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A Gift or a Curse? Introspections Two Years Post-Total Thyroidectomy

Eight hundred forty days have passed since June 15, 2022, and  I have this complex mix emotions twenty seven months after my total thyroidectomy. I often wondered if this experience has been a curse or a gift. As I have faced physical and emotional dilemmas I never anticipated,  brain fogging and fatigue, weight gain, and the constant need for medication made me think that it is a curse. However, I've gained a profound appreciation for my physical and mental health, unlocked skills for my financial gain, discovered inner strength I didn’t know I had, and forged deeper connections with myself during this battle made me believed that it is actually a gift. The idea that God makes you face and overcome challenges so you can unleash the true meaning of life. A month after my surgery, there was one lymph node that was closely monitored, initially thought to just be leftover fluid from the operation. I tried to rest my chaotic mind, continuing my journey as I had been declared cance...

Unleashing Resilience: Reflecting on a Year Post-Total Thyroidectomy

It has been 18 months since my total thyroidectomy.  Once again, I am filled with eternal gratitude towards my oncology surgeon , Dr. Jayson Garibeles Espejo, to his compassionate attending nurses, and other dedicated team members who supported me throughout my journey. I am also thankful to my beloved family-Marion,  kuya Fritz, kuya Wayne, and my little Fame, to Jony and my other younger sisters and brothers, to my parents, and to my  cherished friends-Jinky, Panyok, Pepito, Rowena, Arlene, Des, Mel, Ma'am Elfa, Leo and others whom I failed to mention here, to my co-workers- my supportive SHS family, to my former school heads and bosses- Ma'am Pie and Sir Renato, DepEd supervisors, and above all, to the Divine presence of the Highest Lord Jesus, a heartfelt appreciation.  Amidst of health issue and resilience, personal journey often lead us to unexpected turns. One such path, marked by a total thyroidectomy last June 15, 2022, took me on a year-long adventure of se...
                                                                       Hope Beyond Uncertainty                                                                  (Lailanie S. Arcenas,  LPT, RGC) In late 2020 when the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic knocked in the seabed of many families, it gave an undeniable huge impact on my life as I discovered that I have a nodule in my left neck. I thought it was just a simple cold so I took a mega-dose of vitamin C for several months. As such, I experienced emotional turmoil in the same year. Work-related stresses cannot be underestimated. As I grasped what should I do, I went several test...