The Official Press Release: Where Have I Been The Past Three Weeks

First of all, I wish to thank everyone who prayed for me and my family during our medical crises. Having said this, allow me to tell the tale.

During the APEC holiday, I was bent on finishing a paper for poster presentation in the PLAI Congress, a module for teacher training and three stories for a project with Lampara Books. But, amoebiasis kicked in and it was pretty bad. The infection went on for a week. The doctor had to extend my antibiotics for three more days. I was also given a recommendation to undergo a colonoscopy. That was how bad things were.

The infection affected my disposition and my general outlook in life. For the first time, all my fears came into consciousness. It didn't help that the gastro doctor told me outright that there are cases of amoebiasis that actually reveal a tumor or cancerous polyps. How could I work and write in such circumstances?

Apart from medicines from the pharmacy, I have taken to eat and consume natural home remedies. Bone broth with ginger for cleansing and healing of stomach infection and kalamansi juice for vitamin C to boost the immune system.

I tried thinking logically. I asked a lot of questions. I back tracked at how I have been living my life for the past years. And yes, I prayed and begged for family and friends to pray for me. This gave me great comfort. The prayer companions who were with me through my physical and mental ordeal bolstered my weakening spirits. I knew what to do. I was bent on getting that colonoscopy done.

Checking the school calendar, I had applied for a leave on the first week of December. However, my daughter's heart prolapse flared that week and she had to be admitted to the hospital for further tests. To add a hair on the camel's back, our eldest, Nico, was also scheduled for a holter monitor for the medical management of his heart block that same week. When it rains, oh, it pours!

When Zoe was discharged from the hospital, she took home a heart monitoring test that required us to go back for one more diagnosis. It was done as an out patient procedure. So far, her heart prolapse is still with in the normal range of contraction and conduction. Her pedia-cardio gave her management techniques to do, so that she can avoid flare ups. She has mitral valve prolapse, a heart condition that can be managed proactively. Her doctor wrote on her medical notebook which included five basic tips:

1. Drink only water. No caffeine or energy drinks.
2. Sleep for eight hours and get enough rest.
3. Know the cause of your stress and reduce these stressors.
4. Learn how to relax.
5. *Take up a sport or a hobby that will strengthen the heart.

* Your own choice and not something imposed on you.

The bottom line here is healthy living. The same philosophy goes with me.

After 20 years, I was back at the Makati Medical Center for a three day confinement. There I undergone colonoscopy and ultrasound tests. It was like getting an executive check up. This is a medical exercise I intend to do on a regular basis.

While my colonoscopy, ultrasound, full abdominal and transvaginal, were all clear, meaning there is nothing serious or alarming, this whole medical crisis is a wake up call for me to further my quest for living a healthy lifestyle. It was a good thing I started losing weight in 2013 and changed eating habits at the same time. Those two years lessened the risk of any serious malady. I was scared to death going through all the procedures. As my cardiologist told me, 40 is the new 50!

This episode in my life gave me a lot to think about. It put things in perspective. From the start of my medical ordeal, I asked myself what do I really need and what does the world require of me. Of course I know the answers. It is only a matter of realizing this concept, this abstraction of choosing a far greater love that poses a big challenge. Because, it requires me to choose this part of myself that needs to be small. Now I smile, after connecting the dots. When I turned 41 years old last August, I prayed to God to make me small. He did make me small. An answered prayer.

I Want To Be a Fit Filipino Librarian

I weighed 160 lbs. in 2008. At 4 ft. 11 in., this was way above my normal weight. I suffered from shortness of breath when walking and climbing up stairs. I felt pain in my ankles and in my back. Getting up in the morning was a chore. I was bloated most of the time and shopping for clothes was frustrating. 

At the time, I was very active with facilitating workshops and conducting lectures on top of my full time work. Not until my husband honestly told me how being obese would lower my credibility rating did I confront the issue of weight loss. Besides, he told me of his anxiety about health problems I will face in my 40s if I do not change to a healthy lifestyle.

Listening to him, I availed of the free gym use granted to me by our school's HR department. My name was drawn out of a bowl when Gold's Gym offered free training and fitness sessions for the school's faculty and staff. I had a personal trainer who was my fitness companion. I changed my diet and committed to the gym workout my trainer planned for me. My journey to fitness and a change in lifestyle began

In eight months, I lost 30 lbs. 

Five years after, I am 10 lbs. near my weight in 2008.

This July, my physical exam results came out with the doctor's recommendation of losing 20 to 30 lbs. off. I've attempted to go back to a healthy diet and do routine walking exercises since then but it's been a difficult, personal battle. I know something has to give.

When I learned about Coach Jim Saret's FitFil programvia Janette Toral, a voice inside me pushed me to get in touch with her. For twelve days beginning on November 12, 2013 to December 7, 2013, I'll be committing myself to the Nestle Wellness FitFil Boot Camp.

What attracted me to the program is the opportunity to design my own fitness program. I hope that after finishing the 12 sessions, I'll be able to sustain an exercise regimen that fits my lifestyle and health profile. More than looking good, I chose to take care of myself because it is my responsibility. I have done this before and I know I can do this again.

If you're interested to know more about Coach Jim Saret's FitFil program,simply click the links I added above and register. There are three venues: Bonifacio Global City, Alabang Town Center and Mall Of Asia. The BGC group started last week. The ATC group will begin on Tuesday next week and the MOA group starts on November 19, 2013. What's interesting about this fitness program is that this time, I'll be joining a group. I will be with others who share the same concerns, worries and passion for a healthy lifestyle.

I'll be blogging my progress every week. I'll be posting pictures too. I'm also on Twitter via @coffeegoddes and I have an FB account. So, these are my platforms to journal my second journey, my second chance at choosing wellness.

Wish me luck!