on the Verge of

I will be transitioning to a low iodine diet starting today. This means that I have to avoid eating foods that are rich in iodine. It is quite a challenge to eliminate iodine since it could be found as trace minerals in some food. Not to mention, it is mostly found in foods I love to eat. Low Iodine Diet (LID) is typically prescribed to patients like me with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma who will undergo Radioactive Iodine therapy or scan. This is to starve any remaining thyroid cells of dietary iodine so that they will effectively absorb the radioactive iodine instead. Depends on the doctor's orders, diets usually last for one week or even a month before the actual intake of radioactive iodine. The goal is to simply reduce iodine intake to less than 50 mcg per day. I'm no expert when it comes to this as I'm only relaying whatever experience and medical research I've had so far. But since I'm having an upcoming scan this end-August, I wanted to consolidate all o...

A new month has arrived! I hope August is a more blessed, healthy, and fruitful month for all of us I was a bit anxious about the start of August. Well primarily because it's when I stop taking my hormones in preparation for my radioactive iodine scan by the end of the month. What does this mean for me? It means my energy levels will go low, I'll have more episodes of hypocalcemia, and I'll probably get fat because my digestive system is going to slow down as well. But I've had worse days I think. At least now I know what to expect so I can prepare ahead. I'm praying that this month will be filled with successes in work and personal life. I pray that my scan will show good results. I'm also praying for less Covid-19 infections and a possible vaccine that can eventually turn things for the better. Hello August 2020! Please be better to us ❤️

I've been obsessing recently on watercolors and watercolor painting. It is evidenced by my piling stock of tubes, palettes, pads, and brushes at home. Acrylic was my standard medium since high school but it can be quite structured and stiff. I recently started watercolor painting last year through a  Makoccino  tutorial in YouTube. Ever since then, I haven't stopped practicing and searching for new ideas to paint. So far, landscapes and silhouettes are my favorite subjects. I have yet to practice more on florals and people which I find quite difficult at the moment. Here are some of my works so far. Unlike acrylic, watercolor is flowy and flexible. It's relatively easier to manipulate in terms of gradient and layering. Each painting has given me so much joy and satisfaction. And I am grateful for the many artists online who are sharing techniques and tutorials for newbies like me. I can see myself painting more in the future, whether as a hobbyist or pr...

Hypocalcemia means having a very low level of calcium in the body. Calcium is not only important for bone development but for nerve and muscle function as well. And this is what my hypocalcemia looks like. How hypocalcemia feels like is a different story. On normal days, my hands or face would simply twitch randomly. But on not-so-good days like the photo above, I can't move my hands properly. My muscles would go stiff, folding my hand involuntarily. I would need to exert some effort just to open my hands or move my fingers. Occasionally, prolonged sitting or trips to the comfort room feel like there are pins and needles all over my feet. I have to move constantly to avoid the traumatizing pain of cramps. On worse days, I can feel the muscles tighten all the way to my stomach or chest. The worst was when I couldn't open my hands anymore, my were arms stiff, and my lips were pursing. It was as if my muscles were shrinking in, making it difficult to move. I had to be admitted to ...

I just finished reading Bo Sanchez' book, "How Your Words Can Change Your World". The anecdotes and reflectios in the book have captured and oftentimes moved me to tears. As I read a new chapter every morning, I feel my heart renewed and reassured in the Lord. Words can truly be powerful. What we think about and say to others dictate how we see and live our life. Words of faith, like that of our prayers, are not just words of affirmation. They channel God's power. As it is said in Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who choose one shall eat its fruit." That is why it's important that we use our words and declare our Faith to create our desired future. Now, I'm more mindful of my words and those of others. In my own way, I will be sharing some short declarations or positive statements in my FB page . I hope these words, when said and believed by many, may be enough to create a new future for us, especially amids...

I haven't posted any blog for a while. I've been trying to post more in my FB page but the recent craziness in the world has made it difficult for me to find time write here. At least for now, I can make a short post. So, how are you? The recent Covid-19 pandemic has sent the countries around the world in health emergencies and lockdowns. Despite many speculations of the virus' origin, the primary concern right now is how to combat the virus and save lives. And while it seems that those who are not directly infected by it are eager to stay at home, it's no easy feat. That is why I am writing and asking "How are you?". Truth is, staying at home for long periods of time is mentally stressful. We've been used to a routine in life like going to work, eating out, meeting with family or friends and many others. But the recent disruptions to this cycle have thrown our lives in chaos. There is tension in the air, panic buying everywhere, complaints here an...

I came across this quote and I immediately fell in love with it. It aptly describes how I felt back when I met my husband in Cebu four years ago. It's also very timely as Valentine's day is approaching. It's about taking chances in love even if there's a possibility of getting hurt, taking a risk despite the uncertainties that come with it. And in taking that chance and its risks, we find meaning and even perhaps love. To those who have fell in love and got hurt again and again, it's no easy feat. But if we can be open to love again, no matter how scary the possibility of being brokenhearted is, the fact we took the chance once more means we will never give up searching for the right person. And in my experience, along with those I knew who waited for quite a long time, God hears our prayers.