Nanay, Ina, Mommy, Mama, Inang...NINANG

FLASHBACK:
Hindi ba pagbata ka pa kadalasan ang tatawagin mo pag nasasaktan ka ay walang iba kundi ang iyong Mommy. Pag masakit ang ngipin mo iiyak ka at magsasabi ka sa mommy mo, si mommy mo naman lahat gagawin na mawala lang yung sakit ng ngipin na yan. Pag nilalagnat ka gusto mo kayakap mo ang mommy mo, si mommy naman kahit pagod nagkakandapuyat sa pagpupunas sa iyo. Pag nadapa ka at nagkasugat, kanino ka agad tumatakbo, mommy mommy nadapa po ako....si mommy naman pandalas sa pagkuha ng alcohol, at lalo ka naman iiyak sa hapdi. Sa mga bagay na ganyan, bihasa ang mommy. Ang alagaan tayong mga anak. Sa pag dadalaga mo naman, yung unang heartache mo kanino ka umiiyak, sure sa BFF mo pero iba pag ang mommy mo na ang sumalo ng mga iyak mo sa heartache na yan. Pero pano nga ba kung wala sila, kanino ka iiyak, kanino ka kukuha ng suporta, kanino ka hihingi ng advice....


HIGH LIGHTS FOR 2014... 
#1
WOW. Yan lang po ang masasabi ko. Finally, nagkasamasama kaming mag-iina, And Thank God magkakasundo naman silang 3. Meet my children....

My First Born Siegfreed Reign, My Bunso Sebastian Rafael & My Bunsai Gabrielle Naomi

walking at Nuvali Sta Rosa

Picture2 after chowtime

our wacky shot

I'm sure you OFW moms alam ang feeling ng ganito yung malayo kayo sa mga anak nyo. And thank God we were given a chance na makauwi to spend time with them... kahit bitin. Magkasundo si Bunso at Bunsai sa hotdog! Si Kuya Reign naman naiilang kase gusto ihug nya si naomi while watching. Hehehe... And i'm glad kase they call Resty as Papa not Tito or Uncle. Now, we are a one big happy family. 

#2

During our vacation in the Philippines, our youngest Naomi fell from the stairs( 9 steps). We brought her to the hospital and was discharged in less than 24 hours dahil OKAY naman pala daw si Naomi. So, all the while i thought she is fine. So when we came back to Kuwait only then nalaman namin na NO SHE IS NOT OKEY AND SHE NEEDS TO BE OPERATED SOON. Thank you sa mga kapatiran na laging naka alalay kay Naomi at pati na din sa akin. Talagang kahit ako napaniwala na xray lang ang punta namin yun pala operating theatre na. 

before going to the operating room

Ate Marilyn Santos salamat talaga sa lahat ng pag assist, sa pagkuha ng appointment, sa pag open ng file, sa pag eendorse kay Naomi pag di ka duty, sa surprise cupcakes for Naomi, sa pag asikaso sa amin while inside Al Razi. And of course, thank you din kay Lola Diane ni Naomi...my NINANG. You just don't know how it helped when you came to visit Naomi. Specially when you brought her a surprise! hehehehe... Ninang Diane, kahit hindi po tayo laging nagkaka bonding, i want you to know that i treat as my second Nanay. We will not pray for you na maging Ninang namin diba if you did not touched my life. Ikaw kaya ang una kong nakilalala ko sa FLCC. 

Remember this? Ito po yung inabot ni Ate Mailyn sa akin, galing
daw po sa inyo ni Ninong Ver.  It's still here with me.

Takot po ako sa hospital, nerbiyosa ako pagdating dyan pero kailangan maging matapang si Mama for Naomi. Kahit anong hirap, kahit anong sakit titiisin ng isang nanay. Ganyan ang nanay diba. Dati rati naalala ko ako ang naghahanap ng Mommy sa tabi ko ngayon ako na ang gumaganap non. Pero alam nyo ba kahit nanay na din ako, na miss ko yung katabi ko ang mommy ko or nanay ko sa pagkakataong ganito. Yung naka bantay din sila sa inyong mag ina, naka-alalay din ng kung ano ang kailangan. Kaya lang di naman lahat ng OFW kasama ang mga magulang nila sa abroad. Ninang Diane Monastrial when you came sa ward ni Naomi that time and even requested na baka pwedeng imove ng 30minutes yung fasting ni Naomi so she can eat yung Mcdonalds, sobrang i felt na hindi talaga nagkakamali ang Panginoon sa mga taong inilalagay nila sa buhay mo. 

the surprise from Lola Dianne

#3

After Naomi's operation and everything it's time naman for me...my case. Since i delivered Naomi, I've been a regular of the OPD Maternity Hospital. Tumataas po ang Prolactin ko ng sobrang taas max 511 pero inaabot po ako ng libo. Hindi lang libo kundi libo2. Prolactin? Ano yun? 

What is prolactin?

Prolactin is a hormone named originally after its function to promote milk production (lactation) in mammals in response to the suckling of young after birth.  It has since been shown to have more than 300 functions in the body.  These can be divided into a number of areas: reproductive, metabolic, regulation of fluids (osmoregulation), regulation of the immune system (immunoregulation) and behavioural functions.

In humans, prolactin is produced both in the front portion of the pituitary gland (anterior pituitary gland) and in a range of sites elsewhere in the body.  Lactotroph cells in the pituitary gland produce prolactin, where it is stored in small containers called vesicles.  Prolactin is released into the bloodstream by a process called exocytosis.  Human prolactin is also produced in the uterus, immune cells, brain, breasts, prostate, skin and adipose tissue.

What happens if I have too much prolactin?

The condition of having too much prolactin circulating in the blood is called hyperprolactinaemia.  The most common causes of hyperprolactinaemia include pregnancy, medications that reduce dopamine action in the body, thyroid underactivity and benign pituitary tumours (known as prolactinomas).  Symptoms can include the unwanted production of milk, disturbances to the menstrual cycle and symptoms due to oestrogen deficiency (in women) or testosterone deficiency (in men).  The vast majority of patients with a prolactinoma can be treated successfully using drugs which mimic the action of dopamine.  The most commonly used is cabergoline.

So ayan po yan sa Maternity Hospital my case ay hypoprolactinoma until such time na nag decide na sila na i go for MRI to see whats causing the problem. To cut it short i went for MRI got the result and i was to have Pituitary Microademona. Pituitary Microadenoma? Ano yun? 

What is a pituitary microadenoma?

A pituitary microadenoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland with a diameter less than 10 mm (those with a diameter greater than 10 mm are called macroadenomas).

What are the symptoms and signs of microadenomas?

Pituitary microadenomas can cause Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, hyperthyroidism, and rarely, symptoms related to decreased secretion from the pituitary gland.

Symptoms of a pituitary microadenoma may include the following:

• tiredness
• headaches
• vomiting
• dizziness
• vision problems
• nausea
• menstrual or breast changes
• unexplained hair growth or loss

How are pituitary microadenomas diagnosed?

Your doctor may suspect you have a microadenoma if you have the symptoms listed above. Possible tests to confirm this diagnosis include the following:

• blood tests
• urine tests
• visual field tests
• computed tomography (CT)
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS)

How common are pituitary microadenomas?

Microadenomas can occur in either sex. As many as 10% of the population may have a microadenoma, but most do not cause symptoms. Prolactinomas, a subset of microadenomas, are diagnosed more frequently in women, possibly because of the more striking presenting features such as amenorrhea, galactorrhea, or both.

In men, the diagnosis of inactive adenomas is often delayed until they have become macroadenomas and cause symptoms by compressing nearby structures. Microadenomas can occur at any age, but prevalence appears to increase with age.

What kinds of treatments are available for pituitary microadenomas?

Medication

For prolactin-secreting microadenomas, surgical removal is followed by recurrence in about 30% of patients. Therefore, medical therapy that blocks the hormonal effects of the tumor and prevents or shrinks its growth is preferred.

Surgery

Surgery is the best form of treatment and the only way to achieve a cure. Your surgeon will gain access to your pituitary gland using the transsphenoidal approach—so named because the route your surgeon takes crosses, or transects, your sphenoid bone. This bone is located behind your nose mostly within your skull.

Using precise surgical instruments, your surgeon will make an incision through your nasal cavity to create an opening in your sphenoid bone. Once your surgeon gains access to your sphenoid sinus (the fluid-filled area behind the sphenoid bone), further incisions will be made until a hole is created in the sella turcica—the bone that cradles and protects your pituitary gland.

After your tumor appears in the operative field, removal of the tumor can proceed. Your surgeon will use high magnification to readily distinguish normal pituitary tissue from the microadenoma.

Once the tumor has been removed, your surgeon will clean the tumor cavity and seal it. At Barrow, our surgeons specialize in two types of surgery for pituitary microadenomas: microsurgery and endoscopic surgery.

Microsurgery uses a powerful operating microscope to help your surgeon distinguish between tiny structures in and around your pituitary gland.

Endoscopic surgery uses small tubes and a tiny camera to help your surgeon remove your tumor in small pieces.

Both surgeries aim to minimize trauma to the tissue surrounding your pituitary gland while facilitating a speedy recovery with as little pain or discomfort as is possible. Each technique has its own inherent advantages and disadvantages, and your surgeons will work with you to help determine which is the best fit for you.

Most patients are able to return home the day after their surgery for removing a pituitary microadenoma, and nasal packing is seldom required.

O, na educate ba tayo? actually kahit ako hindi ko yan alam noon... hehehehe.. So from Maternity Hospital i was referred to IBNSINA for Neurosurgeon and my OB prescribed again for me to take dostinex for 8 weeks. 1 tablet per week. So nung dumating ako sa IBNSINA with the help of Nanay Zeny, My NINANG naipaschedule po ako sa suggested Doctor ni Sis. Dana Tumamao isang kapatiran na isa ring nurse. He advised me to continue the meds given by the Maternity and see what will happen. So after our vacation and after Naomi's operation nga ito na po ang aming binalikan. This is it!!! Hospital again lugar kung san ako ay takot. Number 1 ako sa pila, and eto na nga po..for surgery for Pituitary Microadenoma. Sunday Dec. 14 i was already admitted sa IBNSINA hospital, and operation was done ng Dec 15 Tuesday. Well, praise God my operation was successful. My Doctor is one of the best dito sa Kuwait, Dr. Abbas Ramadan! To all those who came to visit me, Tere Bajar (my regular visitor), Ate Marion & Anson Dionisio, Edison, Ate Wheng, Ate Aj, Engr. Rene, Ate Marilyn & JM,Tita Rose, Pipay, Seth, Ruth, Damaris, Ninong Jopet,Shella and ETEAM thank you po so much. Dito na po papasok na naman ang kwento patungkol sa isang ina. Dito po kase sa Kuwait pag ikaw ay naospital mag isa ka lng po talaga. Mga dakilang Expat Nurses lang po tlaga ang makakasama mo. Pwede ka lang mabisita but no one will be allowed to stay with the patient. Simula po ng dumating ako ng IBNSINA before 7am ng Dec 14, 2014 isang Nanay na ang kasakasama ko, and sya ay walang iba kundi si Nanay Zeny Sotto-Alim. Nung kukuhanan ako ng mga blood exams hala nandyan na sila ni Ate Marion punta dito punta doon tawag dito tawag doon lapit dito lapit doon tanong dito tanong doon na kung paanong hindi na ako kailangang magbayad. Kahit napaka busy sa lab nakadagdag sa pagiging busy nila ang pagaasikaso sa akin ni Nanay. Noong araw na ipasok ako sa Operating Room, i wanted to be strong in front ng mag ama ko. Naomi cried nung hindi na sila pinayagang makapasok. i can hear her crying hanggang sa loob. Doon na naman ako naghanap ng Nanay. I hope my nanay is with me or my mom. Kaya lang wala eh, nandito ako at nasa malayo sila. After the operation nagising na lang ako nasa ICU na ako, pumasok sa isip ko sana pumunta si Nanay Zeny. Nagulat na lang ako pagtingin ko sa may nurse nandun na si Nanay Zeny naka blue labgown. Kinumusta nya ako tpos timing dumating yung assistant Doctor ni Dr. Abbas, kung ano ano ang tinanong nya na parang Nanay. The next day she came again with Edison, checking on me. Dinalhan pa nya ako ng Vaseline and strepsils. Nung binalik na ako sa Ward, sinabi ko kay Resty ng natulo ang luha ko na sbi ko, "alam mo Pa hinahanap ko si Nanay Zeny sa isip tapos nagulat na lang ako She was alreadly there." Lagi syang nandyan. Bigla pa syang dumating na may kasamang social worker para wala na akong maging bill kung meron kase nag CTSCAN pa ako after i was discharged sa ICU. Before her work darating sya, sa mga middle ng work nya bigla na nman silang nandyan after work darating din sya. Nagegets nyo ba yun? Tumayo talaga syang nanay ko during those time na kailangan ko ng isang nanay sa tabi ko. To Dana, thank you for educating me before my admission... kahit scary medyo na ready ko naman ang sarili ko hehehehe.... and thumbs up talaga ako sa IBNSINA nurses ng Ward 6. Grabe! Sobrang grabe! 

Sino nga ba kase yung mga Ninang ko na yan?! Well, its time for you to meet them. This photo was taken on Jan 27, 2010 at the Philippine Embassy Kuwait during our Civil Wedding. Galing pa po yan sila sa work sinundo namin sila papunta sa Embassy. Pareho po silang mga Medical Technicians dito sa Kuwait. Ninang Loudianne Monastrial po from the right Med Tech from Al-Razi Hospital. And sa kabilang side naman po si Ninang Zenaida Alim, Med Tech from IbnSina Hospital. Sila po ang mga bigay sa amin ni God na maging pangalawang INA namin dito sa Kuwait. 

To Nanay Zeny & Ninang Dianne from the bottom of my heart maraming salamat po. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We love you! 

And para sa Hari ng mga Hari, Panginoon ng mga Panginoon, salamat po for 2014. Salamat for not leaving us. Thank you for all your promises. And i want to end with this verse....

Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY