What It Feels Like To Be Exposed To Covid-19

The world is in emergency health situation due to the pandemic we are all experiencing right now — Corona Virus.

A lot of people tested positive since late 2019, some are fortunate to survive but others didn’t make it. Sadly, there’s still people out there who don’t take this situation seriously. But what does it really feel to be exposed to a covid positive person? Will you automatically be infected as well?

Last September, I slept beside my friend and roommate for two nights. We shared food as well, eating quesadilla in one plate. On the third night, I decided to sleep on my own bed so that she will be able to sleep comfortably because she’s having fever and not feeling well . The weather is changing and both of us are thinking it is only a seasonal flu and because she just got her period. The next morning, I woke up and heard her talking with someone over the phone and setting up a doctor’s appointment. I started to feel sick as well. She went to the doctor and told me she did the swab test for covid as per the doctor’s advice.

The next day, I feel like I’m going to have a fever as I’m starting to shiver or maybe I’m just feeling cold because of the ac, I am not sure. My roommate prepared a milk with turmeric and honey for me when I told her I’m not feeling well (her fever went down). After drinking it, I went to the kitchen to wash my glass and when I got back inside our room, she immediately told me that her result came out and it’s positive. I was so shocked I cannot move and just stood there at the door.

She was agitated and annoyed as to why she is positive, how and where did she get it. I got so scared for the both of us, I feel pity on her because she is really in a tight situation already and now this!

The Department of Health advised her to just stay at home and isolate her self, I thought they are going to get and put her in isolation facilities for patients. Again, my stress doubled, no —- tripled! That night I slept in the same room with her, used the same washroom as her. I was still giving the benefit of the doubt that maybe, they will get her out from our room.

The next morning, I went to the hospital for the consultation and swab testing. The doctor said I don’t have corona but instead, I’m having tonsillitis. I still insisted to get tested and told her that I’m exposed to my roommate who is still inside our room.

After the swab test, I booked a hotel room as I don’t want to be exposed longer from her. Wrong move to be honest, because if my result is positive, man I will be in trouble. The hotel might shut down again, do disinfection and for sure I will pay a lot! I was in the hotel already when my she told me she is going to the isolation facilities, thank goodness for that but I still cannot relax. I easily get sick as my immune system is low. I’m stressed out already and I can feel my anxiety is getting high. I’m a worst thinker, I’m thinking maybe I’m positive already and there’s these questions lingering in my head.

“Will I die?”, “What will happen to my mom and brother?”, “Will I ever see them again?” and “Will I survive?”

Over reacting as it may seem, but I was really scared. I mean, the virus is not a joke. Who would have thought that my roommate will get a Covid-19?She works out everyday, eating healthy foods and taking vitamins, always using sanitizer, alcohol and hand wash. Mask on whenever she’s going outside. You will really never know.

Hours has passed by and I’m so anxious, I kept on eating and cannot sleep. 12:16 am. I got a message from Department of Health. As I read it, my heart exploded and I jumped in the bed. I’m negative and I teared up. Nowadays, negative is the new positive. So grateful for this.

Test result.. Thank God!

It was a roller coaster emotions. It was an experience I never want to happen again. But I’m more paranoid now than before because of this. Good thing is now, my roommate’s healed and slowly picking up the things that has been dropped.

Always be aware, always be careful, always take care of yourself, mentally, emotionally and physically. Make it a habit to eat healthy and have a healthy lifestyle. Take care of yourself. Don’t take this situation or this pandemic lightly. Other countries and regions are on their second lockdown now, and hopefully everything will be fine soonest possible.

Stay safe, stay healthy everyone!

Hints Of A Suicidal Person

Two years ago, taking my own life came across my mind because of depression from losing my father. I’m a papa’s girl. No one noticed it. Well, I wore the mask perfectly that time that’s why.

But how can you really notice a person who is suicidal? How can you know if a person is really having a hard time while laughing with you and doing normal things like they used to? Below are some of the list, based on my experience, that can help you see or feel if someone is considering to end their lives, especially if you know that person (close or not)

1. Smiling lips but sad eyes. You can just see it, especially if you are really close to that person. Usually, sad eyes looks like you are having a flu.
2. Suddenly becomes a quiet person. The person is abnormally calm.
3. Likes to be alone most of the time.
4. Always out of energy. Always wants to sleep, because sleep is their escape from the pain they are feeling.
5. Staring blankly at something. Staring at your face as if the person is memorizing what you look like.
6. Food or liquor becomes their bestfriend.
7. Always irritated. Always Impulsive
8. Most of their posts on their social media accounts are all about loneliness, feeling alone and sarcasm.
9. Unusual activities from their everyday life.
10. They will start to just reminisce the good old times and just sigh a lot of times. Talking as if it’s their last.

Those are the things I felt when I’m in that stage. How did I get out from it?

I started to realized that yeah, I lost my dad but then, would he be happy if I follow him sooner? NO. I also realized that I still have my mom and my brother with me. I don’t want to add another pain while their wounds are still open and fresh. It’s a sin to take your own life.

Actually people that are suicidal are always giving hints to see if they are really important and if people really do care and love them. If you think that something is not right with your friends or family well, there’s something is not really right. You wouldn’t think of that if you didn’t notice something from them right?

Some just wanted to take their own life to free themselves from the hardships they are going through, from the heartbreak they are going through. But is it really that easy to leave the people who believe and care for you behind? Is it really worth it to block the opportunity and the chance for you to be happy again? It’s not easy to say things like this, BUT, if you are in this situation or you are thinking of this please…please, ask yourself first. “Will I be happy after I’ve done this?”, “Will there be any difference?”, “What if I still have a chance?” and tell to yourself, “I want to be happy”

ALWAYS talk to your family and friends, or to some random people just to let you vent out. Do not fight the battle alone, it’s okay not to be okay. Cry it out. Remove the heavy thing that’s hurting and bothering you. PRAY. Ask for guidance and peace of mind and heart. Easy to say yes, but suicide should not be an option to get out or to escape. All we need to do is think before we act, realize before we act.

My inbox is always open, you can send me a private message if you want someone to talk to.

I’m here for you.

Self Care In The Pursuit Of The Glowing You

What comes to your mind whenever you hear the word ‘Self Care’?

For me? Well, it’s about taking care of yourself not only physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You need to take care of yourself from within so you can happily glow physically.

Physical Self-Care

1. Eat healthily and properly. You should be eating lots of fruits and vegetables, they have the proper nutrients that our body needs. I wouldn’t recommend eating chips and the likes but, you can also have those in moderation. Drink lots of water, it will make you fight cravings and hunger and will make your skin glow as it will hydrate you. Don’t deprive your self when it comes to food, especially when you are on a diet. Eat and be healthy.
2. Exercise at least an hour a day. You don’t have to go to the gym so you can work out, you can simply do jogging or brisk walking around your house, at the park or you can watch workout videos and do it inside your home. Stretch your muscles every day.
3. Take a bath. This is so basic and, I know all of us are doing it. I, myself is taking a bath every day. Twice a day, too much right? Well, I’m taking a bath every morning before going to work, then wash my body before sleeping to remove dirt from being outside all day. You can also use dry shampoo if you don’t want to wet your hair every day.
4. Skin Care. Use sunblock lotion or facial cream to protect your skin from sunlight. Use lotion to moisturizes your skin. Use a facial mask twice a week or thrice a week to maintain your skin’s glow. Always remove your make-up before going to bed to avoid having pimples and dry skin. Do not prick your pimple, it might get infected and will leave marks on your face. Use once in a while a body scrub so you can remove dead skin from your body.
5. Pamper Yourself. Go to spa or salon and make your hair and nails done, or avail their massage services.
6. Sleep. Make sure to have enough and proper sleep. It’s a very powerful process to make you look fresh and lively every day. Also to avoid having an eyebags.

Emotional Self-Care

1. Stop Pitying Yourself. Easy to say but it will help you a lot. Pitying yourself will not do any good for you. Instead of doing it, try lifting yourself, say things like ‘It’s fine, I can still do it’ or ‘Oh well, it’s just not for me/ not my time yet’.
2. Avoid Toxic People. Avoid them, toxic people will just stay in your life just so they can use you as their emotional punching bag and stress reliever. Or use you if they need something from you. Stop. Don’t let them do that to you. It’s fine to help and listen to their issues but, if it’s repetitive and causing you to stress then stop. Tell them upfront that what you are hearing is a cycle and, it’s not helping the both of you.
3. Don’t Let Your Emotions Eat You. Think of happy memories, it’s okay to feel down and sad but, make sure to end your day with a peaceful you. Always getting upset and grumpy? Go find help from Physical Self Care.
4. Be Happy. Always choose to be happy and strong. Always choose to smile. Remember, there’s always a rainbow after a rain. So choose the right thing for you.
5. Guard Your Heart. Always take pre-caution in making someone close to you. Just because the person shows you kindness means that they like you. Kindness, is a natural act, don’t over-read people’s actions. Read between the lines. Don’t be a stone but, put a shield to protect it.
6. Talk To People. People who are optimistic and are always happy. People who will help you to lift yourself and motivate you to do good for others especially, for your self. Talking to those kinds of people will inspire you but always apply number 5 though.

Mental Self-Care

1. Read. Always take time to read may it be books, magazines, and comics. You need to enhance your skills and add vocabulary to your list. Or simply read for you to forget your worries in the meantime. You can also do some research, not only you will be occupied but you can gain another knowledge you can use in your daily life.
2. Listen To Music. It helps you calm your nerves and free some space in your mind. It will make you feel relaxed even if you are doing house chores or anything else while listening to music.
3. Don’t Over Think. It will give you a headache and sleepless nights. It’s normal to think that hard especially, when it comes to your problem but you cannot solve it by overthinking. Go to Emotional Self Care. You will eventually solve whatever you are thinking and facing. Clear your mind and start thinking of how to overcome it, not why you are facing it.

Spiritual Self-Care

1. Pray. Talk to him, no matter where you are and no matter what time is it. He will listen to you. You might not get the answers to your questions for now but definitely He heard you and have plans for you. You might receive other things than what you prayed for but trust Him. Submit everything to Him and He will give what is best for you.

Those are my self-care tips and advice (unsolicited again hahaha), it would be great if you could give me lists to add on mine.

Take care of yourself, friend! xoxo

photo: https://www.instagram.com/johnemeraldlirasan17/

To Be Wealthy Is To Be Healthy

“Health is Wealth” —- the most popular saying of all time.

Unfortunately for me, I’m kinda below average when it comes to health.

UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and Amoebiasis enjoyed my childhood, well I cannot blame them though. I love eating junk foods, fast foods and drinking sodas. Fast-forward to 6 months after graduating college, I was diagnosed of having a colitis and other colon problem. I’m constipated and it usually took a week before I dispose what I have eaten. I have undergone through a procedure called Barium Enema wherein they will insert a small and not that long elastic tube in rectum and will put liquids and pump air inside you for them to start the process of x-raying your colon. Funny part was the nurses and the doctor was really amazed because most of their patients always failed to finish the procedure and I were able to finish it without making a mess (you know what I mean lol). I also undergone a procedure called Colonoscopy wherein they will insert again in your rectum a tube to properly see what’s going inside your colon, halfway through the procedure I woke up and one of the doctor commented that their patient (me) are widely awake and I’m looking at the screen–watching, I can see my colon, how they pull and cut some parts of it for biopsy. I can even here them saying “Pull”, “Cut” and “Spray” and I was thinking—-reeeeeallly thinking how those stuffs managed to fit inside me. I tried drinking 2 tablets of Dulcolax and 1 suppository at the same time, it helped but just a little bit. People said Papaya can help ease constipation and have a normal bowel movement but it didn’t help me until I tried eating prunes. Almost 2500mg dosage of medicine a day made me hallucinate and grumpy. My doctor told me that if I will vomit fecal, they don’t have a choice but to operate me and thankfully it never happened—–yet. After a year or two I suppose, I was diagnosed of having a PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) my first doctor says I’m a candidate for cancer, it really worsen my feelings, I was working and my colleagues were trying to make me laugh but I just can’t, then I opted to look for a 2nd opinion, the doctor explained it to me thoroughly and he helped me get back on track by saying “Everyone is a candidate for cancer, but I’m here to help you, your family and yourself. Let’s fight this and we’ll survive”. I was also diagnosed of having dry eyes and eye infection as well.

For my fellow constipated human being:

1. Drink water. Always drink water, stay hydrated. Less soda or if it’s possible to totally cut it then it’s great!
2. Avoid eating red meats (beef, pork and lamb) that much as well as shrimp and squid or any other seafoods that has elasticity texture as they are really hard to burn and digest.
3. Eat more fruits and vegetable. Prunes helps me a lot!
4. It’s better to eat fresh foods than processed ones.
5. Drinking coffee helps me as well. You can try but drink coffee moderately or decaf if you don’t want that much caffeine in your body.
6. Proper sleep helps you digest food fast.
7. Avoid eating oily, fatty foods and junk foods.

Fellow women that has PCOS:

1. Watch your diet and what you eat. PCOS loves women who are not taking care of theirselves. Gaining weight is what PCOS loves the most.
2. Visit your OB-gyne regularly so they can see if there’s improvement or any other procedure to be done. They will also help you in your future pregnancy.
3. Try using Anion Napkin, it is clinically tested and proven that it has health benefits. It eases the cramps, lessen the odor during menstruation and help fights bacteria.
4. Always be aware and love yourself.

Fellow people who has dry eyes and eye infection:

1. As much as possible, don’t scratch your eyes. It will make your eyes swollen, reddish, teary and kinda painful. Cover a small ice in a clean cloth and just pat it to your closed eyes, not that much pressure as we don’t want our eyes to have a blurry vision after. Do this every time your eyes are irritated.
2. Always clean your surroundings, dust can really irritate your eyes.
3. Don’t stay up super late as it makes our eyes super tired.

Thankfully I don’t have any other health issues other than those mentioned above hahaha. Just don’t go look and search over the internet the symptoms you are currently experiencing now. It will not help you, it will only make you paranoid and depressed. You will overthink and it will be the cause to deteriorate your health. Don’t overthink, just enjoy your life ( but still be responsible for your actions) and keep on fighting. Don’t lose hope even how ill you are. Help yourself, because even if the people surrounding you are helping you it’s useless. No one can really help you fight these diseases but you yourself. Always seek advice from the doctors. They know what to do and what to say. They will help you get better. Lean to your family and friends, they will support you and be there for you. Talk to HIM, he will definitely make you feel healthy, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Photo credit to : https://www.instagram.com/bonlirasan/