It goes without saying that the two trips I had at the hospital in a span of less than a week is horrible.

The hospital is the last place I want to be in. Nobody ever wants to get sick.  On the first occasion, my mother rushed me to the dreadful hospital in the wee hours of the morning on May 29.

It was because of respiratory difficulties and I was literally gasping for breath. I felt like I was approaching my last. You cannot feel what it is like when one is faced with such a critical need for medical attention. I had been sick and down many times in the past but last Friday’s attack was never like the past. That was the worst asthma attack I had in my entire life. My blood pressure at the Emergency Room surged and skyrocketed to 140/120. That was due to the struggle I had the entire night.

At the hospital, I had to endure the needles poked into swollen veins and other various tests. I had to endure the not-so-yummy food served. I had to endure being alone in the hospital room most of the time. I wanted to be discharged the next day but my attending physician suspected pneumonia so I had to follow orders. Thank God pneumonia was ruled out the following day!

Before finally going home, my co-workers took some time to pay me a visit. I sincerely appreciate their comradeship. And of course, my blogpals who never ceased to leave their well wishes for my speedy recovery. You all gave me strength and your words of encouragement and sympathy sincerely warmed my heart which made me truly proud that I am a blogger!

Then, after leaving the hospital, I had to maintain some really expensive meds and nebulizations for 4 more days. The meds gave me tremors and left me feeling week after each intake.

Friday, June 5, I had to see the doctor again for follow-up check up at 11Am. When I arrived at the clinic, my blood pressure was checked. I saw the look of surprise on the doctor’s attendant when she asked me: “Ma’am are you feeling OK? Your blood pressure is not normal.” I retorted back: No, I don’t feel OK. I feel an excruciating pain because of the terrible headache I had since early this morning…”

150/120.

160/ 120.

Those were my Blood Pressures for 4 hours that they monitored me. And it refused to go down. The doctor feared that I might have an episode of aneurysm. I don’t know what that means. She further said that my BP should be closely monitored overnight. I don’t own a gadget to do that. It would be better to have me readmitted at the hospital so other tests can be done: blood, sugar, creatinine, 2d echo, etc, that’s according to the doctor.

I did not want another confinement because that would mean more expenses. But my mother was real worried and told me to follow the doctor’s orders despite me convincing her that there’s really no need for me to be readmitted.

The second trip to the hospital was again an agony. I have a slightly elevated cholesterol level (hypercholesterolemia). The doctor put me on a low fat and low salt diet.

Most of the time, I was all by myself. It gave me time to reflect and realized that I haven’t lived a healthy lifestyle. I saw the need and the importance of keeping watch of my diet and doing regular exercises.

With my mother…

I can imagine Windy’s face while he was giving me all those health lectures and his I-TOLD-YOU-SO look was clearly imprinted and registered in my mind. And what a mockery! When I reached home from the hospital, he even posted “Lainy-Belle, Does This Ring A Bell” at his blog that left me laughing my heart out! You’re really one of a kind, Windy!

Some blogpals took time out to personally see how I was at the hospital- Star, Twinks, Tammy and Rosilie. I truly appreciate the gesture, girls!

I haven’t been blogging too much of late the way I used to. The culprit was the stress I was into for the month that was. Birthdays here and there. I singlehandedly did all the preparations- groceries, cooking, etc. My body wasn’t able to cope. I had inadvertently pushed myself to the edge. But soon I want to blog about Yaman Gensan 2009.

Our body and our health is a gift from our Creator. Indeed, health is wealth. We only have one body and we need to take good care of it. One don’t need to be a health buff to realize it. Our life will sure take on a new meaning and new dimensions if we are in excellent shape.

I wish you blue skies and all things nice,