by Medical Health Article | May 8, 2017 | Conditions
I never thought that in one missed step of the stairs and tripped off will cause me not to be able to walk for the next 3 weeks because of fracture. Fracture is otherwise known as broken or cracked bone, is a condition that changes the shape of the bone. The doctor advised me to go through Short Leg Posterior Splint.
Posterior Splint is used to decrease the movement and prevent further damage to the fractured bone.Here’s how it was done:
- Inserted a sock on my leg.
2. Added a wet wire gauze with that “cement” materials.
3. Placed a bandage and wrapped it around.
This will then be removed after 3 weeks.
by Medical Health Article | Apr 7, 2017 | Conditions
When someone is sick from your family, it involves a lot of things and for sure STRESS is present. One source of stress is if you don’t have enough money to sustain the medication. It’s unfortunate truth that sometimes we reach our point in life where we don’t have enough money. In seasons like this, we often turn requests for help from our other people. Here’s one story of a child requesting for help for his father who is fighting stage 4 prostate cancer.
https://gogetfunding.com/help-our-tatay-fight-stage-4-prostate-cancer/
Mr. Fernandez is fighting for Stage 4 Prostate Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Let’s take a look and check what this condition is all about.
Stage 4 Prostate Cancer
“Prostate cancer is common cancer affecting older men. About 16 out of 100 men in the United States will get prostate cancer, but only 3 will die because of it. That means about 97 out of 100 men will die of something other than prostate cancer.” More details HERE
“Stage-4 Prostate Cancer (IV) This is the last stage of prostate cancer and describes a tumor that has spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bones, or bladder. For these cancers, the 5-year survival rate is 29%.” Source HERE
One of the treatments for Prostate Cancer is Hormone Therapy.
“Doctors can prescribe drugs that either reduce the amount of hormones produced by the testicles or block the hormones from functioning properly. Another option involves the surgical removal of the testicles, a procedure called orchiectomy.” Source HERE
by Medical Health Article | Mar 25, 2017 | Conditions
The Greatest Love, a Philippine melodrama tv series about a person suffering from Alzheimer was just a tv series I watched but now a reality for us. That’s why be careful of what you watched and surround yourself with as this might become a reality :). Kidding aside, this is what life offers us and there is no way to deal things but to accept, be strong and hold on to that faith that GOD is in CONTROL.
My 69 mother-in-law just had a stroke causing her to experience DEMENTIA. According to my research, “Dementia is an overall term used to describe symptoms that impact memory, the performance of daily activities, and communication abilities.”
Prior to this diagnosis, we observed these things:
Day 1: She was listless and very silent which is not her personality.
Day 2: She forgot some things, like her birthday, her age and there was a delay when speaking. She can’t identify some things, she thought of the spoon as a toothbrush. Took a medicine but swallow it directly without opening the foil but glad I was able to notice and grab it immediately from her.She can’t grab the spoon and even asked what she will do with the spoon. She cries a lot.
With these symptoms, the diagnosis was Stroke causing her to experience Dementia. CT Scan Result shows Chronic Infarct, right basal ganglia with focal encephalomalacia.
We have a long battle to go through with this condition and finding what it is all about will definitely help us along the way. There are 3 things that we should look at : (1) Understanding The Condition (2) The Stages of Dementia (3) Managing Stress
So, here is some research about this condition:
Understanding the Condition
Chronic Infarct – “A cerebral infarction is an area of necrotic tissue in the brain resulting from a blockage or narrowing of the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the brain.” More Details HERE
Basal Ganglia – “A region of the base of the brain that consists of three clusters of neurons (caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus) that are responsible for involuntary movements”. More details HERE
Encephalomalacia – “Abnormal softness of the cerebral parenchyma often due to ischemia or infarction.” More details HERE
As I’ve mentioned, because of this stroke, it leads to DEMENTIA.
“Dementia refers to a category of diseases that cause loss of memory and deterioration in other mental functions. Dementia occurs due to physical changes in the brain and is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time.” “It is an umbrella term that covers many types of diseases that all result in a decrease in memory, the ability to think and reason and the ability for a person to care for herself.”
According to Healthline, there are 7 types of dementia:
- Alzheimer
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- Vascular Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Mixed Dementia
Among the type, she falls into Vascular Dementia. Vascular dementia is also known as post-stroke or multi-infarct dementia.
The Three Stages of Dementia
According to understanding-dementia.com , there are 3 stages of Dementia
Dementia Stage 1:
“The person becomes aware that she is not thinking and remembering as she did in the past. At this stage, she is pretty good at covering up gaps and lapses in memory.”
Dementia Stage 2:
“At this stage memory lapses and confusion become more obvious and the person can no longer hide her memory gaps from family and friends. Her short term memory is very impaired and she may ask a lot of repetitive questions and be anxious about when events are happening.”
Dementia Stage 3:
“At this stage, your family member is highly impaired by her dementia. It is obvious to anyone speaking to her for more than a few minutes that something is wrong with her ability to think. Her dementia may also limit her ability to communicate”
Managing Stress
I can’t hide the fact that as early as now, we are going through some issues. It created a significant challenge for us as a couple. The financial, physical and emotional demands of caring for someone with dementia can be high. These needs will increase as time goes by and that it is important to look after ourselves or it may wear us down.
As always, LIFE is a choice. It’s either we COMPLAIN or ACCEPT. And we choose to ACCEPT and BE STRONG for this new SEASON of our lives. We may face more struggles and troubles but I am holding and claiming God’s promises:
God will never leave us nor forsake us and God is in control.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Keep on moving, Jane!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
by Medical Health Article | Feb 28, 2017 | Conditions
On December 16, 2012, I was shocked and afraid when the doctor told me that I have an ameloblastoma (jaw tumor) and that I need to undergo a surgery. The doctor told me, you don’t have to worry. Everything will be alright and it’s not life threatening. I cried. I was so sad. The few thoughts, what will happen to my children, am I going to die, where will I get money for the operation? Life is really full of surprises you will never know what it may bring to you. Along the way, no matter how difficult it is, I need to learn to accept things the way it is. Yes, it is difficult, it’s a roller coaster of emotion.
Here’s an x-ray of my ameloblastoma! But what is Ameloblastoma? According to Mayo Clinic, Ameloblastoma is is a rare, noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops most often in the jaw near the molars. It is a rare disorder of the jaw involving abnormal tissue growth. The tumor is usually not malignant (benign) but the tissue growth may become aggressive and it may cause severe abnormalities in the face and jaw just like this photo HERE.
Ameloblastoma Treatment
There is no medicine to treat the condition and you are left with jaw removal, chemotherapy, radio therapy, enucleation and resection surgery. I opted for Resection and Enucleation Surgery. Resection and Enucleation Surgery is a process of removing the tumor and the normal tissue around it.
For more than 4 years, I cannot eat on my right side. How does it look like to be in this condition? Imagine this watermelon
All of those red parts are removed (teeth and gums) and I am left only with that very small space. Just imagine 🙂
The Surgery
I was too worried during that time, after 5 days of diagnosis, I decided to go through with the surgery. I have no money to go for it. But God is so great, everything was provided. I told the doctor, I don’t have the money to go through with surgery but wow he said, let’s do it Jane. Just pay it forward. Don’t worry about me and just think about the hospital expenses. See how great God is!
The Journey
It is not easy. Those sleepless nights. You worry. That’s normal. You are not alone. Your mind is wandering around.
I came to the point of asking God. Why me? I am not a bad person but why do I have to go through with this.
But you know what as I went through with that, great things happened to me. Things may have been different now, it may be an abnormal condition, something may be empty. But God helped me go through this condition.
God allowed me to experience HIS GREATNESS…
When I have no one who can feel my pain
Cling on when I was in such in great pain
My loved ones are there with me but they cannot do anything but to see me cry in pain.
But Thank God. He Sees Me Through that Moment
Rising Up
Going through that battle, there were two choices. Should I remain sad or be happy? Should I worry or should I lift everything to God? Should I despair or should I hope again? And yes LIFE IS A CHOICE ! I choose to be happy and lift up everything to God. I choose to RISE UP and become a better version of myself.
I told you I asked God why me. And now I know everything happens for a reason. I cannot share His Greatness if I did not experience the storm. And today, who would have thought that I will become a speaker. Oh my, I am using my hollow mouth in creating awareness on how people can work from home. My mouth says it all 🙂
Cheer Up, My Friend! Take the day as if it is your last. Treasure each moment with your loved ones! Rise Up, Be an Overcomer. Because You are A Winner!
by Medical Health Article | Jul 4, 2014 | Conditions
My 60 years old mom have just undergone CT Scan of Temporal Bone because of hearing loss problem and fluid/blood discharging from her
ears. Curiosity is now killing me on what’s really going on with her ears which prompted me to do some research on her condition as well as what are the laboratory examination. Here are some of the information I got:
CT Scan of Temporal Bone
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan is an examination that uses X-ray technology and computer analysis to create detailed pictures of the body.
Temporal Bone
The temporal bone is located at the base and sides of the skull and directly underneath the temple.
Temporal Bone CT Scans detects tumors, infection, damage to the mastoids, ear bones, and inner ear. The provincial rate for the Temporal CT Scan cost Php7,100.00 The doctor is not yet around to read the result but I just want to be aware of whatever condition my mother has. The impression of the examination shows :
1. Bilateral otitis media
2. Media interna and scleorosing mastoiditis clinical laboratory suggested
Bilateral Otitis Media
Otitis Media is considered by many doctors as either inflammation or infection of the middle ear. “Otitis” means inflammation of the ear while “media” means middle.
Otitis Media is a common illness in young children and has been regarded as a spectrum of disease.Hmm, now I wonder how it is for adults!
As suggested, another laboratory examination : scleorosing mastoiditis clinical laboratory
Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull. It is usually a serious complication that occurs following inadequate treatment of an acute middle ear infection (otitis media).
There are so many information to read on but I guess being aware of the basic things can be a good way to be prepare on whatever diagnosis it will be.
by Medical Health Article | Sep 22, 2013 | Conditions
G6PD stands for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase. This is an enzyme in the human body that aids the red blood cells in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the heart. Lack or insufficiency of this important enzyme results to a condition known as G6PD Deficiency. This condition is highly inherited in an X-linked pattern. Presence of only one X chromosome in the male genes makes them more susceptible to this condition. However, this is not always the case as females may also be affected due to unfavorable Iyonization.
In affected individuals, there is prevalence of hemolysis, which is basically destruction of red blood cells. The red blood cells are destroyed by affected G6PD enzymes which are supposed to protect them. This rapid destruction of red blood cells means that the bone marrow does not compensate by producing enough red blood cells, compared to the destroyed red blood cells.
Causes of G6PD Deficiency
The main cause of G6PD Deficiency is genetic inheritance. This means that if your parent is affected by this condition, your chances of getting affected by this condition are very high.
Environmental factors and use of drugs can also trigger Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency. Drugs like premaquine and chloroquine have been proved to cause this condition, though they have to be used in very high dosage.
Who are more susceptible to G6PD Deficiency?
African-American males are the most susceptible to Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency. This is due to prevalence of many African-American females to being carriers of the condition, although very few of the women experience Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency.
People living in Africa are also at a huge risk of being affected, as about 20% of the population is affected. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency has also been observed in Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, where about 4-30% of the population is affected.
Symptoms of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- · Secretion of dark yellow-orange urine.
- · Heavy and fast breathing.
- · Fatigue and pallor leading to deterioration of your general physical conditions.
- · Sudden body temperature rise and yellow coloring of the skin.
- · A weak and rapid pulse rate.
Treatment of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
On detection of the afore named symptoms, visit your physician or seek advice from the nearest hospital. Avoid intake of self-prescribed over-the-counter drugs as they may worsen your condition. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase is cured through therapy and prohibition of some food stuffs. If medical attention is sought in good time, no medical treatment is needed; the body will generate red blood cells anew. In case extreme cases, blood transfusion is recommended that will see the patient’s infected blood replaced by new and fresh blood.
The surest and best way to deal with G6PD Deficiency is by limiting its triggers of its symptoms and always taking precaution thus your child will live a healthier and happier life.
