It's May 6, more than 2 weeks after I turned 29. Yes, I'm that old. And it's time to recap the journey that was my 29th year as a Diyosa. :) As I turned 28, going into the 29th year of my life, my heart was broken but my career was going great. Right after my birthday, the Avatar Media team held the 3rd Davao Food Appreciation Tour. And what an event it was. In 4 days, 19 bloggers ate at 7 restaurants and enjoyed 4 adventures. All in one city, Davao City. Around the same time, I embarked on a creative journey as I joined both an Advanced Make Up Workshop and a Beads Jewelry Design Seminar. The first one with Maybelline Philippines' Chief Color Artist Archie Tolentino, and the second one with renowned jewelry designer Em Mariano. Both seminas have molded me into a better kikay. I went to Cebu for the 1st Cebu Blog Camp, where a lot of Mindanao New Media members also joined. I delivered a talk on "Blogging in the Community, for the Community." I'd like to think it was a well-received talk. Kudos to Winston, Vanjahnn, and the rest of the organizers! I…
Tag: itp
Dengue and Then Some
Last Thursday, icky rashes showed up on my legs so I had a blood test which showed I had a low platelet count. The normal count is around 150. Mine was only 50. I was admitted in the hospital for dengue. I didn't even have fever or other symptoms. Only a low platelet count, rashes, and bruises. I was the only dengue patient there who was perky. My Mommy noted I was even wearing mini skirt, make up, and dangling earrings when I was admitted. And some of the nurses seemed surprised that I was functioning well despite my very low platelet count which went as low as 8. After 5 IV insertions, eight units of platelet concentrate transfused, around 20 blood tests, several glasses of tawa tawa herbal tea, doses of antibiotics and antihistamine, and liters of water, my platelet count refused to go up. With that, my Doctor, also my cousin, decided to refer me to a hematologist (specializes in blood and blood diseases). The hematologist recommended I get a bone marrow aspiration (BMA). OUCHIE! My imagination was full of painful bone marrow extraction scenes from Grey's Anatomy, House, and Scrubs. And for the first time in a…
Things That I am Not Allowed to Have or Do
I have been diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). This is an autoimmune disease. This is further complicated by my pre-existing conditions of being asthmatic, being allergic to a lot of things, among others. Plus, I have a tendency to retain more water and gain weight because of my ITP medication. As a consequence, I have to change my life. Totally! Here is a list of things I am not allowed to have, eat, or do: prolonged exposure to sun stress poor diet or not eating on time coffee hot food and drinks chicken shrimps and crabs salty foods smoke and cigarette smoke alcoholic drinks nuts dirt and dust pollen large crowds sick or sickly people infections massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, and hair treatments things that will cause me to bruise, bleed, or get injured such as sharp corners, sharp objects, and heavy things lack of sleep I have to avoid these for at least a month. Plus, I'd have to wear a mask when I go out in public or get exposed to people. Yeah, I know. I won't have a life anymore. PFT! The only good news, the best news is... I'm alive. :) If all goes well…