The Week That Was

It was a pretty rough week for me.

Monday: All started out well. It was pretty uneventful.

Tuesday: An email from one of my "sisters" at I Can Serve told us that they found some metastases in her bone scan.

Wednesday: The office nearly got burned down. The electrical post outside the main gate of the office was on fire, popping once in a while. We had to shut down the electricity until the electric company came to fix the problem.

Thursday: (1) I got a text from a friend telling me that she dreamt about me. (2) The road beside the construction in front of where we lived collapsed, causing the engineers to evacuate people in the building.

Friday: (1) I finally got to talk to the friend who sent me the SMS; she told me that she can't remember what her dream was about but she was crying when she woke up. (2) Another "sister" also had a recurrence, and this time around, it is already Stage III. (3) There was anarchy in the streets for a few hours; sending the Malacañang Palace to declare a "state of emergency." A lot of people believe that this is just another name for martial law. (4) One of the dormers came to me and told me that her parents wants her to move to another dorm; one where they do not have to worry about her safety.

Saturday: (1) It was blessedly a "peaceful" day. I got to play badminton with my friends without having to hurry off to work. (2) Two more dormers talked to me about moving out. (3) I talked to the building manager about moving out.

Sunday: (1) I found out that Sheryl Crow underwent surgery for breast cancer and will be having treatments. (2) I'm still enjoying the relative peace and quiet of the first half of the day. Perhaps we'll go house-hunting later.

Next week should be a breeze!

Adrenalin Pumper

Yesterday, as I was getting ready to head for the school, I received a text message from one of the boarders at home. It read: "Ate Vangie, is it true that the apartment is being evacuated?" Huh? I do not know anything about any evacuation! I wondered why Olive hasn't called or texted me about it, then I realized that she's not home.

I called the apartment and got no answer. Hmmm, it must be true. So, I called up the guard downstairs to verify the news and know what's going on.

Indeed, the whole building is being evacuated! As a safety precaution, they say.

I have written here before that there is a huge construction going on along Adriatico Street (where our room faces). I have complained about the dust during the demolition, and now the incessant noise 24/7. Robinson's Land is building three condominiums simultaneously. One is already around 6 or 8 stories high. The 2nd building's foundation has been laid and they're digging for the foundation of the 3rd one.

Olive and I have gotten used to sleeping with the construction lights (and noise!) seeping into our room. Even with all the lights out, our room's still pretty bright.

Yesterday afternoon, around 3 perhaps, a portion of the Adriatico Street gave way and 4 cars fell into the gaping hole, near the foundation of the 2nd building. They were able to pull 2 cars out but the remaining two were too far gone to pull out. With the collapse of the street, a construction crane about 100 or so feet away tilted dangerously, thus the evacuation.

The contractors don't have a choice but to pull down the crane. So, they proceeded to close Adriatico Street, as well as the nearby one, creating a monstrous traffic jam in the area.

As I did not bring my car, I took a cab home. The driver was blessedly ignorant of this particular piece of news, otherwise, I would have a hard time getting home. I got as far as Taft Avenue, then I walked the rest of the way. When I got to the building, I accounted for my boarders and helps; upon making sure that they are all right, I went into the building to get our important stuff.

I put everything in a bag, and then prepared to leave the apartment. In the stairwell, shouts were suddenly heard. I realized that the crane is on its way down. Being where I was, I just held on to the handrail and braced myself for whatever is going to happen next. There was a crash, a massive sound of steel against steel - but no tremor! I rushed down the next flight of stairs to look out the window to see what is going on. True enough, the crane now lies on its side, clouds of dust rising from the impact, and what's left of a car (crushed like a tin can). As I proceeded to go down, I met other residents going up the stairs. Apparently, the show's over. Next question is: Is the building safe enough?

Just as I completed this thought, the guard came rushing up the stairs, telling us to go down again as it is still not declared safe yet. So, I gathered our stuff again and prepared to go down. I got as far as the main door, then the guard was there again, saying it is okay for us to stay in the apartment already, and that the construction engineers have declared the building safe. Oh, geez!

The short drama left us weak-kneed after, with our adrenalins pumping. Of course, swapping of stories came next, then picture taking (of the crash site) from the roof. I asked everyone to call their parents and to report that they are safe.

The contractors are now working double time to fix the road so that it can be opened to traffic once again. The city mayor gave them 72 hours to accomplish this.

And that was our adventure yesterday.

EDSA I - 20 Years Hence

Twenty years ago saw the Filipinos coming together to boot out the seated president.

Five years ago, the people came together once again to boot out another president, and seated the incumbent one.

Today, people came together to "commemorate" the 20 years of "People Power."

Less than an hour ago (around noon), the Malacañang palace declared a "state of emergency." Rallies are being held simultaneously in the different parts of Metro Manila. Rumors of a coup de etat keeps going around, forcing the military into code red. Officers were required to report to their superiors to be accounted for.

After the two EDSA People Power Revolutions, one would think that the Filipinos would have learned their lessons by now. Sadly, this is not the case. The people keep booting out undesirable presidents but refuse to learn the lesson that comes with each experience and keep putting the wrong person in place. Instead of a long-term solution, the country often opt for a stop-gap.

I have never been really interested in politics. I hate all the maneuverings and the manipulations behind every move of the politicians - all who keeps on professing that what they are doing is for the "good" of the country, but in reality, they are only out for their own interest.

Filipinos are quick to forgive and have short-term memories, perhaps there lies the biggest flaw. If all of the Filipinos can only remember the going-ons during the term of these presidents, perhaps the Philippines would not be in this fix right now.

Touching Base

In the past 3 months, friends, acquaintances, and high school classmates have been popping out of the woodworks trying to touch base with me. It kinda makes me wonder if I am to pass into another realm or into oblivion soon.

I can't but help think this, especially when the fellow survivors I know are having recurrences. Some have frights, but were eventually declared to be still in remission, others do find metastases. I feel sad and apprehensive. Sad for those who have recurrence after less than 2 years from their last treatment, and apprenhensive for myself. The thought kept popping up: What if I'm next? Can I be as brave as these people?

I would like to believe that I will be in remission for the rest of my life, and until the 5-year mark has passed, I will still have to live in constant apprehension. However, I would just like to have faith and believe that I am healed - for life, for I refuse to live in the shadow of constant fear.

Amazing Race Asia Edition

As I was searching for the date of the pilot episode for the next season of Amazing Race, I came across an ad for Amazing Race Asia Edition.

I blinked, and blinked, and blinked again to make sure I saw it right. Yep, the producers of Amazing Race are producing an Asian edition. All Asian countries with the exception of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and those in the Middle East are included in the race. All you have to do is send in your application forms with a 3-minute video to convince the producers to pick you for the final 11 teams.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

My heart went a lub-a-dub for a few minutes. I was so excited! I wanna join! I checked out the rest of the qualifying details (requirements, etc.) Go! Go! Go!

The producers stipulates that all participants must be:
1. willing to travel (of course)
2. meet and interact with other cultures (why not?)
3. have a taste for adventure (who doesn't?)
4. willing to give up their privacy (I can live with that)
5. of sound mind and body (never mind the mind! teehee)
6. willing to travel by mid year of 2006 for 30 to 40 days (yes!)
7. have a valid passport (until December 2006 at the least)
8. at least 21 years of age (well, i'll be legible by mid 2006! mwahahahaha)

Hhmmmm....tempting! My only reservation is if I can cope with the fatigue that is sure to accompany the demands of the race. I am not what I used to be. It will only be a drag if we (my teammate and I) are at the final legs of the race and I find that I can not go on due to my health! Oh, drats! Maybe next year, when I have built up my stamina. I'm sure my doctor/s will not allow me to go on such a taxing task just yet.

I envy those who will make it to the Asian edition of the Amazing Race. *Sigh*

Treatment Options

Last week, I received an email from a friend asking me to help encourage cancer patients to seek the right treatment, that is, the "traditional" way with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, etc. as versus to "alternative" treatment which mainly consist of herbal supplements and other non-traditional approaches.

Up until now, I still have not done anything about this. Why? I believe that each patient have the right and the final say as to what kind of treatment he/she wants, be it scientific or alternative. I believe in this although many people may not find the logic behind the choice/s people make.

I used to believe that it all boils down to economics. When the cash flow is getting low, people tend to turn to "cheaper" (often desperate and worse) options. Then a friend told me about the story of a cancer patient who opted for alternative medicine.

The patient was diagnosed with breast cancer although they could not find any lumps on her breasts. None appeared on the mammogram nor on the ultrasound. During surgery, it was found that 98% of the axillary lymph nodes that was taken from her were positive for tumors. This is not good, so it was decided that she get a mastectomy. The lab results came back and it was diagnosed as Stage IV breast cancer. I don't know what other treatment she had after that, but now, 3 or 4 months after the surgery, she went to see another doctor for follow-up as her doctor was out of the country at the time. Imagine the shock she got when the new doctor told her that she never had breast cancer, and that it had been lung cancer all along! Now, that person have to cope with a needless mastectomy on top of the cancer that is ravaging her body. She now opts for alternative medicine as her mode of treatment.

Then there are patients that would prefer the alternative treatment when they were told that they have a recurrence. After going through chemotherapy myself, having known the punishment such treatment gives to one's body, I can understand if they choose the alternative approach the second time around. To them, choosing that mode of treatment plus their faithin the Higher Being, is enough for them. They want a "better quality of life" where they will not have to live out their last days feeling the side effects of the drugs and treatments; where they know that although their life is being cut short, they can still embrace it and choose to live it to the fullest they know how.

So, traditional or alternative? I know what I will choose, and I might try to persuade someone to my way of thinking, but we also have to consider the circumstances surrounding the patient and just respect their choices even if we felt that it is wrong. When faced with death, people tend to grasp at anything to avoid it, they will believe anything they hear, and there will always be some scoundrel lurking around to take advantage of this, these are the people we have to watch out for, and they work on both sides of the treatment options, traditional and alternative.

Schooling

I have enrolled in a short course last October, studying to be a Medical Transcriptionist (MT). It has occupied my weeknights since then as my classes are from Mondays to Fridays, 6 to 10 p.m.

Badminton games, tv series, movies, and even an occasional dinner or meeting with friend/s had to take a back seat and became a non-option during weekdays. Whatever life I have outside school and work is crammed on Sundays as I still have to work Daturdays.

So it came to pass that my days (since October) would start at 9 a.m. (with work) and ends at 10 p.m. The first two weeks saw me with dark circles under my eyes right away, still trying to adjust to a gruelling routine. I would have days when I would feel so tired that I would nod off on my desk (both in the office and in school) for a few minutes - sometimes right after a cup of coffee at that!

We are already more than half-way through. On Monday, we will be "attending" our classes from home. Assignments will be relayed electronically. This is to see how we will be if we work from home. I think this is yet the biggest challenge of this course; as being home, all the temptations: TV, people to chat with, a ready bed when you're feeling sleepy, etc. are readily available.

I will graduate in 5 to 6 weeks' time and I'm quite excited about it. Yes, it is all worth the long hours.

Alda's

When I moved in to Elena Apartments almost 2 decades ago, Alda's is one of the more popular and affordable restaurant in the neighborhood. I love their chicken croquettas; the pasta dishes are nice; the pizzas good; and of course, a visit to Alda's would not be complete without the Chocolate Cream Pie!

Last night, as I was walking home from school, I decided to take another route than the usual. I passed by Alda's and I was thinking that it has been a while since I last ate there - must go there one of these days. To my dismay, I saw that the restaurant was closed! Closed? Why? I backtracked and read the sign at the door, it read: "Kitchen equipment for sale. Tables and chairs, too."

Oh, no! They have closed shop! No more chicken croquettas!

The restaurant is closed and all I can think of is their food! What's the matter with me???

I guess I am just a foodie.

I'm Baaaack!

Before I got sick, I used to play badminton twice or three times a week, sometimes even more. I would be at the courts from 6 to 11 or 12, sometimes this is in the morning, and sometimes, in the evening, depending on the day of the week. That is 5 or 6 hours of playtime. Of course I am not playing ALL of the 5 or 6 hours, but I can play 2 hours straight and still feel okay.

Last Saturday morning, I went to a badminton court to try to play again, this after 5 months off the courts! I was there at 8 am but have to leave around 10 for I still have to go to work (us slaves have to work the whole day Saturday).

I had one good game (2 sets - or is it the other way around? 1 set, 2 games?) and then I have to call it a day. Towards the end of the 2nd set/game, I could already barely lift my hand to hit the shuttlecock, much less run after it. My, oh, my. I have to build that stamina once again!

This morning, I went to play again; as it was last week, I got to play only one game. One game, and I was tired! To think that last week's game is much "harder" than today's! But then again, I feel good. It's nice to play again.

I'm baaaack!!!!! Well, sort of... =)