Raising Awareness Part 3
The time the doctor had finished her lectured, I got enough courage to ask if my bulging eyes be back to normal? The next thing I heard wanted me to break down but a strong sense of control not to. I gained enough courage to just sit still but deep inside I wanted to shout. Maybe just maybe doctors are conditioned to not give a false hope. Further, I asked the doctor if I can still lift weights? kung makaya ra daw nako was the answer.
Doc medicated me for a tapdin which I had to take for two years, and after two years, she would check if there’s progress, but if not, that will be the time for an operation. Further, the Doctor prohibited me to eat the following foods like chocolate, anything sweets, any process foods. Doctor also prohibited me to drink coffee, milo, soda drinks, imagine that my favorite foods, my comfort foods!! How could I sustain not to eat that!
The following day, Id tried hard to eat oatmeal for my breakfast, oatmeal for my lunch, oatmeal for my dinner, with plain bread only. So hard, the following day again, same foods. I was some sort being discipline for that matter, right?
On that same month, when my second father, my Ninong had learned about my condition. He advised me and my mother to see Dr. Torres of UST hospital in Manila for a check up, the same doctor whom his wife, sister and niece had consulted to. So I applied for a three-day leave and together with my mother, we flew to Manila.
Dr. Torres looked frail since he was 80 years old already but still his mind is very keen.
(To be continued for part 3)
Raising Awareness Part 2
The doctor upon seeing me knew at once what my condition was I suppose. She raised from her seat, heading to where I was seated and touched my neck,
commanded me to raise my hand on a shoulder level, and went back to her seat.
The doctor asked me what I went through, what I had experienced, what I had felt, I only answered one to three words and in a monotone. Most of the time my mother answered for me, she’s always been my spokesperson :)
Doc then took a hold of a picture and made a short lecture or information about what my condition was all about. She made first lectured about thyroid gland and its role and function to our body.
Further, Doc talked about hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. My first time to hear such words. Upon discussion brought me into awareness that what I had undergone by the time I lose weight was hyperthyroidism and by the time I gained weight was hypothyroidism.
These two seems like magic casting a spell within my body in a glance affecting my overall physical and psychological health.
I had overlooked all the symptoms. For in my case according to the doctor was already late detection.
So I want to raise awareness about hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. I want to raise awareness how these disease affects our overall physical, mental and psychological well being. I want to raise awareness how this disease can transform us in a bad or worse way. I want to raise awareness to not overlooked the symptoms instead consult a doctor right away.
*This is an excerpt from google.com* https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hyperthyroidism
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism, also called overactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones control the way the body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body, even the way your heart beats. With too much thyroid hormone, many of your body’s functions speed up. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/T/thyroid-gland https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/H/hormone
**What causes hyperthyroidism?**
Hyperthyroidism has several causes, including
· Graves’ disease https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/graves-disease
· overactive thyroid nodules
· inflammation of the thyroid gland, called thyroiditis https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/I/inflammation
· too much iodine *NIH external link* https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/
· too much thyroid hormone medicine
**What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?**
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary from person to person and may include4
· weight loss despite an increased appetite
· rapid or irregular heartbeat
· nervousness, irritability, trouble sleeping, fatigue
· shaky hands, muscle weakness
· sweating or trouble tolerating heat
· frequent bowel movements https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/B/bowel-movement
· an enlargement in the neck, called a goiter https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/G/goiter
**What are the complications of hyperthyroidism?**
Untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause serious health problems, including
· an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related problems https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/S/stroke https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/H/heart-failure
· an eye disease called Graves’ ophthalmopathy
· thinning bones, osteoporosis *NIH external link*, and muscle problems https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/osteoporosis
· menstrual cycle and fertility issues
**Who is more likely to develop hyperthyroidism?**
Hyperthyroidism is more common in women and people older than 60.2 You are more likely to have hyperthyroidism if you
· have a family history of thyroid disease
· have other health problems, including
o pernicious anemia *NIH external link*, a condition caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pernicious-anemia
o type 1 or type 2 diabetes https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview
o primary adrenal insufficiency, a disorder of hormones https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease
· eat large amounts of food containing iodine *NIH external link*, such as kelp https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/
· use medicines that contain iodine
· use nicotine products3
· were pregnant within the past 6 months
**How do doctors diagnose hyperthyroidism?**
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. A hyperthyroidism diagnosis can’t be based on symptoms alone because many of its symptoms are the same as those of other diseases. That’s why your doctor may use several thyroid blood tests and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and find its cause. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/thyroid
Because hyperthyroidism can cause fertility problems, women who have trouble getting pregnant often get tested for thyroid problems
Treatment options
Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with medicines, radioiodine therapy, or thyroid surgery.
**What is hypothyroidism?**
Hypothyroidism is a condition where there isn’t enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream and your metabolism slows down.
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid doesn’t create and release enough thyroid hormone into your body. This makes your metabolism slow down, affecting your entire body. Also known as underactive thyroid disease, hypothyroidism is fairly common.
When your thyroid levels are extremely low, this is called myxedema. A very serious condition, myxedema can cause serious symptoms, including:
A low body temperature. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21164-hypothermia-low-body-temperature
Anemia. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3929-anemia
Heart failure. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17069-heart-failure-understanding-heart-failure
Confusion.
Coma.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
The symptoms of hypothyroidism usually develop slowly over time – sometimes years. They can include:
Feeling tired (fatigue). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21206-fatigue
Experiencing numbness and tingling in your hands.
Having constipation.
Gaining weight.
Experiencing soreness throughout your body (can include muscle weakness).
Having higher than normal blood cholesterol levels.
Feeling depressed.
Being unable to tolerate cold temperatures.
Having dry, coarse skin and hair. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16940-dry-skinitchy-skin
Experiencing a decrease sexual interest.
Having frequent and heavy menstrual periods. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding
Seeing physical changes in your face (including drooping eyelids, as well as puffiness in the eyes and face). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14418-ptosis-drooping-eyelid
Having your voice become lower and hoarser.
Feeling more forgetful (“brain fog”).
**Who is affected by hypothyroidism?**
· Hypothyroidism can affect people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. It’s a common condition, particularly among women over age 60. Women are generally more likely to develop hypothyroidism after menopause than earlier in life. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15224-menopause-perimenopause-and-postmenopause
What’s the difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism?
· In hypothyroidism, the thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.
· The difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is quantity. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid makes very little thyroid hormone. On the flip side, someone with hyperthyroidism has a thyroid that makes too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism involves higher levels of thyroid hormones, which makes your metabolism speed up. If you have hypothyroidism, your metabolism slows down.
· Many things are the opposite between these two conditions. If you have hypothyroidism, you may have a difficult time dealing with the cold. If you have hyperthyroidism, you may not handle the heat. They are opposite extremes of thyroid function. Ideally, you should be in the middle. Treatments for both of these conditions work to get your thyroid function as close to that middle ground as possible.
**What happens if hypothyroidism is not treated?**
Hypothyroidism can become a serious and life-threatening medical condition if you do not get treatment from a healthcare provider. If you are not treated, your symptoms can become more severe and can include:
Having trouble breathing.
Not being able to maintain a normal body temperature.
Having heart problems.
Developing a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12625-goiter
(medication - to be continued for part 3)
Raising Awareness Part 1
I wanted to break down but a strong sense of control not to.
August of 2016
I’d noticed that my body had become petite, but questioning it was the least that I can do since I regularly had my workout session in the gym.
But for quite some time then my regular gym time waned, it became less and less and eventually I quitted. I felt tired all the time. Low energy level, low mood that I experienced.
I was very much conscious of how I was feeling then but I had never seem to know “why”. I continued my everyday routine, going to work, going home, work, home.
My feeling of lowliness, low energy, low mood and my feeling of tiredness all the time prompted me to regularly visit the school clinic to lay down and rest.
I took solace and refuge in the clinic 2 to 3 times a week either in the morning and afternoon. The doctor and nurses on duty as well as the working students were all kind that we were like one family in the campus.
For that, the clinic had already became my second home.
My first home was the office and even during office hours I laid down lining up the chairs in two to three. I never had any apprehensions of what my body was going through at that time.
I had difficulty falling asleep, I found it hard to sleep at night. My period became irregular. My skin became dry and became slightly darkened, my nails got easily brittle, I was easily got tired, and irritated.
But after all these, never had an ounce of curiosity did I asked “why” instead a rationalization that maybe just maybe it’s part of growing up as I age.
Haven’t had I mentioned that I’d also experienced heart palpitation, “panghihingal”, and hand shaking? Unfortunately, I had also experienced it.
By mid of November and December, I gained weight. As I closely watched myself in the mirror, my body drastically changed for worse. I looked double my age. How awful I looked. And it was some kind of depressing.
One night I suddenly felt tightening in my chest. Since I was all alone in my parents’ house in Talamban, opening up to someone was impossible so I used the social media to open up how I was feeling and posted “sakit akong dughan.”
Still in December, what became worst and depressing next was the changed in my eyes. The last manifestation in my body, the bulging of my eyes.
New year was fast approaching, my siblings went home to the province and while we were all together to celebrate the new year they were all alarmed with the changed in me most especially in my eyes. It was apparent very apparent. They then advised me for a medical check-up.
January of 2017, Going to a doctor has always been my last resort. I felt that there must be terribly wrong in my body. And with the prompting of family and some relatives for a check up so we went to see a doctor together with my mother who has been my constant ally.
Medical arts chong-hua hospital. At the medical arts ground, I was amazed to see the group of aged men and women who had their early morning Zumba. Mostly were half pinays, half chinese. Some were on their wheelchairs.
We went to see Dr. Tan, a female doctor specializing in internal medicine. When we arrived at her clinic, there were already lots of patients sitting and waiting for their turn.
One should have priority number. Others had reservations ahead. And some other patients were from provinces outside Cebu.
It took us three hours of waiting, when finally, the secretary called my name, it was my turned. I gained enough courage to at least opened the door, went inside the docs clinic but deep inside I was weak to the bones.
The doctor greeted us, my mother did the same. The doctor upon seeing me knew at once what my condition was I suppose. She raised from her seat, heading to where I was seated and touched me, commanded me to raise my hand on a shoulder level. She went back to her seat. The next thing I learned was then the doctor....
to be continued for part 2.
People Come, People Go
Hi? Life is so funny I can never expect people to come in my life!!! Yet the fact that I can never really know whether they come to me and and in the end of it all they will leave me!!!
People come, people go, after all life is like that!!! I mean I can't control to choose people who will make a great impact to my life yet I can't make them to stay in my life.
I know God has a much higher vision to every one of us. I know someday I can somehow acknowledge and affirm to myself how life and how God is doing great in my life!!!
I am contemplating right now towards the everyday living of a person, its just that I am with myself and all alone and there's no one aside from me and so with all my might I am writing with.
To Percival, I feel so thankful, for being there. You never fail to help me throughout my third year level. I feel so thankful for being such a good classmate and I hope that we move on to fourth year , you will still be the same person ready to lend a hand.
To L, thanks for trusting me in disclosing and sharing to me the happenings in your life. Thanks for all the moments, time and minutes spent in texting to me, I appreciate it.
To Sir Ramirez, I would say how grateful I am and always that once in my college life, I found a very patience, dedicated and committed instructor as you are, Sir. I know that you really exert a great effort in teaching us the major subjects in psych. Some other time, I'm not that attentive in the class, that sometimes, when in the middle of discussion and lecture, I daydreamt, absent-minded, but you know what sir, I have so many lesson that I learned, you know how much I found the subject interesting. More than that sir, through my 3rd year level there are a lot of difficult situations that I encountered especially this past few week in our group survey in barangay. It's been a stressful day for me that I slept at 3 am already, making the correlation and the t-test for tomorrow will be going to report it. And what a relief after we have reported it. It's been a journey for me. And on my journey through life, I would say that you've been a part on that journey sir, through your projects, group survey, research, interview. I learned to be a responsible person, I learned that life is not easy after all, I consider myself a traveler, along the way, I maybe lost and frustrated that I feel that I could no longer go on, I learned that its a part of my journey. You're a part of that journey.
Marva Girl, thank you for all the support and insights. When time comes that we lose touch, I'm glad that once in my college life, I've known you!!! you're great and you are!!!
(flashback from college days, thank you for your time, have a blessed day)
Huge, Dark, Thick
Huge, Dark, Thick
I was at the state of shock for what had happened last night!!!
At this very moment it was still fresh on my mind the huge, dark, and thick smoke and the fire ablaze at the house just beside tan building, and just near to the house where we stayed.
I just could not exactly write every details of what had happened, not to mention those shouting, those adrenaline rush of each and every person around the area, the running back and forth of every men with pail of water.
Not to mention the dysfunctioning of the mind of each and every person who could no longer knew what to do and what to say. Everyone was panicked.
The loud sirens of the red firetrucks, the ambulance and the police task force were all present.
We were already prohibited from entering the house. Others had still the chance to get their clothes and other important things. I was only carrying my school bag and some folders.
It was better to leave at once than stayed because we really couldn’t tell for there was a big post with lots of electric wire in front of the house where the fire hit and that we were scared to get out or else trapped inside.
How frightening!!! I kept on staring the fire, along with me was Brigette from Banhigan, who was also my companion in the house, and a medical technology student. Together with her was his boyfriend who happened to visit her at the time of the incident.
Meanwhile, my mother who at the time of the incident was at the chong-hua hospital for Via my cousin was confined there. When my sister called her up informing the incident. She hurriedly run informing also the other relatives there.
And to her panicked according to her she could no longer determined as to what buttons as to the number of floors she would pressed in the elevator going to my cousin’s room where she was confined. I got pissed off with my sister that time, I told her in case of emergencies do not call our mother, see what had happened she was panicked too.
She made a call to me and said that she would come where we were at but I assured her we were all fine and that we were just far from the house that was being hit by the fire.
Meanwhile Nang Vernalin, “inay” as she is fondly called, were in Bohol that time, she’s the owner of the house where we stayed during my college days, made a call to me, asking if how was everybody, how was Reevo his grandson. I assured her nothing to worry we were all fine.
While the fire was already under control, and I was observing the house engulfed by the fire, I was observing how those firemen in the scene, how they were all prepared, how trained they were, they knew exactly what to do in such cases, how alert they were. In cases like that, I can say how important their role are, how valuable their role are, they are such heroes!! how they are able to save one’s lives!!! So also the police officer, and the medical aids.
We were all exhausted, we stayed first in the L300, while hearing and listening from each other’s stories, according to nang Libeth, her feet and legs was now aching. On the other hand, inay and her husband ‘dada’ hurriedly went to the pier begging the personnel that they’d be allowed to ride the ship at once because their house was caught by fire in Cebu. And so I was laughing while Inay narrated their actions to me for they taught that it’s really their house that was being hit by fire but it was not. We went inside the house, was tired and after all grateful for no lives was lost.
(This is a flashback scene during my college days. Thanks for dropping by and stay safe everyone.)
Come to Realize
Its Monday, 15 minutes before eight. Here I am writing on the bed. What a Monday blues for me! It really is unique from the other day! Is it really the day that is unique? Or is it my own person? I don't necessary think well what's really the connection of the day! Right, when all the things that have defects is just within me.
You see I never really given the day as having connection to me and my mood. In other words, it is just my being me that makes the day, what's in my thought, how am I feeling, and my mood.
So it is up to me as an individual to either live life in happiness, or to live life in misery.
I have come to realize that I should not take for granted every second and minutes of the day in my life. Everyday is a wonderful opportunity for me to be happy. God I believe must been given me blessings and so in return I must also be a blessing to others.
I have come to realize to never take for granted the special people in my life for I would never recognize their value until they are gone.
I have come to realize that I long for their presence that I wish to turn back the hands of time.
Yes, I come to realize that every second count.
That we should treasure every moment of every day with the special people in our lives.
(*Thank you for reading my article which I had written Monday of June 24, 2002. I come to realize that its been 20 years since. )*
On Beauty
Beauty is about wellness of mind, body and soul. Being beautiful inside and out I believe is one great factor to earn the admiration of many. For looks is deceiving and disgusting. It is superficial, shallow and only skin deep.
Beauty on the physical aspect fades over time. There is more to the person than just what meets the eye. Like the perceptions and outlooks in life, believes and perspectives among others. Character and personality.
Let me share to you these definitions of personality which I had read from a book many years ago and it says:
*"Personality is the sum total of a persons good qualities and characteristics. It is character expressing itself in words and actions. Your habit, your way of talking and smiling, your walk and your work. These and many other small things tied together makes your personality. To make an appealing personality requires: a good amount of kindness, courtesy and tact, a certain amount of attractiveness and pep in walking and talking, a clean heart and over it a clean body and clean clothes, will power, self-control, ability to take criticisms, honesty, simplicity and kindness. All these mixed with charity makes of you a loved girl and a charming personality."*
Indeed, it's the beauty of the soul that keeps on shining through.
On Gratefulness and Love
Yet at the end of the day, it's not how much love we've received, but how much love we've given. It's a matter of valuing and cherishing the people that comes our way. It's not everyday that we meet people who love us, give a high regard to us and in reflection, we come to realize that people, life and love is a gift. And so it is a gift, we therefore be grateful for it, take hold of it, embrace it, because people come and go, people changed, feelings changed, love to indifference, friends to strangers, whatsoever, even life in its truest sense is finite, nothings fixed, today's events is tomorrows memories, so make the most of every moment loving the people whom God has given to us.
One hundred years from now, in our deathbed, as we look back every iota of memories, the yesteryears, it is not at all important how many awards, honors, recognition, positions, fame, accolades we received, but how many people we loved in our lifetime that matters, how we were able to touch each and everyones lives.
As a pilgrims we all leave our body behind, 2 Corinthians 5: 10 says, when all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life. The love of God is infinite, and so at the end of the day, it's not how much love we've received, but how much love we've given.
Be blessed.
On Life
To have a beautiful, simple, uncomplicated life, one must have a pure heart, a heart that is free from hatred a and has a loving and a personal relationship with God.
Life at its best always go forward. What is today's event is tomorrow's memories. I begin to understand what life after all. Pain, sorrows, joy, contentment are there a part of life. Downfall moments and hurtful moments are inevitable.
No matter how bad a person maybe but it belongs to yesterday. So we must forgive ourselves for the imperfections. After all life is not meant to be perfect.
As life goes on what count is not the length of time people live, but the quality of time, how one treasure each moment, how insignificant it may be.
Life's Learnings
In my life's journey I have learned: The value of holding on and letting go. Holding on to people & things that matters most. It is not what I have, but who I have in life that matters. I love & cherish my family, friends, significant others. Spending quality moments with them, and holding on to the memories shared with them. Letting go of people and things that are simply not meant to be.
Failures makes me learn the value of humility. I have learned not to take life seriously. Instead, to live moment by moment so I seize every moment.
I have learned that in joy and in pain, in happiness & sorrow, the Lord continue to shine on me.
I have learned that no matter how dreary life sometimes is, still the sun continues to shine, and no matter how dark sometimes life is, there is always God's Spirit that serves as our guide.
Sometimes I want to remain invisible, but it is God's will that I exist I have learned that no matter how good and bad I experience, but one thing to do - SMILE, the warrior is a child.
Keep on looking up to Him, because He is Love. Don't look for love, let Love finds you. It is God who gives me the real joy. I have learned that to be focus to a certain thing can I then realize how great a small thing is. HELLO there- a glimpse from me to you and know that you are special. God loves you.
All about myself
I am who I am.
You can never know the real me, unless you have explored from the very depth of my inner being,
then you can discover the very person in me, not just a part of me, but the total me, more than what meets the eye. I laugh to the fullest, smile in spirit, easy to go along with, yet we cannot please everybody. I have lots of imperfections and flaws after all I’m human thus: *to err is human to forgive is divine* *(Alexander Pope).* My flaws and imperfections makes me perfectly imperfect.
There comes a moment when I have a high need of privacy-that I just want to be alone yet not lonely for I’m reflective, imaginative, and perceptive. There’s also a time that I want to reach out with friends, and new found friends, being with them, talking, laughing or just feeling their presence, to have deep conversation with them to bring one’s soul into the open, for I’m a listener, I empathize and sympathize. My unwinding moments are composed of: reading, writing, listening to music. A smile, a touch, a hug, is all that I need to make the most of the moment.
The true test of character is through bad times, I can't control everything, but I can control how I react to it. I won't take blame for everything that's happening in a person's life has a reason and there's always a second chance. I would understand a person for there's always a "why" in behavior. I don't believe in bad luck & good luck but rather blessings & blessings in disguise. I believe in "karma" what I give & do is what I get in return. I believe that we make our own destiny through the choices that we take. I don't believe in forever yet I believe in the magic of falling in love. It's best to wait for God's perfect time because it hurts to love the right person at the wrong time. I'm letting God writes my love story. It is not me and it is not about me, but it's God's Spirit that keeps me going.
There's a greater love who comes from the Father and only through Him can I feel the real joy. My life is in God's hand, whatever lies ahead, I'm confident that Jesus takes the wheel. I’m keeping a firm grip on Him, Jesus, the Captain of my Soul. It’s in my greatest moments of weakness that I find the strength from within. It is God who arms me with strength & makes my way perfect.-Psalm 18:32
hi I'm Rhea, just newbie in this platform
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