Hypertension Mantra

According to my nephrologist, this is what I had initially IgA Nephropathy "IgA nephropathy is a kidney disorder caused by deposits of the protein immunoglobulin A (IgA) inside the glomeruli (filters) within the kidney. These glomeruli (the singular form is glomerulus) normally filter wastes and excess water from the blood and send them to the bladder as urine. The IgA protein prevents this filtering process, leading to blood and protein in the urine and swelling in the hands and feet. This chronic kidney disease may progress over a period of 10 to 20 years. If this disorder leads to end-stage renal disease, the patient must go on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant. The IgA protein, an antibody, is a normal part of the body's immune system, the system that protects against disease. It is not known what causes IgA deposits in the glomeruli. But, since IgA nephropathy may run in families, genetic factors probably contribute to the disease. Kidney disease usually is incurab

On September, 2003, I had a kidney biopsy to confirm my nephrologist's initial diagnostic findings. My biopsy required that I be confined in the hospital for 2 days. "Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. The diagnosis was done through a Renal Core Biopsy. The procedure did a Core Needle Biopsy of my Left and Right Kidneys and my clinical diagnosis revealed that I had T/C IgA Nephro. Diagnosis: IgA Nephropathy. As I recall, the procedure went like this: I was locally, anaesthesized first on my left lower back, vicinity of the kidneys. Though groggy with anesthesia I could here the doctors talking about the difficulty of getting the sample tissue from my left kidney. And so this time they decided to try my right. No go. It went on that way two more times on each kidney. But my kidneys were “slippery”? On the 7th and 8th incision they

This examination was performed with me sitting down, with pulse clips on my fingers, and with a tiny camera coming into my mouth down to my esophagus and the stomach. I was half sedated because passing something solid and foreign into the esophagus entailed quite a pain though bearable but then again with the feeling of wanting to continuously vomit. It is was a really traumatic experience. But it had to be done. 1. Performed by means of olympus GIF 2T240 under IV sedation (Dormicum 2.5 MG/IV ***ASA Class) 2. Esophagus - normal mucosa down to the GE junction which is at 38 cm level coinciding with an intact Z line 3. Stomach lumen is empty with intact rugal folds Erosions noted in antrum Scope is tightly hugged by the cardia on retroflexed view Pyloric ring is oval and distensible with good pyloro-antral peristalsis Rapid urea test for H Pylori was done. (Negative result) 4. Duodenum - multiple white based ulcers measuring each to less than 0.5 cm (junction of D1 and D2

Erosive gastritis was one of the three ailments they found through my endoscopy. Erosive gastritis , exfoliative gastritis that in which the gastric surface epithelium is eroded. Chronic or acute inflammation of the stomach, especially of the mucous membrane of the stomach. This I had too. Hiatal Hernia Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity through an opening of the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. This opening usually is large enough to accommodate the esophagus alone. With weakening and enlargement however, the opening (or herniation) can allow upward passage or even entrapment of the upper stomach above the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia also causes symptoms of discomfort when it is associated with a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD . This condition is characterized by upwelling of stomach acids and digestive enzymes into the esophagus through a weakened sphincter that is suppose

My CLO Test or my Urea Breath Test was found NEGATIVE. What is a CLO Test? It is a test to determine if a person has had H pylori. Helicobacter pylori or H pylori is a gram negative micro aerophilic curved bacillus with an affinity for human gastric mucosa. Acquisition occurs with age at a rate of 0.5-1% per year. Studies have shown it to be present in up to 100% of patients with duodenal and gastric ulceration, up to 94% of patients with gastric cancer, 92% with gastric lymphoma and 92% of patients with active chronic gastritis. It has been associated with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Eradication of the organism leads to the disappearance of gastritis and has been shown to significantly reduce the relapse rate of duodenal ulcer disease. The one year relapse rate for duodenal ulcer treated with conventional acid suppression, is as high as 80% but can be reduced to almost zero with successful eradication of the organism, thus modifying the natural history of the disease. Regression of low gr

Wouldn't it make you feel better about yourself if you make others feel good instead of being totally honest about how you really feel about them? Cheers!

My first hospital procedure: endoscopy of my gastro testinal tract . After the endoscopy, cytology was needed because it was an additional means to clearly and diagnostically indicate what was ailing my digestive organs. Cytology , more commonly known as cell biology, studies cell structure, cell composition, and the interaction of cells with other cells and the larger environment in which they exist.

This was the day Chuchi my friend, and I went to Antipolo City to visit the image of the Virgen of Antipolo. It has been a long, long time that I wanted to see HER. Ayat, another friend of mine used to coax/cajole me to make the trip. I don't really understand why I was not able to find the time to go. Perhaps, I am not feeling very well these days. Meaning I do not feel too good about myself. Angsty. You see, when I am really down all I do is chant the name of Jesus and the Virgen Mary. I pray the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary. It never really fails me. I feel better after the ritual. Today, I decided to go and so here we are on our way there. The trip wasn't long or uncomfortable at all. Sure, it was 2:00 in the afternoon. The ultra violet rays were piercing through the skin. We were getting sun baked. From where we stood, a lot of passenger jeepneys were plying to the SIMBAHAN. The trip was exhilarating actually. Lots of trees and nature ambiance along the way. Except

Another test given to me was the ANA test.It yielded a negative result which was good for me. What are antinuclear antibodies? We normally have antibodies in our blood that repel invaders into our body, such as virus and bacteria microbes. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are unusual antibodies, detectable in the blood which has the capability to bind to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. The nucleus is the innermost core within the body's cells and contains the DNA, the primary genetic material. ANAs are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. Antibodies that are directed against one's own tissues are referred to as auto-antibodies. The propensity for the immune system to work against its own body is referred to as autoimmunity. ANAs indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity and provide, therefore, an indication for doctors to consider the possibility of autoimmune illness. The ANA test

To test if my liver was okey, I was given a Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAq). Result: non reactive. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): A negative or non reactive result indicates that a person has never been exposed to the virus . Or has recovered from acute hepatitis and has rid themselves of the virus (or has, at most, an occult infection). A positive (or reactive) result indicates an active infection but does not indicate whether the virus can be passed to others. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a protein antigen produced by HBV. This antigen is the earliest indicator of acute hepatitis B and frequently identifies infected people before symptoms appear. HBsAg disappears from the blood during the recovery period. In some people (particularly those infected as children or those with a weak immune system, such as those with AIDS), chronic infection with HBV may occur and HBsAg remains positive. Sometimes, HBV goes into “hiding” in the liver and other cells and does not

Complement 3 Test (From Serum) The test results went okey and my results were found normal as opposed to Negative which is bad.

The year was 2002. To get sick with a life threatening illness gave me a devastating feeling of mortality, I had never known before. When I discovered that my kidneys were very sick, my digestive organs suffering from erosion, my thyroid malfunctioning and my gynecological instruments not well, I almost lost every sense of meaning. Hopelessness totally enveloped my existence. Nothingness, as in nothing meant anything. Difficult as it was, I began my journey towards finding out for real why my body has almost given up on me.

A comforting companion when you need to check into the hospital for whatever reason. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul. He guides me through the right paths for His name's sake. Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are beside me: your rod and staff comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of my foes, You anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing. Goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life, I shall dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live". Psalm 23