Fever & Flu

Last week my husband caught the flu virus. Despite the prevention, it hit hard on him. He went on leave from work most of the week, he reported though last Tuesday, but I guess it just made it worst. He was better on Friday and was forced to go to work since it was collection day.

I thought everything was ok on Friday but when I went home for lunch, my two home companions came rushing telling me that Leon was having fever. Oh no, not my baby!!! My 3 year old son never got sick, only now. No matter how calm I tried to be, deep inside I was going nuts. Lots of what ifs were going through my mind. Sent message to my husband via SMS about our son's condition. He felt bad, had guilt feelings as he felt he brought the virus to our house.

I instructed both companions to watch over both kids, one to closely monitor Leon's temperature while the other one to observe Maia as she might be the next one to get sick. My biggest fear is that Leon's fever might develop into Dengue fever which has high occurrences in some areas in the metro.

Good thing, Leon's fever gradually went down and was out of fever late in the evening. Maia, on the other hand, was spared by the virus. The next day, I thought I was next, it was false alarm though, I was having migraine instead :(

In spite of what happened, I am thankful that the family is generally healthy. Now I know that I am on the right track in terms of taking care of my family.

I try hard not to depend on medicines to relieve me from any sickness, thus I practice a balanced diet - I make sure that whatever it is being prepared for every meal is paired with a vegetable dish. Specially with the kids, I regularly remind all of us at home to drink enough fluids everyday, not just to keep us hydrated but to aid in flushing out harmful elements in the body. I also make it a point to serve fresh fruits for the family specially to our son who is now more exposed to harmful agents. Did you know that fruits are best eaten when they are in season? Fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals, citrus fruits are high in vitamin C which are good to combat common colds and flu.

To be extra careful though, our children consumes a vitamin C product prescribed by their pediatrician, while I take in Fern C. My husband was pessimistic about the product but after he got sick while I didn't, he now takes the supplement but not yet on a regular basis. I also give our household companions their supply of this vitamin supplement. Good thing they're having good chemistry with it.

It is worth keeping in mind, prevention is always better than cure.

Gallbladder Polyps

I've never heard of gallbladder polyps until recently, my brother was diagnosed to having it. I've heard of gall stones so many times but not gallbladder polyps. He is going through various laboratory procedures before undergoing operation.

Gallbladder polyps, as explained by his doctor is an uncommon findings for his age range, normally it occurs mostly in men aged between 60-70 years old. Even for this age group, gallbladder polyps is relatively an uncommon sickness or problem if I may call it.

There are different types of polyps that may occur in the gallbladder but the most common is the Polypoid Cholesterolosis. This is often multiple small filling defects and does not become malignant or cancerous. The polyp that forms in the bladder is made from excess amounts of cholesterol and are associated with gall stones. Before, I only knew that excess cholesterol affects the heart, one of the body's major organs. But learning about the disease now, excessive cholesterol also hurts the gallbladder.

As advised by his doctor, he will have to undergo operation to remove his gallbladder. For normal people, the tendency is for us to freak out since it'll be a major operation. Yes, though it's going to be a major operation, this should not make us worry. As what I've learned in college and in some articles I've read, gallbladder is one of the human body's accessory organs.

Accessory organs are organs which we can do without, meaning we can still live a normal life without any of them, unlike of course the major organs of the body. Though, of course, accessory organs do have their roles in the body, God wouldn't put it in there for no reason at all. Gallbladder serves as storage for bile being secreted by the liver. Bile is used in the small intestine to help in the breakdown of fats in the meals we consume. Another function of the bile is it helps remove toxins from the liver.

With the absence of the gallbladder and even with the presence of it, learning about this disease, we should be more disciplined in our eating habits, not just what we eat but when and how often we eat and how we eat the food that we eat, geared towards a more healthy lifestyle.

After the operation, though, the polyps are still going to be examined. We're just hoping that the type of gallbladder polyps that occurred to my brother is not the cancerous one.

Belle de Jour Power Planner

Belle de Jour Power Planner was introduced to me by me friend who suggested it to be in my wish list during our barkada's 2008 Christmas exchange gift. Since then I loved having one, the next year, it was the only one in my wish list. Although for this year, I bought my 2010 BDJ Power Planner.

The Belle de Jour Power Planner helps women in balancing her career and personal life. It definitely guides me in my daily time management, my near future events and goals. The tips, be it on beauty, fashion, lifestyle, travel and career, are useful and the the discount coupons are really worth some savings!

One speciality I appreciate with the Belle de Jour Power Planner is the advocacy of the people behind the Belle de Jour, making us truly a woman with substance.

Every year the planner improves - I hope for 2011, BDJ will cater IT girls who are also a wife and a mom :)

Cheers to all those behind Belle de Jour!

My Starbucks Tumbler

Every morning in the office, I go through my daily early morning chores of cleaning my personal stuff, one of which is my Starbucks tumbler.Today, I've noticed that my tumbler had some water marks, literally water marks. Looking at it closer, I come to realize that this tumbler has been with me for quite sometime already...10 years I guess.

...something to be proud of, I believe. It has gone through numerous bumps and falls and yet here it is, serving me both hot or cold drinks, whichever I prefer.

I had it a few months after I got hired on my first job, with the salary I had that time, Starbucks tumblers cost some fortune. Eventually, I got my sister and brothers one each of the starbucks tumblers but of different designs. My husband got his when we were still dating - the black classic design.

Looking back and realizing that it's still with me up to now, it was worth the price!

Now I know what to give my mom and mom-in-law this Christmas!

Pacman vs. Hitman

Metro Manila, Quezon City in particular has been my home for more than thirty years now. I've come to live with the hustle bustle of the metro, the traffic in particular has already been a part of my daily schedule, despite the negativities of "traffic", like anybody else who has lived in Manila came to adapt with it.

Sometimes, when I get stuck in traffic and dreading the moment, I often think, when will Metro Manila be free from traffic?

Yesterday, I got the answer to my hanging question...

May 3, 2009 streets of Metro Manila was evidently traffic free! Why? Because of the Pacman-Hitman fight!

I'm not so much of a Pacquiao fan, I haven't watched any of his fights but yesterday, I really didn't have any choice because all member of the household was watching, so I did watch the fight and I may say, Pacquiao fights well, something a Filipino should be proud of.

In fairness, thanks to him for making Metro Manila traffic-free even just for a day :)

flip flops

As mentioned in my previous blog (25 things about me), I'm fond of footwear (...and bags). Footwear ranging from flip flops, casual to sexy to formal footwear.

I'm more for open pair of shoes... it's more relaxing on my foot. I'm also on the practical side in buying shoes or any footwear for that matter. Of course I go for the more reasonably priced pair. Over-priced footwear especially flip flops can't be found in my list of 'things to buy'. Although, I have to admit, I really want to own a pair of a famous brand of flip flops, I just can't get over it's price!

Until two weeks ago, I got a gift certificate for free from Ipanema! (another brand of footwear mostly sandals and slippers). I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of their new line of footwear the Ipanema GB seed collection. The launch was for its support to Haribon Foundation's ROAD to 2020 project. In which part of the sale of each pair of the GB seed collection will be for the benefit of the said project.

The gift certificate allowed me to get a pair of Ipanema flip flop of my choice. Yahoo!

Incidentally, ELRO Corporation, the distributor of Ipanema had an event last Saturday entitled "Walk the Green Mile", a walkathon event that would kick off their support to Haribon's reforestation (rainforestation) project. To make the event more fun and exciting, the organizers gave 50 free pairs of the GB seed collection. Since we came in early and was one of the first to register, me and my 2 nieces were able to get a free pair and since I already got one, I gave my stub to my mom who was with us during the event.

We are really thankful to Ipanema and ELRO for giving us the chance to experience the comfort of a quite expensive pair of slippers!

Likewise, cheers to Ipanema and ELRO for the support they give to different beneficiaries, for this year Haribon Foundation and its advocacy of conservation and protection of the remaining natural Philippine forest!

This pair I got for my mom :)