where the moon shines

Digital piracy seems to be the modern day crime. It is definitely a multi-million dollar underground industry that no doubts fuels economies, and probably even feeds as much families as it deprives.

In this country alone, there are regular police raids at known places where pirated CDs and DVDs are sold and yet, they continue to thrive. They are still everywhere. In a country like ours, I think that what keeps the pirates alive is the fact that original DVDs still cost a fortune. Even the record companies’ claims that the original lasts longer than the copies don’t discourage people from buying. They can buy 4 copies of pirated CDs in the original’s life span, and it would still only be at a fraction of the original price.

The real and more lasting solution, is not just to penalize piracy, but to provide better alternatives for the common man. If they can afford to buy the original, of course they would prefer to buy those. That’s just my take on it.

I know there are some Pinoys who don’t buy pirated local records or movies, they get those original, in support of the local entertainment industry. But for movies out of Hollywood, and music from foreign acts, you can bet that every household probably own a CD or two.

As a beginning digital scrapbooker (perpetual beginner), I know that piracy is one big issue for the community too. With oodles of generosity from freebie designers, there should be no need for anyone to pirate their beautiful work.

Anyhow, I came across this video from Heidi’s blog and that’s what got me thinkin:

I hope you enjoyed the video

I saw Dr E again, the same one I went to see yesterday. It was a quick visit today though, in and out in less than 15 minutes.

My CBC numbers were normal so I’m all good now. She ordered the test because I bled profusely on Saturday, and the blood just kept on gushing until yesterday when I finally started taking the meds she prescribed. I first med Dr E on the first Saturday of this year. I went because I’ve been bleeding for about two weeks and was starting to have heavier flow. A TVS was ordered, and thank God for Medicard for covering that too. When I went back to see her the following Monday, my endometrium lining was thin. I don’t exactly know what that implies, but the meds she prescribed depended on the information.

I took Primolut N for 3x a day, for the next 10 days.

I stopped bleeding on the the third day of medication. On the 12th day, I started bleeding again. I was surprised at the time; I was feeling woozy all of a sudden. A trip to the ladies’ room had me seeing red. Dr E confirmed it was expected; the cycle, I mean. Though I bled that day, it wasn’t heavy. Spotting, that’s it. Then this last Saturday, it just flowed.

The 26th was my father’s birthday. We were to have a family lunch over at SteakTown. I was at work and forgot about time, it didn’t help that my cell’s battery was already drained. By 1215, my family was waiting for me in the restaurant and I abruptly decided to just up and leave. Boyf wanted to come, but his shift just started at 9 that morning. I dropped by his station on my out, egging him to take etime and have lunch with us. I knew it wasn’t possible though. While we were talking, him sitting down, me standing in front of him, I felt it. I was wearing cream colored pants and knew it would stain. It was more than what I expected. Blood just dripped right through to my feet. Because the pant legs were quite loose, the blood didn’t stain all over as it travelled through my legs.

I asked boyf to go on personal aux, he quickly informed his boss who seemed to have understood the gravity of our situation and authorized his logout. Meantime, I rushed to the ladies’ room too and tried to tidy up as best I could. Boyf borrowed a blanket for me so I could cover up and escape without too many eyes spying on my situation. I could tell he was worried, heck I was worried too. It was unexpected, but in a way, I knew it was coming.

Boyf took me home and he went back to work. I didn’t join the family at lunch but they did bring home my steak and salad. I did a bit more work before the 4pm deadline, and then went to sleep. I had originally intended to go see Dr E, but I was exhausted and light headed.

3 hours later, my mom woke me up because I was soaking yet again. As I was 3 hours later, and 3 hours after that. I stayed home that night, I couldn’t go to work.

As it turns out, I was supposed to have been put on the pill again for hormone replacement. We’ll start on the next cycle.

Now I’m on Hemostan and I think that’s why the bleeding isn’t as bad anymore. I was actually confident to go out today without fear of seeing red all over again. I will take it for 2 more days and I think the bleeding is supposed to stop. Starting February 9, I will take another cycle of Primolut N, this time twice daily. When I bleed again approximately 2 days after my last Primolut, I will take oral contraceptive pills starting on Day 2 of menses.

I guess the most important thing I heard today from Dr E was this: Mag reduce ka ha. Yung hormone replacement after awhile babalik din yan unless magbawas ka talaga.

I knew that 5.5 years ago. I’ve known all along that the only real solution would be to be fit and healthy. To shed off all the excess baggage. In a way, I didn’t see any OB-GYN for so long beacuse I knew that was it. If I really wanted to be PCOS-free, I must lose the weight.

I’ll have to see my good ol’ friend Marie three times this week…

I spent about 4 hours in and around the hospital this afternoon. It is yet another episode in the long drama that concerns my reproductive health.

Back in Junior year at college, I had unforgettable bloody experience while taking an exam for my Humanities I (literature) class. I stood up, or was about to, so I could turn in my blue book, when I realized that I was soaked in my own blood. It was my first class for the day and I had about 3 more to go. I waited until the room was almost empty before I stood up to leave. I used the backpack (which was conveniently red) to cover myself as much as possible, and then hurried off to the ladies’ room where I changed into a red shirt that helped cover me up a bit.

My dad took me to the campus that morning (1.5 hours earlier) and I had to ask him to skip work so he can pick me up and bring me back home again. At that time, his office was very near the University. I couldn’t possibly commute home, there was just so much blood.

That afternoon, at the doctor’s, I learned that I needed to take some form of hormone therapy and that I had to take my condition seriously if I wanted to have kids someday.

In 2002, barely a year after that episode, I had to see the doctor again. I think it was after bleeding for a long time. By that time, I was about to start my job at Asia ACTs. I saw a differnt OB-GYN (a much nicer one, I must add), and learned that I probably had PCOS. To accurately diagnose me, I had an ultrasound that left me a bit traumatized by the experience. Hehe.

I took contraceptive pills for three months, along with Metformin, and also tried my best to shed off some weight. All of that to address the PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity, though it can affect women in a variety of ways.

The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown, but the condition stems from a disruption in the monthly reproductive cycle. The name polycystic ovary syndrome comes from the appearance of the ovaries in some women with the disorder — large and studded with numerous cysts (polycystic).

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about one in 10 women in the United States and is the leading cause of infertility in women. Early diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome can help reduce the risk of long-term complications, which include diabetes and heart disease.

- from the Mayo Clinic website (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423/DSECTION=1)

After three cycles of the pills, and mats of Metformin (which happens to be for pre-diabetics, I think, and helps lower the blood sugar), I had another ultrasound that showed that the polycysts were still there. Unfortunately, I didn’t go back to see the doctor again.

Since then, I’ve been on and off various efforts to lose weight.

Today, 5.5 years later, I still have the same old problems.

Anyway, writing about this condition and my journey to ridding myself of it, is something that I intend to regularly post about from here on. Perhaps doing so will remind me more of how I should regularly consult with my doctor to be sure that I am getting better. It should also serve as motivation to take weight loss seriously.

As for why I was at the hospital today, that’s for another blog post. On the other hand, here’s photos of my very own ovaries. These are from the ultrasound I had just three weeks ago.

Ok, I don’t know what’s in there, but they said there are stll multiple cysts around both ovaries.

Until sometime last year, my BraveJournal header had a number of badges and graphics displayed all over it. Among those were buttons I would click daily to make donations to different charities.

When I decided to add my blog to verabear.com, the header just wasn’t working well when it was being viewed through an iFrame. I had to do something about it and the easiest was to remove everything. My buttons have since found a home on my verabear.com home page, but I feel that they would get better mileage when seen sported on a blog. So I’ve brought them over. I have yet to decide whether I’d be giving them their own spot over at the sidebar but the Categories link should make it easy to get to this post when one needs the links.

At last, I have made the decision to keep Blogger as my main journal. It does seem to have the features I was looking for and though I’ve found in WordPress. It definitely offers a bit more freedom than BraveJournal and Vox.

In time, I will probably stop posting over at BraveJournal altogether. Or use it as I used to treat Blogger – for keeping up with the BraveJournal community, and to post occasional updates.

I’m moving in getting settled. Blogger is no longer my transient home; I’m turning into a resident.