Hypertension Mantra

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

This was the message I got from G last May 14: Dearest Mahal, Happy Mother's Day! I know I am in no position to make it any happier than it is, because there is no means by which we could celebrate it. I do not even have a card for you since the orientation of my mind is to pay off the card- - so we can continue to use it. I am not writing this only because of the aspect of motherhood, but I have intended to also express the good and very happy life that we have built, despite the financial difficulties we have gone through, and continue to experience; time and again. As a mother, you have proven your worth beyond the children's expectations. While there maybe inadequacies you believe you have failed to fulfill, these have become non-issues as they grew up because of the unfolding of events that reflect the deep seated causes for the failure itself. Where it matters in their lives today, you have provided the genuine support and sincere understanding of their shortcomings as ch