Hyperthyroidism and Cardiac Dysrhythmia Fighter.

Sickness doesn't pick any age.

How It Began
This 2nd semester (starting October 2013), I started to feel strange things on my body. I was used to long walks, running after jeepneys, limited hours of sleep, and managing loads of stress. Whenever I cross the footbridge from UP CHK to UP AIT (which crosses the wide Commonwealth highway), my breath becomes shorter, my heart races fast even with just little exerted effort, and I found myself easier to get tired. My mom also started to notice my hand tremors. Those symptoms became alarming to us because my brother and my grandfather had Hyperthyroidism; they both got operated. It raised fear to me because who wants to get operated at the age of 19 or 20?

This was how big my goiter was when the doctor first saw it.

Early this January 2014, I visited my pediatrician after so many years. I was still 19 that time, okay? The nurses said that pediatricians entertain "kids" up to the age of 19. So there. Right on the moment I entered her clinic, she told me "ang laki ng leeg mo". How could my bulging neck not be obvious to me?? I came back to my Cardiologist (who didn't notice the lump on my throat as well when I consulted with him early December 2013), and he said "oo nga noh! How could I not notice that?" That was the start of it. He asked me to have a FT3 and FT4 test. But here's where things go wrong so fast:

Emergency Case
The Saturday morning before I was going to take my FT3 and FT4 test, I experienced palpitations. My heart was beating so fast as if I ran a 10k marathon, but all I did before that was to take a shower. I quickly went to my mom and told her that I'm having a hard time breathing. That time, I know I'm having a hard time, but I couldn't imagine it as a big deal. When I was at the ICU already, I still have managed to talk with the nurses as they were interviewing me on how I feel. You know you're in serious trouble when the nurses call your doctor. And they did.

My heart rate was at 185, the lowest at around 160 during my sleep. The doctor instantly ordered to admit me at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Philippine Heart Center. My mom refused, so my doctor compromised by implying that I stay on that hospital given that I'll still be admitted at the ICU. I was crying because what I know about the ICU is that dying people are their patients. The doctor was asking me why I was crying so I just told him I was thinking of my exam on Monday and that it was my 20th birthday on Sunday (that following day). I can not ask him if I'm gonna die. I was too scared.

From the Emergency Room, an X-Ray test was first conducted on me and then I was transferred to the ICU. I wasn't allowed to do almost anything. Literally. I wasn't allowed to text, to talk much, to eat, to sit down, to stand, and even to pee on my own! I had to use a bed pan when peeing and the nurses will clean it up for me. I don't like that. It's embarrassing for me. -___- Since I was under observation, the doctor did not allow me to eat. I did not eat anything for around 7 hours! Since I was hungry almost all the time (side effect of Hyperthyroidism), it was really hard not to eat for 7 hours!

I started to have visitors at around 4PM then I went to sleep, and then they allowed me to have visitors again by the time I was already allowed to eat. After satisfying my high metabolism problem, my next problems were difficulty in sleeping and irritation! I think it was already past 1AM when I fell asleep, and it wasn't continuous. I keep on waking up. I actually kept my phone hidden (because I use it as a music player, they allowed me to keep my phone), which I use to entertain myself when I'm so bummed.

The next day was my birthday at the ICU! I'll tell you this story on another post. I hoped for a memorable birthday, and I surely got a memorable 20th birthday for being in the ICU! For that day, I was like a normal kid on a normal room.

No, You're Not Yet Normal.
The day after my birthday, I got a late birthday gift from my doctor. He granted my wish to transfer me on a private room! :) I got to spend my whole day with my high school friend Camille, and watching Phineas and Ferb with her. Yes, I watch cartoons so it wouldn't be too stressful. That afternoon when Camille left, some of my other friends (Hi Nikki, Anri, KC, and Paula!) visited me. It was actually just a normal day. But that night was unexpected.

I thought I was okay already. I was just watching the drama Maria Mercedes, positioned myself to sleep, and palpitated. Out of nowhere. It seriously came out of nowhere. My heart rate shot up to 185 again. I wanted to sleep but I can't because I was so irritated - I kept on moving, my heart was still pounding like crazy despite the number of times I've drank medicine already, and I'm not sure if I was hallucinating or having a bad dream. I thought I was going to die. My fear this time was worse than the first attack.

The following day, the doctor insisted that we transfer to Philippine Heart Center. With the fear of having another palpitation, we agreed.

I felt like a princess at PHC because of their soft red comforter!

I don't look sick, huh?

My stay at PHC was better compared to my first hospital. There were no more occurrence of palpitations, and I wasn't fed lugaw three times a day anymore (I have a soft diet. My previous hospital took it seriously). :P All the side effects of my hyperthyroidism were still present; irritation, hand tremors, heart rate is still higher than normal, difficulty of sleeping, more frequent bowel movements, weight loss, and higher heat tolerance. My overall stay in the hospital was 7 days.

More Than My Neck, There's The Heart.
I have three doctors in PHC. A cardiologist, an endocrinologist, and an electrophysiologist. I thought the latter wasn't necessary, but contrary to my belief, he was important. My electrophysiologist diagnosed me to have two power distributors in my heart, whereas a normal heart only has one. He said this was an inborn decease, but wasn't occurring before because one overpowers the other. Hyperthyroidism makes every function of the body speed up - this is the reason why the irregularity in my heart's electric supply became a problem. The two power distributors are now both active, which causes shortness of electric supply in my heart. (Whew, that's a lot of science there!)

This is the reason why my (rare) case is important to know about and is deadly when not given medical attention. People who have Hyperthyroidism is quite normal - almost everyone I ask knows someone who have this. But people who have Cardiac Dysrhythmia is a special case because it can lead to heart attack, to stroke, and to sudden death. My doctor kept on telling me to read about this on the internet, but I didn't at first because I was scared. One night, I finally decided to read this. Now that I am aware of the dangers present in my body, I have to share my story. I started to love myself because of this. Before, I paid so much attention on things less important than my health. Now, I don't care what people say, as long as I do everything to cure myself.

Realizations
Sickness is part of one's life. Yes, it does slow you down in life. I remember a homily from one Sunday mass in December; there's something good in waiting and in slowing down... it makes you realize the things around you that you don't notice when you're in a hurry as always. 7 days in the hospital did give me realizations like who my real friends are, what should be my priorities, and a clearer vision of my life goals. I don't need to stress out if people don't understand me. I just need to be happy, slow down, and trust God.

I am a fighter. What's life without a little challenge, right? Hyperthyroidism and Cardiac Dysrhythmia, sakit ka lang. I have a God.

I was finally able to stand after 7 days! :)

Keep Smiling! -Po ☀

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014! (FINALLY!)

On the end of the Christmas Season (Three Kings Day), I said that I would write a summary of my 2013 on my birthday. As I somehow expected, I wasn't able to do it. :( A certain someone got confined on her birthday due to Hyperthyroidism and Cardiac Dysrthmia (I'll explain it in another post). Such a memorable birthday because she celebrated her 20th birthday in the ICU.

But here I am, redeeming myself on Chinese New Year! :) I don't celebrate Chinese New Year as religiously as our Chinese fellows do, but I respect their tradition and it has the words "new year" on it so why not, right?

I have a feeling that this is gonna be long because I suck at making summaries. Hold on, okay? Let's start!

Sunshine Boulevard

My clothing store, Sunshine Boulevard, started last August 2012. The store started to become on hiatus on May 2013. Something this special to me needs more attention and more effort, and I can accomplish this if I have more time for it. On that time, I wanted to focus on my acads and learn more first on starting a business. I think it was a good decision. :) Just by the start of my 3rd year in college, some of the subjects I took are marketing and managerial accounting. I can certainly use those when we launch Sunshine Boulevard for good! :)

Last 3 months of my term in UP-AIT Student Council

Me during one of the events for AIT month. :)

I loved being in the Student Council (SC). Even if my position was just the 2nd Year Representative, I've poured so much heart in it. I did all my best to know even just a little on all of my batchmates (and even the lower batches) in order to understand their situation and how I can help them. On February 2013, I had two events which I was in charge of. I was the head of Career Assistance Management Series IV (CAMS IV), a seminar on what's in store for tourism and HRM students after they graduate. This was sooooo memorable because this was my first big scale event! I have experienced going to different schools in one day to give them invitation letters, calling different tourism department chairpersons, and settling other logistic matters with the help of other SC members, of course. Next, I was the co-head of C3: Culture, Cuisine, Couture. This was a fashion show in partnership with UP ACTS who did the collection of ethnic inspired clothes. They've made awesome clothes which I think can join the ones shown on Fashion Week!

February is also the campaign period for the next set of officers. A lot has been asking me why I did not run for the next term. I was offered one of the Standard Bearer position, but I said no. I wanted to focus on my acads first, because I want to try to run for any Laude award. I have to admit that being in the SC, it made studying a bit more difficult because there must be a balance in time. Also, I want to grant my mom's wish: she wants me to stop being an SC member because she doesn't want me going home late due to the dangers it bring. In fact, on the last SC General Assembly of my term, my phone got snatched - I went home late and I have no time to choose a jeepney which is not scary (which is rare). But my mom is referring to more dangers than that.

Do I miss being an SC member? Yes, a lot. I know I can serve well, and I don't just serve because I can, but because I love to. So if you're gonna tell me why I didn't run for AY 2013-2014, here's what I'll say "it doesn't mean that because you can, means you should".

Summer 2013; Starting to be girly

Do you know that I'm an introvert (despite me being in the SC and having an organization in college)? This means no beach parties, late night at clubs, or travelling with friends (but this part is due to my parents being conservative). I also don't know why I didn't take summer classes, even if I did last 2012. I think it's because I didn't get the subjects I like? Whatever. But my summer was still productive because I've...

• finally learned how to do makeup (Yes, I've learned how to do makeup at the age of 19 only. A lot of girls knows how to before they go to college)
• learned LOTS of new hairstyles (I know a lot of hairstyles ever since I was a kid because I love playing with my hair! ;) )
• started to do nail art (never even had a single bottle of nail polish before!) 
• and improved my photography skills. ;)

Having so much time in my hands was fun (I am 98% busy). It's too bad it only lasted for a while.

UP Club Ecotour

It's my first time to model (officially)!

I owe my org, UP Club Ecotour. The time I was an applicant, I was busy for the SC campaign period. On my first year of being a member, I was too busy to help them. :( So since I'm not a member of SC this year, I think I've helped a lot in my org. :) I was the head for the major event for the first sem, Anniversary Week. It was a week long celebration, which made it really exhausting! There was a different activity every. exhausting. day. But it was surely worth it, and surely a great achievement for me and awesome Hya! We couldn't have done it without each other's help. :)

For the 2nd Semester, awesome Paulo (Hya, Paulo, and I call ourselves as the "awesome trio". But we don't literally call each other "awesome+*insert name here*"!) and I are the current heads of Domestikwhiz 2014, the biggest event of the org during the 2nd semester. We're still working on it (as of January 2014), so good luck to us!! :)

My 2013 Bucketlist!
   [x] Travel 3 times - Ilocos, Bohol, and hotel immersion at Hyatt Regency. I'll explain this on another post on another blog I'm planning to start on. ;)
   [x] Learn to do makeup - Weird to be in my bucket list but yes, I did it! If you're reading attentively, you would've read this above ^
   [x] Charity Event :) - Technically, I was part of my org's event, Rockalikasan, which was intended to raise money for a tree planting activity. Not exactly an event for helping less fortunate people, but it's still for a good cause which will benefit everyone!
   [  ] Learn to drive - Unfortunately, my mom is still against this idea. :(
   [x] Save money (FOR REAL) - Well, I was able to buy my new laptop. So I guess this is accomplished. :P
   [x] Accomplish at least 4 items in wish list
   [x] Be happy no matter what happens. :)

This 2014...
I want to have a simple life (no more attempting to be known by everyone or whatever), graduate on time (it's on jeopardy because there might be some delays due to my sickness), and finally love myself. If you know me personally, you'll tell me that I work hard. I don't notice it, but people around me does. I stress myself too much, that sometimes I put other things before my health. Being confined for 7 days and experiencing being in the ICU taught me to love and to take care of myself. Maybe that's my main goal for 2014 now.

Okay, I'm almost done...
2013 seemed to be my life's transition. I don't have to prove myself to anyone as long as I have already proved something to myself. After being so busy doing so many things for others, I think I have already proved myself. Now, I'm not pressured to do more because I now know in myself that I can do anything.
It's time I learn to love myself and focus on my goals. :) I've started not caring if I have a large number of friends or not. To be honest, I only have a handful of friends; but they're the best I could ever wish for. In college, I am 90% of the time alone. Even in my org's tambayan, I'm alone. I'm not mad at the people around me. But for me, I just realized that I don't need to change myself to be with people I have to pretend to. :)

Keep smiling! -Po ☀