It' s been almost a year since my first miscarriage but it wasn't until my second miscarriage when I found out that I had APAS which caused both miscarriages. It was on my second miscarriage when my OB told me to visit the Immunologist that he recommended. For some reason I was delaying it. Maybe because I was too afraid on what the Immunologist was going to say or I didn't want to go through the emotional stress anymore.
Finally I was able to get the strength and decided to see the Immunologist tomorrow to have myself checked before we try to get pregnant again and hubby had no second thoughts about it. But he was actually honest enough to tell me the other night that he is scared and so am I. We don't really know what to expect. All we know is that its going to be a difficult process financially, emotionally and physically (for me). Instead of focusing on that, I want to keep a positive outlook and think that if at the end of it all we will be blessed with our own bundle of joy, then all the pain and hardships will be worth it.
I just pray to God everyday that He gives us the strength and His continued guidance to surpass all the challenges and the blessing of having a normal and healthy baby. Sometimes I don't even know if its right for me to ask God for it to happen soon --- but I am just human. I hope He understands. I try to live by the title of a story Bo Sanchez published "Dont Give Up. Do What You Can. And Let God Surprise You."
Hopefully in time God will grant our wish and bless us.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Pasimban
In the Kapampangan language churches are called pasimban. During the Holy Week, I did the Visita Iglesia together with my hubby and in laws in Pampanga. It was my very first time do the Visita Iglesia out of town and it was a very memorable experience for me. Not only did I get to pray and make my 7 wishes (wishes are made for people who visit a certain church for the first time) but also I was able to see the century old churches for the very first time.
I was so amazed on how they were able to preserve the interiors of the churches and by looking at the structure you will really see the difference on how lives were lived centuries ago. There were no minimalists at all! Every detail you will see in each church has a history to it and it feels good to know that our fellow Kapampangans are taking good of our heritage up to this point in time.
We visited 7 churches in the following towns:
- Sta. Rita
- Gua Gua
- San Fernando
- Lubao
- Floridablanca
- Bacolor
- Angeles
The church that had a significant impact on me was the Bacolor Church. If you are not aware, Bacolor was one of the towns that was strongly hit by the lahar flood when the Mt. Pinatubo volcano errupted years ago. More than hald of the church was covered by lahar. So you could just imagine what was taken away from them. But the people from Bacolor really came together to revive what was left of the church. The lahar did not destroy their hopes. When you enter the church you will find a mini musuem wherein pictures of the lahar flood, old photos of the church, church artifacts and how they restored it. Depsite what happened, the church still looks beautiful and you can feel the solemness when you are inside. For me this is how all Filipinos should be --- to always come together especially if its for God.
There was one thing that I noticed though during this trip of ours. During Holy Week, there is this tradition that is usually done in provinces called "penitensya". This is where a person (male) will walk from a certain point leading all the way to the church either carrying a cross (just like how Jesus did) or making use of something like a laso made out of bamboo which these people use to hurt themselves by striking it unto themselves until they bleed which they call flagging. What I noticed this Holy Week was that all and I say ALL that were doing their penitensya were young boys. Before it was usually men aged from mid 20's above. Well the ones hitting themselves had white cloth over their heads but the reason why I could tell that they were young because they were being escorted or followed by teen agers, maybe their friends or family members. You could also tell they were young by their body structure and how they move. Makes me think, is this how our young ones pay their debts to God? Just a thought.
Anyway, all I can say is after this act of love we did for God, my hubby and I want to do it again next year --- out of town again. This is something that I hope will become our own little family tradition until we grow old and gray.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Yummy Sisig!
During the Holy Week (last March 20), I went to Pampanga with hubby and my in laws to do the Visita Iglesia. Our last stop for the day was Angeles City and part of our itenerary was to eat the famous sisig of Aling Lucings. I am sure you have seen her in the commercial of one of these soy sauce brands. Unfortunately, her stall was closed. My hubby refused to find another place where we can have dinner. Good thing there was another stall that was open and this was Aling Naty's. My hubby was like "Ayun O, d'original sisig din...sure ako masarap din dyan!" He was like a pregnant mother with a bad craving and his was sisig! Hehehe!
My hubby and father in law took the lead in ordering the food. This is what we had:
Of course sisig
Dinuguan
Pork Bbq
Chicken Ass
***talk about high cholesterol!!!
The tables were set up along the street. You can see the "chefs" doing their thing.
We all had high expectations on how the food will taste and I am happy to say that Aling Naty's did not fail us! The sisig was really good. It was authentic. Nothing compared to the sisig of Dencios and the like. Even the rest of the dishes that they ordered were tastefully made. YUM YUM YUM!!!
I urge you guys to try this out!!! Take a day trip with your family and friends. I am sure you will all love it and at the same you will have fun! :-)
My hubby and father in law took the lead in ordering the food. This is what we had:
Of course sisig
Dinuguan
Pork Bbq
Chicken Ass
***talk about high cholesterol!!!
The tables were set up along the street. You can see the "chefs" doing their thing.
We all had high expectations on how the food will taste and I am happy to say that Aling Naty's did not fail us! The sisig was really good. It was authentic. Nothing compared to the sisig of Dencios and the like. Even the rest of the dishes that they ordered were tastefully made. YUM YUM YUM!!!
I urge you guys to try this out!!! Take a day trip with your family and friends. I am sure you will all love it and at the same you will have fun! :-)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
How do you handle it?
How do you be strong for someone who is afraid to lose someone close to him?
How do you help this person gain back his strength once the person he is afraid to lose passes away?
What kind of help do you do for this person so that he can fulfill the wishes of the person he is afraid to lose?
How do you comfort a person who has this problem of letting go?
How can you stop his moment of tears?
How do you make him understand that this is the cycle of life?
What else can we do to make every minute worth while for him and the person he is afraid to lose?
So many questions in my head....
All I want is just for him to be strong and realize in the end everything will be okay!
I want him to learn that life is about what we have and what we can do at the present to journey towards a good tomorrow.
How do you help this person gain back his strength once the person he is afraid to lose passes away?
What kind of help do you do for this person so that he can fulfill the wishes of the person he is afraid to lose?
How do you comfort a person who has this problem of letting go?
How can you stop his moment of tears?
How do you make him understand that this is the cycle of life?
What else can we do to make every minute worth while for him and the person he is afraid to lose?
So many questions in my head....
All I want is just for him to be strong and realize in the end everything will be okay!
I want him to learn that life is about what we have and what we can do at the present to journey towards a good tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
This is a first!
I've had a number of "This is a first!" moments in my 30 years of existence in this planet.
Just this afternoon I had another "This is a first" moment. I was interviewed by Inquirer.net (telecon only) about this project of mine called FliptUp.com. First things first, what is FliptUp.com? It is a site for Fil-Am artists/bands and music lovers. The site aims to help these Fil-Am artists/bands promote their music and be discovered.
Anyway, when my officemate told me that the telecon was going to be done today and that I am the point person that will be asked regarding the site, I immediately got rattled. I've never been interviewed before by any news publication and to think that I will be quoted with all that I am going to say. I had to run through some questions with my officemate which she thought could be asked. Good thing she was part of the telecon so that she could back me up if I missed out on something. Phew!!! The telecon was short and it went well. Thank God!!!
All the while I thought the PR was going to be published in the newspaper but no!!! It was posted as a blog entry in Inquirer.net's blog called Soundtrip. As in 10 minutes after the telecon --- there it was!!!
To be honest (babaw as it may seem) it felt nice seeing my name in that blog entry and to think its Inquirer.net's blog. Also, this is a first step for my project to be promoted to the world. I am really proud and confident that FliptUp.com will grow as a big Fil-Am music community. Its been the vision of our team to reach out to the Pinoy community abroad and this website is one way to achieve this vision.
There are more things to come for the site and I will keep posting the latest updates here in my blog. :-)
Just this afternoon I had another "This is a first" moment. I was interviewed by Inquirer.net (telecon only) about this project of mine called FliptUp.com. First things first, what is FliptUp.com? It is a site for Fil-Am artists/bands and music lovers. The site aims to help these Fil-Am artists/bands promote their music and be discovered.
Anyway, when my officemate told me that the telecon was going to be done today and that I am the point person that will be asked regarding the site, I immediately got rattled. I've never been interviewed before by any news publication and to think that I will be quoted with all that I am going to say. I had to run through some questions with my officemate which she thought could be asked. Good thing she was part of the telecon so that she could back me up if I missed out on something. Phew!!! The telecon was short and it went well. Thank God!!!
All the while I thought the PR was going to be published in the newspaper but no!!! It was posted as a blog entry in Inquirer.net's blog called Soundtrip. As in 10 minutes after the telecon --- there it was!!!
To be honest (babaw as it may seem) it felt nice seeing my name in that blog entry and to think its Inquirer.net's blog. Also, this is a first step for my project to be promoted to the world. I am really proud and confident that FliptUp.com will grow as a big Fil-Am music community. Its been the vision of our team to reach out to the Pinoy community abroad and this website is one way to achieve this vision.
There are more things to come for the site and I will keep posting the latest updates here in my blog. :-)
Monday, March 17, 2008
My hubby's bday party
March 15, 2008
This was an advanced birthday celebration for Gin. I started my day by waking up at 7AM and buying stuff in the wet market here in our village. Of course the food that will be prepared is Japanese (Gins favorite and mine too)! The chef and his assistants arrived in the house at 9AM and they began preparing the food for the party while I had to make sure that the tables and chairs, the decorations and the cake was taken care of. Who do you think had to do all of that? Who else but ME!!! Hehehe!
The party was held in the clubhouse of our village. As I have mentioned in my previous blog, the theme was a semi-childrens party. Instead of having games, I just prepared some art activities for the kids and the pabitin which they really enjoyed. The balloons were also a big hit. Hehehe! One by one, they were approaching me and asking "Tita Bunnie, can I get the blue/pink/red balloon?" They're so cute!!!
The food was great! We had shrimp and vegetable tempura, chicken terriyaki, sukiyaki, and different kinds of sushi, Japanese fried rice and the dilis that they usually serve as an appetizer in Japanese restos. My mom brought her famous fruit salad and the cousin of Gin brought her delicious cupcakes. I got the bday cake from Marta's Cakes --- Yummy! You might be wondering why the design of the cake are all tools used for construction --- well thats his job. He's an Interior Designer/General Contractor.
Almost everyone that I invited came and enjoyed but the most important of it all is that the birthday celebrant enjoyed!
The party ended at 3AM. It was a very tiring and busy day for me but seeing Gin smile and have fun with his family and friends makes it all worth it! :-)
This was an advanced birthday celebration for Gin. I started my day by waking up at 7AM and buying stuff in the wet market here in our village. Of course the food that will be prepared is Japanese (Gins favorite and mine too)! The chef and his assistants arrived in the house at 9AM and they began preparing the food for the party while I had to make sure that the tables and chairs, the decorations and the cake was taken care of. Who do you think had to do all of that? Who else but ME!!! Hehehe!
The party was held in the clubhouse of our village. As I have mentioned in my previous blog, the theme was a semi-childrens party. Instead of having games, I just prepared some art activities for the kids and the pabitin which they really enjoyed. The balloons were also a big hit. Hehehe! One by one, they were approaching me and asking "Tita Bunnie, can I get the blue/pink/red balloon?" They're so cute!!!
The food was great! We had shrimp and vegetable tempura, chicken terriyaki, sukiyaki, and different kinds of sushi, Japanese fried rice and the dilis that they usually serve as an appetizer in Japanese restos. My mom brought her famous fruit salad and the cousin of Gin brought her delicious cupcakes. I got the bday cake from Marta's Cakes --- Yummy! You might be wondering why the design of the cake are all tools used for construction --- well thats his job. He's an Interior Designer/General Contractor.
Almost everyone that I invited came and enjoyed but the most important of it all is that the birthday celebrant enjoyed!
The party ended at 3AM. It was a very tiring and busy day for me but seeing Gin smile and have fun with his family and friends makes it all worth it! :-)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Preps for my hubby's bday
I am throwing a party for my hubby this Saturday. His bday is really on the 24th but since it will fall right after Holy Week, he insisted that the celebration be done in advance.
I love planning for events like this. So for his bday celebration I thought of making it a semi-childrens party. Hehehe! When I told him about it...he was like... "Babe?!?" With a question mark written all over his face. But he had no choice and at the end he was already okay with the idea. Gin has quite a number of nephews and nieces which continues to grow each month (hopefully we will have our contribution to the family tree soon!). That's why I thought of having that kind of theme. They are all of the same age and I find it so enjoyable watching them play with each other.
Its so funny...its like I am the one whose going to have a party because of my excitement. These are just my little thrills in life because I am sure Gin will enjoy and so will his family and friends.
I can't wait to post some pictures here! :-)
I love planning for events like this. So for his bday celebration I thought of making it a semi-childrens party. Hehehe! When I told him about it...he was like... "Babe?!?" With a question mark written all over his face. But he had no choice and at the end he was already okay with the idea. Gin has quite a number of nephews and nieces which continues to grow each month (hopefully we will have our contribution to the family tree soon!). That's why I thought of having that kind of theme. They are all of the same age and I find it so enjoyable watching them play with each other.
Its so funny...its like I am the one whose going to have a party because of my excitement. These are just my little thrills in life because I am sure Gin will enjoy and so will his family and friends.
I can't wait to post some pictures here! :-)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I've been tagged: sharing of some facts
Rule: Copy the entire list and add your name on the person who tagged you. Then tag at least 5 friends (but you can tag as many as you like) and visit their blog to let them know you tagged them.
Here's a tag that I got from Jan which came from Farah and Vien. They call it The 8 facts about yourself.
In the 8 Facts About Yourself, you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going. Here are the rules.
RULES:
* Each blogger must post these rules first.
* Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
* Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
* At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.****
My list:
1. I graduated from Assumption College and took up BSC-Mktg.
2. I am a pure blooded Assumptionista! From prep to college. (I got a loyalty award. Hehe!)
3. My favorite cuisine is Japanese --- California Maki!!!
4. I am at the parlor every two weeks.
5. I am the youngest in the family.
6. My real name is Maria Johanna. (Wondering why my nickname is Bunnie huh? :-P)
7. I love to cook and bake when I have time.
8. I love out of town trips especially going to the beach.
Whose turn is it to share 8 things about themselves? Jon, Mec and Nikki
Here's a tag that I got from Jan which came from Farah and Vien. They call it The 8 facts about yourself.
In the 8 Facts About Yourself, you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going. Here are the rules.
RULES:
* Each blogger must post these rules first.
* Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
* Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
* At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.****
My list:
1. I graduated from Assumption College and took up BSC-Mktg.
2. I am a pure blooded Assumptionista! From prep to college. (I got a loyalty award. Hehe!)
3. My favorite cuisine is Japanese --- California Maki!!!
4. I am at the parlor every two weeks.
5. I am the youngest in the family.
6. My real name is Maria Johanna. (Wondering why my nickname is Bunnie huh? :-P)
7. I love to cook and bake when I have time.
8. I love out of town trips especially going to the beach.
Whose turn is it to share 8 things about themselves? Jon, Mec and Nikki
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Its so sad!
I was watching the news last night and there was this report wherein a man found a fetus in a one liter Sprite bottle. The bottle was in a plastic bag. At first the man thought it was the actual softdrink that was left behind by someone because when he tried to shake the bottle, there was something inside the bottle. When he took out the bottle from the plastic bag, low and behold, there was a fetus inside --- a 6 month old fetus to be exact. I find this kind of news so depressing!!! Every time I see on TV news about aborted babies, I cant help but say "sana sa amin nalang binigay ni God" or "sana they put the baby up for adoption nalang if they cant take care of it".
So many married couples (like us) out there want to have a baby so bad while there are some that end up aborting their baby. Makes me want to ask them the question --- WHY?!? Maybe they have their reasons but whatever reason they may have, they still shouldn't resort to abortion. No one has the right! I know for some, raising a child is not easy but don't they see them as a blessing?
God did not give us permission to take one's life especially unborn babies. They have the right to be in this world. So all I have to say to these people who do these horrible acts is SHAME ON YOU!!!
So many married couples (like us) out there want to have a baby so bad while there are some that end up aborting their baby. Makes me want to ask them the question --- WHY?!? Maybe they have their reasons but whatever reason they may have, they still shouldn't resort to abortion. No one has the right! I know for some, raising a child is not easy but don't they see them as a blessing?
God did not give us permission to take one's life especially unborn babies. They have the right to be in this world. So all I have to say to these people who do these horrible acts is SHAME ON YOU!!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Finally!
Finally Gin is done with his project!!! Yey!!!
No more sleeping late for him and he can now say goodbye to all the stress he's been through for the past couple of weeks. Plus no more worrying for me too. I finally get to spend quality time with him. I am so happy!!! :-)
No more sleeping late for him and he can now say goodbye to all the stress he's been through for the past couple of weeks. Plus no more worrying for me too. I finally get to spend quality time with him. I am so happy!!! :-)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Reminiscing...
David-Ayuyao Nuptials
December 21, 2006
St. James The Great Parish
The Palms Country Club
Color Motif: Pink and Brown
St. James The Great Parish
The Palms Country Club
Color Motif: Pink and Brown
It's been over a year...Can you believe it? Sometimes I still cant believe that Gin and I are already married.
Since November last year up to this month, Gin and I have attended one wedding per month! Imagine the number of formal wear I had to either buy or borrow. Seeing our friends getting married makes me really happy because I know our friends have found their life partner. Attending all these weddings brought me back to memory lane. Hehehe! It seems as if it has been decades but I catch myself watching our wedding videos and looking at our wedding photos again. I cant help but reminisce about our wedding day!
I once told a friend whose also getting married soon while she was talking to me about her wedding preps that I want to get married again. I want to go through the process of planning again our wedding. With all the new themes and ideas that I see in magazines, the wedding preps of my friends and through the actual weddings --- the thought of getting married again --- it just excites me that I end up day dreaming! Funny huh?
As I go back to the day when Gin and I exchanged vows, I will never forget the 1 year preparation. How should I put it? Well, our weddings preps wasn't really smooth sailing. Of course Gin and I had our arguements and sometimes we wouldn't agree on things but it was all good because for me it was good stress! I was really hands on with our wedding preps and I was really proud of myself because I know Gin loved it --- every detail of it! He was so amazed with the outcome. Thanks to moi...hehehe! But I guess, every bride to be really has the most say during the preparations. Dont you think so? Well I think thats how it is.
My top 10 favorite things/moments/people during our wedding:
1. My walk - the choir sang Ikaw beautifully! It was a moment I will never forget! I couldnt stop myself from crying. Even my family and friends were crying. As my brother said, how the choir sang the song was an added factor to the emotions at that moment. Our visitors started clapping as I neared the altar...hayyy!!!
2. Saying "I do" and the "You may now kiss the bride" part - the picture says everything! :-)
3. My gown - simple yet elegant!
4. The flowers - to the bridal and entourage bouquets and the flower arrangements at the reception.
5. My surprise video for Gin - we shot this a couple of months before our wedding. The song I chose for the video was "bless the broken road" by the Rascal Flatts. The lyrics was so perfect! Our videographer added some excerpts from the ceremony to the video. Thats where I found out Gin cried while I was walking down the aisle...awwww! (to view my surprise avp for Gin, click on this link: Bunnie & Gin) Our videographer did a good job!
6. The surprise AVP of my ate - I didnt know she got my family to make a video for me. I remember during my first new years eve away from my family --- I watched that video and I was really crying like a baby! Because I missed home.
7. Our cake - this was the gift of Gins cousin to us. I just found the design online and the cake maker was able to imitate every detail. loved it and it was yummy too!
8. The feeling of being the King and Queen of the night and that you are the most beautiful girl in the room! hehehe!
9. Our wedding coordinators - I didn't have to worry about a thing.
The hoodies - I got a white with pink rhinestones hoodie for myself and of course for my female ento a brown hoodie with pink rhinestones too.
10. Last but not the least just being married to Gin --- well this should top my list!
Hope all of the wifeys out there or brides to be feel the same or will feel the same way as I do now. Finding the right partner is really a blessing and marriage is a lifetime process! So as I have mentioned in my previous blog, I really thank God everyday for Gin. He is truly a blessing to me and to my family as well!I've been tagged
I was tagged by Nikki..so here goes:
Here’s the rule: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.
1. What color do you like most? - pink and white
2. If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one? - i love you ALL!!!
3. Where is the place that you want to go the most? - i dont really like going out that much. so i would probably have to answer just staying at home and maybe going to the parlor! hehehe!
4. Which part of you that you hate the most? - my hips!
5. When you encounter a sad moment, what would you do? - i am a very sensitive person so when i encounter something sad i end up crying and talk to gin or my friends about it.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most? - my family
7. If you win $1 million, what would you do? - share it with my family, donate some of it to a charity, buy a house and my dream car!
8. What did you love the most last year (2007)? - nothing in particular. just being with gin and enjoying the role of being a wife. we celebrated our first anniv last year.
9. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you. - i dont really know nikki yet but i think she is a very nice person.
10. What is your new yrs resolution? - to be more patient and understanding with gin, to buy a house and to lose weight which i doubt i can do! i love food! hehehe!
11. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most - none
12. Which type of person do you hate the most? - people who pretend to be someone they are not, liars and back stabbing b----es!!!
13. If you had one wish what would you wish for? - to be blessed with a beautiful little angel
14. How did you celebrate new year? - in our house, spent it with my in laws.
15. It is already 2008, do you have a new year’s resolution? - huh? i think i just answered this question.
16. What do you look forward to in 2008? - getting pregnant again and buying our own home
17. What is the only thing you’ve done in 2007 that you wish won’t happen again on 2008? - its not really what i have done but what happened to me last year --- i wish i wont have another miscarriage this year.
18. Describe year 2007 in one word. - eventful.
19. What is one thing/gadget you can’t live without? - for gadget it has to be my cellphone and for thing it has to be my kikay kit
20. Now for my question: what was the best 2007 xmas gift you received? - of course gins xmas gift! :-)
sorry but i dont have people to tag but i enjoyed answering these questions! thanks nikki!
Here’s the rule: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.
1. What color do you like most? - pink and white
2. If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one? - i love you ALL!!!
3. Where is the place that you want to go the most? - i dont really like going out that much. so i would probably have to answer just staying at home and maybe going to the parlor! hehehe!
4. Which part of you that you hate the most? - my hips!
5. When you encounter a sad moment, what would you do? - i am a very sensitive person so when i encounter something sad i end up crying and talk to gin or my friends about it.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most? - my family
7. If you win $1 million, what would you do? - share it with my family, donate some of it to a charity, buy a house and my dream car!
8. What did you love the most last year (2007)? - nothing in particular. just being with gin and enjoying the role of being a wife. we celebrated our first anniv last year.
9. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you. - i dont really know nikki yet but i think she is a very nice person.
10. What is your new yrs resolution? - to be more patient and understanding with gin, to buy a house and to lose weight which i doubt i can do! i love food! hehehe!
11. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most - none
12. Which type of person do you hate the most? - people who pretend to be someone they are not, liars and back stabbing b----es!!!
13. If you had one wish what would you wish for? - to be blessed with a beautiful little angel
14. How did you celebrate new year? - in our house, spent it with my in laws.
15. It is already 2008, do you have a new year’s resolution? - huh? i think i just answered this question.
16. What do you look forward to in 2008? - getting pregnant again and buying our own home
17. What is the only thing you’ve done in 2007 that you wish won’t happen again on 2008? - its not really what i have done but what happened to me last year --- i wish i wont have another miscarriage this year.
18. Describe year 2007 in one word. - eventful.
19. What is one thing/gadget you can’t live without? - for gadget it has to be my cellphone and for thing it has to be my kikay kit
20. Now for my question: what was the best 2007 xmas gift you received? - of course gins xmas gift! :-)
sorry but i dont have people to tag but i enjoyed answering these questions! thanks nikki!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
What is APAS?
What is APAS? Here is a short description for those who want to know what this condition is all about:
APS and Pregnancy:
Many women with antiphospholipid antibodies do not have any problems during
pregnancy. However some women with antiphospholipid antibodies may have a
miscarriage during the first 12 weeks. This is because the antibodies inhibit
the growth of the early foetal cells.
In some pregnant women antiphospholipid antibodies can cause thrombosis in the
small and delicate blood vessels of the placenta. The placenta is then unable to
supply the foetus with enough nutrition, so the foetus may stop growing and may
die in extreme cases. Sometimes damage to the placenta prevents the foetus
growing to normal size, so the baby is small at birth. This is known as
intrauterine growth restriction.
In other cases the damaged placenta may lead to pre-eclampsia in the mother.
Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy is a potentially dangerous condition, resulting
in swelling, leaky kidneys and high blood pressure.
The best way of predicting how well a pregnancy will progress is by looking at
what has happened before. If a woman with antiphospholipid antibodies has
previously had a normal pregnancy, then it is likely that she will do so again.
One area requiring further research is to find a way of predicting whether
women with antiphospholipid syndrome who are planning their first pregnancy will
have any problems, and if so, what sort of problems are likely.
Treatment of APS:
As for other thrombophilias, treatment for APS involves giving anticoagulant
drugs to prevent the antibodies from causing further thrombosis. The three
drugs commonly used are aspirin, warfarin and low molecular weight heparin.
Aspirin is given in small doses, such as 75-100mg daily (one quarter aspirin
or 'baby aspirin'). It has long been established that aspirin thins the blood by
reducing the function of platelets. In cases of recurrent miscarriage, for
example, giving aspirin alone has dramatically improved success rates.
If someone has already had a thrombosis, then aspirin is not strong enough to
prevent a recurrence. In this case warfarin is usually given. Warfarin
(Coumadin) is an anticoagulant drug, used worldwide as a blood-thinning agent.
For example, most people with a deep vein thrombosis in the leg are given
warfarin for six months.
For those with APS, it is usually recommended that warfarin treatment is
indefinite and that the blood thinness level is kept higher than for most other
conditions. The INR (international normalised ratio) measure of blood thinness
for people with APS is kept at 3-4 when they have had a stroke or arterial
problem, whereas for patients with other thrombotic risks it tends to be kept at
2-3.
Heparin is usually given to people with APS before and after surgery and
during pregnancy. This is because its anticoagulant effects, unlike those of
warfarin, can be easily reversed. Also heparin can be used safely throughout
pregnancy, whereas warfarin can affect the developing foetus, especially if
taken during the first 12 weeks.
Many women with antiphospholipid antibodies do not have any problems during
pregnancy. However some women with antiphospholipid antibodies may have a
miscarriage during the first 12 weeks. This is because the antibodies inhibit
the growth of the early foetal cells.
In some pregnant women antiphospholipid antibodies can cause thrombosis in the
small and delicate blood vessels of the placenta. The placenta is then unable to
supply the foetus with enough nutrition, so the foetus may stop growing and may
die in extreme cases. Sometimes damage to the placenta prevents the foetus
growing to normal size, so the baby is small at birth. This is known as
intrauterine growth restriction.
In other cases the damaged placenta may lead to pre-eclampsia in the mother.
Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy is a potentially dangerous condition, resulting
in swelling, leaky kidneys and high blood pressure.
The best way of predicting how well a pregnancy will progress is by looking at
what has happened before. If a woman with antiphospholipid antibodies has
previously had a normal pregnancy, then it is likely that she will do so again.
One area requiring further research is to find a way of predicting whether
women with antiphospholipid syndrome who are planning their first pregnancy will
have any problems, and if so, what sort of problems are likely.
Treatment of APS:
As for other thrombophilias, treatment for APS involves giving anticoagulant
drugs to prevent the antibodies from causing further thrombosis. The three
drugs commonly used are aspirin, warfarin and low molecular weight heparin.
Aspirin is given in small doses, such as 75-100mg daily (one quarter aspirin
or 'baby aspirin'). It has long been established that aspirin thins the blood by
reducing the function of platelets. In cases of recurrent miscarriage, for
example, giving aspirin alone has dramatically improved success rates.
If someone has already had a thrombosis, then aspirin is not strong enough to
prevent a recurrence. In this case warfarin is usually given. Warfarin
(Coumadin) is an anticoagulant drug, used worldwide as a blood-thinning agent.
For example, most people with a deep vein thrombosis in the leg are given
warfarin for six months.
For those with APS, it is usually recommended that warfarin treatment is
indefinite and that the blood thinness level is kept higher than for most other
conditions. The INR (international normalised ratio) measure of blood thinness
for people with APS is kept at 3-4 when they have had a stroke or arterial
problem, whereas for patients with other thrombotic risks it tends to be kept at
2-3.
Heparin is usually given to people with APS before and after surgery and
during pregnancy. This is because its anticoagulant effects, unlike those of
warfarin, can be easily reversed. Also heparin can be used safely throughout
pregnancy, whereas warfarin can affect the developing foetus, especially if
taken during the first 12 weeks.
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