Another Day of Acupuncture

I presented my lab test results to Sis Liu. She asked her assistant to photocopy it, which I appreciated, because that means she would study my case more. The session lasted close to an hour. Same needle positions. But this time, I was in a different room. My husband was no longer allowed to come in because the other half of the room had another lady patient.

I just had to say that I am so thankful for my husband. Almost all of the patients there were women, majority were TTCs. But I was the only one with a husband. Thanks Hunny! I love you. :)

Continue Reading...

My Very First Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Experience

I went to Sis. Liu's clinic, at 230PM, as scheduled, together with my husband. I was asked to fill out the 3-paged form which basically talks about my medical history, why I went there and my current physical situation. Sis Liu (Sis Shengrong Liu and Sis Regina Liu are one and the same) seemed nice. She allowed my husband to be with me in the acu room. She checked my tongue and my wrist pulse twice. I guess that was part of the acu SOP. Then she asked me to remove my pants because it was too tight daw. After that she started inserting needles one by one. I had needles on my forehead, some on my lower abdomen, one somewhere near each of the sides of my knee, and 2 more on my feet. Her assistant lighted something that looked like a small cork after placing it on one of the needles on my lower abdomen. She said it is for the improvement of circulation - I don't know what circulation she was talking about. Overall, the experience was good. The ambience was relaxing and I did sleep during the 30+ minute session. I was asked to go back once a week. I arranged for a Saturday schedule. The total cost of my initial visit and acu session was P1,300.

Continue Reading...

Bakasyunan Resort, Iba, Zambales

My husband invited me to join their summer outing (May 23-24). Since we do not have any beach activity this summer, I said yes. The resort was nice and big enough to fit all of us. We stayed in a Bahay-Kubo room together with hubby's officemate, Agnes, and her bf. The "survivor" events were fun. Hubby and I just woke up from siesta when they started. To compensate for showing up late, my husband showed his "game" side and I was really glad to see him that way.. Aktibo! Hehe..

Continue Reading...

My Immunologic Profile

As discussed in my previous post, I had my blood test done last April 22 at the Reproductive Immunology Center in TM Kalaw. My husband and I got the results first week of May. However, my OB was still abroad so we had to wait for her to interpret the results. We were scheduled to see her in last May 19. And the results, according to her, are as follows:

LAT
Reaction Code: 1 (for both I and II), thus, negative
%PRA: 0
*This means that I should undergo Lymphocyte Immunotherapy (LIT). My OB wants to refer me to Dr. Ed Lim. However, she warned us that this procedure will be too costly. 4 donors will be needed, 1 of which is my husband, and 3 others who are not blood related. A session could cost about P60K, and I would need about 4 sessions. This is on top of Dr. Ed Lim's hefty PF.

Lupus Anti-Coagulants
KCT: 100 (normal is 75)
APTT: 25 (normal is 20)
DRVVT: 30 (normal is 30)
*She prescribed Aspirin for this. 1/4 tab during lunch. I believe this is for APAS.

ACA results were normal.
Anti-thyroid Antibodies
*I'm actually confused here. She said I'm borderline because I got 91.60 in Anti-thyroglobulin, although the normal is <100. And I was ANA Negative.

NK Cells
As for the NK Cells (my blood samples were sent to the US - Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago, IL), here are the ones that alarmed her.
% CD3: 88.2 (normal is until 85 only)
% CD19+cells, CD5+: 16.4 (normal is until 10 only)
*For these, she said, I would need to undergo IvIg. This costs about P125K per session. I don't know if we could ever affor this. With all our expenses, and my impending plans of WAHWhood..

*My OB, since she's Chinese, gave me a more affordable alternative that would hopefully help improve my overactive NK Cells' killing capacity - ACUPUNCTURE. She gave me the contact details of Sis. Regina Liu. She asked us to give it a couple of months. And if there's an improvement, we might just need LIT and no more IvIg. (fingers crossed. sigh.). Anyway, I already scheduled an appointment with Sis. Liu in her Panay clinic this coming May 25 (my brother's birthday).

Continue Reading...

Tweety's 2nd Visit to the Vet

Tweety hasn't been eating lately. We were worried about her because she always had a good appetite. Good thing, today is her schedule for another round of deworming. She was given Lean Recovery - a canned kitty food that should be forced-fed to her if she still refuses to eat. Hopefully she'll get better soon.. By the way, a woman, who also happened to bring her dog in the clinic asked me what Tweety's breed was. I just smiled and said.. "wala po".. Hihi. Take a look at her super cute pictures.

Cleaning...

Temperature check..

Demo - Tweety was forced to eat Lean Recovery

Checking out the store - looking for a scratching post.. but found none..

Continue Reading...

Couch Potato

I had to post this. See these cute photos of Tweety watching TV. She loves staring at the TV this way...

Oopss.. tired na..

Continue Reading...

Tweety's First Visit to the Vet

Tweety a.k.a. Tweet Tweet, Santina, Annie, Peter is sick. She seems weak and restless, so we brought her to Marikina Veterinary Clinic. The vet on duty, Dr. May, was also Missy's vet (Missy is Kristian's dog whom he left in their home in Marikina when we got married). Tweety had her ears cleaned and her claws trimmed. Dr. May said Tweety has fever, and her lab test shows that she has worms and needs to be dewormed. She was also given dextrose powder to keep her hydrated. Here are some photos that I took while we were in the clinic. Get well soon Tweety. :)

Continue Reading...

Our Heart Toothbrush

My husband and I are currently using these. Soo cute. =)

Continue Reading...

My New Makati Office

Effective today, I am no longer part of the UP Ayala Land Site (although I am still part of their headcount as per PeopleSoft data. gulo no?). I am temporarily using a workstation here in our newly opened site in Glorietta 5. I honestly don't know what my role here would be, and how long my temporary assignment would take. Although I know that things will be a whole lot better for me here - away from the shadows of nevermind who.. Anyway, here's a look at my new but only temporary workstation.

Continue Reading...

That Dream Job

Took those photos when we went to SM North EDSA last May 1. Hundreds of applicants were lined-up, hoping to get the job of their dreams. Nine years ago, I was one of them. My idealistic self was so positive that I would land my dream job that would take me places and buy me things that I've always wanted. Yes, eventually, I was able to get my dream job. But years later, I felt tired. I realized that there really was more to life than just work. Here I am, WAHW-musing again...

Continue Reading...

Pacquiao did it again!

The much-awaited fight ended in merely 2 rounds..

Continue Reading...