SAD AND DISAPPOINTED

After undergoing all my physical tests, the bottom line result is devastating for me. I am not healthy enough to donate one of my kidneys to my brother. They found some stone formation near my right kidney minimizing the flow of blood which causes it to shrink in size than normal. I was devastated not because of the findings but because I failed my own brother. I could no longer give him one of my kidneys providing him the hope of improving his quality of life. When I got the results, I could not help myself but cry. I've been crying every night without them knowing since I don't want my brother to lose hope in finding another suitable donor for himself. He will have his own tissue cross matched from a pool of possible donor and hopefully it would just be a matter of time that he will be called for the actual transplant by his surgeon.

As for myself, I will still have to undergo a test to determine how much percentage my right kidney is working. This would determine the course of action how to treat and save my right kidney. The nephrologist told me that the stone was formed for quite some time now which means I've been living my life with literally just one full functional kidney without my knowledge. I told my family to make me an example to prospective donors that one can live a normal life with just one kidney as long as they will lead a healthy lifestyle.

Thinking on the positive side, it was a blessing in disguise for me. I have found out that there is something wrong with my health even if I don't feel any symptoms at all. I thought I was healthy enough because I've been trying to eat properly and exercise regularly. This made me realize that what I did were not enough to keep me healthy. Regular medical and physical check-up is necessary especially now that I'm not getting any younger. This made me realize how precious life is and appreciate all the blessings I received.

Poked and Being Poked Again

On my way to the Philippines, I was quite positive and excited to be able to help my brother in his time of great need. I willingly underwent various tests to determine if I am healthy enough to donate one of my kidneys to him. I was being poked and poked again with needles for blood works. I humiliated myself collecting my urine for 24 hours using a sterilized plastic container and putting it inside the refrigerator. If nobody knew about it, it could be mistaken for iced tea preparation…LOL! I underwent ultrasound where a lady doctor had the chance to see and touch my lower abdomen using her scanner nearest to my "ehem". My last test will be done this coming Tuesday where it could determine the proper functioning of my kidneys.

Taking this all in the positive side, I have undergone a major physical check-up which could determine if I'm still healthy or not.

Grueling Days

After 13 long hours of flight from Vancouver, we finally arrived here in Cebu last March 16^th, a Tuesday. We arrived in early morning and I wasn't tired at all so we decided to start the tests immediately. I had my ECG, ECHO (ultrasound for the heart), chest X-ray and ultrasound for my kidneys. The following day, Wednesday, I had my blood works done. There were a lot to consider like sugar levels, creatinine toxicity levels, HIV and a lot more. My blood type is B just like my brother, the potential recipient of one of my kidneys. We are on the third day and we will go to my brother's nephrologist for the results. I am currently worried because initially I've heard that there were some issues on some of my test results which we will confirm today. My biggest fear is what if I am not healthy enough to become a donor? What will happen now to my brother?

A Starting Point

I'm embarking a trip today to the Philippines to be with my family. This is the first step in realizing my decision to do something for my brother. Making this decision was quite easy for me because I love him so much. Being his only sibling, I am his last hope to improve his quality of life. He badly needs a kidney transplant but he initially did not want me to donate one of mine. He was thinking that I am his last hope to take care of his family if something bad might happen to him. I thought that this is his own family, his wife and son, and therefore it is only right that he will take care of them himself. This is the reason why I made this most important decision in my life. It did not take me a long time to think and came up with this. Aside from being huge, it is also life changing. Upon arrival in the Philippines, we will start a series of tests to establish that we are a match. I'm quite positive about the results and I just hope and pray that we are indeed a good match and I'm healthy enough to donate. I have done some research about organ donation but I still have lots of things to ask with our doctor about my expectations after the procedure. Again, I'm positive about my brother having a second lease in life.

I will post more on my experience as a living donor, so visit this blog again soon.

Birthday And False Alarm

Last Sunday, February 7Th was my birthday in time of the NFL's XLIV Super Bowl between Indianapolis and New Orleans. New Orleans won the championships by the way.
Knowing that some of my friends are busy with the games, either watching or betting, I decided to lessen my preparation for my own birthday party. Almost half of Kaba-Maasin members that I invited were not able to attend my party. Nevertheless, I still enjoy the time with my close friends that evening. After watching the games on TV, we watched Michael Jackson's "This Is It" movie/documentary on our Blu-Ray player since most of my friends were not able to watch it during its limited run in the theaters. We ended the party doing karaoke while most went home because of work or school early in the morning. Overall, the small party was a success. We have so much food in excess though even if we encourage or force the visitors to take some food home.
The following day I just spent it in the house watching TV or surfing online. The following morning though was an excitement for me. I was thinking about my driver's license and something inside me has been pushing me to check if its still valid for use. I remembered that renewal dates always fall on birth dates so I sprung out from bed and checked my driver's license. I was horrified when I saw that it was expired since Feb 7, 2009...2009??? That means I've been driving my car for a year with an expired driver's license? This can't be true! I hurried to hit the showers in order to head out to DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to supposedly renew my license. After I took my shower, my dad told me that I could have missed the renewal notice from the DMV and I said that I never got any notice from them. The last notice I got was for the renewal of my car's registration. While dressing up, I went online to the DMV website to check my records and I was surprised that my records are still on active status and there is no "Expired" note on it. My dad then told me to check at the back of my card since he remembered that he received a sticker after he renewed his own driver's license. I checked my card again and there I saw the sticker. My driver's license is yet to expire on February 7, 2013. Whew! That was close. Everything seems a bright morning once again...even if its raining cats and dogs outside.

Snow Mountain

I don't really hate the snow but I cannot imagine myself living day and night in a snowy environment. Maybe I'm too old for this where my aches and pains starts popping up when its too cold. That's one of the reasons why I'm here in the middle of the desert oasis called Las Vegas. During winter season, Las Vegas will also have its share of snow fall but since we are blessed with a gorgeous weather even during winter, we can still hit the slopes to enjoy the snow. We have our very own ski resort up in Mt. Charleston. As shameful as it can be, I must admit that I went to the snowy slopes of this mountain only twice for the past nine years. The second time was actually last Sunday.
I just got off from work and my friend invited me to go with his family up the mountains. Armed with my camera, we spent the whole morning playing with the snow. It was about mid 20s up there but there was no snow fall at all. I felt not much cold on my upper body but the longer I stayed standing on the snow, the colder my lower body had become. I actually didnt have the right foot gear for the snow but it was okey since we did not plan of staying there for long. Maybe I would like to realize my dream of actually try to ski. Got to go to Utah as they have one of the best ski slopes in there, Winter Olympics was held there before.
Follow the link for the pictures: http://lemueljon.multiply.com/photos/album/77/Mt_Charleston_Winter_2010

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

A traditional Chinese New year greeting, "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which is loosely translated to "Congratulations and be prosperous", is often mistakenly assumed to be synonymous with "Happy New Year". Unlike western calendars, the lunar Chinese new year calendar has names that are repeated every 60 years. Within the 'Stem-Branch' system is the shorter cycle of 12 years denoted by animals and 2010 is the Chinese year of the Tiger. In particular, this is the year of Gēng-yín (Metal Tiger). Gēng is the seventh of the ten celestial stems and Yín (Tiger) is the third of the twelve terrestrial branches, thus February 14th 2010 marks the year of the Tiger with its association to bravery. Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. Sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs.

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Lunar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most. Celebrated in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese, Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors, as well as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive interaction. Las Vegas is no exception, with an exclusive area within the city named Chinatown, both locals and visitors will soon see the Lion Dance, red envelopes and the firecrackers.

The best place to witness the passing of the season from Christmas to Chinese New Year is at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Armed with my camera, I took some photos from the indoor garden. This exhibit will be open to the public through February 28^th. If you are in town, don't forget to drop by.

To all my friends, I want to greet you "GONG XI FA CAI".

Follow this link for the pictures:

2010 Chinese New Year of the Metal Tiger