Last Day of Work

Hey, I'm back and today is extra special.

August 15, 2022, is our last official work day at CvSU. It has been more than 35 years since I started my journey here. On this day, I have mixed emotions and I would like to share the top three in my mind:

First, we make plans but the Lord directs our paths. I did not dream of becoming a teacher but the Lord brought me here. I did not aspire to be an administrator but designations came, from the department level to top management. "Kaya pala" as long as we have full support from all concerned. We originally planned to retire when I reached the age of 60 years old but retirement came earlier for me to have less work-related stress and focus on my health condition.

Second, there are always challenges along the way which are surmountable. Stress can make or break us. We must always keep our priorities in check. In the end, it's all about our choices and their consequences.

Last but not least, I am deeply grateful to Cavite State University for the opportunities given to me, to the top management for their trust and confidence in me, to my mentors for their unselfishness in honing my knowledge and skills, to my peers for the support and cheers, and to my students for giving me a chance to mentor them. Of course, I am forever grateful to the wind beneath my wings - my family and friends. Thank you very much!

I may be retired but not tired, just re-tired! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Going Through Hemodialysis

Since my AV fistula surgery in November 2020, I had monthly labs and consultations with my nephrologist. She would often ask me if I was ready for hemodialysis (HD) to which I replied "Not yet". I looked stable but this time, the symptoms were more evident. I continued to lose my appetite, even experienced vomiting sometimes, found it hard to sleep at night, and easily got tired because I had become anemic.

My creatinine and BUN kept on increasing. When I asked my doctor at what crea level should I start my HD, she said that it would depend on the patient. She had one with a creatinine of 10+ and still appeared stable. My crea then was at 7.3, the upper limit is 1.7 mg/dL. My AV fistula was very much ready (9 months before it was used).

On August 6, 2021, my crea hit 10.3 and my BUN was 267, the upper limit is 45 mg/dL. Toxins had been accumulating in my body and the symptoms kept manifesting. I knew I would be the one to suffer so I finally decided to start my HD.

On August 30, 2021, after my usual labs, x-ray,  and hepatitis screening, I started my HD. I underwent HD for three consecutive days at short periods for the first week and for the succeeding weeks, I had the 4-hour sessions twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday. From the arterial point of my AV fistula, an average of 2.8 liters of blood was pumped into the dialysis machine and the filtered (clean) blood was returned to my body through the venous point of my fistula. With the removal of toxins and excess water in my body, I felt good after every HD session.

My CKD Story

January 2017

On Monday morning after the flag-raising ceremony at our university, my close friend told me that I lost weight and I should see my doctor. I promised to do so once we were done with our out-of-town workshop which I managed as the director for planning.

I had my regular blood tests and when my cardiologist saw the results, he advised me to see a nephrologist because my creatinine was above the normal range and there was protein (++++) in my urine.

February 2017

My new doctor requested a kidney and urinary bladder (KUB) ultrasound. The test revealed smaller than average-sized kidneys with diffuse parenchymal disease. Also, my creatinine, BUN, and uric acid values were all high. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension and nephrosclerosis, and advised to observe a low-protein, -salt, and -fat diet and refrain from engaging in strenuous exercises.

Why CKD? I had been hypertensive for the past 10 years and though I was careful with what I ate and my lifestyle, I was poor when it came to water intake. Since then, my crea and BUN kept slowly increasing and my labs and follow-up checkups became more frequent.

First Quarter 2020

It was sometime in this period when I noticed the "CKD secondary to hypertension Stage 4" indicated in my lab request form. I couldn't believe it because my nephrologist had never mentioned it to me.

Third Quarter of 2020

From Stage 4, it progressed to Stage 5. There was no turning back. It means the end stage of my CKD and I became a candidate for dialysis. My doctor advised me to have my arteriovenous (AV) fistula (a surgical connection made between an artery and a vein) ready.

November 26, 2020

I didn't want to undergo emergency dialysis by IJ catheter so I had my AV fistula prepared by a vascular surgeon at the Tagaytay Medical Center. It would take at least one and a half months before it could be used for hemodialysis.

My Mother's Daughter

I always thought that I was my father's daughter but somebody said that we are 60 percent of our biological mother. At the worship service this morning, our Pastor asked what we remember most about our mother. What did she always tell us when we were younger? It took me down memory lane. I couldn't remember the exact words. Senior moments?

I got my love for traveling from my Nanay. She brought a book, "Nations of the World", and it became my favorite book when I was in third grade. I read it from cover to cover, memorized all the nations and their capital, and learned their geographic locations.

Nanay also influenced me to be an active Girl Scout. I was in fifth grade when I participated in a provincial camp, sixth grade in a regional camp at Mt. Makiling, second year in high school in a national camp in Naga City, and fourth year in high school in an Asia-Pacific camp in Novaliches, then a part of Quezon City.

My Nanay influenced my love for music, dancing, and cooking. She enrolled me in piano class when I was in third grade. She encouraged me to join our school's folk dance troupe and supported my performances. I was her assistant when she cooked at home, explaining to me the cuts and slices of meat and veggies for different menus, and in baking too.

I am who I am now because of my Nanay. She was not perfect. She had her flaws like all other mothers but she loved me dearly.

2 in 1 in White Beach, Puerto Galera

We were supposed to go to Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon. Almost there

but due to inclement weather, we had to turn around and think of option B. And there are two criteria: fair weather and seaside. And so we headed to Batangas City pier and sailed to White Beach, Puerto Galera.

Wish granted. I got to spend my 53rd birthday and 29th wedding anniversary with my family by the sea. What's in a sea, beach, or island? I'm not a swimmer but the sea is therapeutic, kind of a stress reliever for me. It also reminds me of the vastness of God's love and His awesome power.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to me. Your love never fails.