the big c

I have always been scared of getting sick and having a life-threatening disease. Fortunately for me and my immediate family, we are all healthy and strong. Even my parents are quite fit, save for my mom who has a heart condition. However, it can be controlled with diet and medication so at least it's not that bad.

Two of my friends have the dreaded cancer. One is a boy, the other the girl. The girl, G, has lung cancer while the boy, B, has colon cancer which has apparently metastasized to the bones already. G has had cancer for two years and has the means to pay for any treatment. She has undergone chemotherapy and radiation and is said to be on the way to recovery. It's sad because she has always been very careful about diet and taking care of her body. We're really good friends but her husband does not always want visitors around her. I saw her last April and hopefully I'll have a chance to visit her again.

B just got diagnosed this month although he has steadily lost weight since last year. He feared it was tuberculosis but proved to be something even worse. His primary concern is money for treatment as they are not as well off as G.

I know cancer is very common nowadays but it's still news when it happens to people you know. I haven't visited B as well because I was out of town last week and some of my friends went on ahead without me. I intend to go with them next time although I am not sure as he will be getting treatment in another city.

When I pray, I always ask for good health for everyone I love because what is the point of riches if you are not healthy enough to enjoy it.

new diet

In the last two weeks, I've lost 2 kilos because I changed my diet. I hardly eat any rice and the portions of my food has shrank considerably.

I didn't really consciously change my diet but when the bf got sick, I had little appetite. Even when he got out, I didn't resume normal eating. These days, it's wonderful if I actually get to eat a cup of rice a day. I start out having a cup of instant cereal and a piece of bread. Lunch is vegetables and a bit of protein and dinner is the same. I hardly eat in between meals but if I do, its usually something light.

When we traveled a few days ago, I had to eat properly though. I had to finish every serving and that meant eating a cup of rice with every meal. I really had no choice because the bf was watching. Hehe... But since we're back home, I am able to resume my new diet and avoid eating carbs and the like.

travel

The bf feels much better than he did last week and is already raring to travel. We'll be leaving tomorrow and hopefully be home by Thursday. He got lab tests done last Saturday and the results were bad. He had a very high SGPT level and was probably one of the reasons why he was still weak. We had gone to the doctor today, was given medication and he has to undergo several tests again after two weeks. 

I am not really looking forward to leaving because that means I'll be away from the baby. I will definitely miss him but I also know the bf can't manage without me. Hahaha! Anyway, I guess it will be okay since the baby  has my parents to watch over him. He has classes tomorrow until Thursday and I'll be asking my sister to take and fetch them from school. It'll be relief for me as I get to take a break from being a school bus driver, if only for three days.

* I run out of ideas yesterday so I didn't make an entry. Writing about Donaire's victory would probably be overrated! = )

The One

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, can you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will t

hink of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or does not exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

***I didn't write this though, just grabbed it from Facebook... I like it because it is ideal. It does not necessarily mean it'll happen or will come true in my life-or that it has happened or is happening now. Isn't it nice?

baby number 2

I've lost a bit of weight when the bf got sick last week. My eating hasn't returned to normal up to now so I'm still not my same old self. I kind of like it because I know I still need to lose at least ten pounds to reach my ideal weight.

The bf just noticed how much weight I lost off because he blurted out this morning if I wanted another baby-and that's after we had breakfast. I was like "What???????????????" No!". He says I've lost a lot of weight and that it was okay if he did because he was sick but I don't have the same excuse. I said I'm fine with the way I look and I don't want to have another baby, at least not yet. He wants me to gain back at least a few pounds because apparently I'm almost getting to the "skinny" stage, which is not even true.

This afternoon he said he was mistaken earlier and that even if I did lose weight, it was just enough.

Whatever!

not that well

The bf was discharged from the hospital last Saturday but he still isn't back to his normal self. Last Monday, he still had bouts of nosebleeds and up to now, he still has a lot of complaints. He really got affected by the dengue virus and is not eating well. He feels lightheaded, is always perspiring but only in the head and does not feel hungry at all. Yesterday, he said he felt nauseous and had a weird headache.

I am worried about it and I hope he'll get better in good time. He's been resting a lot and sleeps well into late morning. We haven't done any biking and I've asked him to slow down with business-related stuff. Luckily, his younger brother is here and has been tremendous help. 

He's due for a return check-up tomorrow and hopefully the doctor can help him.  

everything happens...

I always believe everything happens for a reason. All my life, things didn't and don't always turn out the way I planned or hoped that it would be but still I hold on because I know that in good time, God will provide me with what is meant to be mine.

We all have different paths to take in life but ultimately, He will show us the right way. Time will come when we'll be up and then we'll be down and that's natural. What is important is that we keep faith and believe that what's meant to happen will happen.

*photo from Facebook

keep on smiling = )

I am not a rich person, basing on actual standards. But it is safe to say that I have enough. All my needs, as well as my son's, are met and while I am not that well off, I am content.

I have some friends who have more than I do while I also have friends who are struggling. A friend that belongs to the latter is D. We used to belong to the same group in the past and we have remained friends up to now. He is now married with two children. To say he is poor is not a judgment but a reality. Financially, they are struggling but despite all his difficulties, he always has a very good disposition.

Last Sunday, I saw him and his wife at the supermarket. We talked for a bit about life and children, etc. Part of our conversation included smiling through whatever hardships life may bring. He told me that we should always have a happy countenance. According to him, just because you're poor does not automatically mean you're sad. And whenever I think of that I smile because I know it's true. Different people have their own set of problems. Even the rich get plagued by illnesses, scandals and difficulties. Last week, I hardly ever smiled because I was very much concerned about the bf's condition. Up to now, he isn't fully recovered but at least he's better. D made me think that despite his (the bf) illness, at least he's still breathing. 

So now and every day I will try to keep on smiling through the pain, hurt and sorrow. I know that life is not perfect but God will not give us something that we can't get through. Besides, it takes more muscles to frown than smile- that means lesser wrinkles too!

Smile!

Downton Abbey

If I had the means, I would gladly travel to Great Britain, Rome, South of France, Ireland and New York. But I don't so I make do with television and movies.

Anyway, I heard about the series Downton Abbey in the Lifestyle Network. The station shows it Saturday nights but I don't get to watch it. When I learned there was a Season 2, I decided to download it. And I am so glad I did. It's an exciting series with quite fascinating characters and a good plot. It revolves around the aristocracy and the help of Downton Abbey. It's essentially like every other period drama but with something more.

I am about to finish the first season and am looking forward to the next. Apparently, Season 3 is still in the works so I will have to wait for that.

big baby

Baby: What's that?
Me: This is medicine. (referring to a jar of cream)
Baby: No, it's not. It's peanut butter.


*********

Me: I have something for you, babe.
Baby: What?
*I'm opening the plastic package...
Baby: That's five thousand pesos?


*********


Baby: What about the pig in K's house?
Me: Mama is feeding it so it will grow big.
Baby: And then it's going to attack the city?
Me: No, it's going to be lechon for the fiesta!
Baby: Ohhhh...



**********


Baby: I'm going to kill mine shadow.
Me: Why?
Baby: So it will be gone.
Me: Good luck!


**********

5,000 and 1

I cannot believe my page views reached the 5,000 mark. Not too long ago, I was happy my ticker got to 100! Hahaha!

Thanks for reading whoever you are even if my posts sucks at times!

Now that the bf's better, I will try my best to keep you up to speed on my boring life!

home

The bf is finally home from the hospital. He got discharged this afternoon and is now resting. Thank God for that.

Whew! Huge sigh of relief!

hospital update

The bf is still confined to the hospital. He was admitted Saturday morning because of dengue fever. He was due to be released on Tuesday but his platelet count dropped considerably. He didn't want to have transfusion but has no choice. He's getting it tomorrow because there is no improvement.

This is rough.