March 6, 2021

I took up Physical Therapy in college. I cried over failed exams; I beat myself up over a failed subject. I did all I can to make sure I pass the board exams on the first try (because we literally couldn't afford a second one had I failed). BUT, I never really practiced PT for more than 2 years because I already joined Accenture immediately after boards.

I know what (most of) you're thinking right now. Sayang ang binayad sa colllege. I feel that way sometimes  too, and think of what could have been if I pursued PT.

Today, I brought our kasambahay who doesn't recognize letters and numbers to the opthalmologist. The doctor struggled to get a pain score from her. I can hear the frustration in his voice. But I was able to help by showing her a visual scale, something I learned some 15+ years ago. It's a small thing. But I felt God is helping me realize that some times He puts us in situations where we don't understand why things are happening. We constantly ask the rationale, but like the cliché goes, it's all part of His big plan.

I never would've understood pain scale, or kept (mostly) calm when Darwin or any member of our family were in health crisis, had it not been for the knowledge I gained in college. All my mentors contributed to me being able to digest medical jargons, and thus helped me to help the people I love.

So takeaway is: if you're currently going through something difficult, it might not be a failed subject or upcoming boards, know that God is preparing you for something. It might be hard to understand right now, but that's what faith is -- when you trust even when you are having difficulties to understand why.

I pray for your joy and healing. 😘

2015 Resolutions

I never really meant any of my previous New Year's Resolutions. This year, I want to really focus on them with an aim to end 2015 as a better person. Here it goes!

Live healthier. Less food portions. Healthier food choices. Be more active, at least walk around more.

Serve more. Serve dad, mom, darwin, kids, Franco, and even the help more. Serve God more, too.
I had kind of a feeling that we rely too much on lolo and lola to manage the household. Since lola is leaving for SG for a few months, I think it is a good training ground for us to be more independent and more responsible when it comes to raising you kids.
I hope I will be able to make you feel that your dad and me are always here for you. That in our family, you will always be secure and loved.

Strive for continuous improvement. Learn a new skill, or improve program processes. This is mostly grounded on my work tasks.

Save for the kids. The bible says "It isn’t the children’s responsibility to save up for their parents but parents for children" (2 Corinthians 12:14 CEB) and I want to honor that. These first years of our marriage has been a bit selfish for your dad and me. I want to rectify that. I am praying that God heals us from vanity and pride so we can focus on preparing for your future.

There you go. Four major points to keep in mind for 2015. Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Let me know so I can remind you when you forget.

You may also want to read about my other prayers for our family.

No Cancer!

I got the news last Wednesday and in my excitement, I forgot to share this with you. Mama's cancer-free!

Thank God! Now, I realize I really must look after my health. Let's start by making healthier food choices, yes?

Love you chipmunks :)

Spare a moment and pray for me

Weeks ago, my latest OB who helped me give birth to Miko, Dra. Olivarez, had me undergo transvaginal and breast ultrasound procedures. No indications, she just mentioned that cervical and breast cancers are two of the most common kinds that we need to watch out for, hence the request.

So I went and a small node was found on my right breast. It was rated "probably benign". Probably. One word that started my paranoia. If it was probably benign, was it probably malignant too?

My next visit to my OB, I was with Miko, and I wanted to have cervical cancer vaccine, and ofcourse to ask her opinion on the result of my breast ultrasound. The whole checkup seems like a blur, but I remember her saying that I'm too young to get a mammogram. She ordered a CA153 blood test instead. I think this is a marker for cancer. Normally, I would go all out and read all I can google on this, but to be honest, I'm scared.

All I keep thinking is how young you all are. Who will take care of you, how will you grow up?

I ask you now to spare a moment and pray for me, that the test will come out negative. I'm really really scared and I'm trying not to be, holding on to this verse for now --

Philippians 4:6 NASB
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

I love you chipmunks. I hope God gives me the grace to stay with you until you go old.

Breastfeeding Diaries: Blessed Be

Hello from the Eastwood Diana (i.e. Lactating) Room!

Look how much milk we got this morning! I can almost feel God smiling down on me because He knows how giddy He made me feel with this blessing.

5.25 oz of liquid gold, beybeh! :)

What did we do differently this morning? Hmmm.. I was so tired and sleepy last night that I didn't get to switch sides in the middle of the night. Thus, Miko only latched on my left boob throughout the night. This morning, my right boob was so engorged so I decided to latch Miko, still on the left, while I pumped the right. I got 3 oz! Apart from that, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary so hey it is a great surprise and a good way to start our day.

And then... surprise surprise! Another 5.5 oz this afternoon!

It's official. God is making me lambing with all of these blessings. :)

One more thing I did differently -- I prayed for my supply. Told God I wanted to be able to produce enough for Miko, as well as for Kuya, who is having lung health problems recently. I pray my milk strengthen you both and give you the nutrients that you need to grow and get healed.

And I wanted to experience donating milk too. But we're still saving enough frozen milk stash for that, so let's talk more about that on another post, m'kay?

So Iya, I hope you breastfeed your child, when you have one. I will support you all the way should you decide to go on that journey. Tell me all about it okay?

And you two boys, let's drink to more milk!

I love you, my musketeers! :)

Diffused water ideas

Hi Kids! If you want a twist to your ordinary water, you can try diffusing these combinations in it. Not only will it add flavor to your water, enticing you to complete your mandatory 8 glasses a day, but it also has additional health benefits! Diffused water ideas: - cucumber + lemon - pineapple + apple - mint/basil + strawberries - apple + cinnamon - melon + grape - lemon + orange - mint + cucumber + lime - pineapple + mango - grape + orange + apple I personally like cucumber + lemon. I want to live healthy so I can live longer and, God willing, watch you succeed in life and be able to take care of your kids. Let me know which combination is your favorite. :) love you all!

Choose To Be Clean and Healthy

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made clean." – Luke 5:13

In December 2011, I had the privilege of interviewing people who were healed through natural and alternative healing methods. Many of them simply changed their eating habits — from an "eat anything" diet to a plant-based one.

One was a pancreatic cancer survivor who drinks guyabano tea as her water. Another one drinks pure, fresh calamansi extract every morning as his maintenance for a stronger immune system. From near-death, most of them are now enjoying their second lives.

But what I realized from their stories is that our health is in our hands — not in the doctors'.

We can choose to be healthy or unhealthy, depending on what we put into our bodies. And this is what I am guilty of. Although I try to eat less meat and more fish and fruits, I still do eat a lot of sweets and chips, and drink soda.

But as the Lord said to the leper in the Scripture passage today, "Be made clean," I believe that, with God's grace, I can make a turnaround.

So for this year, I promise to myself and to the Lord that I will nourish myself only with healthy food, not only physically but also spiritually, emotionally and mentally. -- Tess V. Atienza (svp_tvatienza@yahoo.com)

Reflection: What do you want to be healed of? Ask the Lord to heal you.

 Lord, I present to You my unclean self. Make me clean again.

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This is a lesson for mommy, too. I need to strive and live a healthier lifestyle so that I can spend more years with you. I love you, kids!

@kayedeves, 12/22/11 11:42 AM

Walang magawa in Day 4. Should I go ahead and get an ultrasound? parang hobby lang -- thank you, Maxicare.

Workout

Playing with you is the bestest workout ever! I love you!