I was diagnosed with diabetes

As you probably know, I was admitted to the Emergency Room at Clara Maas Hospital on Sunday, March 9 –my birthday. For three days, prior to my birthday, I had not been feeling well. I felt a little pain on my upper abdomen, and had a low grade fever. Initially I thought it was some kind of gastritis, so I self medicated with a pill called Prevacid, which I took once a day. I also started taking antibiotics. But nothing happened after three days of self-medication. I still felt some pain and discomfort in my upper abdomen, and not to mention the continuing low grade fever that I felt inside too. So, on Sunday, after celebrating a Filipino Mass at Holy Family, I decided to go and see my doctor. And my doctor advised me immediately to go to the ER for check up. After they admitted me at the ER, they immediately did a series of blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, sonogram, etc…From there on, I was confined to the hospital for more than two days.

My two days stay at the hospital was a blessing in disguise and an eye opener for me. Worse thing could have happened if I didn’t check in at the hospital as advised. They found out I have diabetes (Type 2), a chronic disease which, if not regulated, will result to many complications. Now I am trying to get under control. I check and record my blood sugar three times a day (before breakfast, before dinner, and two hours after dinner). For two weeks or so, I will be taking some insulin to regulate my sugar. In fact I learned how to give a shot on myself with insulin already (2X) a day. At first, I felt a little scared. Now it has become a routine. At first, when I was initially diagnosed with this chronic disease, they also found some irregularity in one of my heart enzymes – a possible indication of some blockages in my heart veins. The cardiac doctor initially mentioned of me getting a stent, if they find any blockage. But, thank God, after a series of blood tests, sonogram, x-rays, stress test – the result came out negative of any blockage/s, so far. But I still have to make an appointment with my cardiologist in two weeks, and maybe a possible regular appointment with the heart doctor after that. I am also battling a high cholesterol. But this maybe one of the results of being diabetic. So I am now taking a pill called ‘crestor’ to lower and regulate my cholesterol. But the most trying part of all these is that, I have now to change my lifestyle and eating habits. I am currently working with my dietitian about a meal plan…to determine the foods I could eat and not eat. And, as part of regulating my blood sugar, my doctors are forcing me to exercise too – to walk at least 30 minutes a day…a regimen which I already started.

When I woke up this morning, there were many things that came to my mind that overwhelmed me. Yes, this is for me a new journey, a new phase in my life which I have to face. Since I came out from the hospital, people had been asking me how I felt. Well, I said, this was a wake up call. Do I have to be anxious of what will happen in the future about my health? My answer is no. My motto remains the same. I try to live my life today as if it is the last day of my life. The truth is, I have no hold of the future. The only certain thing that I have now is today. For the past, it’s gone. As they say, there’s no need to cry over a spilled milk. So I try to live my life today in the best way I could.

For those of you who had come to visit me in the hospital, I thank you all for your time and generosity. I know that some of you had come to visit me, but I was already discharged from the hospital, when you came. But whether you have come to visit me or not, I know that many of you had been praying for me. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers, presence and love. Please continue to pray for me, as I do the same.

As we enter into the most important week of the year- the Holy Week - please know that I keep you all in my prayers. I know that my sickness and the pain I am going through are nothing compared to what Christ has suffered for us. Maybe I am also fortunate, in some way, that I am able to participate truly in the sufferings of Christ.

May God bless you and your family. May you have a wonderful celebration of easter too.