Splash of Cold Water

Well, I have been complaining and ranting about my super stressful project at work. About working till dawn and losing my weekends for 2 months. Then, came an unexpected news from a close friend. She was diagnosed with a stage 3 cancer. Will undergo mastectomy, then multi-sessions of chemo, followed by daily radiation for weeks. This, plus the huge amount of cash she needs to spend for treatment :(

Truly, an unexpected sad news. But it's like a splash of cold water on me. What have I been complaining about? Yes, I despise the project I'm in, and can't imagine staying longer in this company if this will continue for 1 more month. But hey... I wouldn't and never will I trade my situation with my friend's. Mine is just temporary, and nothing compared to what she's in! Nothing compared also to my situation 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with advanced HIV. 

Sometimes we just focus too much on the negatives...

Stressed at Work

Been working long hours at the office lately. I've only slept for 3 hours for 5 consecutive days. Working this weekend, and on holidays next week. I'm seeing this will continue for the next 3 weeks. 

Fuck, this is draining me. Physically for the lack of sleep, and more so, emotionally for the pressure and stress I'm eating! For the curse my boss is giving. Confidence level is too low now. 

Damn, this is taking a toll on my self-confidence, health and CD4. Last time I was so stressed at work was in 2013, when my CD4 dropped to all time low, got TB and Pneumonia and I found out I'm positive. I won't let that happen again. 

Fine, I've decided, this work pressure is just not worth it! Konting tiis na lang, I'll try to finish this project not to please my boss, but for the team who is staying with me to finish this project. Then, I swear, I'm gonna quit this job. I'd rather earn 50% less but still get a life after 6, than earn 50% more but live a miserable corporate life.  After all, I work to live - not live to work!

New Pillbox

This was my pillbox 3-4 years ago. My daily meds could hardly fit in my 28-slot yellow pillbox. I was literally playing sungka every Sunday to organize my weekly pills. If I remember correctly, these were my meds: Fluconazole, Isoniazid, Azythromycin, Cotrimoxazole, Lamividune-Tenofovir-Efavirenz, Vit B Complex. For some of these, I take more than one tab per day.

Fast forward to 2017 (6 months ago), my CD4 finally reached 285, second CD4 test in a row that my CD4 count is over the 200 threshold. I finally heard what I’ve been wishing to hear from my doctor: "Prophylaxis days are over. No more liver-unfriendly antibiotics!"

Now, my yellow pill box is almost empty. Less meds to take. Good bye Sungka. My yellow pillbox has way too many slots for my one tablet a day ARV. Time to change my pill box!

Thank God! 4 years ago, when I was in my worst condition, I said “This too shall pass!” My new pillbox is proof of that saying! Worst has really passed.

Indeed, HIV doesn’t necessary kill. There’s treatment for it. ARV works like wonder!

So, get tested… now!  Before it's too late. 

Quick Update

No post for more than a year.  Woah.. such a long time. But yes, I'm very much alive. It's just that I'm too busy with my work and personal life. 

Anyway, just a quick updated.  I'm doing pretty good... actually, in excellent condition. 

VL is undetectable. 

CD4 - it's 286 already from a baseline of 16. Because that, all my prophylaxis meds have been discontinued. Thank you Lord! :)

Indeed, ARV works!
So, if you have a risky lifestyle, get tested... NOW!
PLHIV can live normal and healthy lives.

Freedom Hike and Naturism

Hiking, trekking, mountaineering, waterfalls. Yes, I have done these a few times before, but only at rare times. Last time was when I went to Mt. Pinatubo. Before that was several years prior… back in college, as part of a mandatory community service in school.

Yesterday, I decided to join a newly found online group of outdoor and nature enthusiasts. New faces, new friends. We went hiking in the north. My first time as a PLHIV. I knew it would be a tiring trek. 10K up, then 10K back down.

10K! Whoaa… that must really be so tiring. But after 2 hours, when we got to the top, it felt like a reward. Morning dew. Cool breeze. Swaying trees.  Chirping birds. Fresh water. Grassy fields. Wild flowers. Rocky trail. Ice cold waterfalls falling from the mountain tops in a secluded cove. Totally isolated. It was literally ALL ours. No strangers. No other people. No ghosts nor enkantos - at least none that we saw. It was beautiful. Chill time. Relaxing… away from the busy city life. 

Man, this is such a beautiful world, ain't it? 3 years ago, when I was having shortness of breath due to pneumonia, I never imagined hiking is still possible. Now, 3 years after, I’m on top of this gorgeous hill.

As the area was all OURS, we deciding to go skinny dipping. You heard it right, nude swimming! Yes, we swam and roamed the area in our birthday suits. No shirts, no shorts, nor underwear. No, nothing, nada! Something I haven’t done before, and had never thought I would be doing, ever. - Disclaimer, no sex! It is strictly prohibited by The RULES! :) 

Indeed, it was truly one of the weirdest things I've ever done in my life. But, I must say, it was fun. It was really liberating. I felt free! I felt one with nature, with nothing hidden, literally. Everything’s exposed - my heart, my soul, and my penis. Everything… in full glory.   

After 4 hours of swimming, lying down, resting, eating and having casual conversation while naked, we decided to go back, while the sun was still up. We got back to the base camp after another 2 tiring hours of downhill trek through the rocky and sandy trail. Then, we reached Manila after traversing NLEX and EDSA in horrible traffic jam.

Damn, I’m back in the city: pollution, traffic, noise, crowd, and city el nino heat.  Darn, I’m back in a city where everyone is clothed, where everyone has got something to hide… deep within his well-ironed clothes. Back in this judgmental city. So bring it on... bring my closet back! I need to hide again -- my sexuality, my HIV status, and my “other” life. But I’m not complaining, just saying :) 

Well, it was a quick weekend trip. I'm glad I joined. It just feels good to quickly escape the city, and experience something new. More so, to strip myself of clothes, of stress and of worries. To liberate myself and be carefree even for just a few hours. And most especially, it just feels good to be "not sick" and enjoy nature, and life again! 

13 Reasons Why Buffet 101 - Eastwood is the Worst

I've been frequenting Buffet 101. Why not? It's value for money. Serving quality food at a reasonable price. But dude... the Eastwood branch of Buffet 101 is such a mess! Worst branch! 13 reasons why:  

1. Shrimps and Crabs - For me, one of Buffet 101's main attraction is its live suahe and crabs. But this branch has none of it! Oh my mistake, I saw a label on a table.. chili crabs. But dude, during my entire stay in this branch, the plate was empty. Never refilled! Better change the label to "Better Luck Next Time!"
2. Hot Seafood Roll Salad - Oh yeah, this Chinese dish is another fave of mine. Their version is unique. No dressing! How dare you call it salad if it doesn't have that white dressing. 
3. Beef Station - Their beef carving station is crazy... Why? Simply because there's none! Well, this is the only buffet resto of its kind that doesn't have any beef in its carving/ roasting section. No steak, no roast beef, no prime rib... nay, nothing, nada! 
4. Noodles - Their stir fry noodles is too salty!
5. Takuyaki - Is it really takuyaki? me thinks it's a pancake roll! lol
6. Lumpiang Shanghai - The only resto that serves shanghai without sweet and sour sauce. Kahit ketchup wala!
7. Softdrinks - I suggest you rename your softdrinks station to evacuation center. A bunch of people queuing for ice and clean glasses. 
8. Shakes - The only Buffet 101 branch that doesn't serve fresh fruit shake. 
9. Tempura - So stingy. This resto refills its tempura in 8 pieces for such a huge number of customers! 
10. Beer - I didn't get beer. But I saw one customer did. And the beer splashed! 
11. Coffee - The coffee dispenser is misaligned. It spilled from my cup. So my capuccino became dark coffee!
12. Scallops - It's not all bad. At least they have scallops. And I like the way it's baked. The second time I ordered though, it didn't arrive!  
13. Aircon - I was sweating like hell. That fucking AC is not working! 

I swear, never again shall I visit this branch ever! 
Oh, by the way, 2 days after I ate here, I had diarrhea... I hope it's not because of this resto!

Bulaklaking Taxi

I had my car serviced last weekend. So I booked a cab using GrabTaxi. Interesting, the driver's name is Richard Bulaclac. Then came the cab. 

His cab totally transported me into a different world. A whole bunch of bulaklak around me! Para akong nasa Santacruzan. O parang damit daw ni MJ Lastimosa! :)