Health update

 

Taken at the Flower Dome in Singapore

Yesterday was my last check-up for the year 2024. My usual blood test and urinalysis to check my fbs, lipid profile, cbc and of course my thyroid levels as I have hyperthyroidism.

To prepare for these every.3.months.blood tests, I would go on a strict diet regimen with regular exercise.  

Aerobics is my go to exercise. The Leslie Sansone walk from home program was recommended by my endocrinologist when I was first diagnosed in April 2021 with Graves disease. I would do the 3 miles walk from home regimen - that is 45 minutes daily for 5 days. I rest during weekends.

I watch what I eat - less carbs, more protein and veggies. I am NOT allowed to have junk food, canned goods, processed food, oily and salty dishes. Nothing much left to eat, really. A rather tasteless, and very miserable way of life because I like to eat and eat a lot. LOL

I have to really be motivated to keep a healthy lifestyle because honestly medicines are not cheap! Daily, I take pills for my hyperthyroidism, my high cholesterol, my trigylcerides, my hypertension aside from my vitamin and supplements.

When I saw the results of my blood chem last Monday, I was pleasantly surprised that all my misery and suffering paid off. Even though my levels are still over the range, it has gone down quite significantly.  More importantly, my thyroid levels are now within the range. I still have diffuse toxic goiter (hyperthyroidism) but it is now controlled. 

Thank God. ♥️💝❤️

My next check up is in June 2025 or in 7 months. This gives me ample time to diet and exercise. In the meantime, I will try to get in the Christmas spirit. Although truth be told, ever since my parents passed away,  the Yuletide season isn't as merry as it used to be. We miss them, terribly. 

On another note,  I am really excited about my month long vacay with sister dearest in January. =)

Paco Park

In 2007 when D and I were scouting for a suitable church for our wedding (May 2008), Paco Church was one of our few options. We ended up getting married somewhere else because Paco Church was way over our budget LOL

I've always wanted to explore Paco Park and cemetery, mostly for its historical significance. Sister dearest and I had the time to do so two years ago, May 2022. 

Chapel of St. Pancratius which was closed

After his execution in Luneta on December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal's body was buried (without a coffin) in an unmarked grave in Paco Cemetery to prevent his fellow revolutionaries to use it as a rallying point. His sister Narcisa found his grave after days of searching for his remains. She placed a marble slab engraved with his initials in reverse R.P.J.

In 1898, she had his body exhumed and placed in an ivory urn at her residence in Binondo until 1912, when our national hero was interred in his final resting place at Rizal Park, Luneta.

This is the original site of Jose Rizal's burial after his execution

Cemeterio de Paco located within the walls of the park was originally meant for the affluent and aristocratic Spanish who resided in Intramuros. There are still 65 people buried there even though burials ceased in 1912. Most of the niches are now empty and the lapidas are in Spanish.

Paco Park is the final resting place of the three Filipino Catholic priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora who were executed in 1871 for alleged sedition by the Spanish authorities. Jose Rizal dedicated his second novel, "El Filibusterismo" to the memory of the three priests, Gomburza.

Undas 2024

Undas is the Spanish acronym for Unos Dias de los Almas y de los Santos. In English it translates to Days of the Souls and of the Saints. We, Catholics observe All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on the second of November. We visit the graves of our beloved departed family members, relatives and friends to pay our respects, pray and offer flowers and candles. Most cemeteries and memorial parks are full. Parking problems and traffic jams on roads leading to cemeteries  are common on these public holidays of obligation.

This year, we first visited Papa Wel, D's father at the crypt of the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Bustillos, Sampaloc. All of D's siblings live in different parts of the USA. 

I never met Papa Wel as I have never been to the US.

His remains were cremated in Oct. 2012 in Seattle and his elder sister brought the urn home to be buried at the family crypt along with his first wife and his eldest son, Kuya Danny. 

Papa, Mama, Tita Ana, Tita Narcing and Ninong Freddie

November 3, 2024 a Sunday there were less people at the Loyola Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque where my maternal grandparents, grand aunts, my ninong (Mommy's cousin) and my parents are buried. 

We visited before lunch time with the sun blazing one minute then a slight drizzle with hovering dark clouds the next minute.

 

Mommy was officially diagnosed with a rare form of cancer October 2020 after a much delayed biopsy. By then, it was already terminal. From an energetic, sprightly, bubbly and jolly person, she became non verbal and bedridden the last months of her life. It was very painful for us to lose her that way. Three months later, Dad tragically fell down the stairs. 

Three years have passed by but the pain is still very raw. I still burst into tears when I see pictures of them on my fb feed or on my phone. 

I fervently pray for the eternal repose of their souls. May they rest in peace in God's eternal kingdom. 

Amen.