead and told me that I can go home. 

After 3 days, I had another ultrasound done, and the result had a big difference from the one taken in Iloilo City. My endometrium was thin, the right ovary isn’t too big like last time, although there were progressions with the ovarian cysts. 

By Saturday evening, I WAS NO LONGER BLEEDING. After almost 2 months! I can’t put to words how amazing that was. I was beyond relieved, overwhelmed, and overjoyed!

And the best thing— I went to see the OB-Gyn this Wednesday, and I was told I no longer need a D&C! 😭 I needed the biopsies done though, so I had it done and am just waiting for the results. We’re hoping and praying for a favorable outcome. 

So this post is all for God’s glory. If you haven’t had a very serious medical condition, don’t wait until God shows you how awesome He is before you believe that He is the best Healer in the land.

So I really wanted to share this story because Jesus’ name needs to be declared with all gratefulness, love, and honor. 

I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. My favorite Bible verse is Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”. Although we’ll never know the reason for all this, I’m sure 98% is for me, and the rest is for the people around me, maybe even for you, who took time to read this very long post!

PS. Please forgive any punctuation, grammar, or spelling misses. Laptop’s in Iloilo and it’s hard to compose and edit using my phone browser.
PPS. Thanks to my mom for constantly praying for me, worrying for me, with matching pa-guilt-trip. My officemates. My friends. Everyone who prayed for me and even pledged their blood donations for me. Leo who visited me. Rutsy who was with me as much as her sched can allow and helped me make a sound decision. Sissums and our love-hate relationship and was very paient with me. 

God bless you all ❤️

First Try & First Review

Sunday, June 09, 2019

beauty

I came across this site, tryandreview.com and saw that they were looking for product testers and reviewers for free. Since I have a very tolerant skin, I signed up for the first product I encountered which was the new Garnier Serum Mask - HYDRA BOMB.

Cool name, huh. The BOMB. The name alone gives a notion that your face will be soaking with extreme hydration. It also reminds me of this drink we used to buy in a BGC Mall: something like Hula-Hula Bomb.

I must say, it is really nice to have these websites that give honest reviews about a product, and that's their goal here, complete honesty, to help consumers make informed buying decisions.

So, this Sunday afternoon, I opened the parcel it came in and read my welcome letter. It's sort of a welcome but the title is really "CONGRATULATIONS".

Here's me with it anyway: (I submitted the same photo to the website, a requirement)


As per the product description, it's a tissue mask that infuses skin with 1 week of serum in 1 mask.

I have a normal skin, so I really don't need that much of the hydration, but again, this was a free product for me to review.

Upon applying the mask on the skin, you need to remove the blue protective film. I find this a hassle. Most skin masks aren't this tedious. LOL.

The eye slits seem to be a bit small for me, so I have to be careful not to let some of the serum get inside my eyes.

After 15 minutes, I removed the mask as instructed and sort of expected an "intensely rehydrated, smoother, and more radiant skin" as per the packaging. It might be because I didn't have a dry skin to begin with, that I didn't notice any difference at all.

What I did notice though was that my skin looked dewy after I put on my liquid foundation. At the end of the day though, that combination of hydration and foundation made my skin feel oily.

So, my point here is: I can't use this product. :D

1. The seemingly small eye slit. Really, it bothers me. A serum CAN irritate any eye, of course.
2. The blue film. I don't get it.
3. The smell. I don't like it, it's a bit too strong for me.
4. It doesn't suit my skin type.

What's good with the product though, is that it doesn't come in too expensive! So I definitely recommend this to those with VERY dry skin. Or if you're heading to the beach or have just been to any low humidity place (oooh- this would work best in Qatar during summer days!).

Disclaimer: 

I'm a BIRD

Sunday, June 09, 2019

Guimaras

You know what birds do? You know, their thing -- relocating, moving, migrating? Yup, that's what I did.

Last February, I have decided to leave Manila and work in (*drum rolls*) ILOILO City.

As soon as I got off work on the 28th of February, which was my last day with that company, I headed to Philippine Airlines ticketing office to redeem my free flight (should blog about that) and I booked for the March 2nd flight without batting an eyelash.

The next day was spent packing and looking for possible jobs and a place to stay in Iloilo. I didn't know anyone in the city aside from distant relatives and my bestfriend who lives in Guimaras— and aside from the fact that I didn't want to bother them, the pretense that I am a strong, independent woman must be consistent, so I had to find my way to my own place all by myself.

When I finally found an available room, I messaged the owner and found out that it was very near to the developing MegaWorld business district, where I plan to spend my next working months and years in. So I told her that I am coming from Manila and that I will check out the place on March 2nd and will move in immediately if I find it to my liking.

And boy, was I ever lucky to find this place. It's just by the outskirt of the business district, and going to the mall and workplace would only take 5 minutes by car, maybe less. It's situated at the end of a road though, so that means I'd have to walk 5 minutes to get on a cab or a jeepney (thank God for taxi-hailing apps!)

I have to tell you, the morning walk is so therapeutic! The sound of the trees and birds, the greetings of my distant neighbors, or even some passers by/street vendors, really gives a calming effect and a sense of peace (of course, until I get to my workplace, which is often toxic —a very usual ambiance in the BPO industry).

In the afternoon, I get to walk the same street and enjoy the many colors of the sky brought about by the sunset. AND AGAIN, it only takes a little less than 10 minutes to get home.

Isn't that just fantastic? Compared to Manila, this is really where I find my peace and calm.

Iloilo is the city of LOVE. And this bird loves it here a whole lot!

Plus, Guimaras is a boat-ride away! *heart-eyes*