Why should we worry about colon cancer?
Know more about the illness that cause Mrs. Aquino’s death this morning…
Next to lung and breast cancer, colon cancer is third among the leading causes of death in the country today.
Mrs. Aquino succumbed to colon cancer exactly one year and four months after she was diagnosed with it. She underwent treatment to halt the progression of cancer that would possibly affect her other vital organs. However, the treatment was stopped recently because the therapy was just too strong for her already frail body.
Based on the 2005 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates, cancer of the colon and rectum combined rank 3rd overall, 3rd among males and 4th among females.
In the Philippines, the overall median survival for colon cancer is 49 months. For cancer of the rectum, it’s 24 months.
The incidence begins to rise steeply at the age of 50 years.
Risk factors and prevention
Major risk factors are personal or family history of colon or rectum cancer, polyps in the colon or rectum, and inflammatory bowel disease. Evidence suggests that a diet high in fat and deficient in whole grains, fruits and vegetables increase the risk.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly a healthy diet, will decrease a person’s risk.
Warning Signals
A change in bowel habits such as recurrent diarrhea and/or constipation, particularly when accompanied by abdominal discomfort; weight loss, unexplained anemia; blood in the stool.
Early Detection
Early colon cancer and rectum cancers are asymptomatic, and there is still no efficient method for population-screening particularly in developing countries. The aim would be earlier diagnosis of symptomatic patients who complain of changes in bowel habits, vague abdominal pains, and unexplained weight loss and/or anemia, particularly among patients who are 50 years old and older, by means of rectal digital examination, proctoscopy, proctosigmoidoscopy, barium enema and colonoscopy.
Treatment
Early cancers of the colon and rectum are curable by surgery. For small rectal lesions, radiotherapy is just as effective. In certain instances, the adjuvant use of certain drugs and/or radiotherapy can increase survival. For advanced stage, judicious and cost-effective palliative care can offer an acceptable quality of life.
Mrs. Aquino’s last days
Ms Aquino has reportedly decided to forgo further medical intervention after undergoing chemotherapy since last March. She was readmitted to the hospital for loss of appetite. She was said to be given medicine that alleviates pain.
You can also read my post in Barrio Siete.
Cory Aquino, Philippine democracy icon dies of colon cancer at 76.
I had goosebumps watching the tribute to the former President on TV. I was only 16 and an incoming College freshman when Mrs. Aquino was put to power by the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.
The former president who helped restore democracy after two decades of the Marcos rule in the Philippines solemnly succumbed to cardio respiratory arrest at the Makati Medical Center at 3:18 a.m. Saturday.
She died 20 days before the 26th death anniversary of her husband former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, a staunch fighter of democracy himself.
Mrs. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer more than a year ago. She underwent a series of treatment in the hope to arrest the spread of the cancer cells. Recently all treatments had been refused.
Since then church services were offered daily for Mrs. Aquino. Immediate family and supporters were one in praying for her recovery.
Yellow Ribbon
A yellow ribbon campaign started flooding not just the key streets in Metro Manila and outskirts, but the Internet as well. Filipino American blogger, who maintains Reyna Elena dot com and Barrio Siete, initiated the campaign requesting bloggers to post a Yellow Ribbon on their site to show support and respect for Mrs. Aquino.
The campaign earned a considerable number of followers/bloggers even now.
Until this morning…
“Our mother peacefully passed away at 0318 of cardio-respiratory arrest,” Mrs Aquino’s son, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, told the media.
“She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and the continuous love and support,” he said.
“It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.” (Source: GMA News)
Taste of politics
The devoted wife propelled into politics after her husband Ninoy Aquino, a known strong opponent of deposed President Ferdinand Marcos, was murdered in 1983 at the Tarmac of the Manila International Airport.In 1986, the Ninoy’s widow won the presidential elections in 1986.
Mrs. Aquino’s government was marred by several coup attempt.
When she stepped down in 1992, Mrs. Aquino remained visible in activities that promote democracy and peace.
She even campaigned against former President Estrada, but reconciled with him to join protests against incumbent President Arroyo over allegations of vote-rigging and corruption.
Mrs. Aquino was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 and later received several awards and citations for her work to promote democracy and human rights. (Source: BBC News Asia Pacific)
Palace announced 10 days of national mourning.
“Cory Aquino helped lead a revolution that restored democracy and the rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril,” she said.
“Our nation will mourn her passing. History was thrust upon her when her noble husband was cut down in the prime of his life, as he fought for democracy and the rule of law.
“She picked up the standard from the fallen warrior Ninoy and helped lead our nation to a brighter day…
“Our hearts go out to the family in this hour of grief and sorrow.” (PGMA)
Food Trip Friday: Fried Daing na Bangus and Pansit Miki
MILKFISH or Bangus (the Philippine National Fish) can be cooked in so many ways. You can fry it or cook it in different soup base like tamarind, guava, and green mangoes. My personal favorite is Daing — milkfish marinated in garlic and vinegar. Another Bangus recipe that make my mouth water is Sinigang sa Bayabas (Guava soup base).
I usually paired fried fish with sauteed vegetable, but this time I tried my version of sauteed Pansit Miki.
If you are looking for more mouthwatering dishes, just click here.
Mommy Moments: Messy eater(s)
I think its but normal for some young children who no longer wear bibs while eating to wipe off the mess on their mouth and chin with their shirt like in the case of Khalil (not this photo). Look at the dripping ‘taho’ on his chin.
Naomi and Khalil share taho for snack. 
Khalil munching a flower candy from her Ate’s birthday cake. Beside them is cousin MarielHe was more than two in this photo. He drools every time he eats candy or lollipop. It makes his cheeks and hands really sticky. The fun part of it was I would urge him to kiss his Ate with all his messy pouting lips sending the big girl to run shrieking.
Visit other mommies here and be amazed at how they deal with their kids’ mess.
Litratong Pinoy: Proteksyon (surgical mask)
Hindi ako kadalasang nagtatabi ng surgical mask sa bahay. Para saan nga ba ang surgical mask na ito? Hindi po ito proteksyon para sa kumakalat na AH1N1 virus dahil hindi naman kinakampanya ng Department of Health ang paggamit nito bilang mabisang pangontra sa virus bagkus ang tamang kalinisan lamang at pagpapanatiling malusog ng katawan. Binili ko ang mask na ito noong April 10, 2003 (base sa nakatabi pang resibo) sa isang malaking hospital sa Quezon City na nadaanan ko galing sa opisina. Ginamit ko ito sa isang coverage noon sa Research Institute for Tropical Medicine sa Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Naalala ko meron pala akong isa pang post tungkol sa proteksyon dito.
Punta lang kayo dito para sa ibang lahok ngayon Linggo.
Photohunt: Utensils
These are the food carriers my kids are using to load their lunch everyday. I prefer stainless steel because they last long than plastic utensils.
Food Trip Friday: Bunch o’ Lunch
I’M just glad to join fellow bloggers here at Food Trip Friday. This is a weekly photo meme for food and photography enthusiast created by mommy Willa.
I’m not an expert in photography, I don’t even own a high-end camera or finish a degree in culinary arts to boot . I happen to enjoy food and appreciate anything that satisfies my palate, that’s all.
I’ve cooked some simple dishes for my husband and two kids and so far I’ve got good responses (and praises, too) from them (naks!). No one turned blue or purple (so far) from eating the food that I prepared for them.
My meal for today is not found on my menu list at home. This is the Bunch O Lunch that we ate at Shakey’s Ever Commonwealth last Saturday.
We just love the combination of spaghetti, chicken, a slice of pizza, mojos and garlic bread.
And BOL is best served with a glass of iced tea.
Hope you like my first entry for FTF today. Please check out other sumptuous meals here.
I’m tagging sis Shie and U. Pink to join us at FTF.
Mommy Moments: First Steps or First Milestone
IT’S difficult to look for my kids’ firsts. There are plenty of pics to choose from and so little time to post. I’ve decided to just pick these two. I don’t know if this will qualify for this week’s MM theme. Anyway, these are my daughter’s picture when she graduated in preschool and in Grade VI last March. I consider these to be my daughter’s milestone as a student. I hope to post more.
How time flies…
Naomi with her classmate. Kinder 2 graduation ceremony.
Naomi receiving diploma from the school owner.
Hope you enjoy my post this week even if its not the literal first step and first milestone in a kid’s development (please consider, Chris). More enjoyable MM entries are found here.
Touch a blogger: Tie a yellow ribbon for Cory Aquino!
I consider myself to be apolitical (uninterested in politics or having no interest in politics as defined by the Encarta Dictionary). I never join in any (major) discussion about politics because I’m not interested. Tell me anything but politics, numbers and technical stuff. But when it concerns about women and children’s welfare and related stuff that got me right through the heart, I’m all for it. May soft spot ang mga topic na ganyan sa akin.
Mrs. Aquino, the former President of the country, is in her sick bed right now. She needs prayers. I understand how her loved ones feel about her condition because a close relative of mine is also battling the big C.
Reyna Elena initiated this campaign to encourage fellow bloggers, readers and commenters at Barrio Siete to post a yellow ribbon for Mrs. Aquino through our blogs, to show respect to the former Commander in Chief.
If you are interested to be a part of this tribute for her, kindly follow the simple rule:
1. Create an entry entitled: “Touch a blogger: Tie a yellow ribbon for Cory Aquino!”. A link to this original entry will be appreciated, but is not required.
2. Post a yellow ribbon in your blog for President Cory Aquino. Whatever form of yellow ribbon that your creative imagination can come up with.
3. Invite other bloggers to tie a yellow ribbon for Cory.
Litratong Pinoy: Nakakakilabot
ISANG exciting na Huwebes na naman ang dala ng Litratong Pinoy ngayong Linggo dahil ang tema ay nakakakilabot. Maraming bagay ang pwede nating isipin na nakakapaghatid ng kilabot sa atin maaaring isang pangyayari, lugar, gumagapang na insekto o iba pang bagay. Naisipan kong isali ang larawan ng bahay na ito na matatagpuan sa loob ng New Bilibid Prisons sa Muntinlupa City. 
Ito ang 75-year-old na mansion na nagsisilbing Director’s Quaters. Mukha naman siyang payapa, hindi ba? Pero sa totoo may mga nilalang daw na gumagala at nagmumulto sa loob niyan ayon sa dalawa sa anim na inmate at caretakers na nakausap ko. Sina Felipe Bagon at Marlon Sibay na pawang na-interbyu ko noong September 2004 (nasa ibabang larawan) ang nagpatunay ng mga kwentong kakila-kilabot sa inyong lingkod.
Ang sabi nila kapag walang tao o solo lang sila sa loob ng bahay nararamdaman daw nila na parang may ibang nilalang silang kasama pero kapag maraming tao ay wala naman daw. Eto pa, minsan daw na nakaupo sa labas ng bahay si Mang Bagon nang tawagin daw siya ng isang lalaki sa utos ni Director (Macala pa noon) para magpahilot. Pagpunta niya sa bahay ay wala ni isang tao. Pati na si Director na akala niya ay nakabalik na galing Batangas ay wala doon. Nakakakilabot, ‘ di ba?
(Wala na ang orihinal na kopya ko sa larawang ito maliban sa clippings ng story na naitabi ko lamang. Lumabas ang buong storya nito noong Oct. 2, 2004 sa front page ng People’s Tonight.)
Bisitahin ninyo ang iba pang nakakakilabot na lahok dito.
No birthday celebration for my sick boy today
Khalil was born on July 20, 1999 at 10:48 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds and measured 50 cm in length.
One-year old Kyle with Ate Naomi
Nine years later.Kids waiting for their school service. P.E. day.
OUR house has turned into a mini clinic literally. My kids are both sick and I serve as their doctor and nurse for the time being. The virus that got me sick for one week has also infected them. Both are coughing and have slight fever. Despite their condition they still insisted to go to school to take their first long quiz this morning. Naomi said she couldn’t miss the exam.
My son’s fever has subsided after giving him paracetamol that was prescribed by his pediatrician last Saturday. He was also advised to take an antibacterial capsule, a mucolytic capsule, and an anti-asthma tablet for wheezing that manifest when he coughs. My daughter is still well when we visited the doctor, but since she manifests the same cough and cold symptoms as her brother I gave her paracetamol to alleviate her fever and mucolytic capsule for her cough. I hope the medicine will help improve her condition otherwise I’ll have no choice but to bring her to the doctor tomorrow.
As for my son’s birthday celebration today, it’ll have to wait until he and his sister get better. We are planning to got out this weekend to keep our promise to them. I hope my kids will recover soon.
Photohunt: Rock(s)
IN search of the literal rock to post for this week’s Photohunt theme, I came across this Painted Rocks book that we purchased a long time ago in a book sale. This book features a lot of things to do with rocks - from the smooth to the rough type - where you can color it, embellish it all you want, and turn it into a pet. A what? Yes, a pet. My son happened to create one (refer to the last photo), but lose interest in it afterward. I found the one-eyed poor stone inside our drawer.
Just one tip I learned from the book (below) that is worth sharing: ~~When the shape of the rock tells you what it is, don’t fight it! ~~
Fashionable towel wraps
A personalized towel wrapFOR mommies it is essential for us to keep every item at home clean. Like the clothes that we wear everyday, bath towels should also be changed regularly. All four of us in the family are using separate cotton towels with our names sewn on it. Consider it childish, but we sometimes buy towels with cartoon character designs. Me and my daughter use towel wraps with Tinker Bell and Hello Kitty designs, respectively. I got my youngest child a bath towel with Spongebob print. Towel wraps are convenient to use than ordinary towels.
At Posy Lane, they are are offering towel wraps that are softer than terry cloth. Their towel wraps come in three sizes with nine colors to choose from. If you happen to have a friend or relative whose about to celebrate their birthday, graduate or tie the knot, these towels are perfect for a present especially when you have them personalize with a name or monogram.
Laundry Bag Posy Lane also got this cute draw string laundry bags with a shoulder strap. This is a fab find for any person who are always on the go or for mommies who want to avoid the hassle of lugging around a full laundry bag by the drawstrings. This is what I need at home and for my daughter who will have an overnight activity in school anytime soon. My husband have already picked a nicely designed camo laundry bag for himself.
Created with Oh Mint’s signature fabrics and colorful border designs, this laundry bag with a coordinated towel wrap or duffle bag, is a perfect gift set.
Kindergarten Nap Mats
Rolled up mat with carrying strapMy sister have not seen this kindergarten nap mats. I just don’t know how she will react when she sees this. Knowing her taste for fashionable items, she would definitely purchase colorful designs for her three young kids. Her family just love to spend weekends in parks so they will need this padded blanket just in case my nephews and niece would get tired and take a nap at the park.
Posy Lane offers this Oh Mint nap mats for younger children and toddlers. They are padded and lined with nylon and cotton with a ribbon trimmed, soft, fleecy blanket. The mat rolls up and has a Velcro closure with carrying strap. It has a soft fleece blanket attached and a removable foam pillow. The mat is also easy to clean. All you need to do is remove the pillow, then toss the rest in the washing machine.
You may visit Posy Lane for other unique and personalized gifts for the whole family.
Litratong Pinoy: Tuyo (Dry)
Tuyo (Dry). Mga tuyong dahon ang pakay ng partner ko kung bakit naka-pose siya na animo isang hardinero sa halamanan na nasa harap ng aming bahay. Masyado lang matinik ang halaman kaya hindi niya nakuha ang lahat ng tuyong dahon nito. Magandang tingnan ang halamanan na malinis. Sumasalamin kasi ito sa personalidad ng taong nag-aalaga sa kanila.
Pasyal kayo sa Litratong Pinoy para makita ang iba pang lahok ngayong Huwebes.
Mommy Moments: Playing time
A young technician at seven years old. He seems playing with our VHS player, but he was literally cleaning the head of the VHS player as it does not play clear videos. He was watching a cartoon (I think) based on the background music. Visit Mommy Chris’ site for more of this week’s Mommy Moments.
