I was starting to get depressed. A few weeks ago, I was complaining about the unbearable chest pain that I had and I was diagnosed to have Costochondritis and my rheumatologist gave me something for the pain and advised me to slow things down and take a break from work which I did. I took a leave from work for a couple of days and I refrain from doing any stressful things, so that I can get better. I was hoping that because I took a couple of days off, I’m on my way on getting better but last weekend my headaches had been constant and is becoming intolerable, I was even screaming for pain. Even my pain killers don’t seem to work anymore and last night, I developed a red rash in my forehead and this morning I had blisters. I was terrified, I thought I’m having another major lupus flare and it really scared me.

I went to my dermatologist this afternoon and she told me it was Herpes Zoster and explained to me what it was and she also gave me something for the pain. So I guess, this is where my headaches are coming from. I sort of had a sigh of relief, at least it was not a lupus flare and it was diagnosed early so it can be treated well. Now, I can probably sleep calmly again.

I’m raving, I just lost another whooping eight pounds in just two weeks. My hard work is slowly paying off and in no time I’ll be in the best shape in my life ever since steroids came in the picture. I used to be so depressed when I started to gain weight when I took steroids almost seven years ago and this year I was really determined to lose weight, I even thought of taking diet pills like Phentermine but I’m a bit reluctant because of its adverse reactions in my lupus medications, so I stick with eating less and healthy and exercising more. Discipline and will power is the key and now, as I look at myself at the mirror, I just can’t help but feel proud about myself.

Introducing the current love of my life…
my ever so cuddly and adorable nephew…

Is he just a sweetheart?

I just so love him and he never fail to put a smile into my face whenever I see him. He’s too lovable and I like to spoil him a little, buying him gifts like toys and baby clothing that will surely make him cuter. His smile literally sweeps me off my feet…

I love to organize parties. I personally attend to everything if I have time to do it. I just want everything to be organized so that every guest will feel special and will have a fun time. I like to do the party invitations as well as the decorations of the party, it’s amazing how fun and enjoyable these things are especially if you are planning for a party for someone dear to your heart.

Cancer had claimed a lot of people close to my heart and it saddens me that even though there is now a cure for most of the Big C, most people can’t still survive it. I have a close friend suffering from bone cancer and she was in remission for almost four years but recently her doctor finds some activity again and she has to undergo chemo therapy again among other things. I know how devastated she is, I can feel that she’s losing hope. I can truly understand how she feels, I too can’t imagine myself going through the difficulty of those medical procedures again and many times you just want to stop for a while and scream. Maybe the easy way out is to quit and just give up but my faith in God always reminds me that even though the battle ahead maybe great but my God is much greater than all these, so I refuse to give up and lose hope. I know that God is good and someday, He will give me complete healing and I would love to share this hope and faith to all those who are suffering from any illnesses.

I found such a great book about self discovery through the power of prayer. Its author was a cancer survivor and gives her insights and shares her wonderful blessings through her book, Drawing From The Well. It’s a must-read and it will surely bring you back and sort of help you journey through past life therapy to help you reflect in such a way that God will enlighten you.

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last updated this blog. Well, I took my doctor’s advice (finally) and took a long break from work and everything else. I didn’t really go on a trip or anything, I just stayed home for most part of my break and I did a bit of shopping here and there. Shopping never really fails to uplift my mood and I bought several stuff for my nieces and nephews, I also shop new clothes and shoes for my brother who is off to his last year in college. I think I spoiled him a little, well I’m so proud of him and since he’s the only sibling I got it wouldn’t hurt if I splurge a little, right? I’m not sure if www.Visa.com would love that but who cares I like to spend for the people I love.

I also took advantage of my long break to pamper myself. I had a diamond peel for the first time and it felt so good, it made me feel much younger. I also had a whole day in the spa and devoted the entire day for myself alone. Sometimes with our busy and crazy schedule we tend to forget that we also need time for ourselves and we should always take care of us first before we can take care of others, selfish as it may sound but I vowed to keep a day just for myself alone, after all who would love me better than me…

I brought home a hammock chair when I went to Boracay last summer and it’s been hanging at our backyard fronting our garden. I so love that chair, it’s the best place for me to relax, unwind and with a good book in hand I just find it so soothing. I don’t regret buying one and I recommend it to anyone who wants to put some tranquility back into their lives.