Improvement Due to Pulmo Rehab

I re-started my pulmo rehab sessions last January. I preferred it over physiotherapy for my knee. I've also been consistently using my spirometer everyday.

The annual PE included a chest x-ray. I put my previous x-ray side by side with the new one and was surprised to see some improvements. I have no idea how to interpret x-rays, but my right chest looked clearer than last time. The head pulmo rehab therapists also told me my lungs looked better. 

I was supposed to see my doctors yesterday, but I wasn't feeling well so I had to reschedule. Our priority is to keep the healthy parts of my lungs stable, so any improvement is a big plus. My heart though is bonkers. Oh well.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Weekly Pulmo Rehab Grind

I've been trying my best to consistently attend my pulmo rehab sessions. Miggy also goes to the gym twice a week, so I took the opportunity to schedule my sessions when he goes.

I super love my therapists. TBH, I was supposed to continue my knee PT, but I told my doctor I prefer to have my pulmo rehab therapists take care of my exercises. The physiotherapists were really good. It was their reception area that turned me off. I already gave feedback to them through the form and hope they take it constructively. 

Anyway, I always look forward to my sessions. My therapists are fun and they take care of me well. Please help me pray for one of my dear pulmo rehab therapists. He's confined again due to an illness. I'm praying he'll get well soon 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Squats

My PT had me do some squats yesterday. I was okay after and even did groceries with the boys.

My whole body hurt when I woke up. My thighs were very sore, haha. I still watered my plants and played with the cats. That's all I was able to do today.

Zzzzzz.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Is In-Person Pulmo Rehab Better?

I just had my second pulmo rehab session. There's almost no difference from doing it online, but I noticed it runs quicker than when we do it online.

I like doing the sessions better in-person. I get to interact with my therapists (there's usually an assistant). They are also able to correct my form if needed. 

We did more this week and I was happy that leg exercises were included. I have to do the leg exercises thrice a week to regain my knee strength. It still hurts every so often.

I'll try to bake this weekend. I want to bring some goodies for my pulmo rehab team. Gotta save my lungs. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Back to Pulmo Rehab

I'm so glad my Ortho doctor allowed me to go back to pulmo rehab instead of re-enrolling in physiotherapy. I feel at this point I can do my knee and ankle exercises on my own several times a week. 

I need to get back on track to save the healthy part of my lungs. My therapist said we'll take it slow. We did and skipped the leg exercises. Ahh, it felt so good to do the breathing exercises and be with the team who's be taking care of me for almost two years now.

#BeKind #StaySafe

2026 Health and Wellness Goals

Having chronic conditions is hard. The baseline is to stay stable, not pick up any germs, and not get hospitalized. I missed my last session of physiotherapy because I woke up very dizzy on the 27th. I'll complete it this week, get my report and then see my Ortho doctor again. 

There are a couple of things I want to work on for this year, especially since I need to prepare for the replacement of my mitral valve. I had ten years to prepare last time I had heart surgery. I've managed to delay it for a year (thanks to my knee and ankle), but it's imminent. 

Anyway, aside from the baseline, I'd like to increase my stamina, increase my oximeter level, reduce weight and eat healthy. One thing the dietician of my boys said is it's better to eat home-cooked meals. It's better also than ordering prepared healthy meals. It's important to know what's going on your food and you can control the ingredients. 

I did notice the difference the past three weeks. During Christmas and New Year, I tried to cook more. I had less bloating and it was easier on my tummy. It has probably helped reduce some of the red flags on my blood markers. The thing is I need to have better stamina so I can cook more. 

Physiotherapy helped me to move more. My knee and ankle are a bit better, so I've been able to do more gardening (sometimes 150 minutes in a day!). I once had a day where I did gardening and cooked. I was half dead though the next day, so I need to temper things. My physiotherapist also said I should still take it easy since I still experience pain when I do too much. 

In summary, here's what I want to do for the year:

• be more than stable
• increase stamina
• increase oximeter levels (will go back to pulmo rehab after I complete my PT)
• move more and get more sunlight
• reduce weight and eat right 
• survive heart surgery and be rolling by my birthday or Christmas (depending on when it happens)

Have a healthy new Year everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

2025's Lessons

2025 was a year of healing for me. My inner child finally healed from many years of pain.

I prayed for healing for many years. Well, I learned a lot last year and that's what helped me heal. 

Here's a few things 2025 taught me:

1. I learned from reading that the only one who can heal your inner child is yourself. Let your older self talk to your younger self to let go.

2. A heart that can't forgive won't heal.

3. Protect your peace. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just step away.

4. Red flags are real. Don't be too trusting.

5. Old friendships can be re-ignited. Sometimes life just gets in the way and you eventually go back to where you were at the right time.

Life was never meant to be complicated, live simply.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Almost Done with Physiotherapy!

I have been heads down and focusing on physiotherapy for my knee and ankle. Movement of my right ankle has improved. I'm able to use it to lift the foot rest of my wheelchair without pain.

My knee has improved a lot. I still experience some pain. One of my therapists said it's normal since there is still some inflammation. Same for my knee. The bruise around it is still visible.

My leg exercises are also still light. My lungs and heart prevent me from having strenuous exercises. I noticed though I'm able to do more now than when I started 

When I finish my sessions, the pulmo rehab team will take over. I'll be able to do whole body exercises and that should help increase my stamina and prepare me for surgery.

#BeKind #StaySafe

What Makes You Happy?

What makes you happy? It's probably a question all of us ask ourselves every so often. Keep it simple my doctor told me. 

Whenever I feel down, one thing that helps me get back up is counting blessings or things I'm grateful for. This is what taught me to be happy even with simple things.

When I wake up every morning, I thank the Lord for the new day, then I look forward to seeing my boys, our cats and then my plants. 

I've changed a lot since I retired. I used to beat myself up for not being "productive". I kept praying for the next "big thing". My condition just got worse and I realized God is telling me I'm on a different path now. I'm meant to be where I am now.

What makes you happy can change over time. I used to chase wins across the region and now I'm chasing what's within a few meters around me. And it's enough.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Nutrition

Miggy started his wellness and nutrition journey last month. All of us are overdue for a lifestyle change since we're not getting any younger, plus prevention is better than finding a cure for issues.

One of the key things we need to work on is with what we eat. It was our first time to work with a nutritionist and dietician. We originally thought we'd re-enroll with our meal plans. We tried for two days, but it had different effects on each of us.

The dietician had a very different view on meal plans. She said, it's best for those who don't have time to prepare their food. She advised it's still better to prepare your own food since you know exactly what's going into it.  

We studied closely the plan and food options to see what we can prepare at home. We researched recipes to see what's easy to do at home. We also planned the transition to healthier food since TBH Miggy and I don't really eat that much veggies. 

It's been two weeks since we started and we're feeling more energetic. I've also been involving the boys more when we cook. This way I could survive and also teach Miggy how to cook. 

Let's see where the changes we'll be doing brings us :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Adjusting Wellness Goals

I experienced a huge setback to my wellness goals. I was progressing nicely with my spinning time. Last time I had pulmo rehab I reached 12 minutes. I've slid back down to 5.5 minutes since I had COVID-19. I will resume pulmo rehab this week provided I feel well enough. 

My main goal this year is to be able to go biking outdoors. It is my one favorite sport. I don't have a bicycle yet. I will only get one once my therapist tells me it's safe for me. My boys want me to have a bike and full protection gear. When I used to bike around our village I never wore any protection. Well, I shall wear protection just to be sure. I just need to graduate with flying colors from my current pulmo rehab program. 

It's probably taking me longer to regain my strength because of the virus. Ugh. I feel so annoyed. I tried making baked sushi the other day and felt really tired after preparing the tuna. Good thing Miggy knows what to do, so he finished preparing the meal. 

Last night I did some gardening. I just added soil on some plants. Ended up really tired and just watched TV the rest of the night. I know I should give myself some slack. I just feel a bit down because of the setback. I have to focus on being grateful that the illness did not get worse. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Achieved New Biking Time!

I'm so pleased with myself. I achieved 11 minutes and 49 seconds of spinning today. Yay! I thought we were doing just 10 minutes, but my PT said he dupped me and set it to 12 minutes. It helps that I'm able to talk while exercising. 

My PT said I'm on schedule to reach my "biking outdoors goal". We're taking it slowly since it's too hot anyway to go out. I also don't have a bike yet, haha. I only have the bell (the that goes kringkriinngg!) which I got from Daiso in Japan many years ago. Yup, that's how long I've wanted to go biking again. 

In time I will!

#BeKind #StaySafe

10 Minutes!

Achieved 10 minutes on the stationary bike today! I clocked in 9 minutes during my last pulmo rehab and could barely speak while spinning. Today, I managed 10 minutes while chatting with my therapist. 

I was worried I would have a hard time since I had been busy packing all week. I was too tired to practice spinning. Lo and behold! Being on my feet for several hours a day helped! And even though I was feeling a bit unwell today my body managed the session very well. Whew!

I'm so happy I made some progress. How I wish it could also translate to increased heat tolerance! Unfortunately, I had to spend a few minutes downstairs to check something. I had to run back upstairs since it was too hot. I promptly fell asleep, haha.

Oh well, just need to make sure I stay hydrated!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Mom and Dad's Journey

I stumbled on old family photos when I was looking for a nice photo of Mom. I found an album where I gathered scanned photos of their wedding and anniversaries. My parents spent 51 years together. Their love story spanned so many decades. They spent a very long, fruitful life. 

25th

35th

45th

50th

Aside from growing a family, my parents spent a lot of their time for social and religious causes. They were heavily involved in the building of our parish church. Daddy also used his skills to ensure our community was protected and had proper utilities (ie water). They were active members of the Knights of Columbus and CWL. I learned a lot from their activities and I guess that's also why I enjoyed doing projects that was going to benefit communities. 

I dreamt of my parents last week. We were on an outing abroad. They were so happy together and wore matching yellow outfits. This was how they looked (photo taken months before I was born). 

It's strange I dreamt of them months before I was born. I knew it was before I was born because there was another photo together with my cousin, Tina, when she was a baby (taken the same day). Oh! I just realized that I was probably growing in my Mom's tummy when the photo was taken. She said I was probably made on Holy Innocents Day (hehe). I guess they were sending their love from heaven and telling me everything will be okay. 

Love you Mom and Dad. Please watch over us from up there. 

#BeKind #StaySafe