When considering cosmetic surgery, insurance coverage is one of the most common concerns and is often the deciding factor in choosing whether or not to undergo surgery. If you want a breast reduction surgery, you're probably wondering whether your healthcare providers will cover the procedure. 

Cosmetic vs Medically Necessary Breast Reduction

Most health insurance plans don't cover any cosmetic surgeries, but they will cover reconstructive surgeries and medically necessary procedures. In some cases, a breast reduction is done for cosmetic purposes. You may feel self-conscious about your breast size and choose to undergo a reduction to increase your confidence in your figure. 

In other cases, breast size is linked to physical health issues, and surgery may be necessary to fix these problems. Many women have chronic back and neck pain because of their overly large breasts. Chronic pain can limit your mobility and seriously impact your quality of life. Large breasts often lead to poor posture, and this combined with the weight of the breasts can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness in the arms, hands, and fingers. 

Another common problem is rashes, infections, or inflammation underneath the breasts. Large breasts tend to trap moisture and heat, which can cause painful skin issues. Some women also develop permanent shoulder grooves where their bra straps sit because their breasts are too heavy for a bra to fully support. 

Other serious issues associated with a large breast size include exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, and chronic headaches. If you experience these symptoms, it's clear that a breast reduction is necessary to restore your health. Most insurance plans use these symptoms to differentiate between cosmetic and medically necessary breast reductions. However, it can still be complicated to have the surgery covered. 

How to Know If Your Insurance Will Cover Your Breast Reduction

The first thing you need to do is check if your health insurance lists breast reduction as an exclusion. If it does, your insurance will not cover the surgery. Fortunately, most insurance plans do not have an exclusion for breast reduction. This doesn't mean that they'll cover all breast reduction surgeries, but you have a chance of getting the procedure covered. 

Most insurance plans require that a certain amount of tissue be removed for the surgery to be covered. If less than this specified amount is removed, they believe that the breasts were not large enough to cause pain or health problems and that the surgery was only done for cosmetic purposes. 

The amount of tissue that needs to be removed varies based on the insurance company and plan. Some plans take your height and weight into consideration, and some specify an exact amount for everyone. Many insurance companies require that the surgery remove at least 500 grams of tissue to be covered. 

How to Get Your Breast Reduction Covered

If you believe that your insurance might cover your breast reduction, there are a few steps you should take. First, start documenting your symptoms. If you experience back or neck pain, posture issues, numbness, skin irritation, or any other problems because of your breast size, you should record when the symptoms started and whether they've progressed over time. 

If you've seen other medical professionals for these problems, try to get documentation of your visit. This includes massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors. You should also document other treatments you've tried for the health problems. Many insurance plans require that you try other treatments before surgery, so keeping track of everything you've tried to reduce your pain will be very helpful. 

Once you have some documentation of your symptoms, it's time to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. Your surgeon can identify posture issues or other problems and may diagnose you with symptomatic macromastia, which is the medical term for overly large breasts that cause chronic pain and other problems. This diagnosis is key for getting your insurance to cover the surgery. 

If your surgeon believes that your breasts are affecting your health, you can then reach out to your insurance company and request coverage. You and your surgeon will fill out paperwork and submit it to your insurance company, and they will hopefully approve the surgery. If they deny coverage, you can make an appeal. During this process, you'll have to supply extra documentation to your insurance company. You can get letters of support from other medical professionals, and your surgeon can give more information to your provider. 

All insurance plans are different, and some will cover breast reduction more willingly than others. If you want the surgery only for cosmetic reasons, it's unlikely that it will be covered. If you have documented health problems resulting from your breast size, you have a better chance. It can be time-consuming work to convince your insurance company to cover the surgery, but it's worth it to improve your quality of life. 

The doctors at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami provide breast reduction along with a wide variety of other procedures. Dr. Altman completed the prestigious Jerome P. Weber Fellowship before founding the Plastic Surgery Institute. Dr. Ghersi served as a faculty member in the plastic surgery department of the renowned Cleveland Clinic and completed an exclusive fellowship at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. Dr. Oeltjen was an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami before entering private practice. You can learn more about these doctors and their services here: www.psimiami.com.

This is a guest post.

Weight loss is hard, and it often takes months, if not years, to achieve your desired physique through diet and exercise. And even for the most strong-willed of people, the constant effort that weight loss entails often becomes taxing. For this reason, many people who want to lose weight are tempted by liposuction. But is liposuction a viable replacement for weight loss? First, it's necessary to examine some of the important differences between the two procedures. 

How Does Liposuction Differ From Weight Loss?

Often, people who work on losing weight talk about losing fat. While fat mass is technically lost when you lose weight, what many people don't realize is that you don't actually lose the fat cells themselves. The fat loss that happens when we restrict calories and/or exercise more involves lipolysis, or fat cells opening up and essentially spilling their contents. This is how your body accesses the energy stored in fat cells. When you don't eat enough calories to power yourself through the day, your body must turn to its energy stores--to fat--in order to get the energy it needs. 

While the fat cells stay put, once they have had their contents used by your body, they flatten. So while they still remain present, they take up significantly less space. This is how progressive fat loss over time makes you look smaller. 

Liposuction also can help you look smaller than you are, but the process is fundamentally different. Liposuction involves taking a thin tube, called a cannula, and inserting it under the skin. The cannula then "vacuums" fat from under the skin. Unlike in weight loss, this removes the fat cells themselves, which do not typically grow back. Thus, you might think of liposuction as a more permanent form of weight loss. 

Can I Just Get Liposuction Instead of Losing Weight?

It seems like a great idea--you could just undergo a brief surgical procedure and save yourself the effort and pain of weight loss, right? While this might sound plausible in theory, the reality is that liposuction is best reserved for target areas. For one, full-body liposuction, even if one could theoretically afford it, would cause too much tissue trauma. 

The majority of plastic surgeons advise patients to be at or near target weight before undergoing liposuction. For many, even when you're at your target weight, "problem areas" still persist. The best way to go about weight loss and liposuction is to lose what you can on your own and then use liposuction to reduce stubborn fat. For many people, this stubborn fat is on their stomachs, love handles, or upper arms. 

You might wonder whether you can simply get liposuction on known problem areas before losing weight. This is theoretically possible, but undergoing liposuction would first create an unbalanced and unnatural-looking physique. And if your doctor can't see the proportions of your ideal physique, he or she may over- or underestimate the amount of fat they need to remove. 

Of course, if you think you are close to your ideal physique and are ready to undergo liposuction, having a consultation with a plastic surgeon can help you determine whether or not you have lost enough fat to be a great candidate. Plastic surgeons take great pride in their work, and they also are committed to helping you become more confident, so chances are good that they'll be honest with you. Your surgeon might say you're ready for a procedure, or they may recommend you lose a little more fat on your own before undergoing liposuction. 

How Do You Know If You're a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

As noted above, the best candidates for liposuction are typically at their target weight (or close to it). However, there are some other considerations to bear in mind, too. It's vitally important that you have realistic expectations about the procedure and what it can do for you. Many plastic surgery practices offer visualizations--these technologies take a photo of you and then show you the estimated result of your plastic surgery. While the result may not be exact, it should give you a general idea of what to expect. 

Of course, if you are planning on undergoing a liposuction, being in good general health is a must, as is understanding the healing process. Because of the initial swelling after the procedure, some patients panic and worry the procedure didn't work. However, particularly if you are committed to icing and resting the area, as well as wearing compression gear if needed, the swelling will usually go down sooner. 

In your initial surgical consultation, make sure that you are honest with your surgeon when it comes to your expectations for the procedure. Your surgeon can explain to you whether your expectations can be realistically addressed with your chosen procedure, and he or she also can answer any questions you have. Plastic surgery is often a collaborative experience, so having an open dialogue with your surgeon is a must. 

Ready to Get Started?

If you have never had a cosmetic procedure done before--or even if you have--making the decision to undergo a liposuction procedure might seem like a daunting one. However, for many, this is a decision that helped them become happier and more confident. If you are looking into liposuction and are in or near New York or Chicago, Doctors Plastic Surgery may be the practice for you. This practice has the benefit of being staffed by a team of surgeons so you can find a doctor who specializes in the type of surgery you need. And since Doctors Plastic Surgery is committed to helping everyone achieve the body they want, this practice offers affordable prices for high-quality procedures. 

This practice offers periodic specials, and they also offer financing, which can save you from putting your procedure on a high-interest credit card. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, or if you just want to know more about the practice, visit their site today at www.doctorsplasticsurgery.com.

This is a guest post.

Do you have balance problems, or suffer from dizziness? Do you feel extreme nausea or an aversion to bright lights? These could be symptoms of labyrinthitis, an inner ear infection that can be severely debilitating and can even lead to hearing loss. If you think that you may have labyrinthitis, it's important that you seek expert medical help at the earliest opportunity. This can alleviate the symptoms, and lead to a quicker recovery. Here are four facts about labyrinthitis:

What is Labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is so called because it is a condition that causes inflammation of the inner ear canal, an area of the body known as the labyrinth. Because the labyrinth is inflamed, it can't function as it usually would. As one of the labyrinth's duties is to regulate balance, it typically produces a lack of balance or coordination, along with severe and prolonged spells of dizziness.

The Causes of Labyrinthitis

The most common cause of labyrinthitis is an infection – usually viral. It can also occur as the result of a head trauma, an allergy or reaction to medicine, or as a side effect of extreme stress. It is often the case that labyrinthitis follows an upper respiratory tract infection or flu. As the early symptoms of labyrinthitis can be flu-like, some patient may think that they are still suffering from that initial condition.

Sufferers of labyrinthitis may feel very ill and have difficulty in carrying out their everyday functions. Appearance-wise, however, they may not look any different, except when their balance problems become apparent. It is effectively an invisible illness, and this can bring added difficulties to the sufferer. Some people have difficulty in perceiving that an invisible illness can be severe, so sufferers may be made to feel that they are making the illness up or exaggerating the effects of their condition. This can result in sufferers feeling isolated or even more stressed. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of labyrinthitis can provide support and information that will help you cope with this. 

Labyrinthitis may resolve spontaneously after a few weeks, but it may also linger or re-occur for long periods afterward. This is one reason that it's essential to get expert medical help. There is also the possibility that the condition can cause long-term or permanent damage to the balance and auditory system.

One form of treatment is designed to restore balance control, this is known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The sufferer will follow a series of carefully implemented exercise, designed to retrain the brain's balance function. These can include concentrating on a fixed point while moving the head from side to side, or movements that are designed to create dizziness and eventually reduce the negative vestibular reactions that they would usually cause.

Antibiotics can also be prescribed to fight any infection or virus that is causing the labyrinthitis, whilst other drugs can prove useful if administered early enough. If you have any symptoms of labyrinthitis, you should contact your ear, nose and throat doctor today.

Vertigo, dizziness, or a spinning sensation can be very frightening. If you have been suffering from disorders of the hearing and balance system, the professionals at the Becker Ear, Nose & Throat Center can provide specialized care that is tailored for you. Get the help you need, visit their website now at https://www.beckerent.com.

This is a guest post.

#AAPMmusings: Greenfield District Celebrates its Milestone in Integrated Future-proof Development (Photo Credit: Zitan | Greenfield District

Like everyone else, living in our own home is our family's dream. Who wouldn't love having our own abode together in a location where the things that we want for a home and environment are found? Investing in a home is a serious business because our hard-earned money and all the aspects that can benefit us are at stake.

If you are going to ask me, I prefer to invest in a condominium due to its "lock and go" feature. Despite paying for monthly association dues, what I like best about living in it is having the capability to enjoy its COMPLETE amenities that are close to what we see in hotels. The idea that it's SAFE which follows high-security standards executed by well-trained security guards 24/7 creates an environment that promotes peace of mind. There is no need to worry that burglars, criminals, or other persons with bad intentions intrude the place. Furthermore, safety would mean that the environment is clean to avoid acquiring disease-causing bacteria, peaceful with no crime incidents that make the place suitable to walk at even during night time, and not fire or flood-prone to avoid losing and damaging properties. Added to these, the building structure should also be developed by a trusted developer, thus having a guarantee that it shall not be destroyed easily when an earthquake or any disaster comes.

Our family commutes. Living in a home ACCESSIBLE to public transportation like cabs, jeepneys, trains, etc. establishes convenience, making us go anywhere and anytime we want. Presence of restaurants, schools, hospitals, church, payment centers, supermarket, banks, malls, police station, government offices, and other important institutions within the periphery is a plus point for us but should not keep us from being CLOSE TO NATURE.

I believe that there are condominiums out there that are still AFFORDABLE despite offering the above-mentioned specifications. Just recently, I've learned the vision of Greenfield Development Corporation that suits our family's needs when it comes to condo-living.

If having a sickly family member or a loved-one being admitted in the hospital is unusual, I guarantee that if it happens all of a sudden, it can cause panic especially if you don't have someone to depend on. Preparing for the things to bring can take time if you are not used to it. As an experienced hospital companion of a sickly family member, preparing for it takes me less than thirty minutes. My mom would always say whenever it happens, "Anak, kabisado mo na lahat ng dadalin, ha?"

Indeed, packing for things to bring in the hospital is quick and easy for me and it's not easier said than done unlike to some people. To help you ease your worries as you plan to admit a sick family member in the hospital, I have here a Hospital Bag Checklist for an Adult Patient.

• Patient's Valid ID
• Philhealth Card
• HMO card
• Cash
• ATM card

Make sure to bring your very own IDs and cash too. Unlike before, the hospital billing section will not ask you to acquire Philhealth's Membership Data Record (MDR), a form that shows your number of contributions from your employer. It is already available online. If you are employed, just in case that the record shows that your employer is non-compliant in remitting your Philhealth contributions, the hospital is going to ask you to acquire a Claim Signature Form (CSF) to be accomplished by your employer's Human Resource Department with an attached Certification of Philhealth Contribution. Hope and pray that your employer is compliant so that it will be less hassle for you.

• Pen
• A pair of scissors or Swiss knife

It pays to be ready when you need to fill-up or cut something.

• Bath soap
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Tissue Paper
• Wet wipes
• Cotton buds
• Shaver
• Nail cutter
• Comb or hairbrush
• Foot powder/spray (to keep your feet dry and non-sweaty)
• Deodorant
• Rubbing alcohol
• Facial wash (optional)
• Baby Oil (optional)

• Moisturizer
• Lotion
• Lipbalm

Staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time makes your skin and lips dry. Keeping them moisturized all the time is a must.

• Feminine wash, sanitary pads, and panty liners 
• Small makeup kit

If you and the patient are females, sickness or taking care of the patient should not hinder both of you to look good and fresh during the entire stay. Your makeup kit must have the basics: tinted lip balm, moisturizing lipstick, tinted moisturizer or pressed powder, brow comb, facial skin care aids, etc.

• Medicine kit (multivitamins, any existing maintenance medications) including a thermometer

• Hot pack
• Urinal or bedpan (if you already kept the one you purchased from a previous hospitalization)
• Small basin 
• Extra blanket or pillow (if the hospital allows)

Bring your own so that you avoid paying an extra charge. If the patient is under a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), miscellaneous items are not included in your privileges.

• Electric kettle 

It's very useful especially when the room bathroom has no heater. You can also heat water for the hot pack.

• Hand Soap preferably liquid soap with dispenser
• Dishwashing Liquid and sponge
• Detergent

• Lysol/Disinfectant 

This is very important when the patient is highly contagious. You may use this to disinfect your bathroom/toilet/sink.

• Towels (2pieces) 
• Face Towels (2 pieces)
• Hand Towel
• Kitchen towel (to dry the dishes)

I recommend AquaZorb or microfiber towels because they are absorbent and very easy to dry. You may wash them with detergent at night and hang them to dry inside the hospital room and surely they become dry overnight.

• At least four sets of comfy clothes (basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments, underwear, trousers/pants/shorts)

Bringing four sets of comfy clothes for you and the patient is already good for a week or less. Just in case that you stay in the hospital for too long, most hospital peripheries have coin-operated laundromats where you can load, leave, and get your clothes for washing for at least one and a half hours. Why do I recommend bringing a basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments? Aside from being cool and comfy, x-ray machines detect buttons and embellishments. The radiological technologist will not instruct the patient to take off his or her shirt when he or she is wearing a basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments.

• Slippers

Use slippers while staying inside the hospital room and your shoes when you go out. It lessens the possibility of acquiring nosocomial infection and bringing in more dirt and germs from the outside.

• Plate, fork, spoon, bowl, cup, reusable food container with a lid (at least 2)

Bringing your own reusable food containers, plates, and utensils are handy for leftovers or when you order food from the hospital canteen or nearby food stores to lessen waste disposal.

• Crackers
• Bread
• Granola bars
• Fruits
• Potable Water

You will become very busy as the patient is admitted. Having your own food (those who doesn't stale easily) and water with you at the moment can keep you nourished and hydrated. Most hospitals have their own hot and cold water dispensers in their respective nurse's stations but it is best to have your own potable water with you. I don't recommend that you bring energy drinks, coffee or caffeinated drinks to keep you awake. Drink lots of water instead or do some stretching exercises when you feel lethargic. Please refrain from bringing salty, too sweet, or junk food. You have to keep yourself healthy by eating the right food and rest while the patient is resting or sleeping to regain your strength.

• Cellphones
• Chargers
• Powerbank
• Extra prepaid load 

Means of communication must be ready all the time.

To organize your things per category, you may use pouches or zip locks to locate them easily. For bulky items that won't fit pouches and zip locks, you may place them in huge eco or reusable bags. Place all these except IDs and other personal items (make-up kit, tissue, wet wipes, cash, ATM) in one to two huge bags. Refrain from bringing a lot of small bags to carry because you are assisting a patient. Bring two extra eco or reusable bags to have something to use to place your dirty clothes, even if you plan to have them laundered in the nearby laundry shop or just to store them, and items when you have a quick trip to the supermarket, drugstore, or market when you already lack supplies. 

Take note:

• Bringing travel-sized items saves you from carrying bulky and heavy bags. 

• It is expensive to attend to a sick relative or family member but doesn't ever, ever settle for anything less. Buy food from a reputable source and liters of purified water from the nearby convenience store or supermarket to avoid getting sick too and creating more problems.

• Purchase medicine from a reliable drugstore in case that the hospital doesn't carry the specific brand that the doctor prescribed. If you are under an HMO, request for a "special purchase" because all the medicines prescribed except multivitamins which to be consumed within the patient's period of confinement is shouldered by the HMO. It saves you from spending more.

• The tips that I've mentioned above is made specifically for patient companions who have no relatives or someone to depend on. Like for example, your husband gets hospitalized, you have a very young child to take care of and nobody is going to do that for you, make sure to bring his clothes and needs, a few of his favorite toys or books to keep him busy while you do your wife duties.

After I discovered and experienced the gentleness and effectiveness of Betadine Fresh Bliss Feminine Wash, its first two variants, Pink Paradise and Lavender Dreams, become both my favorites. They smell good and I never experience itchiness and stickiness down there when I use any of them. I am also confident that my intimate area is protected from bacteria and fungi longer due to their antibacterial properties. 

Just recently when I visited the Mercury Drug branch near the hospital where Paps was confined, I bought a small bottle of Betadine Fresh Bliss Feminine Wash because I forgot to bring the one that I was using at home. This time, I got curious with one of its new variants, Betadine Fresh Bliss Odor Control Witch Hazel, which I really, really started to love. 

It's inevitable that sweat from my daily activities and certain foods that I eat can lead to undesirable feminine odor, thus making me conscious and uncomfortable. Like other women, this is also my hygiene concern. Then true to its claims, Betadine Fresh Bliss Odor Control Witch Hazel, keeps my intimate area fresh and protected from undesirable feminine odor longer! 

How is it possible?

Betadine Fresh Bliss Odor Control Witch Hazel is exclusively designed for effective odor control because it contains naturally extracted Witch Hazel from the Hamomelis virginiana plant that has deodorizing properties. It also contains the unique TRI-CARE+™ formulation that provides daily protection from itch, odor, and stickiness. 

Aside from smelling fresh and clean down there, I know that Betadine Fresh Bliss Odor Control Witch Hazel is so safe because it's hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and gynecologically tested.

Betadine Fresh Bliss Odor Control Witch Hazel is effective, safe, and affordable too. It's available in three sizes- 60 ml (₱56), 150 ml (₱121), and 250 ml (₱154), suited for every budget.

Why don't you try and experience it yourself? You'll love it too. I swear!

Ang Pagsubok ay Parang Birthday (Photo Credit: Pixabay)

Mayo 28, 2018
2:04 ng umaga
Lunes
Lungsod ng Quezon

Paps,

Natulog ka na sa wakas. Salamat sa Diyos! Pwede na rin akong matulog pero tititigan muna kita habang gumuguhit ang tunog ng iyong malalim na paghinga at malakas na hilik sa tahimik na paligid. Batid kong hapo ka na sa pag-inda ng iyong sakit na nararamdaman mula pa noong Huwebes ng hapon.

Sakit ng kalamnan sa leeg... Simple lang pero pulang-pula ang iyong mukha sa sakit habang pinipilit mong humiga dahil pagod ka na at nais nang matulog ng mahimbing. Sa 20 taon nating magkaibigan at 14 na taong pagsasama bilang mag-asawa, ngayon lang kita narinig magreklamo at magmura dahil sa tindi ng sakit na sabi mo, parang pinupunit ang iyong buong katawan. Kanina habang inaasistehan kita, sinabi mo pa sa akin, "Sorry, Ma, inaalagaan mo pa ako. Matulog ka na." Hindi ko pinahalata sa'yo na namuo na ang luha sa aking mga mata. Kailangan kong maging matatag at panatilihing positibo ang pananaw na okay ka, lilipas din 'yan.

Sa tagal na nating magkakilala at magkasama, na halos kalahati ng ating buhay rito sa mundo, dalawang beses pa lang kitang nakitang lugmok sa sakit. Noong una, sabay-sabay tayong lahat na naospital sa loob ng tatlong linggo. Naging delikado ang lagay mo noon. Kung hindi tayo ulit bumalik sa ospital baka napaano ka na. Noon ko napagtanto na sadyang napakaigsi ng buhay. Dapat ilaan ang oras at ipakita ang pagmamahal sa mga taong mahahalaga sa buhay natin bago mahuli ang lahat. Doon ko rin napatunayan na talagang mahal na mahal kita higit pa sa buhay ko at napakaswerte ko na ikaw ang ibinigay sa akin ng Poong Maykapal bilang katuwang ko sa buhay. 

Ang bait-bait mo kasi. Totoo talaga ang kasabihang para makita mo kung gaano kabuti ang isang tao, tingnan mo kung paano niya ituring ang kanyang mga magulang at kapatid. Nakita ko kung gaano mo nirerespeto at minamahal ang iyong pamilya. Sadyang napukaw ang aking puso kung paano mo alagaan at pahalagahan ang iyong mga kapatid na babae. Kaya noon pa lang, alam ko na aalagaan mo rin ako at ilalagay sa pedestal gaya ng ginagawa mo sa kanila.

Akala nila mayabang ka pero ikaw ang isa sa pinaka-mababang loob na taong nakilala ko. Maliban sa mga nakamit mo sa iyong propesyon bilang guro at "published author", hindi mo kinakalimutan na ang mas mahalaga sa'yo ay kung paano mo huhubugin at mamahalin ang iyong mga mag-aaral higit pa sa ano mang karangalan at posisyon. Sinasabi mo lagi sa akin na ayaw mong umalis sa silid-aralan at masaya ka kapag binabalikan ka ng iyong mga naging estudyante. Dahil diyan, mas naging proud ako sa'yo. Hindi mo kinalilimutan ang dahilan kung bakit ka naging isang guro habang tinatahak mo rin ang iyong sarili at pampamilyang mga pangarap.

Sino ba ang mag-aakala na rito sa bahay, maasahan ka sa gawaing bahay lalo na sa pagluluto? Mas masarap at marunong ka pa ngang magluto kaysa sa akin. Sa kusina, ikaw na ang hari. Kahit hindi ko sinasabi, nagkukusa kang tumulong. Pati sa pag-aalaga ng ating mga anak mula nang maliliit pa sila, nandiyan ka palagi at walang sawang umaalalay sa akin. 

Mahalaga sa'yo ang pag-unlad ko bilang babae at propesyonal. Hindi mo ako pinipigilang gawin ang mga bagay na nagpapasaya sa akin bagkus ako'y iyong sinusuportahan. Lagi mong sinasabi, "Bakit ako mai-insecure kung kumikita ka rin? Proud nga ako kasi ang misis ko kayang tumayo sa sarili niyang mga paa. Kapag nawala na ako, alam kong kaya niyang buhayin ang mga anak namin."

Napakamaginoo mo. Kung ituring mo ako para akong reyna. Inaalalayan mo pa rin ako kapag sasakay tayo at bababa ng jeep, lagi ka pa ring gumagawi sa "danger side" kapag lumalakad tayo at tumatawid sa daan, nag-aalala ka pa rin at nagbibiling mag-ingat ako kung sakaling ako'y gagabihin ng uwi. Lagi kong sinasabi, ang haba ng buhok ko kasi kahit mag-asawa na tayo, hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. 

Hindi mo ako pinagbuhatan ng kamay kahit minsan. Hindi mo ako pinagsalitaan ng masasakit o binulyawan man lang kahit kailan. Kahit kung minsan mabusisi ako o makulit, pinagpapasensyahan mo lang ako at sasabihing, "Yes, Ma." Nakikinig ka sa opinyon ko at hindi mo sinasabayan ang "topak" ko. Pero alam ko kapag galit ka na kahit hindi ka nagsasalita. Kung magsalita ka man, may diin lang at may punto, ngunit hindi ka kailanman nagbibitiw sa akin ng maaanghang na salita. Ang taas ng respeto mo sa akin at ako rin naman sa'yo.

Sinasabi mo sa akin sa mga pagkakataong tayo ay may pagsubok, "Sorry, Ma, hindi mayaman ang napangasawa mo. Sana mas higit pa ang maibibigay ko sa'yo." 

Paps, hindi mo kailangang humingi ng tawad sa akin. Ang masayang pagsasama, ang binigay mo sa sa ating mga anak, ang pagiging responsable at mabuti mong asawa at tatay, ang pagiging mabuti mo sa iyong mga katrabaho, kaibigan, at sa mga mag-aaral na dumaraan sa'yo taun-taon, ang pagkakaroon mo ng talino at kakayanan para maging katuwang ko sa buhay at tatay sa ating mga anak, ang pagbibigay mo sa akin ng mababait na hipag at biyenan, ang buo mong pagkatao, lahat 'yan ay higit pa sa salapi. Ang salapi ay nahahanap dahil mapagtutulungan natin 'yan, pero ikaw ay itinuturing kong bilang kayamanan. 

Nagpapasalamat ako sa'yo, Paps, kasi ipinaranas mo sa akin kung paano ituring ng tama ng isang asawa. Ipinakikita mo sa ating mga anak kung paano maging isang mabuting asawa at tatay. Magpalakas ka, Paps, magsasama pa tayo ng hanggang tayo ay maging 100 taon pataas!

Tumutulo man ang luha ko ngayon habang sinusulat ko ito dala na siguro ng pag-aaalala dahil nasasaktan ako kapag nasasaktan ka ngunit alam kong ito rin ay luha ng kasiyahan. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, bumabalik ulit ang mga masasayang alaala nating dalawa at napapatunayan ko na hindi kita kayang mawala sa buhay ko kasi mahal na mahal kita. 

Tulug na tulog ka na, Paps. Maari na rin siguro akong matulog ng mahimbing. Naniniwala ako na mamaya okay ka na. 

----------

Mayo 31, 2018

5:33 ng hapon
Huwebes
Lungsod ng Maynila

Lunes ng umaga, pumunta ka na sa ospital at sumunod kami ni Bunso para ikaw ay bantayan. Ang sakit na iniinda mo sa leeg na iyong inilalarawan na parang pulikat ay dulot ng isang degenerative condition sa iyong spinal bone.

Habang nakikita kong halos mawalan ka na ng ulirat sa sobrang sakit sa loob ng apat na araw at tatlong gabi , para rin akong nauupos na kandila ngunit kailangang magpakatatag at maniwalang okay na ang lahat. Nasambit ko sa'yo, "Kapit lang, Paps. Lilipas din 'yan." Wala akong magawa kundi palakasin ang loob mo. Kung makukuha ko lang ang sakit na nararamdaman mo, gagawin ko.

Sabi nga sa wikang Ingles, "Claim it!" Dapat isipin na magaling na at okay ka na. Malaki ang naidudulot ng positibong pag-iisip at likas na kapanatagan ng loob sa oras ng pagsubok. Naniniwala ako na kung ano ang iniisip natin, 'yon talaga ang mangyayari. Napatunayan ko na 'yan sa mahabang panahon kaya alam kong hindi pa man nangyayari pero "magaling ka na".

Ngayon nga ay natapos na ang una mong sesyon ng Physical Therapy. Sabi mo mas bumuti na ang lagay mo. Naging maganda rin ang response mo sa tatlong pain relievers na iniinom at inilalagay sa swero mo. Salamat naman at makatutulog na tayong lahat ng mas maaga at mahimbing.

----------

Hunyo 1, 2018

9:31 ng umaga
Biyernes
Lungsod ng Maynila

Dahil maaga tayong nakatulog kagabi, maaga ring nagising si Bunso. Dahil husto naman ang tulog ko, hindi mabigat sa katawan ang bumangon ngayo't alam ko na hindi ka na rin masyadong nakararanas ng matinding pananakit ng leeg. Habang tinitigan kita sa'yong pagkakahiga, masaya ako na nakatulog ka na ng hindi nagagambala at dumaraing sa sakit.

Pagkaligo mo at ni Bunso, ginawa natin ang mga ehersisyo na tinuro ng iyong therapist kahapon. Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko nang iyong sinabi na medyo naiinda mo na ang sakit at dumalang na ang spasm na iyong nararamdaman. Nakaupo at nakatayo ka na rin ng maayos. Hindi mo dapat biglain. Relax ka lang. Alam kong malapit na malapit ka nang bumalik sa dati mong kalagayan at gawain. 

Ang dami mong iniinom na gamot maliban. Maski ako nalilito na. Ang kagandahan lang ng pangyayaring ito ay nalaman natin ng maaga ang iyong kondisyon habang hindi pa malala. Dahil sa 2D Echo, nakita na maayos ang iyong puso. Dahil sa MRI, nalaman na talagang may problema ang iyong spine kaya naman nagsimula ka ng gamutin at i-therapy. Hindi na pwedeng magbuhat ng mabibigat at magtrabaho ng tuluy-tuloy. Kailangang magpahinga at kumain sa oras. Dapat ibahin ang lifestyle at diet dahil magsasama pa tayo ng mahaba pang panahon.

Kaarawan ni Tatay ngayon. Tawagan mo sa siya. Maari mo na ring sabihin sa iyong mga kapatid ang iyong kalagayan ngayong hindi na masyadong malala para hindi na sila mag-alala. Mahal na mahal kita, Paps. Naluluha ako ngayon kasi maayos na ang itsura mo kumpara noong mga una nating araw rito sa ospital. Nakangingiti ka na at nakakapagbiro ng muli.

----------

Hunyo 4, 2018

12:57 ng tanghali
Lunes
Lungsod ng Maynila

Katatapos mo lang ng ikatlo mong PT session at kumain ng pananghalian. Sige, Paps, magpahinga ka na. Alam kong na-relax ka na. Dahil wala pang discharge order ang iyong duktor at kailangan pang i-monitor ang iyong blood pressure at sakit sa leeg, narito lang kami ni Bunso at hihintayin ka naming maging lubos na gumaling bago tayo umuwi sa ating tahanan.

Ang diagnosis ng iyong duktor na "Spondylosis, C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, T1-T2 with Degenerative Disc Disease", ay nangyari bunga na rin ng uri ng iyong trabaho bilang guro sa loob ng labinsiyam na taon. Lagi ka kasing nakayuko kapag nagbabasa at nagtse-tsek ng mga proyekto at test paper ng iyong mga estudyante. Lagi ka ring nagbubuhat ng mabigat at nakakaligtaang mag-stretching man lang dahil sa pagod sa trabaho at sa pagganap ng iyong tungkulin bilang ama at asawa. Ang iyong buto sa leeg ay naging tuwid dahil hinihila na ito ng matigas na kalamnan mo sa leeg. Kaya ka nagkaroon ng spasms. Buti nakuha naman sa gamot at PT. Mayroon pa ring pananakit at pakiramdam ng pamamaga sa iyong kanang leeg pero sabi mo nga nakatulong ng malaki ang PT at gamot. 

Kaya naman Paps, huwag ng magpupuyat, matulog ng maaga at sakto sa oras, huwag ng mag-uwi ng trabaho sa bahay para hindi ka na magbubuhat ng mabigat na bag, maging tama ang posture, mag-stretching sa pagitan ng trabaho, huwag matulog ng nakataas ang dalawang kamay sa may ulo, huwag matulog ng walang unan. Kapag nakaharap sa computer monitor o kaya nama'y nagbabasa, panatilihing naka-lebel sa iyong mga mata. Wala ka namang sakit sa puso at hindi ka naman diabetiko, pababain mo lang ang Uric Acid mo para hindi ka na nakararanas ng pananakit ng kasukasuan. Sundin ang diabetic diet na binigay ng nutritionist at maging conscious ka na sa iyong kalusugan para mas lalo ka pang maging malakas dahil magsasama pa tayo ng matagal. 

Tatlong araw na lang at uuwi na tayo. Ngayon ay isang linggo na tayo rito sa ospital. Sapat na pahinga, pag-inom ng mga gamot na binigay ng iyong duktor, at PT sessions pa habang tayo ay naririto. Okay lang, Paps, naiintindihan naman ni Kuya na tayo ay magtatagal pa. Nakabantay naman sa kanya si Loley. Mas mahalaga sa amin na maging lubos ang iyong paggaling bago ka muli bumalik sa iyong trabaho. 

Kung babalikan ko ang nangyari sa iyo noong isang linggo, sabi mo nga gusto mo ng bumigay kasi nakababaliw ang sakit na naramdaman mo. Salamat, Paps, hindi ka bumitaw. Sabi ko naman sa'yo, ang pagsubok ay parang birthday lang, dumarating at lumilipas din. Parte ng buhay ang magkaroon ng sakit o mga pangyayaring susubok sa iyong katatagan. Kung ano raw ang iniisip natin ay siyang mangyayari. Payapain mo ang iyong loob. Okay ka. Okay tayo. Okay ang lahat. Huwag ka ring magsabi sa akin ng "Sorry, Ma." Wala kang dapat ihingi ng paumanhin. Hindi mo gustong magkasakit. Hindi mo gustong mag-alala ako. Ganyan talaga. Hindi ba nangako tayo sa isa't isa na sa hirap at ginhawa ay magsasama tayo habambuhay? Hindi ako kailanman magsasawang alagaan at mahalin ka. Ang tanging hiling ko lang sa'yo ay samahan mo akong mabuhay pasulong. Huwag tayong bibitiw sa isa't isa. Mahal na mahal kita, Paps. Magpalakas ka para sa ating pamilya.

Ang Pagsubok ay Parang Birthday (Photo Credit: Pixabay)

----------

Hunyo 5, 2018

10:30 ng umaga
Martes
Lungsod ng Maynila

Dalawang tulog na lang ay lalabas na tayo rito sa ospital. Mahigit isang linggo na tayo rito. Kailangan lang nating maging tiyak na lubos ang iyong response sa gamot at Physical Therapy. Sa pangyayaring ito ay napakarami nating natutuhan, nadiskubre, at napagtanto.

- Ang ating si Bunso ay mas malaki na ang pagbabago sa kanyang pag-uugali. Mahaba na ang kanyang pasensya, mas may disiplina sa sarili, madali ng pagsabihan, at mas madali na siyang kasama sa mga lakaran. 

- Nalaman natin na malusog pala ang iyong puso, hindi mataas ang iyong asukal sa dugo, ngunit kailangan mong magkaroon ng "lifestyle modification" para mabawasan ang iyong timbang at hindi lumala ang degeneration ng iyong buto at hindi na maulit ang spasms at sakit sa iyong leeg.

- Tama ang kasabihang "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure". Kailangang alagaan ng kalusugan para hindi magkasakit at makaiwas sa maraming gastusin sa gamot o therapy at maabala sa trabaho o regular na pamumuhay.

Ang Pagsubok ay Parang Birthday (Photo Credit: Pixabay)

- Mahalaga talaga na mayroon tayong maaasahang pagamutan at HMO (The best talaga ang Maxicare!). Hindi na natin pinroblema ang pagbabayad ng bill sa ospital kundi kung paano ka na lang magpapagaling.

- Sa loob ng sampung araw na wala tayo sa ating tahanan ay napatunayan natin na kaya na ni Kuyang maging mag-isa sa tulong rin siyempre ni Loley.

- Sa mga sandaling ito, batid natin na maraming mga taong nagmamahal at nakaiintindi sa ating kalagayan. 

- Talagang ang pagsubok ay parang birthday lang, dumarating at lumilipas din. Kahit ang pagsubok ay masakit at makirot sa katawan man o damdamin ay dapat itong ipagdiwang. May mga bagay na natutuhan at napagtatagumpayan. Kailangang magkaroon ng positibo at bukas na pananaw sa mga bagay-bagay upang makapag-isip at mabuhay na tama.

- Ang lubos na pagmamahalan nating dalawa at pagtupad sa pangako na magsasama sa hirap at ginhawa, sa sakit man o kalusugan, hanggang kamatayan ay nanapatunayan na naman natin sa pagsubok na ito.

Ang Pagsubok ay Parang Birthday (Photo Credit: Pixabay)

My friends always ask me how I manage to stay sane after twelve years of being a stay-at-home mom. I tell them that within those years of ups and downs, I learn to choose and prioritize what truly matters. Over my personal concerns and aspirations, I always put my family first. To keep the household running smoothly and my loved ones keep going while attending to my freelancing responsibilities, I never stop learning, experimenting, and keeping in mind the things and practices that work for my family. 

However, no matter how mindful I am when it comes to my duties as a mom, it is inevitable that sickness sometimes inflict me or my family members. This is the situation that I really, really don't want. Sickness is part of life, as they say, but it disrupts the smooth flow of the household and family mechanics. It is more difficult especially when the family has no helper or relative to depend on to look after the kids or do important errands while parents attend to their sick child. It is most difficult when parents themselves are the ones who are sick. When kids get sick, they miss school attendance. Furthermore, catching up after recovery causes stress not just on the kids but the entire family as well. These scenarios, like in other families, have happened to us a few times already that's why having a sick family member or getting sick seems to be traumatic for me.

Speaking of keeping in mind the things and practices that work to keep the smooth flow of our family life which includes staying healthy and well, we rely on eating a balanced meal, practicing a regular exercise regimen, staying hydrated, avoiding food and activities that aggravate our health weaknesses, having the right sleep, and of course, taking the safe and effective supplements to enhance our sound well-being. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, isn't it? That's why in our home, taking Vitamin C is a staple part of our health practices. For Loley, Paps, and I, our most trusted Vitamin C brand is Fern-C while Bunso takes its version for young kids, Fern-C kidz.

I am a meticulous mom and I only want what's best for my family especially for my kids. "Silipin ang C" matters to me that's why I choose Fern-C kidz. Through the years, its reliability, quality, and safety remain the same. 

Fern-C kidz is Bunso's dependable daily immunity buddy, a quality Vitamin C with Zinc that helps improve immunity, has non-acidic Vitamin C that doesn't disturb his tummy's integrity, and has Quali-C seal that ensures superb quality. 

Fern-C kidz is a Sodium Ascorbate syrup for kids with the same Vitamin C used in Fern-C, the number one Sodium Ascorbate Vitamin C in the market today.

I noticed a big change in our family's health and wellness when we chose Fern-C kidz kaya hindi ito mawawala kailanman sa aming tahanan. Like our family, always "Silipin ang C". Have your kids take Fern-C kidz and you'll never go wrong. 

For more information, follow Fern-C kidz on Facebook.