Lupus and your Eyes

Lupus patients should have their eyes check twice or once a year. It is better if we'll consult an opthalmologist since our medicines has side effects and lupus may have other complications that may affect the eyes. 

So here are the 5 common eye problems associated with lupus:

1. EYELID DISEASE

2. DRY EYE SYNDROME

3. RETINAL DISEASE

4. SCLERITIS

5. OPTIC NEURITIS

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may also have side effects such as cataracts (clouding of the lens in one or both eyes) and glaucoma (elevated pressure in the eyes). 

Opthalmologist decided to give me eyeglasses to prevent eyestrain since most of the time my eyes were too sensitive with light and to prevent my eyes from future vision problems. 

Also, do not forget to relax your eyes and take a break. :)

Keep fighting my dear lupies! ♥

Built to Survive

Achy and swollen joints? Unexplained fever? Prolonged fatigue? Skin rash? Hair loss? Sensitivity to sun and other light? I know some of you already coped up with Lupus, while some are still in the stage of accepting SLE. So I can't blame a person who have this condition and have negative thoughts on his/her life because I've been through the dark stage of Lupus. It will bring you the thought on how will you spend your day, or the thought of how will you be productive if you have the said condition. 

Having this condition is not easy. Every lupus patient experienced difficulties, sufferings and chronic pain emotionally and physically. And in order to surpass this, acceptance is a must. You have to deal with pain whether it is acute or chronic, accept the fact that there are limitations for every action, and you need to take different medicines. Remember that Lupus is not curable but treatable. There is no specific medicine in order to remove Lupus in our system but if we take our medicines religiously and we follow the doctor’s order, there will be small chance in having lupus flares. Just like what I told you before that aside from doctors and medicines, having faith and having belief in recovery is very important. Think positive thoughts that you will be healed and someday hopefully, there will be a cure for this. Promise yourself that you will fight each day with a smile and not to give up for lupus fighters were BUILT TO SURVIVE.  

SG2014: International Furniture Fair/ ASEAN Furniture Show

Yessss! SINGAPOREEEEE! :)))

Finally had the chance to be in Singapore. 

*International Furniture Fair 2014 

(our main purpose for being there)

Made by different manufacturers and exporters from different countries

and finally! Wooden products made from Philippines :)) 

Some are from IMPACT BALIBAGO ARTS & CRAFTS. :)

Curious? Check their website for more information and more of their products. Some of the products are not featured in their website so you can click the CONTACT US button on their website for questions or inquiries. :)

So here's a little background or information about the company.

Impact Balibago Arts & Crafts
Website: impactbalibago.com

Was established in the year 1997 under the management of Julio D. Pamintuan Jr. Since it was established, our company has been manufacturing wood products such as salad bowls, desk and wall clock, mugs, ashtrays, picture frames, serving trays and plates which found its way on the global market and later boosted our export capacity. And as years passed by, our product line-up increased which now included woodenwares, wooden figurines, basket ware, shell crafts, driftwood and vines items. All our products are exported to various industries dealing in novelty, gifts and housewares displays.

Office and Warehouse Specifications

Our main office and showroom is situated in Angeles City, Pampanga and only 85km north of Metro, Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, visiting our showroom is convenient for our valued clients. Our showroom is comprised of our item line-up which we update regularly in terms of design and seasonal collections. 

Quality Assurance

For the assurance of the quality of products that we export, all possible quality tests and control are implemented at our warehouse by our able staff. Moisture contents, color accuracy, sizing and packing are carefully checked one by one to ensure that the products are packed to be of export quality. The daily increase in number of orders represents the quality that we deliver with our products.

Our Team

We have a well qualified and highly experienced team. Our team includes an efficient research and development unit that look after the latest trends and incorporated every minute innovation in the manufacturing process to deliver the best. We also have a dedicated team of regular workers who work according to the instructions given.

Trade Expositions

We have been actively participating in international trade exhibitions and trade fairs locally and internationally. Joining such trade fairs gives us the opportunity to showcase our products and designs which in return grants us our target buyers around the world.

Production Capacity and Lead Time

We are capable of shipping out 1 1x20foot container vans per month with production lead time of 60-120 days upon receipt of Confirmed Purchase Order.

Minimum Order and Mode of Payment

Our minimum order quantity is US $5,000.00 worth of goods. Payment Terms is thru T/T payment, we require a 50% down payment and full payment upon faxing copies of all shipping documents and will send all the originals upon receipt of the clients remittance.

Vision

To one day make our company rose among the ranks of the best handicraft exporters in the Philippines in terms of affordable products without sacrificing quality and design.

Mission

To continuously promote the ingenious craftsmanship of Filipinos around the world through export and say, proudly, Philippine made.

I really enjoyed the international fair and furniture show in Singapore. Looking forward for moreeeeeee tours/shows in different countries. And praying that someday we'll be given the opportunity to join and represent the Philippines as IMPACT BALIBAGO ARTS & CRAFTS. :) #veryproudFilipino

Since, there were changes in our flight, busy schedules and work, we did not have a looooong time roaming around Singapore.  Praying that I'll have more days, strength and healthy body to travel again not only in Singapore but also other beautiful countries. 

My travel buddies :)

#LHandSign for Lupus Awareness

"..but you don't look sick, you look healthy and fine."

We usually hear these words from other people. But we want them to realize that not every disability uses a wheelchair, not all disabilities/illnesses are visible. 

So here I am..supporting lupus awareness by  throwing my LHandSign for the first time. :) 

I know, this is not an easy challenge but giving up is never an option. We must keep fighting lupus for lupus doesn't define who we are. We still have a choice to be happy, to live our lives to the fullest. If you need someone to talk to.. I'm here. You are not alone. 

Sending my hugs & kisses for you my dear lupus fighters! :)

CT Scan Part 2

Few days after my lower abdominal CT Scan with IV and rectal contrast, here I am again ready to conquer another challenge of my lupus life. :)

Lupus can affect or attack the central nervous system. Since I have SLE, I've been having severe headaches/migraines commonly known as lupus headaches. And lately, this migraine-like headache makes me wanna give up. So my doctor referred me to a neurologist.

Dr. Mamangun, my neurologist asked me few questions and I told him my past and present illnesses. He also performed neuropsychoclogical tests. To be sure and to rule out CNS lupus since I experienced vasculitis few years ago, he ordered CRANIAL CT SCAN with IV CONTRAST. So what is CNS Vasculitis? CNS Vasculitis is a very rare complication of SLE caused by inflammation of the blood vessels of the brain. It is diagnosed by a blood vessel study and requires treatment with high dose steroids. 

After my check up with Dr. Mamangun, I went at Angeles University Foundation Medical Center to have Cranial CT Scan (a diagnostic tool used to create detailed picture of the skull, brain, paranasal sinuses and eye sockets. The contrast dye helps highlight some areas better on the images. Good thing I did not eat or drink for several hours prior to the test because I'll be receiving contrast. My creatinine was normal too. 

The procedure itself is painless. Their instruction to me is to remain still. At first, they took images without the contrast. Then, a nurse inserted an intravenous injection where the contrast will pass through. A doctor also assisted me while the contrast dye is being inserted. I was reminded to notify the scanner operator and the doctor immediately if there is difficulty in breathing, nausea, feeling of warmth, vomiting or itchiness. I did not feel anything except for the metallic taste of the dye and the cold feeling in my right hand. 

So here is the interpretation/result of my CT Scan:

TECHNIQUE: Non-contrast and contrast enhanced 16-multislice axial CT images of the BRAIN

FINDINGS: 

1. No evidence of extraaxial and intraaxial hemorrhage. No territorial infarct is evident.

2. No focal mass lesion or edema.

3. No abnormal parenchymal and meningeal enhancement.

4. No gross ectatic vessel seen in the major vascular structures.

5. The sulci, cisterns, extraaxial spaces and ventricles are normal.

6. The posterior fossa is relatively preserved.

7. The paranasal sinuses and tympanomastoids are well aerated.

8. The calvarium is intact.

In short, all normal. So that's it. It was merely lupus headache. Keeping the mind and spirit healthy is as important as keeping the body healthy. Cut down your stress. Do not be a pessimist.  Exercise and diet are nice combination to be healthy. Also, know when to take a rest and sleep. Eat healthy foods and avoid caffeine and processed foods. Do not abuse yourself  and know your limitations. Remember to avoid things that may trigger lupus like stress and sunlight. 

As of now, I'm still experiencing migraines and lupus headaches. But still I'm trying my best to have healthy lifestyle and take my medicines religiously. 

And if you're feeling like giving up.. JUST PRAY and feel your pulse. Never forget to thank the Lord for the pain and for another priceless gift - the gift of life. 

Lupus and Ovarian Cyst

Hi there my dear lupies! :)))) Been through the darkness of life these past few days... Another challenge. Another test of faith. 

Last week, I texted my doctor about the pain in my right pelvis, lower back, and can feel inguinal pain too. I also noticed that there is swelling or bulge on my anterior abdominal wall. I complained this pain when I was in  third year college. My doctor suspected hernia so he referred me to a surgeon. But the surgeon ruled out hernia and said it was peripheral neuropathy and ordered me to take vitamin B. 

On second week of June 2014, I felt severe pain.. severe pain.. severe pain. Same part. But the pain was really severe and I can also feel pain on other parts of my body.  So I texted my doctor. Again, he asked me to consult to a surgeon for he is again suspecting a hernia. Again, the hernia was ruled out. The surgeon ordered CT scan to confirm his diagnosis of Abdominal Wall Mass t/c Fibroma.

It was my first time to experience this. In fact, I enjoyed the procedure itself except for the contrast that was inserted thru IV and rectal which made me uncomfortable before the procedure. Luckily, my friend Gade assisted me so I'm not that anxious throughout the procedure.

The next day... I got the result.. and findings showed that it may be ovarian cyst. So for now, we're only doing "watchful waiting". Will monitor myself for 6 months then will have ultrasound to know if there are changes in the cyst. For now, we're praying that it is only a functional harmless cyst and not a pathological one. 

Yes, I've been through the darkness of life but I realized that life is filled with more light than darkness. I want to thank my family especially my Mom, aunties, uncles, cousins, J's family and of course J, and my friends who never fail to remind me not to give up and letting me feel that I am loved. 

At the age of 23, I knew what it feels like to have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This diagnosis is only one of the thousands illnesses I may have. For in SLE, we must accept the fact that we are vulnerable to different illnesses BUT you must also accept that belief in recovery and living a positive life can lead to healthy and happy living. So, it doesn't mean that you have SLE, you will just lose hope. There will be always light. 

Just believe.

Btw, I can endure all the pain brought by SLE but not the feeling of seeing my family unhappy because of my condition.. so for them, I will smile, I will stay strong, I will be brave. I will never give up.

Sunday Thoughts

Secret to have healthy life - be happy!

It's not always about medications, doctors, eating what is right, doing what is right. Happiness is the key to have less stressful life. Spend time with friends and family. And PRAY. Pray because we should thank God that He allows us to wake up every morning and always gives us unlimited chances to enjoy and appreciate His blessings. Whatever problems, illness, disease, painful symptoms you're experiencing right now.. just hold on, never give up. Remember let us be thankful that we can still feel pain because pain reminds us that we are alive.. that we are humans. Always look on the brighter side of everything. Life is not perfect but it is in our hands on how we can spend our life meaningful. 

HAVE A NICE AND MEANINGFUL DAY MY FELLOW FIGHTERS. :)

Lupus and Exercise

My favorite! Flat abs workout :)

Due to fear of having osteonecrosis, my doctor advise me to have healthy lifestyle, diet and EXERCISE! As much as possible, he did not want me to gain weight. Caltrate + a glass of milk is a must also since I've been taking steroids for years. :) So, I keep on encouraging myself that I should exercise and maintain my body. Kuya Jr, my cousin/kuya, suggested Zumba for my daily exercise. He even gave me a copy of flat abs workout, cardio, live zumba and zumba basics. 

Felt so great after doing the flat abs workout :)))))) Sorry for my puffy eyes! :D

Lupus and Sunlight

It does not mean that you will not enjoy life if your doctor diagnosed you with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Protecting yourself from sun exposure is an essential part of lupus management because it may cause lupus rash or can even trigger a serious flare of the disease itself. But what can I do? It's summer time! I'm not avoiding the sunlight but I'm trying to avoid excessive sun exposure. (still a compliant patient here :) ) Make sure you are equipped with the proper protection from the sun.  Sunblock lotion with high SPF, hat, pashmina, umbrella, shades especially those who are photosensitive like me. 

So here are some pictures from our Baler trip. (plus our 5th year anniversary celebration ) 

With my date :)

Before going up.

Pashmina: To keep me safe from sun exposure. :)

with ate Rachel :) still I'm ok :)

MOTHER FALLS :)

But first, consult your doctor if he will allow you  to do these kind of activities. ;) 

Obligatory jumpshot :)