Running after health

The day of the Greentennial draws near and I am still not prepped up for the said event. Since I have found some running buddies in the hospital, we get to run around the university oval atleast twice a week. Gearing up for another 10k feat will surely be one of the best fat burners. This is true, as I have noticed one of our consultants to lose dramatic weight by joining the fun runs in and out the Metro.

Old habbits die hard

The new year has landed and as I promised myself, I will eat healthy. I will go back to organics and greens but wait, I will have to make the final curtain call to my old bad eating habits.
I chugged in the irresistible coke and shoved handful of cheese curls down my throat. What a relief. This is the life that I will surely miss. I could still have my cheat days, right?

Guilty pleasure

With my high cholesterol count, I am yet again on low cholesterol diet. This means that I do away from fried, fatty or salty foods. I have also excluded red meat from my diet.
But there is this one thing that I could not resist. It is the fried calamares sold on the sidewalk of St. Luke's Medical Center.
There is nothing fancy in it apart from it does not taste bad (read: fishy or gross) and as I can see it is prepared in a good way. It is served in a plastic disposable cup and the vinegar is poured directly into it so there is no second dipping. To me that can already be considered clean for a street food.

An apple a day

Will help you prevent gaining so much.

Yeah, after getting the smack-right-in-the-middle comment from my doctor, my feeling of being a complete fullmoon has been signed, sealed and delivered. 

It's 3:00 a.m. and as expected I am still up because the Biggie Iced Tea I got from Wendy's is still kicking in my blood.

I had a little serving of dinner at 7:00 a.m.and I think I am not a slob if I give in to the growl of my insides. Doing away from carbs and fats, I did not dare open our company christmas package to rummage on anything that i could push down my throat. I instead grabbed an apple from the fridge.

I feel full but I do not feel sleepy yet.

Two kilos in my cheeks

I have this colds for over as week already. It is not a nagging cough neither a productive one but it is bothersome when I cough.
Our in house doctor doesn’t want to give me antibiotic because I am still on (tapered dose) steroids instead he sent me to my nephrologist for a consult. Thing is, the nephro was trapped in Thai airport stand off and she just got back in town yesterday. I had my check up this afternoon. I was weighed as standard assessment. I gained 2 kilos. When she saw my medical record she just said: Oh, you gained two kilos in your cheeks!
I was thinking: Thanks to you!

Eating healthy

I can't do anything about the glutton that I am feeling. Instead of starving myself, I thought of stuffing my gut instead of healthy stuff.

I decided not to deal with the 3 rice-meal a day anymore. I just have to turn to healthy fillers like fruits, wheat bread and veggies. No carbs as much as possible.

My tummy is bulging out already. My face is a perfect full moon. I used to be half moon hahaha.

I know I can't hit the gym as yet. I don’t' have running shoes, I don't have the budget yet to get new pair and to enroll to the gym.

I am still working on it. The budget that is. And it means I don't have spare time also since I always render overtime. 

Like today. It's my restday but I opted to go to work.

Hohum!

Getting normal

My doctor has decided to taper the dosage omitting 5 mg per week from the original 50 mg.

I am happy with the lab results. My Creatinine:Protein ratio has gotten back to normal. My cholesterol level is now close to normal and my urine is no longer dark and frothy although I am not still used to waiting several hours to put out the fuilds that I take in. My doctor said it's nothing to be concerned of since I don't have edema and my creatinine is normal.

We are to meet on December 18th which means I am still on steroids until and after then.

My concern is, I have an appetite of a monster!

A clearer view

Just when you thought that things are getting worse in terms of economy, I just saw
Zenni on Fox today ! Oh yes dear, Zenni Optical was on FOX news!
The site offers stylish prescription glasses starting at $8. It’s high time that everyone gets
Great Eyeglasses For Less from the one that sells their own manufactured frames making it so cheap. And with this in mind you could always get Variable Dimension Frames From Zenni
This is just great now that I myself need to change my reading glasses.

Easier than I thought.

A week after being sent from the hospital and still a little edematous, I was sent to 4-day training. I was the last person in our team to have it.
I was so worried that the training that includes lots of thinking and computation would exacerbate my health condition. I am trying to avoid things that would cause me stress.
I am thankful that it’s over and I was able to pass the revalida plus I was able to ask permission from the trainer if I could elevate my feet on a chair.

Easier than I thought.

A week after being sent from the hospital and still a little edematous, I was sent to 4-day training. I was the last person in our team to have it.
I was so worried that the training that includes lots of thinking and computation would exacerbate my health condition. I am trying to avoid things that would cause me stress.
I am thankful that it’s over and I was able to pass the revalida plus I was able to ask permission from the trainer if I could elevate my feet on a chair.

Hungry like the wolf

I am not new to this. Legally I am on steroids with regulated dosage of course. I feel that I am a cookie monster when in front of anything that is edible. Problem is, I am supposed to be on low fat, low sodium and low protein diet. I am also limited to 1000 cc of fluid in a day so I cannot substitute anything that is filling with basically anything.

My special diet is killing me

Naturally, I don’t crave for foods that are high in sodium nitrates, salts and fats.
I am generally a fruit, veggie and fluid person but due to some problems in my kidney, I am retaining water and my low-density lipoproteins (LDL) has shot up about 200% the normal value.
As such, I have instructed to eat generally bland food.
Arrgh!
 I pray that this problem would just go away.

Tiring lab workup

I have been on not totally bed rest since Saturday last week until Thursday. Monday I went to our office clinic to get the home medications. My bad cholesterol has doubled its value due to my kidney problem.
Tuesday, I went back to see the nephrologists to submit the lab result for the biopsy and the anti ds DNA. Since she found out that the biopsy and anti ds DNA are contradicting, she ordered the final test on the tissue remaining (saved in the lab) to confirm or rule out what she is suspecting. I am too scared to mention it.
She also ordered for a fecalysis since I was complaining of diarrhea and asked me to stop taking Lipitor for three days.
I went back to the office to get the form from the clinic so that I won't have to pay for the lab fees.
Wednesday, I went back to the hospital to submit the stool specimen and to request for the final test.
Now I am in limbo.
I am praying that I don't have that disease for I won't be able to practice my profession as a nurse in January.
I have passed my California stateboard exam.

A slice of scary moment

In over 2 week's time, I have gained 5 kilos due to almost massive fluid retention. I decided to submit myself into hospital confinement because I want immediate attention.
It's my first time to be hospitalized.
I was referred by our in house cardiologist to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) in a National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI). It's a government hospital but since the consultant holds her clinic there, I said I might as well have my confinement there. And besides my initial lab work ups were done there.
For exactly two days, I was confined. I was started on diuretics (Thank goodness) to loose all the excess fluid in my body through urine. I feel great that I was able to lose most of the unwanted fluids.
I had my slice of scary moment when I had my renal biopsy. Although I had a local anesthesia, I felt the hits on my back as if they were jabs.

Search and Learn

Being a medical practitioner, it is important that I am up to date with the latest in this field. I noticed that there are new diseases that appear everyday. Who would think that there is such thing as bird flu before? There are also some forms of fever that are dangerous. It is necessary that we know its signs and symptoms so that we could immediately seek medical attention. Sometimes though, we tend to over react over things that are normal. Well, the best thing to do is search and learn. One online resource is from Epocrates. The medical information you will get there is complete. Anyone can view it, doctor or not. Most of all, it is free! One time my friend asked me what Ulcerative Colitis is. Without batting an eyelash, I told her that involves the colon and rectum. There is an inflammation and anyone who would notice any signs and symptoms of this disease should go to a physician immediately.

This announcement was paid for by Epocrates.

In the pink of health

Although I am yet to practice my profession as a health care provider, I make it  point that I get my digest of factual information related to health that includes that latest equipment used in promoting health such as the pedal exerciser and other life enhancing products. I have checked out AllegroMedical.com that has been in the business since 1996 and the website has been up and running since 1998 offering Exercise & Fitness Equipment, Nutritional Dietary Supplements, Maternity/Baby Supplies and Outdoor Gear.

This online retail shop allows you to search and compare products by category, brand or by condition and it currently offers 55,000 products, under 50 categories and wide array of sub categories. Among the popular categories are Children and Pediatric, the Daily Living Aids, Diabetic Supplies and Emergency Preparation.
The site has also been enhanced with RSS feeds to you will get updated on the latest product. Speaking of, they have Incorporated Featured Products so you'll get a quick glance on the thing that might interest you or the thing that you badly need.

Hurray!

I am actually rejoicing for several good reasons:
1. I got a clearance from our house doctor that I am no longer contgious and already fit to work.
Oh well, I always feel better the whole time I was sick. I am so thankful that my shingles was not that bad and it did not give me a rough time. Although I was really paranoid of spreading the virus to my family so during the day that I was on sick leave, I was out. I was attending classes. I knew that nurses there are immune to nosocomial infections (hospital acquired diseases). heehee
2. I got my new laptop. It's not the Macbook Air that everyone is getting crazy about about but it's a sure better replcament to my dying desktop that by the way became flat line yesterday (as in literally the screen became flatline as if it was zapped by a nuclear explosion.
I always knew that my broadband connection is fast but due to my dysfunctional desktop, connection was just a bit above the dial up connection. Now I am really enjoyingthe fast connection.
I am just adjusting to the following:
a. softer keyboard. I need to type gently
b. getting used to scroll pad (is that what you call it?)
c. typing numbers (there are no calculator type digits y'know)

3. Someone has cleaned my room today and changed my linens

I am feeling a bit happy now. Maybe being away from the office for a while is a good stress buster. I did not even feel bad at all losing the chance of becoming part time trainer in the office.
I am brewing something and I hope that good vibes will continue to stick with me for the rest of the year.
I know that it's immature to tell yet, but 2008 will be one of the best years of my life.

I am contagious

Yeah you read it right. My short-lived elation has vanished.

I have shingles.

I first consulted our house doctor on Tuesday. I noticed these clustered vesicles on my left lower back and my anterior left thigh last Saturday and I suspected shingles already. There was no clinic on weekends and I was on leave last Monday ergo, I had the chance to consult on Tuesday. The physician gave me antiviral agents good until I could report back for work on Friday (Tuesday and Wednesdays are my restdays for the week) and consult the specialist who’ll be on duty then.

Also on Tuesday, I got a very short notice from my team leader that I was tapped to be an on call trainer for our program and that on Wednesday I, along with the lot of team leaders in our program and a few agents will be making a demo before the company trainers. The trainers will be choosing only nine out of I dunno.

In short I was also in the office on Wednesday.

I thought that the presentation just went well but I did not impress the trainers so I went home right after and then went straight to the church.

When I got home, I got a gazillion missed calls and a text from my team leader that I got into the program and my training will start Thursday, which is also my restday.

I was in the office before 9:00 a.m. and I was able to join the training but there’s something in me that told me to check if the dermatologist was in. So I went to the clinic after lunch and she was there. She sent me home immediately giving me a 7-day sick leave.

I told the trainer about my condition and the doctor’s order.

In short, I am already cut off the program. I know they felt bad but honestly, I just felt a little bad. For one, I went on with the demo just to get it over with because this was my second time I was recommended to other departments. The first one I declined. But for the record, I felt good that I was considered in the Train the Trainer program.

So seven good days of being free from office work. I don’t have to call in sick because my schedule for the next seven days has been blocked. I am free! Physically, I don’t feel bad although there are occasional discomforts caused by the affected nerve pathways. But generally I am A-ok.

Thing is I can’t stay at home. I have a niece who has not gotten a chicken pox vaccine yet and my sister is pregnant. Although she’s in the latter part of her pregnancy past the organogenesis (vital organ forming stage) the virus might still cross the placental barrier and who knows what might be the effect.

In short again, I need to be out of the house during the day.

The Good Life

I joined my officemate (as her guest) in the gym today.
We went straight ahead to a gym in ABS CBN after office. Actually, it was my third time already to be there, as a guest. Seriously, I enjoy the workout, the facilities and amenities but I am not willing to shell out a hefty amount just to get physically fit.
Anyway, I was interviewed first by the receptionist and she tried persuading me to get a passport membership. I politely declined saying that I have to think about it first. Which I already have done a gazillion times.
After warming up and dong some mid-body workouts, we joined the body combat group exercise. It's like sparring with choreography. It was fun but sadly I had to stop after 15 minutes because my heart is pounding really fast.
Mind you, there were nearly-senior citizens in group exercise and they have lasted all through out the session. I was thinking, it might be they really have good stamina that n I have or they just want to show off or convince themselves that they can still do it.
Oh good luck with that! I don't know if they've got clearance from their physicians to do strenuous workouts. As for me, I don't want to push myself to the limit, I have mitral valve prolapse and i still want to live a little longer.
I just sat in the lounge and waited for my officemate to get done. I felt nauseous. Good thing soda is free flowing.
When she's done we just changed into casual clothes. Yeah, we did not hit the shower. I did not bring towel because I was thinking it will be provided for since the monthly gym fee is ceiling high. Well I was wrong. I just forgot that they were not really providing towels for the people there.
I was not able to talk my officemate into getting a body spa so I just went on alone. It was outside the gym.
The masseuse was very good although she did not talk much during the one hour session. She focused on my stress points especially on my back.
All the pain and some discomfort that I have been feeling since my last spa treatment in September last year just vanished.
It's really good to treat yourself once in a while and feel guiltless about it.

All natural all the time

Whenever I am craving for protein bars (I rarely eat animal meat), I have to swing by a grocery store near our office. I need to energize my body. Well, we do have a canteen and a vending machine but all they sell are unhealthy and junk foods.

I am into munching natural healthy snack and having organic choices would be a heaven, not only in office settings but more importantly in schools. Yeah, it’s back to school and children are often tempted to sink their teeth into sweets or other junk foods. Parents and guardians though prepare snacks for their kids they are still unsure if their kids are free from snack-swapping sprees.

I would say that it is about time that school and office administration consider putting up natural vending machine or organic vending machine. There should always be quick bites of good nutrition and a handful of alternative snacks for people who are always on the go.
It just dawned on me, since our department has launched a wellness program dubbed as iCONLites, I think it would be great if they will also include new healthy vending program that will offer healthy choices and provide good nutrition for everyone.