Dismayed with PCSO, DSWD, SSS
I'm dismayed with our government system. For you to get medical or financial help from PCSO, you have to be indigent. So, one must be poor? How can you eradicate or lessen poverty and help the economy if people must be poor to qualify for help from our own country's government? I don't see how this help or the logic of it?
On the other hand, in other countries, if you're a pensioner, you're entitled for a sickness and/or disability benefit from the Social Service Security. But in our country, if you're a pensioner, you are no longer entitled to it. Gee? WFT?
Same goes with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare), too many red tape. I can't even get decent help. They responded with my inquiry but left me hanging in the process. This is what I call "Good Custmer Service" and "Good Public Service".
___________________________________________________________________
2nd Reiki Session with Lia Bernardo
I had a great time earlier with my Reiki Master helping me spiritually and learning meditation. I was happy too when she gave me a black onyx and howlite bracelet to combat negative energies and help me heal with positive energy. I'm excited to master even in a basic level of it. I feel refreshed. 2 more sessions and I'm good as she says. Hopefully, I am hoping.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
My Introduction to Reiki
I met an acquaintance last 2004 thru a classmate from Instituto Cervantes and met again for the first time today to help me with my dad's cancer and from carrying the weight of the world on my shoulder. She introduced me to another person thru an acquaintance as well and both of us met this new person, a Reiki master.
I had my first glimpse and session of this wonderful and meditative art of spiritual healing. The Reiki master told me that I had a lot weight to unload and to learn to love and take care of myself aside from taking care of others. She also mentioned that she is having this vibes regarding a child... an inner child. She asked questions about my childhood and my infancy and we ruled out that it all started from that point and told me I should have at least 6 sessions with her in her condo in Ayala Avenue, Makati City. It's a layer by layer issue that needs to be addressed slowly because it could be cathartic is done all in one seating. After my first session, I feel lighter.
My assignment is to light a candle and meditate by staring at the flames for 5 minutes. This is the first process of the healing technique by teaching me how to practice and learn meditation easily before we go to the harder stuffs. During this session, she told me to obtain a pendant or statue of St. Raphael the archangel and to pray to him and ask for assistance. He's also the pratron of the troubled, travellers, happy meetings, blind, nurses, physicians, etc... I told her recently I got a miniature statue from a friend (Raffi) as a Christmas gift. She said, that's a good sign.
Carlos
Note:
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unsee "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
An amazinlgy simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki Class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.
Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.
While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmonry, which are nearly universal across all cultures.
www.reiki.org/faq/whatisreiki.html
I had my first glimpse and session of this wonderful and meditative art of spiritual healing. The Reiki master told me that I had a lot weight to unload and to learn to love and take care of myself aside from taking care of others. She also mentioned that she is having this vibes regarding a child... an inner child. She asked questions about my childhood and my infancy and we ruled out that it all started from that point and told me I should have at least 6 sessions with her in her condo in Ayala Avenue, Makati City. It's a layer by layer issue that needs to be addressed slowly because it could be cathartic is done all in one seating. After my first session, I feel lighter.
My assignment is to light a candle and meditate by staring at the flames for 5 minutes. This is the first process of the healing technique by teaching me how to practice and learn meditation easily before we go to the harder stuffs. During this session, she told me to obtain a pendant or statue of St. Raphael the archangel and to pray to him and ask for assistance. He's also the pratron of the troubled, travellers, happy meetings, blind, nurses, physicians, etc... I told her recently I got a miniature statue from a friend (Raffi) as a Christmas gift. She said, that's a good sign.
Carlos
Note:
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unsee "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
An amazinlgy simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki Class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.
Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.
While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmonry, which are nearly universal across all cultures.
www.reiki.org/faq/whatisreiki.html
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Fundraisers
It's so hard making a fundraiser that will be successful. Alot of planning and effort and hard work is needed. Unfortunately, I need one asap for my dying father so I can be there for him until the very end providing palliative and nursing care. A last gift a son could give to his father.
After the last (5th hospitalization) in Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Proj. 4, Q.C., the neurologist and pulmonolgist suggested palliative and nursing care is the only option that can be done. My dad's life expectancy is between a month to a year, but estimatedly, perhaps only 2 months. But nevertheless, I must give it a try once more. He is aggressively loosing all his bodily and mental functions, including his eyesight. This is very painful for him and for me.
The 4 tumors (liver, lung, 2 in the brain) already devastedly destroyed his body and soul for I cannot imagine how horrific this can be to a person experiencing it.
If only I still have the strenght, the skills, the connections... May God hear my cry...
After the last (5th hospitalization) in Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Proj. 4, Q.C., the neurologist and pulmonolgist suggested palliative and nursing care is the only option that can be done. My dad's life expectancy is between a month to a year, but estimatedly, perhaps only 2 months. But nevertheless, I must give it a try once more. He is aggressively loosing all his bodily and mental functions, including his eyesight. This is very painful for him and for me.
The 4 tumors (liver, lung, 2 in the brain) already devastedly destroyed his body and soul for I cannot imagine how horrific this can be to a person experiencing it.
If only I still have the strenght, the skills, the connections... May God hear my cry...
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Our Battle with Cancer
Chito turned 64 last December 31. He has lost weight and his health condition plunged since then. Meeting him reminded me of Benjamin Button. His occasional grin and playful retorts will make you see his youth despite his aging appearance. Although I have been warned by his son, Carlos, I mustered my courage to face the tyrant.
Chito, a mechanical engineer by profession, used to have what many could only dream of: a steady stream of cashflow without having to work. He was blessed to have a wealthy family. Despite his fortune, he spent most of his days alone and detached from family and friends.
Carlos Zaragoza introduced me to his dad. He half-opened his eyes to peek and then resumed his focus on breathing. When asked how he is today, Chito quietly says, "Nanghihina". Because he has been having difficulty breathing, he has been dependent on Ensure since the first weeks of January. "Have you eaten?" I asked. He resignedly said no and refused to take anything even his medicine. I waited and asked him if he would go back to see his doctor for another treatment, he said "No, sagabal." But he said that the treatment was not causing him any pain or difficulty. Carlos says his dad was given medicine to counter the side effects of Chemotherapy. The only evident side effect was the hair loss. But his hair is growing now. He just doesn't recall the names of the medicines because it has been months since Chito had his last treatment. But he had kept his dad's medical records and surrendered the receipts to the people who have helped him fund his dad's diagnosis and treatment.
In June 2010, upon the insistence of Carlos' cousin, Marian Araneta, Chito was checked by a doctor. Marian actually brought a friend doctor for a home visit because Chito did not want to go to the hospital. The doctor recommended that Chito be tested for Tuberculosis since he was physically manifesting the symptoms. Chito succumbed and they went to Manila Doctors Hospital for a series of laboratory tests. The tests, however, pointed them to a more grave illness: cancer.
The Zaragoza's went to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for further medical advice. In August, it was confirmed that Chito had cancer. For treatment, he had to go through chemotherapy thrice a month. He was also given Cobalt Treatment twice during his stay in PGH.
With so many patients lining up at PGH, Carlos felt that his father's needs can't be met adequately at PGH. He proceeded with the doctor's advice to follow up the treatment at San Juan de Dios Hospital. After Chito's 3rd Chemotherapy and removal of water from his lungs, the doctor at San Juan de Dios saw no improvement in his condition. Water continued to flood his lungs. They were referred to St. Luke's Medical Center for a second opinion.
At St. Luke's, Chito underwent a fine needle biopsy to determine the type of cancer he had. The result, however, was not conclusive but led them to confirm that Chito was positive for Tuberculosis. The results, the oncologists said, show that Chito's cancer can either be Lymphoma or Small Cell Cancer. To further determine whether Chito's cancer is Lymphoma or Small Cell Cancer, Dr. Gerardo Cornelio says he needs to undergo tissue sampling this January. The doctor says the samples will help them identify the type of cancer and make an efficient treatment plan for Chito. Although, Carlos has been informed that his dad's chances of survival with Small Cell Carcinoma will be strikingly low, especially if it has spread extensively.
Carlos and his brother only referred to the physicians' recommendations, trusting in their judgement. Carlos said he "just accepted what the doctors told him." Early January, he started a fundraising group composed of his friends in Facebook.
Chito has stopped Chemotherapy due to his pending operation. Since June 2010, they have spent at least Php 300,000 for his tests, treatments and medical consultations. Today, Carlos is troubled. It seems they have ran out of family and friends to ask for financial assistance. Since he had to resign from his teaching job last September to relieve his brother (who had been with his dad since June), they could hardly survive without the help of Marian, her family and Carlos' friends. He had sold whatever he can, his car and his iPhone, to fund his father's daily nourishment as well as his own. Last January, in an attempt to raise funds for his dad, he tapped his elementary and highschool batch mates for help. Only a handful responded, nevertheless, he is grateful for their support.
Carlos tried to reach out through foundations and the PCSO but was not accommodated because he had to be an indigent to qualify for financial support. In his desperation, he had thought about selling the house but could not think of where to bring his dad when the property will be sold.
Last Christmas, Chito was still able to cook his own glazed ham with pineapples. By January, however, Carlos noticed that he stopped getting up. He just preferred to lie in bed all day and often complained of difficulty in breathing. Carlos explained that his dad has been stubborn and more difficult to talk to since then. Though, he would be quick to respond when asked what he wants to eat: fried chicken, among others. I just wish he could have some. I'm sure it'd make him feel better.
While I was there, Marian came to visit and tried to get him to take some Ensure. He kept insisting that he doesn't want it. Eventually, he took a sip and then another. He preferred to have orange juice mixed with it. And then follow Ensure with water to wash the after taste. His face would lighten up whenever he had the chance to request his cravings: brandy and Coke.
On a final note, I asked Chito if its ok with him if his children visit him often, he said, "Syempre, mga anak ko e." Sometimes, he responds sarcastically. At times he'd joke around saying I can't visit anymore because he is already married. For terminally ill cancer patients, there seems to be no sense in trying. But Chito stands a chance to live longer with family members like Carlos and Marian. Perhaps, he has a greater chance of surviving if more people will make him feel that there is hope while he is still breathing.
To my readers who would like to brighten Chito's day, you can contact Carlos Zaragoza at teachercarlo@gmail.com. Donations in kind and cash are most welcome. Send Chito some words of encouragement by leaving a comment below. All feedback will be relayed to Chito :)
Written by: Leah De La Rosa
Chito, a mechanical engineer by profession, used to have what many could only dream of: a steady stream of cashflow without having to work. He was blessed to have a wealthy family. Despite his fortune, he spent most of his days alone and detached from family and friends.
Carlos Zaragoza introduced me to his dad. He half-opened his eyes to peek and then resumed his focus on breathing. When asked how he is today, Chito quietly says, "Nanghihina". Because he has been having difficulty breathing, he has been dependent on Ensure since the first weeks of January. "Have you eaten?" I asked. He resignedly said no and refused to take anything even his medicine. I waited and asked him if he would go back to see his doctor for another treatment, he said "No, sagabal." But he said that the treatment was not causing him any pain or difficulty. Carlos says his dad was given medicine to counter the side effects of Chemotherapy. The only evident side effect was the hair loss. But his hair is growing now. He just doesn't recall the names of the medicines because it has been months since Chito had his last treatment. But he had kept his dad's medical records and surrendered the receipts to the people who have helped him fund his dad's diagnosis and treatment.
In June 2010, upon the insistence of Carlos' cousin, Marian Araneta, Chito was checked by a doctor. Marian actually brought a friend doctor for a home visit because Chito did not want to go to the hospital. The doctor recommended that Chito be tested for Tuberculosis since he was physically manifesting the symptoms. Chito succumbed and they went to Manila Doctors Hospital for a series of laboratory tests. The tests, however, pointed them to a more grave illness: cancer.
The Zaragoza's went to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for further medical advice. In August, it was confirmed that Chito had cancer. For treatment, he had to go through chemotherapy thrice a month. He was also given Cobalt Treatment twice during his stay in PGH.
With so many patients lining up at PGH, Carlos felt that his father's needs can't be met adequately at PGH. He proceeded with the doctor's advice to follow up the treatment at San Juan de Dios Hospital. After Chito's 3rd Chemotherapy and removal of water from his lungs, the doctor at San Juan de Dios saw no improvement in his condition. Water continued to flood his lungs. They were referred to St. Luke's Medical Center for a second opinion.
At St. Luke's, Chito underwent a fine needle biopsy to determine the type of cancer he had. The result, however, was not conclusive but led them to confirm that Chito was positive for Tuberculosis. The results, the oncologists said, show that Chito's cancer can either be Lymphoma or Small Cell Cancer. To further determine whether Chito's cancer is Lymphoma or Small Cell Cancer, Dr. Gerardo Cornelio says he needs to undergo tissue sampling this January. The doctor says the samples will help them identify the type of cancer and make an efficient treatment plan for Chito. Although, Carlos has been informed that his dad's chances of survival with Small Cell Carcinoma will be strikingly low, especially if it has spread extensively.
Carlos and his brother only referred to the physicians' recommendations, trusting in their judgement. Carlos said he "just accepted what the doctors told him." Early January, he started a fundraising group composed of his friends in Facebook.
Chito has stopped Chemotherapy due to his pending operation. Since June 2010, they have spent at least Php 300,000 for his tests, treatments and medical consultations. Today, Carlos is troubled. It seems they have ran out of family and friends to ask for financial assistance. Since he had to resign from his teaching job last September to relieve his brother (who had been with his dad since June), they could hardly survive without the help of Marian, her family and Carlos' friends. He had sold whatever he can, his car and his iPhone, to fund his father's daily nourishment as well as his own. Last January, in an attempt to raise funds for his dad, he tapped his elementary and highschool batch mates for help. Only a handful responded, nevertheless, he is grateful for their support.
Carlos tried to reach out through foundations and the PCSO but was not accommodated because he had to be an indigent to qualify for financial support. In his desperation, he had thought about selling the house but could not think of where to bring his dad when the property will be sold.
Last Christmas, Chito was still able to cook his own glazed ham with pineapples. By January, however, Carlos noticed that he stopped getting up. He just preferred to lie in bed all day and often complained of difficulty in breathing. Carlos explained that his dad has been stubborn and more difficult to talk to since then. Though, he would be quick to respond when asked what he wants to eat: fried chicken, among others. I just wish he could have some. I'm sure it'd make him feel better.
While I was there, Marian came to visit and tried to get him to take some Ensure. He kept insisting that he doesn't want it. Eventually, he took a sip and then another. He preferred to have orange juice mixed with it. And then follow Ensure with water to wash the after taste. His face would lighten up whenever he had the chance to request his cravings: brandy and Coke.
To my readers who would like to brighten Chito's day, you can contact Carlos Zaragoza at teachercarlo@gmail.com. Donations in kind and cash are most welcome. Send Chito some words of encouragement by leaving a comment below. All feedback will be relayed to Chito :)
Written by: Leah De La Rosa
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