Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year. The festive decorations, the lively, heartwarming music, the twinkling lights, and all the joyful celebrations create a magical atmosphere that fills my heart with warmth and happiness. It’s what I look forward to every year and start celebrating as early as September.
Last Christmas was one of the toughest I’ve experienced. I had to skip all the usual celebrations and isolate myself to avoid getting sick, especially with the wedding coming up. It was hard not being able to see friends or enjoy the holiday festivities, but I knew I had to do it to stay healthy.
This 2024, however, is a different story.
I’m so excited to share the good news with all of you who’ve been part of my journey—my doctors have officially told me that I’m now in clinical remission!
Clinical remission means that the signs and symptoms of a disease are significantly reduced or undetectable, even though the disease may not be completely cured.
In short – I’M OKAY!
It’s been a while since I last updated this blog, so let me catch you up on everything that has happened along the way that led me here.
In the first half of the year, I still had several symptoms. I shared in my previous post that I was experiencing the following:
Hair loss
Skin allergies, acne and redness especially on the face
Swollen and stiff fingers and joints after sleeping or being inactive for some time (it goes away when I start moving)
Heart palpitations especially at night before sleeping
Fatigue if I exert too much effort and/or don’t get a good night’s sleep
Some blurred vision especially at night
As the months passed, most of these started to disappear. The only things I experienced left were redness on my face (especially when stressed), very minimal swelling on my fingers in the morning, and blurred vision at night (a medication side effect).
I also continued to undergo lung function tests every three months, and the most recent one had the best results yet. Compared to how it was in 2023, my results were finally within the normal range.
From July to September, however, I would get sick with the flu or some bacterial infection. The silver lining, though, was that my doctors realized that my medicines may be suppressing my immune system too much. Since my tests and symptoms were good, they decided to lower the dosage and possibly have me stop taking the medicine completely. The only treatment that would potentially remain for now is the Rituximab infusions.
This medicine is the one that I really wanted to stop, as I am not allowed to get pregnant while on it. I hoped I’d eventually stop, but I stayed patient and disciplined. I even tweeted about this on the 17th of August, hoping to manifest that it would come true.
As we near the end of 2024, I’m proud to say that I’m no longer on the medication!
Does Twitter/X have some kind of magic? Maybe not, but I do believe that when you put something out into the universe, it has a way of listening. To quote one of my favorite books:
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist
My husband, Robi, and I officially received the good news back in November when we went to Singapore to meet my doctor. She told us that it’s really a blessing that I am doing great.
Robi turned to me and said, ‘This is the Christmas miracle you asked for.’
My doctor then looked at me and replied, ‘No, you’re the Christmas miracle.’
I couldn’t help but tear up. This is what I prayed for, and so did all of you here. It’s finally real.
My Christmas wish came true.
I will forever be grateful to everyone who has supported and prayed for me along this journey. Please know that your prayers made a difference. They gave me the strength to keep going—and I did.
I still receive messages about how this blog has been helpful, and now I’m excited to pay it forward by sharing more tips and lessons that helped me recover—hoping they can benefit others too. I have big plans for 2025, but first, it’s time to enjoy the holidays with those I love.
Thank you, Lord, for the early and best Christmas gift ever. –
It has been three months since I last wrote a post, mainly because life got in the way. I may be physically better but the journey of healing from this disease is a life-long discipline. And it was time for me to return to living a ‘normal’ life.
Admittedly, it has been difficult. There have been a lot of wins but I can’t help but feel the losses even more.
First big win – I started working again!
When I got super sick in July 2023, I stopped everything and left my work abruptly without properly transitioning the projects I was heading to my team. I’m so grateful that they were able to manage it without me and let me have my time to recover and get better. I couldn’t give them a definite date on when I’d be able to return (if I even could), but they never let my sickness be an issue. They allowed me to stay on until I was ready to come back.
It took me 8 months till I was able to officially go back to work. I lucked out with the company I work in and the people I work with and for. I’m sure not everyone would allow this but they did. It meant so much to me to have been able to keep my job. I promised I’d be back and I stuck to my word.
But coming from 0 work and barely having a social life, I had a hard time adjusting. I felt like a new student all over again. I was so anxious that I was too scared to even say or do anything and to see and talk to people. But I just powered through and kept telling myself – “Just keep going”.
And after a few weeks, I found my place again.
Second big win – I started to drive!
Ever since I was young, I was insecure about not knowing how to drive. I was just too scared to do it. I did learn though – once after graduating college in 2012 and the other in 2022.
Robi and I would already talk about settling down back in 2022 and that’s when I realized I needed to drive. I enrolled myself in the Honda Safety Driving Center and I made sure to practice as often as I could. I was making so much progress but then, I got sick. I thought that was it for me and driving.
But early this year, my supportive husband told me to try again. And I did. I have been driving by myself for almost a month now. I still need a lot more practice but it’s surreal that I am actually doing it. It took me 10 years but I achieved it.
I really believe that it’s never too late to do something. If you really want it, it will happen.
Aside from managing a home, these two things have taken up most of my time lately. So it has been difficult focusing on my main priority – my health. I haven’t been able to go to rehab or exercise as often. The more I go out, the more tempted I am to eat food that is not good for me. My sleep has also been less than it should be. I get tired from work but I also want to enjoy and see friends even though I should rest.
It’s like a constant “Should I or should I not?” in my head and it’s tiring. I am also a people-pleaser so I tend to get pressured easily. I hate disappointing people and the guilt eats me up inside when I do. And lately, I also feel like I’ve been disappointing myself. I sadly had to increase my medicine dosage because of some test results and symptoms I’ve been experiencing again.
I sometimes miss the days when I was focused on myself and just living quietly at home. But that’s not a normal life. And maybe my life now is not normal anymore. I have to accept this new me fully and reassess my priorities to ensure I don’t get sick again. Time to get back on track!
Life is challenging. One day you’re up, one day you’re down. But I will cherish the wins and the fact that I am okay. I need to just keep reminding myself of this. I just have to keep going.
2024 was off to a great start because… I GOT MARRIED!
On the 6th of January 2024, I got married to my now husband, Robi, and it was THE BEST DAY ever. I was at my strongest and happiest all throughout. It felt like there was some kind of magic in the air with how perfect everything was. The day was filled with so much love and joy from everyone who celebrated with us. God really blessed us with the most beautiful wedding and we are so grateful.
For those of you who have followed me on this blog, you’ve read how the journey to even get to that day was not easy. When I got sick, we weren’t sure if the wedding should push through as I needed to focus on my health first. But I refused to change my plans and I was determined to get better no matter what.
Looking back on it now, having this goal and deadline was crucial to my healing. It gave me a purpose to strive for and to strive for it fast. I have always been a goal-oriented person. If I want something to happen, I will do everything I can to make it happen.
Accompanied by my faith and a genuine belief that I would be okay, I worked extra hard to be better on the day of the wedding. I had to make a lot of sacrifices, especially over the holidays. I spent most of Christmas alone and stressed as everyone around me kept getting sick with COVID-19 or the flu. It was as if I was crawling in pain just trying to make it to the wedding.
But I kept praying that all the sacrifices I made would be worth it. And they definitely were!
Now, the new journey begins – MARRIAGE.
I haven’t written in a while because it has been a hectic three months since the wedding. We attended a total of five other weddings (it’s that time of year), moved into our cozy home, learned how to clean and organize everything, and learned to prepare our own food while continuing all my medical checkups and workouts.
It’s been tough and tiring but we’ve slowly figured out how to manage it all. A lot of challenges but when done with the person you love, it’s also been a great and fun experience. Thank you to my husband for really being the absolute best!
And with all this, how have I been with my autoimmune disease? I am doing much better now!
Since the wedding was done, I became less pressured and started to live my life again like before. I would go out and see people more. I went on a few trips and experienced new things. I also haven’t been on steroids since December, which helped lessen the risk of being prone to infections.
But as I mentioned before, there is no cure for this disease, and it will somehow always be there. I learned to just manage it better with continued medication, vitamins and supplements, a healthy diet, exercise, and a good night’s sleep.
Here are a few symptoms that I do still experience though:
Hair loss
Skin allergies, acne and redness especially on the face
Swollen and stiff fingers and joints after sleeping or being inactive for some time (it goes away when I start moving)
Heart palpitations especially at night before sleeping
Fatigue if I exert too much effort and/or don’t get a good night’s sleep
Some blurred vision especially at night
Considering how I used to be, these are all better. There is also still some emotional and mental stress as I continue to deal with the trauma and grief of losing my old self. But I’m taking it one day at a time.
To anyone who may be dealing with their own illness or going through a difficult time, I hope my story can bring you some hope. But I also want to THANK YOU all for being a part of my journey.
This blog really helped me in so many ways and I’m glad it has inspired others as well. I wouldn’t have been able to get here without the support everyone has given me and I share my success with all of you.
I end this post with my wedding video, as it perfectly captures the culmination of that journey.
I don’t even know how to begin describing how my 2023 was. It completely changed my life. I started the year with many plans and goals but everything changed in an instant. The only goal I focused on was to live.
2023 broke my heart several times because I felt like I lost so much of myself and more. I even lost someone I loved so much in the middle of it all, which still stings until now. I felt so alone, so scared and so isolated in my experience that I felt like I was losing touch with everyone around me. As someone whose love language is both Quality Time and Physical Touch, this was very challenging.
But as I look back on the year, I can’t help but still feel grateful. I’m grateful for all the people who supported me, prayed for me, took care of me, and helped me get better. I’m grateful for all the new experiences I had and even being able to travel despite it all. I’m grateful for Robi, my family and my friends who made life more meaningful and worthwhile.
Most of all, I am grateful to be here.
I went from my weakest to my strongest and I’m entering 2024 with a tired but hopeful heart. I pray that all the struggles and sacrifices I made last year will be worth it. Until then I’ll just continue to keep carrying on with courage.
Happy New Year and a late Merry Christmas to you all! Here’s to. a better 2024 for all of us! –
Did you ever realize that we were never taught how to breathe? We all just came out of our mothers’ wombs and we just knew. So it was surreal for me that I had to enter a program that was teaching me how to breathe again.
Because of my autoimmune disease, I developed some form of interstitial lung disease (ILD). It causes inflammation and scarring around the lungs, which can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pains, dry cough, and weight loss.
One of the main treatments for this is a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program that would help improve my lung function. I did my rehab at the Institute of Pulmonary Medicine at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City, Taguig. The standard program consists of 16 one-hour-long sessions usually done three times a week but I decided to continue it up to next year to be safe.
A session usually starts off with an incentive spirometer and basic breathing exercises. The goal of these exercises is to take deep, sustained breaths, which can help re-expand the lungs. This is where I learned that I need to be using my diaphragm and not my chest when breathing.
Diaphragm breathing is when you breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale slowly and completely through the mouth. The abdomen should rise and expand as you inhale and fall as you exhale. The doctors even gave me a trick to remember it – “Smell the roses then blow the candle”.
I couldn’t get through my first session without coughing every time I tried to breathe deeply. It felt like my lungs were being stopped by a wall that would hit my chest and lead me to cough uncontrollably. Over time and with the help of my medications, that wall-like feeling started to disappear. It was a sign that things were definitely improving.
Aside from the breathing exercises, the rest of the session would be focused on my muscle strength and mobility as well. It would consist of a mix of weights, elastic bands, squat workouts, a treadmill, an ergometer, and cycling. In between the workouts, they would check on my heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen level just to monitor.
The exercises would adjust as I progress with weights increasing, longer minutes on the treadmill, and more intense workouts. I’ve had 28 sessions so far and I can honestly say that my body is strong again. They even made me try jogging for a few minutes, something I thought I wouldn’t be able to do for a while.
However, the journey to get here was not easy even for someone like me who used to exercise all the time. My body had to relearn how to do even the simplest movements like bending downwards, stretching left to right and even just getting up from a chair on my own.
I am grateful that I enjoy working out and have established the discipline needed for it before so it helped keep me focused and determined. It’s easy to just decide not to go but I made sure that I never missed a session. Even when I was in Singapore, I still attended via online tele-rehab. Even when my grandmother passed away and after crying all night, I still attended the next day. I was even more determined because I knew it was what she would’ve wanted me to do.
But what really keeps me going are the pulmonary therapists who take care of me. It never feels like a burden or work when I’m with them. They make each session fun and light despite what I’m going through. It’s so nice to be surrounded with good energy as it motivates me even more.
They even have a graduation ceremony when you complete the 16 sessions with a graduation toga and certificate. Super cute! Thank you to Ms. Cyril Tan, Jeff, and the whole pulmonary team at St. Luke’s Global City for helping me get here. They’re really the best!
The medicines and treatments I’ve been doing have all been helping but I believe I wouldn’t have improved this quickly without my own effort and hard work. I had to decide for myself that if I wanted to get better, I had to make sure I did what was needed. There are still days when I would get lazy but I try my best not to be complacent. I also learned to allow myself to take a break and rest too. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Seeing my progress in the video above amazes me to this day. I’m glad I decided to document my journey because it’s a good reminder for me to keep at it. Soon I’ll be doing yoga again and maybe even start to run. Claiming it! –
I woke up this rainy Sunday morning surprised to find out from friends and relatives that my autoimmune story was part of a Sunday homily mass by Fr. Jason Laguerta of the Sta. Maria Goretti Parish, Manila.
I included the video clip of the homily above but you may start at the 07:20 mark for easier reference.
For context, the article he mentioned in the homily was from a recent interview made by my fiancé, Robi, to the press on my condition and the status of our wedding plans. I am touched that our story inspired him to include it in a very meaningful homily. I feel like I was meant to hear this today and I think it would be helpful to share it as well to others.
In the video clip, I added the part where he speaks about the late veteran journalist and highly respected broadcaster, Mike Enriquez. He was also battling his own sickness for years before he passed – what Fr. Jason calls his cross. The part that I related to the most was how he dealt with his sickness because it’s also what helped me endure and keep fighting. He said:
“Kailangan mo tanggapin ang sakit mo kasi kung hindi, mas lalo kang mahihirapan”
Mike Enriquez
Acceptance is key. When I learned that I may have an autoimmune disease, I didn’t even think to deny this possibility. I accepted it fully and focused on figuring out what it is and finding the solution instead. I still prayed, of course, that it wouldn’t be the case but it prepared me to face the diagnosis when it did arrive. If I chose to deny it then maybe I would’ve taken my time and ended up in a worse situation.
Like Robi, it is normal to question why we go through these kinds of suffering. Why me? Why us? Why now? Isn’t God supposed to bring us blessings and not sufferings?
As shared by Fr. Jason in the homily, God has three answers for us:
As humans, part of our journey is suffering. We have to understand that the reality of suffering is part of our lives as contingent human beings. We are limited, we are mortals, and we are vulnerable. We have to accept that part of life is suffering.
Suffering is a requisite to greatness. Our crosses or adversities in life can also lead us to something better. Kasama ng tagumpay ang paghihirap. We must endure the pain and hardships to obtain success.
God is bigger than any of our human sufferings. Our cross is a necessary part of our journey because God will show us how he will conquer any death, cross, and suffering to give us hope and eternal life. We have to go beyond the suffering and look at the bigger picture that God has a plan for us. You have to believe, trust and surrender.
Each of us has our own story and our own crosses to bear. There are different ways of dealing with it but my faith and acceptance are what’s helping me deal with mine.
I honestly got emotional and cried after hearing this homily. Even if I am better and stronger, I am still going through my crosses now and it can be tiring and painful at times.
But like Fr. Jason said, you must believe, trust and surrender. I truly believe that God has a bigger plan for me with all this. Maybe it’s this blog, something more, or something so amazing that I never would’ve imagined.
Hope you had a blessed Sunday! –
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Last August 17, I was fortunate enough to have been able to travel again to… SINGAPORE!
When my condition started to worsen in July, several people suggested that we also consult with a doctor in Singapore as they have more advanced studies and treatments for rare diseases like mine. We all agreed as a family that it would be worth going to as we might gain more insights on what was happening to me. It was important for us to align with my doctors in Manila on our plans. They wholeheartedly agreed as well and told us to just keep them updated on any news.
So we met with the doctor and well, there was good news…and there was bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?
I guess we can get the elephant in the room out of the way.
Here’s the bad news: My autoimmune disease is both very serious and possibly life-threatening. Apparently, Dermatomyositis is quite rare then you add on my being positive for the Anti-MDA5 antibodies, and it becomes even rarer. Lucky me! I always knew it was serious (especially after Googling it the first time) but to hear it from the doctor, it’s like reality kicked in that this is really bad.
The reason for it being possibly life-threatening is mainly because the Anti-MDA5 puts me more at risk of developing Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease (RPILD). If you look up the statistics on this disease, they are not great.
I felt sad after because it made me realize that I would be living with the constant fear that something bad would happen and not knowing how long of a life I’ll get to have. The uncertainty scared me. But then again, isn’t life uncertain for everyone? Maybe what I have now is just making me more aware, more prepared and more grateful for the everyday. That’s how I’m choosing to see it instead.
I hope that wasn’t too heavy to read but I promise you, the good news is coming!
Despite the doctor’s concerns and worries about my condition, the good news is that we caught it early and that I am youngand able to still walk, talk, and stay active. As I said in my first blog post, the timing was crucial. It’s really important to have yourself checked if you feel that something is off and to always communicate to your doctors, or even your family and friends on anything.
Even more good news – she said that my doctors in Manila did such intensive work with all the tests and scans and that the Rituximab treatment they made me do last month was the right decision as well. Again, I’m so grateful to my doctors for acting fast and being proactive.
But she felt that given the high risks, the treatment might not be fast enough as the Rituximab may take a few months to take effect. She then gave me a new set of medicines to take that would be able to work faster and make me feel better sooner.
I started taking the new medicines on August 18 and then had blood tests done on August 22. Even if it was only a few days on the medicines, my blood test results improved significantly. Another good news! It shows that the treatments are working. We just have to monitor and see if I keep improving over time.
In spite of the mixed news from the doctor, I honestly had a really great time in Singapore. It was good to be in a different environment and be able to spend time with family and friends. I have a lot more fun stories and learnings from my Singapore trip that I plan to share in future posts.
This last week has also reminded me of how blessed I am to have such supportive parents and great friends who look after me.
From pushing my wheelchair in the airport to helping me carry my bags and even walking at the same pace as me while going around the city – these little things mean so much to me. It’s hard not to still feel grateful for the life I have when I feel so loved and supported.
A big part of what also keeps me hopeful is my faith. The Gospel in the Sunday mass for that week was about a woman who persevered because of her faith. I felt like God was sending me a message in some way to keep believing and to not give up. I needed to hear that.
I still cry and feel sad at times but I choose to just keep focusing on the journey forward instead. The work continues. I am home now and will end this post with the most important news, I am feeling much better and stronger!
Till the next update! –
Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.
I have always been a private person and tend to keep my thoughts to myself but with everything that has happened to me lately, I felt like this is a story worth sharing.
So, what happened? I got sick.
On July 14, 2023, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Dermatomyositis (with Anti-MDA5 antibodies) after almost three months of doing all kinds of medical tests, scans and even a heart, pulmonary and muscle exam. It sounds very technical but to explain it in simpler terms:
Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness, inflammation, and a skin rash.
My immune system is basically attacking the healthy cells of my organs and tissues by mistake. However, with the Anti-MDA5 antibodies, I also have a high risk of developing Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), which causes scarring in the lungs. The cause of an autoimmune disease is unknown but genes may play a part and it can also be triggered by a virus, environmental factors and stress. Sadly, there is no long-term cure for autoimmune diseases but they can be managed and treated.
It has been an excruciating journey for me so far that all started back in April 2023 with skin rashes and dryness on my fingers and hands. I thought my hands were just dry because I came from Japan and it was cold and windy but it wouldn’t go away and started to become more difficult and painful to manage. Aside from the rash, I started feeling something in my shoulder and wrist joints to the point that I was having a hard time slicing my own food, opening doors and bottles and lifting things. I was hoping it was just because of my back issue due to bad posture but deep down, I knew something was off.
I finally went to a derma to have it checked especially since my fingers started swelling along with pain developing in my lower joints. At first, we thought it was some form of eczema or dermatitis but my derma took the extra precaution and asked me if I was experiencing any joint issues. I said, yes. She then told me to take an ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test just to clear myself from any potential risk of an autoimmune disease.
I cannot thank Dr. Mary Anne Amon of the WellSkin Clinical Skincare/Derma360 enough for making this call because I may have found out too late or even never known if not for her. The timing was crucial.
Finding a rheumatologist doctor was the next step and thankfully, a relative referred me to a great one who was able to accommodate me right away. I had to take several blood tests including the ANA test and those to rule out Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Tests came back:
POSITIVE at 1:40 for ANA
NEGATIVE for Lupus
NEGATIVE for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Ruled out two diseases but there are more than 80 kinds of autoimmune diseases so tests continued.
What made it hard was also not knowing what it was and the long wait it took before getting a diagnosis. The crucial test that determined it took three weeks to come out since they had to send it abroad to get the results. Since I already had symptoms, my doctor placed me on oral steroids to manage the pain. It helped a lot.
Before the steroids, there were days when I couldn’t even get out of bed because of the stiffness, pain and fatigue. I kept missing work because I just couldn’t move and wanted to sleep all day. It even came to a point that I was still feeling the pain while I was asleep. I just kept trying to stay strong and continue my regular activities as much as I could but there were bad moments especially when I realized I couldn’t put on pants and even a bra on my own anymore. Showering was always tough because my finger rashes would be painful from washing my hair. Bending down or sitting on the floor was not an option for me because I wouldn’t be able to get up.
I honestly thought I was getting better at managing it with the steroids as I was even lucky enough to still travel to London in June. Of course, I wasn’t the same and I had to be careful and make sure I rested a lot but I did come home feeling much more in control of my body again and even started going to work and going out with friends. In a span of one week, everything changed. I document my symptoms daily and this is what happened:
June 27: Body feels normal overall. Joints aren’t painful and can do more. Fatigueonly happens when going up and down stairs. Some random chest tightness.
July 4:Feverish and chest tightness with slight bursts of cough. Body stiffness and weakness with fast heart beat even when laying down.
July 8: Fever up to 38 degrees with headaches and body aches. Chest tightness is still there especially in certain angles with chest cough. Fatigue and losing weight.
July 13:Constant chest coughs, can’t talk or move too long. Get so tired and fatigued. Headaches and shortness of breath.
I guess it didn’t help my condition that the results finally came out on July 4 and I decided to Google what it meant. Bad idea. It kept showing me all kinds of scary articles that had words like mortality, which is not always the case. Lesson learned: DO NOT GOOGLE. Thankfully, my doctor responded right away to ease my anxieties and gave me more tests to do as it showed that it is also affecting my lungs.
Unfortunately, when I did the pulmonary function exam, my lungs already showed signs of being restrictive as I had difficulty inhaling. Met with my pulmonologist after and together with my rheumatologist, they made the call on my diagnosis and decided to place me on treatment right away before the lungs get any worse. Again, timing and great proactive doctors are crucial.
And so I ended up in the hospital, with my three-day stay turning into one week instead. The treatment consisted of doing an IV treatment with a high dosage of steroids for three days then my first dose of a medicine called Rituximab to suppress my immune system. Because I got a fever and needed clearance from any infection, it took longer than expected. My face would swell up too because of the steroids and it was tough seeing how different I looked.
I am grateful to all the people who stayed and took care of me at the hospital especially my fiancé, Robi, my family and friends who visited daily, and all the outpouring of messages, prayers, love and support from other friends and relatives including people who reached out on social media. It’s really what kept me going.
I am now home recovering and waiting on my next dosage of Rituximab. My overall body is better but the main issue is still my lungs that is also causing my heart rate to be higher than normal. Dealing with palpitations while sitting and laying down is one of the most uncomfortable things ever. But I try not to let it get to me and just continue to improve everyday with my pulmo rehab program, breathing exercises, I slowly walk and do more activities, meditate and just relax as to not trigger anything.
I also learned from others how diet and the food I eat can help manage inflammation so I’ve started eating healthier such as gluten-free, dairy-free and more fruits, vegetables and organic products. No more processed, canned, junk or fast food and avoiding meats for now. It’s a bit of a difficult balance because I’ve also lost so much weight in a span of a few weeks. From my usual 54 to 55kg, I am down to about 50kg. Thankfully, there are so many good healthy options plus I have the sweetest friends and family who would send me food often.
So here’s where my story ends for now. The journey to recovery will still be awhile as this only takes full effect after a few months and there will still be many tests, check-ups and medicines to deal with. I acknowledge it is a blessing to even have access to medical resources and great doctors to help me get through this so I won’t take anything for granted. If you’d like to stick around for it, I’ll most likely update this blog to also document my own personal progress.
There are good days but there are still bad days especially knowing that I can’t just wake up in the morning and go out to do whatever I want, see friends and eat out, go to work, make travel plans or even exercise again. I have always kept a relatively healthy and active lifestyle as I never smoked, I rarely drink alcohol, I don’t drink coffee, soda, juice or even eat too much junk and fast food. I used to play basketball, tennis and do yoga and pilates everyday. Now, I can’t even breathe properly, bend down or sit on the floor to stretch. It hurts to see how things changed instantly.
BUT, I am hopeful. I know this is only temporary. It will be one of the hardest things I will ever have to do but I will work on it one day at a time. I am at my most vulnerable now but I will come out of this stronger and better than ever.
Thanks for reading! –
Just want to say an extra thank you to the following people:
To Robi, who has been my rock and strength all throughout even when I know how hard and tiring it must be at times.
To my family, who have been taking care of me daily and accompanying and helping me with all the proper doctors, treatments, food, and other needs.
To my close friends and even those I haven’t spoken to in a while who reached out and sent food and gifts to help me recover and keep me going.
To my boss and team who have been so understanding about the situation and allowing me this time to focus on my health.
To a fellow autoimmune warrior, Daniela Medalla, whose super amazing and inspiring autoimmune journey kept me hopeful that I too can get out of this. She inspired me to share my story as maybe one day, I can do the same to someone as she did for me. Her story is also worth a read here: https://danielamedalla.com/
To all my amazing doctors for being proactive with everything and calmly helping me deal with this condition; as well as my friends who are doctors that helped me get through tough times.
To God, I know You are with me every step of the way and with You, nothing is impossible.
Hi, it's Maiqui. 