Another Crazy weather in Tagaytay

Yep, It's another crazy weather here in Tagaytay. Sun was up till about 5 minutes ago when it drizzled. Now Sunshine is back hehe

4th day on back on Meds

Today is the fourth day I'm back on Meds.

Woke up with another headache. This is alarming hehe I took a bath and went to hear mass again.

On my way to Buon Giorno, I bought two 500ml Gatorades and a Banana. After 15 minutes, I think it helped....again.

I think my body is still adjusting. As if hypho sluggishness is fighting my normal self hahaha

Homily

This morning I heard mass at the Pink Sisters Chapel.

I just want to share what the priest said during his homily ~ "Man have to learn how to Decrease, so that God will be able to Increase...."

Crazy weather in Tagaytay

What can I say, I LOVE the crazy WEATHER here in Tagaytay! One minute it was all Sunny and bright, the next minute it was rainning Cats and Dogs ~ reminds me so much of the Super Thypoon Ondoy that strucked the country last year- I was stranded here for two days then. And guess what, even before I finished composing this, the Sun was up and smilling again hehe

2nd Total Body Scan Test Results

Six days after taking the RAI Capsule, and 3 days after undergoing another total body scan, I have results of the test already:

INTERPRETATION:

Functioning Thyroid Remnants Limited to the Anterior Neck. NO EVIDENCE OF DISTANT THYROID CANCER METASTASIS.

Post RAI agenda - Relax, relax, relax

After my RAI treatment, I have one thing in mind- to Relax. That's why when I was discahrged last Monday afternoon, I drove all the way to Tagaytay :-) -So sorry to my friends for keeping this a secret. I really cannot compromise your safety. I know you will follow me if I tell you my exact location hehe that's why I decided to just tell my immediate family of my whereabouts. Following my Doctor's advice, I cannot be close to someone for more than an hour atleast for the next 5 days.

Why Tagaytay? Why not? hehe It has always been a special place for me. I love the weather! I love the food......I keep goin back to my favorite restos like Buon Giorno, Sonya's and Gourmet Cafe. I love the fresh Air. I love the picture perfect view of the Taal lake. I can go on and on and on hehe

Come 2012, I'll be 20-30 minutes close to this place.

So far I'm enjoying my stay here. Yes, I am relaxed. Thank you Lord!

2nd Day on Eltroxcin

It's another good day for me. I woke up early and I feel great......no more headaches and muscle cramps.

It's my second day to take my regular meds- 150mcg Eltroxcin. Weird because I'm too excited to take it. For the last 5 years, I feel taking this-aside from being a routine, has really no effect on me. Well now I know and I will never ever want to skip taking it hehe

I'm starting to feel several changes in my body:

- I'm slowly starting to have control of my tongue so hopefully I'll be able to speak normal again in no time - no more slurring.

- I started to have regular bowel movement

- Muscles are starting to loosen up....though they are still a bit stiff than usual.

I'ts good also that I decided to go out of town. Gives me time to think and relax.

Good is good....all the time.

Discharge Orders

Dr. M was here a while ago. I'm officially being discharged now. I am restricted to be near children and pregnant women for the next one week.

I can now go back to work after one week.

He advised me to go back after one month for a TSH blood test.

I might have another total body scan aftern six months. He said, hopefully, the CA is negative already by then.

Thy will be done Lord....

Last glimpse of my isolation room

Last couple of 'hospital' meals

Total Body Scan - Take 2

Latest Radiation Level Reading

Day 5

June 21, 2010

It's a good morning. I just got the latest Radiation Level Reading: From 120mci Last Friday, it is now down to just 10mci. Thresh hold is 20mci for me to go home.

The attached device was used to read this.

Thank you Lord.

Shower Time!....again

I'm off to my 3rd shower for the day. I've been using this exfoliating gloves. I think it helps to have this since the goal is to eliminate the oil in your body since these are radioactive too.

Foxes Candies

Doctor precribed to take lots of "Sour Candies" the entire time. Now I know the reason why. I woke up this morning with a "dry throat". The Candies should've made the difference! :-)

Couched Potato

Day 4

June 20, 2010

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Isolation Room

Just wanna share what my room looks like:

Notice the "barrier" ala aquarium hehe

I just changed the linens! Waaaa

Here's the Comfort Room / Shower Room:

It has an automatic sensors that automatically flushes the Toilet Bowl hehe

I spend more than 3 hours a day here hehe Given I need to take a bath atleast 3 times with atleast an hour each bath.

Note that the Handryer, Faucet and even the soap

dispenser are also automatic! hehe

Happy Father's Day!

Got my Newspaper after the TV Mass and was reminded that today is Father's day. I greeted my Dad via SMS. I think I was sort of melodramatic still, probably since i'm still in a hypho sluggish state hehe

His response ~ "I am duty bound to extend all those efforts and sacrifices the best way I can. Thanks very much. GET WELL SOON!".

I will Dy...Happy Father's Day again!

Healing Mass on TV

Day 4
June 20, 2010

Today, I woke up and saw my mom's text message saying ~ "Watch Ch 2 healing Mass" , "Fr. Suarez Homily now".

TV is turned on 24/7 so I just had to switch the channel hehe

Thanks Mami, for always remembering me. 

Though you can't physically visit me, I know you are always with me in spirit.

and Yes, I did watched it :-)

Tuesdays with Morrie

Today I started reading a book.....again.

So far I'm loving it. My favorite lines so far:

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep; even when theyre busy doings things they think are important. Because they're chasing the wrong things.

The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning...." ~ Tuesdays with Morrie

Nurse Chums

One of us

Today I met Nurse Chums. She was very friendly. I got surprised when she told me that she too had total Thyroidectomy and RAI Treatment. She even should me her scar. She was surprised to see my scar which was almost undetectable.

What's more surprising is when she mentioned that most of the patients undergoing RAI treatments often experience Headaches and has High Blood pressure. Hearing this was a relief! I thought I was the only one experiencing this.

Whew!

Use Plastic!

For the Nth time, I had to remind the nurses that I need to use plastic spoon and fork!.....ofcourse I had to tell them politely hehe I explained to them that a patient who is under going RAI treatment, cannot use the stainless steel ones. I wonder what the other patients are using? hmmmm

Radiation Reading and Doctor M visits

Day 3

Second Radiation meter reading and Doctor M Visits

This morning, they read my radiation level reading. I was so surprised to hear that it was now down to 50mci from yesterday's 120mci! At the rate I'm going, I can go home earlier than expected :-)

I'll continue to chug the gatorade and take long showers then! hehe

Dr. Mirasol dropped by this morning too. He passed by to check on me. Two thumbs up for Doctor M!!!

God is good!

Day 3

Day 3

June 19, 2010

Waiting continues...

Lunch, Dinner and Reminder Boards...getting bored

Now the long wait begins...

Spidey Meds!

Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Capsule

This is it! This is the moment! I saw the egg shapped container again. This blue container has the Radioactive Iodine Capsule inside, the way I see it, this container contains hope.....my future.

Meet Mr. Eric.

After giving me the Radioactive Iodine, Mr. Eric said he will get my reading already.

The device indicated that I have 120mci in my body.

He said, I need to lower it to 20 mci, before I can be given the go signal to go home.

Reminder Board

Reminder board said - I need to increase oral fluid intake.

Isolation Room

Day 2



June 18, 2010



I transfered to the Isolation Room - my room for the next 4 to 5 days around 8:15am.

They said Doctor Mirasol is coming already. This photo was taken when I entered the room.

I hate to post it but I want people to see how I look like before I take the RAI meds.

Yes, I gained A LOT of weight since I stopped taking my maintenance meds more than 10 days ago. As the pretty lady doctor at the nuclear medicine department would say it, I am Hypho Sluggish at this point already. If I am not mistaken, I gained a little over 13lbs already. Darn!

However, Doctor said everything will be back to normal as soon as I start taking meds again.

Can't wait for that to happen...

This is the Day!

Day 2


June 18, 2010

Woke up at around 5:30am. I was told the night before that my nurse will passby around 4am to check my vitals. Maybe she noticed that I was sleeping soundly, that's why she didn't bother to wake me up.

This was Breakfast.....Eggplant with egg, Rice, and a Banana. A tea sachet was also included. So much for the sumptuous meal hehe I knew it! Didn't even finished the rice hehe

I had to eat this in a jiffy since it arrived late already. I was supposed to fast for two hours before I take the RAI capsule.

Finished eating at around 6:10am.

I fixed my stuff since I have to transfer to the isolation room before 8am.

This is it! I am ready!

Reminder Boards

Funny Instruction

I saw this when the nurse from second shift came. At first, I saw nothing was wrong with it but when my friends who visited me last night saw it, I couldn't stop laughing hehe

In case you haven't notice, second instruction said - "Nothing by mouth at 6am" WTF???!!! hahaha

My First Dinner

Day 1

June 17, 2010

My first meal! I swear, hospital food never tasted this good.

I'm still on full meal but I have a feeling my food will start to taste nasty, esp when I take the RAI capsule already.

Buon Appetite!

P.S.

I texted James and said I felt a bit guilty too, I remember the Cancer Warrior Kids. I know this meal is far far better than what they are having.

God is still good to me.

Cancer Institute - St. Luke's Medical Center

Day 1

June 17, 2010

They say first impressions usually lasts; and I must say, I got impressed with what I saw when I reached the fourth floor. Instead of feeling "sickly", the ambiance made me feel like I'll just be on vacation hehe

Good job St. Luke's QC!!!

My home for the next several days....

.

St; Luke's Medical Center - In Patient

Day 1 -Admission

June 17, 2010

Got here around noontime yesterday. All the documents prepared already.....courtesy of my boss and friend - Aimee aka the universal Ate aka universal momma :-)

I met the representative of Asian Life our Insurance and got the much needed LOA. Thanks so much Ms. Mitch Cabatian for the assistance and for the patience.

I must commend the admission team of St. Luke's for being so efficient, courteous and friendly.

I never knew I'd be back in the hospital after 5 years in remission.

But still, I have a lot of things to be thankful for, that's why I want to thank you Lord for all the blessings still.

St. Luke's Medical Center - Out Patient

Blood test results

Last June 7, 2010, I submitted myself for a Blood test at St. Luke's Hospital. One of the important things that I noticed - is the need to do an 8 hour fasting. I can't help but wonder why I wasn't required to do this at Makati Med ?

Herewith are the results:


TSH IRMA result is 77.99 Normal Value is at 0.3-5.0 ulU/ml

Anti-Thyroblobulin Antibody result is 40.20 Normal Range is 0 - 60.0 U/ml unit.

For Thyroglobulin, I have yet to claim the results.

Hawkeye

Total Body Scan

The machine you see here is the Infinia hawkeye.

Last June 7, 2010, following Dr. Roberto Mirasol's recomendation, I had a Total Body Scan at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City.

My whole body was scanned by this machine :-)

The test results came out last June 10, 2010. Below are the Interpretation:

Iodine-avid lesions in both thyroid beds may be functioning thyroid remnants or recurrent disease.

Iodine-avid focus Posterior to the right thryroid bed is highly suspicious for nodal metastsis.

Correlation with Tg and anti-Tg levels are suggested.

After reading this and after seeing the images, I knew this was the beginning of another fight.

My status on facebook says ~ Seeing that you are surrounded by "TRUE Friends"- ever ready to face a battle beside you, is like winning the battle half way already.

Thanks to my colleagues or shall I say "My La Familia" - Aimee, Raine and Laurence, for being there. 

Thanks also to my family esp my Mom and my friends esp Ariel, James, Tin, and my Cancer Warriors family for all prayers and the support. 

Dr. C.

C for Complacent

For the past several years in remission, I have been seeing my Endocrinologist at the Makati Medical Center atleast on a semi annual basis. She was recommended by my health insurance, who told me that she was the best amongst all the resident Endocrinologists there. She was nice- although always in a hurry, but I somewhat felt secured and contented with how she took care of me.

My only problem with her was securing appointment schedules, given she has a lot of patients.

My recent and last??? - blood test at the Makati Medical Center

My blood test, taken last April 12, 2010- all showed good signs or should I say "excellent"- as my Doctor would say it.

These were consistent with the previous blood tests I've had over the years, if not lower.

The actual results are seen below:

TSH

TSH IRMA TURBO result is 0.058 with normal range of 0.27 - 3.75 uIU/ml

Anti - Thyroglobulin

ANTI-HTG result is 0.081 with normal range of up to 100 IU/ml

Thyroglobulin

HTG IRMA result is 0.181 with normal range of 2.0 - 70.0 ng/ml

Although these indicates that I am still very much in remission; the stories of my fellow thyroid cancer survivors, continued to haunt me. That is why during my last consultation with Dr. C, I bravely asked her if I will ever undergo another total body scan. Her response was "there is no need, since your blood tests all show that you are ok. The only time we recommend a body scan is if the blood test results show otherwise."

Thank God I followed my intuition....I sought a second opinion.

Thyroid Cancer Survivor group - Philippines

3rd Thyroid Cancer Survivor Group - Philippines

Last September 2009, Dr. Eva Ratilla of Gipap, sent an text message to my bestfriend Ariel, who by now is also a CML patient in remission.

As far as I can remember her text goes something like this ~ "Please tell Dennis there's a Thyroid Cancer Summit at the Bayanihan Hall, Unilab compound in Mandaluyong next Saturday. He might want to attend this. Regards."

When I first learned about this, I've mixed feelings whether to go or not. Part of me was excited to go, since I know I will be able to finally meet thryroid cancer patients or survivors like myself. I knew I will be able to learn a lot from the group. I was looking forward to hearing their stories too.

However, for some strange reasons, part of me was also a bit hesitant to go. Perhaps because I was afraid I might discover new things that might shook the glass bubble that took me almost five years to get myself into. The glass bubble is labeled as "certified survivor".

I also knew that the group might need some assistance in organizing, and I knew I will not be able to resist in offering some sort of assistance should they request.

Nonetheless I went and true enough I got what I was expecting.... but it was for my own good 😊

Fight starts!

UST Hospital

3rd and last opinion

I sought a 3rd and last Opinion. This time from another young Endocrinologist highly recommended by a family friend Doctor, who is also a resident of the hospital.

This young Endocrinologist recapped all the things my lady Doctor in Cebu mentioned. He concurred that the lump should be surgically removed immediately, to prevent the cancer cells from spreading. He also said, he will no longer recomend another Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, since the two previous tests show consistencies.

It helped me a lot to hear what he said about my type of cancer. He said it is the most friendliest of all type, and chances of survival is very high while treatment is not as hard. He further said that *knock on wood* - "if (he was) given a chance to have cancer, (he) would easily pick this type".

That was it. I said to myself- Bring it on, I am ready! :-)

Admission
I was admitted from January 11, 2005 till January 19, 2005 at the UST Hospital.

The pre operative and final diagnosis is Papiliary Carsinoma- Thyroid Gland. Recommended procedure is Total Thyroidectomy and Radioactive Iodine treatment after.

I was scheduled to be operated on by a surgeon- another family friend.

This is it!

Total Thyroidectomy

I got prepped very early in the morning. After taking a shower, I took some oral meds and got shots which supposed to have brought me to slumberland. I felt groggy but I was still conscious. I even offered to walk and voluntarily lie down the stretcher that will bring me to the Operating Room. Nurses said I should be knocked out already at that point hehe

In the operating room, I was still a bit conscious, enough to hear the nurses rant hehe My sense of hearing was still sharp! hehe

When my anesthesiologist came, she called my name and told me that they were about to start. She placed some sort of an anesthesiology mask. After two short breathes, I was knocked out. I feel I was jabbed by Manny Pacquiao hehe

Recovery room

Approximately after three or four hours later, I woke up, in the recovery room. Still groggy, I was trying to take off my oxygen mask. I also started to check other parts of my body. I wanted to check if I was wearing a catheter and would've wished to have it taken out hehe

I was so thristy and hungry.

Back in the Room

After a while, they brought me back to my regular room where I saw my parents, my aunt, my brother, my bestfriend and other friends.

Although I was happy to see all of them and although they were just whispering, I can still hear them like buzzing bees, which really annoyed me. Sense of hearing was still so sharp I guess. I told my mom to politely ask them to leave first because I could'nt sleep properly which they gladly obeyed.

I think the moral lesson is: It's better for visitors to come on the second day after the operation. This gives the patient more time to rest :-)


Blood!

I asked my mom to check my back since I felt it was somewhat wet. She panicked for a while when I noticed that my back was drenched in blood. When the nurses came, they said it was natural since I was still "draining" my neck area.

Linens where changed and I felt comfortable again.

Lesson: Don't panic, call the nurse hehe


Aguaaaa

I still recalled that day when I first tasted water after the operation. I was really thirsty at that time. My mom said my surgeon has finally allowed me to sip small amounts of liquid. That's why she gave me a small straw and a glass half filled with water.

I will never forget that moment. I have never imagined that drinking water could be that painful, excruciating even. If I were to describe it, it was like a tiny drop of water falling down a barren desert. I hold my mom's hand each time i take the next few sips. I can't help tears from rolling down my eyes. But I continued until I could take more and more water.

When evening comes, I was eating a slice of chocolate cake already! :-)

Patience is really a virtue.



That was Day 1....

Christmas 2004, New Year 2005 and My Birthday...

Going home to Manila

Unlike the previous years, going home to manila this time was very tough for me. I knew our family was going through a crisis and the last thing I want to happen is for them to feel worried. I don't want to rob them with that "joyous feeling" every Christmas season brings.

That is why I decided to just disappear.


Christmas and New Year in Lucena with my BestFriend and Family

I had several options to go for the holidays, but my BestFriend insisted that I spend it with his family in Lucena City instead.

I will forever be greatful to Ariel and the entire SONER family for alllowing me to stay with them for the next two weeks.


Spilling the Beans

After New Year, I knew the time has come for me to relay the news to my family.

I started by calling my aunt to give her a heads up.

By the time I reached Bulacan, I saw them gathered together in the living room of my aunt's house. Then I started to explain everything.

There was silence the entire time I was explaning everything. I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I was surprised because I was expecting them to over react hehe Good thing they did not since that would have made it difficult for me.

When I saw my family was ready for this, only then did I felt that I too was ready to face everything. I guess it really helps a patient to see his or her family as accepting. This helped me focus my mind and energy on what lies ahead.


My Birthday

Like my previous Birthdays, my family decided to host a party. But this time it's a Karaoke sing-along party.

It was one of my most memorable and I must admit it did crossed my mind several times that day that it could be my very last as well.

But I was wrong, for God has plans for me.

Happy Birthday to me! :-)

How it all started....

No permanent address.

I was then, one of the Sales Account Executives of the country's first and only Telephone Directory Publisher - Directories Phils. Corp. I was based in Cebu City but I travel as frequent as two cities per month to cover the Visayas and Mindanao (VISMIN) region.

My stint in VisMin lasted for 8 years. I literally lived in a suitcase :-)

January 2004

Cagayan de Oro City

One sunday afternoon, while I was on official business trip in Cagayan De Oro City, Phils.; I accidentally found a lump on my neck while I was talking a bath. It was on the right side.

Soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, I requested my room/office mate- to check his neck and compare it with mine. It was obvious, his neck did not manifest the same protruding lump.

Amidst this, I decided to just continue to observe my body and even convinced myself that it must have been caused by my colds.

Bacolod City

A couple of weeks after, our team flew to Bacolod City- again on official business trip. I have decided to seek medical advise already....something that I don't normally do.

My physician immediately recommended I undergo a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy. I did, as advised. Results of the biopsy neither confirms nor denies the lump as malignant or benign, instead, they highly recommended that I take further tests.

My physician wanted me to undergo such tests but I begged off and decided to do it in Cebu City due to time constraints.

Cebu City

Meeting Dr.Quack

A couple of weeks past and I was back in Cebu. I got recommended by my Health Card office to this young promising Doctor. He reviewed the Biopsy test and said "There is nothing to be worried about". He continued saying that- "For Aesthetic reasons, you may have it taken out via surgery. But if it doesn't bother you, then it's ok, you may just leave it as it is".

Second Opinion

I was bothered by what the young Doctor said, I asked friends and colleagues and started to research a bit. My efforts brought me to this Lady Doctor- well known as the best Endocrinologist in Cebu.

The good doctor recommended that I take another Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, which I did. She then asked me to bring the specimen to a laboratory outside of the Hospital, where she said she is "more confident". She explained this later that, the results from that laboratory has so far been very accurate. I followed her recommendations.

In denial

To be honest, at that point, I knew something was wrong but I guess I was in a stage of denial.

I purposely did not went back to the Lady Doctor nor did I bothered to get the results of the test. I convinced myself that the lump will just go away. I still believed it was caused by my colds.

10 Months

In the next ten months, I would experience several things:

-Unexplained recurring fevers which lasts from one to 4 days.

-Discomfort in the neck area. Causing spleepless nights and weight loss.

-Blood in my saliva, usually in the morning.

Getting ready for the Holidays

Before heading home to Manila for the holidays, I finally decided to see the Lady Doctor. Immediately when I saw her, she looked concerned while reading her copy of the test results sent by the clinic that she recommended.

Up to now, I still vividly recall the lady Doctor saying ~ "Hijo, this is something serious. You should've atleast called me to check on the results. Why did it take you this long?"

I explained to her my schedule- the only excuse I can think of.

She then started to explain everything to me. She said that I have Papillary Carsinoma- a type of Thyroid Cancer.

She explained many things about this type of Thyroid Cancer, but that's a different story.

She mentioned the next steps:

-Undergo surgery to totally remove my Thyroid Organ inlcuding the mass or Total Thyroidectomy.

-Undergo Radioactive Iodine Treatment or RAI Treatment.

-Expect scheduled blood tests

-Taking Thyroid Hormones for Life

I went back to the office and tried to process all everything.

All of these happened 9 days before Christmas.

My purpose...

"Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant" ~ Paulo Coelho

I have always assumed that I am a healthy person, a super human even. Though, I have had many episodes showing my body's vulnerability; having Cancer never ever crossed my mind....but it did happen - at the time I least expected it.

I decided to start blogging, with only two things in mind: first- to be able to help people who are undergoing the same ordeal - sharing bits and pieces of information and advices; and second- to update the people around me- my family & loved ones, friends, colleagues, and even those who are just interested to know how Cancer patients handle this disease and how Cancer-can change a person's life for the better.

As much as possible, I will try to be spontaneously simple, so that I won't bore you to death :-)

I hope my story will help you appreciate the value of having good health and start appreciating the simple - yet valuable things life has to offer....but are often taken for granted.

To God be only the glory!


Dns