Have you had your Covid19 vaccine yet? I hope you did. Getting vaccinated the soonest possible time protects yourself and the people around you.
Covid19 vaccines will give you an extra layer of protection against the severe effects of the virus.
Taken at a vaccination site inside a mall in Quezon City
My family was able to register with the LGU-supported registration site online. We finally got our doses separately a few weeks later.
Hubby, myself, and our daughter are fully vaccinated now. Our son will have his second dose a few days from now. I’m glad that we were allowed to get the vaccine at the right time. Many are still waiting for their vaccine schedule in our area.
Taken inside a public school in Quezon City
Three of us are on the priority list being in the A3 category or those with comorbidities. Health experts said Covid19 vaccines prevent possible hospitalization and emergency room visits due to severe illness.
As for the vaccine side effects, what we experienced were all the common ones. These include pain at the injection site, mild fever (for me), the feeling of weakness or fatigue, and headaches for a couple of days.
Get the available Covid19 vaccine if you are not vaccinated yet. Protect yourself, the people you care about, and those you meet outside your homes.
Even when you are vaccinated, health experts remind the public to observe the minimum health protocol. Wash your hands frequently, wear a face mask, practice social distancing in public or crowded places.
Here at home, we wear face masks when we do not feel well. We do not know what afflicts us, so we wear face masks to be safe. We do not eat together, keep our distance when talking to each other. And we sleep in separate rooms.
Five years ago, I underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy to save my life. Surgeons removed the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix to prevent certain illnesses from developing.
It was a difficult decision to make if I were still of child-bearing age. But, since I was in my late 40s and unlikely to conceive, I chose surgery as a life-saving treatment.
The Ordeal
I have suffered from painful and prolonged menstruation for years. I have not lived my life well because of this health problem. In the latter part of 2015, my condition had gone from bad to worse. Hospital is not a good place to spend the first month of the year, but I was admitted to one to undergo dilation and curettage (D&C) and to have blood transfusion for anemia. I thought this would address my dilemma.
A doctor in a private hospital suggested abdominal hysterectomy to cure endometriosis. But it would cost a hefty sum. The family has been relying on a single source of income which means raising the amount entails more years of suffering.
Three weeks after my D&C, I was back at the hospital for profuse bleeding. We decided to go to the nearest government hospital to ensure minimal expenses for the possible operation. Explaining the possible complications of the surgery, doctors gave me a non-invasive option to address endometriosis that causes bleeding.
Doctors prescribed Visanne for six months. Finally, I was relieved of the painful monthly period. However, hormone therapy only provided temporary relief. I was bleeding once more the following month. I waited three more months before I took the plunge. By this time, we were able to raise enough funds for the operation.
Dienogest given in isolation is available for the treatment of endometriosis under the trade name Visanne. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dienogest (mumwrites.com)
An abdominal hysterectomy will address the cause of the bleeding and remove the growing mass in my uterus.
Preparation
Before the surgery, I read about hysterectomy, its advantages, and its disadvantages. I also got helpful tips from a support group that caters to hysterectomy patients. It took several weeks before I decided to go under the knife and change my life for the better.
I brought all my medical documents to discuss with the OB-Gyne everything I need to know about the surgery; what to expect, the operation and hospitalization expenses, and the operation schedule.
The will to heal for my family, my faith and the support I get from my family, and prayers from a few friends who knew about the surgery have given me enough strength.
Operation day
The operation took place on December 13, 2016, at the East Avenue Medical Center. The procedure went well. Thankfully, it did not require a blood transfusion. I am grateful to the doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses who were part of the successful surgery.
These were parts of the reproductive system removed during surgery. I need to blur the photo because it might be too graphic for the readers.
Without a sign of complications like fever or pain, I started to feel well two days after the surgery. The doctors said I should get up and walk inside my room to hasten recovery. I was home after five days.
Healing well
Being an obedient patient, I don’t have a hard time recovering because I followed the doctor’s advice. I’ve got plenty of rest at home. But I made sure to move around the house. I started doing light chores in my second week. There may be occasional irritation and pain, but all of it was bearable and subsided in a few minutes.
Healed operation scar after a month
Best decision
This surgery was the best decision I have ever made in my life healthwise. I will never worry about bleeding again or fear that I may develop grave illness in the future. My only concern, at the moment, is the recurring joint pain. I’m (surgical) menopause now, so joint pains and other health issues will certainly happen.
Piece of advice
Young women and women nearing menopausal age are prone to endometriosis and adenomyosis. If you are suffering from the same condition, consult a doctor. Reading about the disease can help you better understand it. However, a visit to a medical professional is the right thing to do to avoid complications.
I first wrote about this in my other blog, mumwrites.com.
One scary situation we experienced this pandemic was when I needed medical help and the panic we felt when we reached the hospital full of covid patients.
It happened last year, just a few days after the government recommended a lockdown in Metro Manila and nearby areas. I was anxious because I was feverish and lethargic for five days. The first thing that came to mind was I might have Covid. I felt helpless thinking about it. What would happen to my family if it was Covid? Would I recover from it?
Fortunately, the triage doctor, upon checking the tests, advised me to go home. There’s no need for hospital admission because I only had Urinary Tract Infection. UTI is manageable with prescribed antibiotics at home.
Paranoia
The lockdown continued for months. I was not able to visit our doctor for a scheduled checkup. I was and still am afraid to visit the clinic for fear of exposing myself to the virus. I was not aware of teleconsultation or medical consultation online until I had a recurrent UTI.
This was taken in 2012. The closest body frame I am in right now.
Weight Gain
Besides anxiety, which causes restlessness and sleepless nights, the pandemic also leads to a rising incidence of obesity. Ironically, obesity is one of the risk factors for getting Covid. Being at home for the longest time and inactivity made me gain weight. At five feet and one inch, I weigh 162 pounds. According to the weight and exercise calculator, my BMI (Body Mass Index) is 30.61. It means I’m suffering from obesity.
Moderate Fatty Liver
Our doctor, through teleconsultation, advised me to have a blood test. It turned out, I have high levels of creatinine, uric acid, SPGT, and SGOT, in my blood sample. My cholesterol and blood sugar levels are within the normal range, though. The doctor said the high SGPT could be due to Moderate Hepatic Steatosis, or moderate fatty liver, as shown in my abdominal ultrasound. The weight gain sadly takes its toll on my liver.
Another factor that made me gain weight is eating processed foods, particularly canned goods included in the relief package. It could also be the reason I have high uric acid and recurrent UTI.
Weight Management
The good news is that moderate fatty liver is reversible. The doctor said it needs a good amount of self-discipline to achieve. He recommends proper food intake and exercise.
Losing weight was not new to me. I have addressed the same health issue in 2012. It was a successful journey, I lost a few pounds at first, but I slowly gained them back after several months.
Lifestyle modification would be different this time because of my age. Losing weight is difficult when you reach your 50s. Metabolism slows down as you age.
The ideal weight for my height is between 101 and 125 pounds or 45 to 56 kilograms. It’s unrealistic to reach that number. What is workable is reducing at least 5 pounds off my weight is a good start.
My dusty yoga mat and dumbbells are just waiting for me in the corner.
Lifestyle Change
A nutritionist recommends the inverted food pyramid as a gauge to lifestyle change. It means I have to eat in moderation by cutting down on salty, sweet, and oily or fatty foods. Instead of sugary beverages, drink plenty of water to burn calories and flush toxins from the body.
Also, the nutritionist recommends brisk walking every day for at least 30 minutes. I have started walking indoors, and I’m slowly getting the hang of it.
A big part of being healthy is getting enough rest and sleep every day. The nutritionist suggests seven hours of sleep every day if I intend to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
I also intend to do yoga and learn proper meditation to lessen my anxiety. We need to keep our minds and body healthy to keep ourselves safe from COVID-19.
