Summer Vacation!

     Yay! summer Vacation na at isa lang ibig sabihin. Free from exams, projects, homeworks, school, memorization, staying up late at night to study and waking up early for my morning classes. Hayyss..  I can't take classes din naman for summer kase our school only offers Phar 91 and Phar 95 which is like an internship. I can take Phar 91 kase kumpleto ko na yung mga requirements for the class pero I'm pregnant so hindi ko na lang sya tinake , I don't wanna take risk health namin ni baby. Healthy na rin samin ni baby ang walang stressed. So for fall semester 2 classes na lang and then Spring semester naman yung Phar91 and Phar 95. Aja! kayang kaya yan! kahit na ang due date ko is September 23 which is sa start n classes ko for Fall semester. Pero magagawan ko pa naman ng paraan yun, basta hindi ko iddrop mga classes ko! and praying for normal delivery ng baby ko.

   Another thing that I'm thankful for is my grades! OMG! I checked my grade  2 weeks ago! di ako makapaniwala na A sya lahat. hmnn.. for Phar 64 I'm expecting an A pero for Phar 81 and Phar 83 I was expecting either C or B at meron pang kasamang kaba! Hahaha Pero when I checked it on my Cerritos College Account. Super Duper ang ngiti ko abot hanggang tenga! hahahaha naka A ako sa lahat ng subjects...  So from the beginning of my PharmTech Program A lahat ng mga grades ko sa mga Pharmacy Classes ko. Sobrang saya ko talaga. All my hardwork, pagpupuyat, my eyebags, dark circles and pag-gising ng super aga para sa class , all of it eh me kapalit palang happiness. Kase parang half ng class sa phar 81 nd pahr 83 eh almost failing na ih pero ako naman passing. Mejo marami kaseng homeworks, quizzes and exams pati projects sa Phar 83 and Phar 81. Marami din nahihirapan sa mga exams kaya kelangan talaga ng matinding pag-aaral and pagmememorize ng mga drugs. Kaya naman super excited ako for fall semester. I heard from the previous students for Phar 85 na mas madali yung Pharmacy 85 compare to Phar 83. So I hope na less stress lang for fall semester.

 

           Eto ang grades ko for each semester, bongga A's lahat,  Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang  Super happy lang ako syempre pinaghirapan ko naman lahat yan. And tumaas din yung GPA ko ng bongga. Sabi ni Von na ipost ko daw sa facebook or instagram yung Grades ko lol . Ayaw ko nakakahiya naman isipin pa ang yabang yabang ko , kase A lahat ahaaha kaya dito na lang sa blogs ko kinukwento . Pero I studied my ass off  naman talaga to earn those Grades. Kaya naman naiinis ako sa mga mga cheaters sa exam. From my last semester meron akong nahuli na classmate ko na nagchecheat. Kitang kita ng mga mata ko. Usually all our exams and quizzes were taken in the computer for Ms. Makarem's class. Kase gusto nya nga less paper and much easier daw to sums up all grades kase nga straight na from computer. The girl that was sitting in from of me eh at meron pang iba sa class , me hawak na mga flash cards and I noticed na yun yung mga pinag aaralan nya earlier. Hmnn and she's still holding it while taking exam and sumisilip sya pasimple sa flash cards nya while taking the exam. Kaya naman after ng class diretso na ako sa house and I realized that Ms. Makarem should know something about it. So, I sent her a message on  her email. I told her that while taking exam for her class I saw some of my classmates were still holding and sneaking  up on their flash cards to get some answers which is a sign of cheating. Its really unfair for most of my classmates including me who studied and gave their best for the exam. I hope you can do something about it to stop them from cheating , this is also for their own sake. They can continue doing it even when they start working in the future as Pharmacy Tech. Nakakairita talaga yung mga ganung tao. Bakit di na lang sila mag aral diba. >_<

         After naman nung pangyayari na yun naging strict na ang professor ko while taking the exams and before the exam starts sinasabi nya na don't cheat. Nagoobserve observe na din sya sa class and lahat ng belongings or bag namin naka line sa may wall sa corner ng class. Walang kawala mga cheaters, no choice kelangan talaga nilang mag-aral. 

   Petiks muna ako for Summer Vacation, malapit na rin ang due date ko I'm excited and kinda nervous pag-nanganak ako. I know its painful pero I'm sure na kayang kaya ko yun. Ako pa! I can't wait to see our lil one. :) 

Spring Semester is Over!

   

  Hayy!!  napapahinga ako ng malalim, finally Spring Semester is over . Bye bye! Stress! Bye bye! walang kamatayang Quizzes, Exams, Projects and Homework.  I'm just waiting for my grades. At least nag appear na yung sa Phar64 ko super happy naka A ako sa class na yun. Sana tomorrow i post na ng professor ko yung grades ko for Phar 81 and Phar 83. No class muna for summer,  I was thinking to take Phar 90 sa summer, but since I'm 5 months preggy na ayaw ko na irisk ang health namin ng baby ko. However, for next fall semester  I was pretty sure na itatake ko ang Phar 85 and Phar 65 and then Spring semester naman itatake ko na ung last 2 subjects more likely an internship Phar90 and Phar 95. Hayys! I can't wait to finished.
      Mejo nagbuhol buhol na mga ugat sa utak ko! puro Drugs minemorized ko for Phar 81 and Phar83. Minsan kulang pa ako sa tulog and yung eyebags ko OMG! hindi ko na alam kung permanent na ba to parang mahirap ng tanggalin lol meron pang kasamang dark circles.  Focused na lang muna  ngayon sa pregnancy ko para sa health ng baby ko. Ang sarap ng feeling na walang inaalalang exams or projects. I can sleep early na and mababasa ko na rin yung mga nakatambak ditong mga books na gusto kong basahin. Puro kase mga Drugs and textbooks ang kaharap ko. konting tyaga pa and matatapos din ako.

  

   

    

    

"Taking Medicine during Pregnancy"

              I am 20 weeks pregnant right now and my due date is in September 23, 2014.  I decided to write a paper about “taking medicines during pregnancy” because as a pregnant woman I’m more sensitive and should be more careful about the medicines I am taking or might need to take in the future. It is true that pregnant woman’s immune system fluctuate during pregnancy, it means that I can easily catch viruses or diseases from environment or other people. And a lot of weird things going on inside my body like changes (inside and outside my body) and pregnancy symptoms. This is going to be my first child and I’m still new about pregnancy. Whenever I have questions about my pregnancy I immediately asked my OB “Obstetrician and Gynecologist” and sometimes I searched to answer my questions. I applied for medi-cal and while waiting for my medi-cal’s approval I went to a clinic near Bell Flower for my first checked-up that was last January this year. The clinic and my Doctor was a referral from my coworker. I was fortunate that they gave pregnant woman a 3 months free service while waiting for the medical approval, they called it “Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women Program”.  The number one thing that my doctor gave me in my first checkup was the Prenatal Vitamins, I need to take it once a day and should be taken with full glass of water. He told me that I may experience a black stool and constipation because it contains Iron, so I need to eat fruits or vegetables rich in fiber.  I provided a picture of my prenatal vitamins from my Doctor at the last page of my paper. I noticed that there’s only 50 mg of vitamin C in my prenatal vitamins. “According to my research that pregnant women needs at least 80 mg of vitamin C and breastfeeding women needs 120 mg of vitamin C. You don’t have to get the recommended amount of vitamin C every day. Instead, aim for that amount as an average over the course of a few days or a week” (Baby Center 1). My OB doctor told me how important is the Folic Acid for pregnant woman .It is one of the most important vitamins that should consumed by pregnant women because it helps prevent neural tube defects, serious birth defect in spinal cord or the spina befida and to the brain. And my body also needs folic acid to prevent anemia and to make a normal red blood cells. I also managed to eat fruits and vegetables to satisfy my body and my unborn child’s needs for vitamins and minerals. Sometimes our body didn’t absorbed all the vitamins and minerals that the supplements have or sometimes it’s not enough for our body so the best thing is to eat healthy fruits and vegetables.

            In my 12^th weeks of pregnancy I had my second checkup and also my 2^nd trimester screening. The test was accompanied by ultrasounds and a blood test. “A screening test estimates the chance (risk) that the fetus has a certain birth defects. This is called a “Risk Assessment”” (Prenatal Patient booklet 2). Dr. Dikio “my OB Doctor” asked me if I feel nauseated all the time. I told him sometimes I feel nauseated but not all the time. He prescribed me a medicine for Nausea “Zofran 4mg”. According to him it is safe for pregnancy just take 1 tablet every 6 hours until my nausea is gone. I also attached a picture of the prescriptions that my Doctor gave me. If I’m not taking pharmacy classes I may not able to read my Doctor’s prescriptions even my name was funny to read. The first thing I did was I researched about Zofran. Honestly I didn’t take that medicine because I didn’t feel nauseated anymore at the middle of my second trimester and sometimes  I can still tolerate it , I just don’t want to depend myself taking drugs. Zofran is a brand name and its generic name is Ondansetron. “Doctors prescribed Ondansetron to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting. This drug blocks serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that may contribute to nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. These drugs are antiemetic’s, meaning they block nausea and vomiting” (Iliades 1). I was thinking if I should take Zofran even though it was prescribed by my own OB Doctor.  Fortunately, I was feeling okay on my second trimester because some of my symptoms like nausea and vomiting was gone so I don’t need to risk my unborn child of any drugs. According to the “Everyday Health” article that “Experts do not know whether it’s safe for pregnant or nursing women to take Ondansetron” (Iliades 1). “Zofran may be prescribed to pregnant women experiencing morning sickness. It may be prescribed as a tablet, liquid or as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). Though Zofran is often effective in curbing pregnant women’s nausea or vomiting, the safety of the drug for the fetus is still under study. A February 2013 study found no significant risk of adverse fetal outcomes among mothers taking Zofran. In 2013, the FDA announced a potential safety issue for mothers taking Zofran, though was careful to note that, “listing of a drug and a potential safety issue does not mean that FDA is suggesting prescribers should not prescribe the drug or that patients taking the drug should stop taking the medication.” It is unknown whether Zofran transfers into breast milk. Pregnant women with questions about Zofran should talk to their doctors” (Szalay 1). It still not encouraging for me to take Zofran after researching about it because it’s not 100 percent safe for pregnant women.

            I got sick on the 14^th weeks of my pregnancy. I really had a bad head ache, my extremities and back of my body was aching and feel weak. I am also suffering from a runny nose. So I immediately contacted my Doctor on what should I do, Is it just a part of the symptoms on my pregnancy? My doctor instructed me to check my temperature. My temperature was 102 degrees. He said that I need to take a regular Tylenol or the extra strength 500mg to lessen my temperature. “A team of UC Davis researchers has found that mothers who had fevers during their pregnancies were more than twice as likely to have a child with autism or developmental delay than were mothers of typically developing children, and that taking medication to treat fever countered its effect” (Science Daily 1). Fever during pregnancy can be really uncomfortable and tricky business. I took  1 tablet of extra strength Tylenol 500 mg and fell asleep after , I woke up after 4 hours and my temperature went back to normal even my head ache and body aches were gone. Thank you Tylenol extra strength for being so effective and lessen my fever, no more worries and I know that my baby will be fine because I searched online and read the reviews of all pregnant women and mothers who took Tylenol while they’re pregnant. I didn’t read any bad reviews their babies came out really fine and healthy.

            I’ve been suffering from allergy throughout my pregnancy, starting on my first trimester until second trimester. My nose gets itchy almost every day and I sneezed a lot all day, every single day. My eyes gets watery and I suffered from nasal congestion. I didn’t take any drugs for allergy and for my congestion. But there’s one day that I hate it and I really want to feel better without my nasal congestion and sneezing’s. It was about time to call my Doctor. I contacted him and told him that I’m suffering from allergy and nasal congestion and I can’t breathe and I can’t  sleep  while lying in my bed at night, What drug are safe  to take during pregnancy? Dr. Dikio said “Nasal Congestion and Allergies is normal symptoms during pregnancy, Just take1 tablet of   Benadryl 25 mg, and if your nasal congestion is not completely gone take another 1 tablet after 6 hours. Don’t you worry because Benadryl is one of those drugs that is safe to take during pregnancy, you don’t need to stress out yourself and your baby from your allergy and nasal congestion and please eat vegetables and fruits and drink plenty of water”. I followed my Doctor’s advised, As far as I remember I only took 1 table twice a day, for 1 day only. And after that my allergy and nasal congestion was lessen and on my 18^th weeks my allergies and nasal congestion was completely gone. “Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine often used for allergies. The active ingredient in Benadryl is also frequently used as a sleep aid.  Based on animal studies on pregnancy and Benadryl, the medication does not appear to present a risk to a developing fetus. In small human studies, the drug also appeared to be fairly safe for use during pregnancy. In fact, Benadryl is sometimes used "off-label" to treat severe morning sickness. If you are taking this medicine and pregnancy occurs, be sure to let your healthcare provider know” (Monson 1). They only provided animal test for Benadryl but for human test it is still unknown. I gathered information and searched about the effects of Benadryl if taken during pregnancy. I’m not paranoid but I just wanted to know if the drugs that I’m taking is completely safe for me and for the fetus inside my womb. One article said “In studies, giving very large doses of Benadryl to pregnant rabbits and rats did not increase the risks of any problems. In human studies (which have not been adequate enough to fully characterize the safety of the medication), Benadryl seems to be fairly safe for use during pregnancy. There is some preliminary evidence that it might increase the risk of cleft palate, but these early findings need to be confirmed by further research. Also, the use of antihistamines in general during the last two weeks of pregnancy seems to increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (an eye problem in premature infants that can lead to blindness) “(Monson 2).  Taking Benadryl in moderate is safe during pregnancy. I only took 1 tablet Benadryl 500 mg twice daily, for 1 day only on my second trimester, so I’m completely fine. Everything should be in moderate during pregnancy from eating to taking medicine and doing daily activities.

            I am one of those who always struggle in kitchen with everything and ended up either burning or cutting myself carelessly. Recently, I acquired first degree burn from a cooking oil, located on my left hand. I attached a picture of my hand with a burn at the last page of my paper. I immediately hold my burn under cold running water until it goes completely numb. It was an advised from my mother. And I apply honey on the affected skin. The honey did worked on my burn, I kept the honey on my affected area for 1 hour and then cleans it with a cold running water, the pain was gone and it dried up after 12 hours. I asked my doctor, what is the best scar removal that is safe for pregnancy? He said that apply “Apollo Sebo De Macho” on my fresh scars. He also said that I can get it in any Chinese or Filipino super market. Sebo de macho is made from mutton’s tallow (sheep’s fat) it became a household name when it comes to scar removals in my hometown Philippines. It lighten the dark scars and must applied generously onto the surface of the skin where is the scar is located and it is effective in removing fresh scars. I attached a picture of Sebo De Macho at the last page of my paper. It is a common scar removal remedies in the Philippines. When you asked any Filipinos about Sebo De Macho, You’ll get an automatic answer, “Oh! My mom used it to lighten my scars when I was a kid, and it’s really effective”. 

             I’m on my 21^st week of pregnancy. I can feel the movements and kicks of my unborn baby inside my womb, I’m graduated in morning sickness, pregnancy allergies and nasal congestion. I learned a lot from day 1 and still learning till now from my pregnancy. It was a serious business for any pregnant women when they get sick during their pregnancy. Especially if it’s their first time like mine. I need to double check, searched and asked my OB doctor every single details of what should be safe to take during my pregnancy. All mother’s even mother’s to be wants what’s good and safe for their babies.  It is really hard and a lot of work being pregnant but it was fun at the same time. The excitement is there and I know that all my hard works will be paid off once I hold my baby in my arms. My due date is in September 23 and I want to deliver my baby in a natural or normal way.  Four more months to go and I can’t wait, for now, my husband and I just enjoying my first pregnancy while learning a lot of things together as a mother and father to be

Photos

Certification of My Pregnancy

Prenatal Vitamins from my OB Doctor

Rx for Zofran 4mg tab #12, take 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for nausea

Tylenol Extra Strength for pain reliver and fever reducer

Benadryl 25 mg for Allergy and Nasal Congestion

                                  

Burn in my left hand from cooking oil    /    “Sebo De Macho”, It ligthens scar / for scar removal

"Baby Center.Expert Advice." . BabyCenter, L.L.C. , 20 Dec. 2012. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.babycenter.com/0_vitamin-c-in-your-pregnancy-diet_660.bc>.

"Everyday Health Always Choose Well ." . Copyright © 2014 Everyday Health Media, LLC, 28 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/ondansetron>.

Monson, PharmD, Kristi , and Arthur Schoenstadt, MD. "eMed TV Health Information Brougth to Life." . Copyright © 2006-2014 Clinaero, Inc., 9 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://allergies.emedtv.com/benadryl/benadryl-and-pregnancy.html>.

"Science Daily ." . Copyright 2014 by ScienceDaily, LLC , 23 May 2012. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523161941.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fever-during-pregnancy-more-than-doubles-the-risk-of-autism-or-developmental-delay>.

Szalay, Jessie. "Live Science ." . Purch Copyright © 2014 All Rights Reserved. , 28 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.livescience.com/42890-zofran.html>.

My first Pregnancy! :(

                I had my first pregnancy last March 2013. Von and I were ready to have a baby that time so we tried for couple of months, Then after few months , My menstruation was delayed for almost 2 months so I tried a pregnancy checked and it turned positive. Von and I were happy and we immediately told it to our parents. And even our friends and relative were all excited about it. My first prenatal checked up was okay and everything was normal. The second checked up, I was 9 weeks and I had my first OB ultrasound,so they checked my baby’s heartbeat. I heard and saw my baby’s little heart it was beating so fast. I’m glad that everything is normal. My third appointment was my second ultrasound. I was scheduled next to Garfield Medical Hospital. It’s less than 1 hour drive from my house. The clinic is in the second floor. When we got there at the clinic. I just filled up some form and then they called my name. I followed the lady in the room and then I lie down on the bed and the lady place some ultrasound gel in my tummy. The gel was warm, there’s a flat TV in front of me, and it was hanging on the wall. Once they roll the ultrasound stick in my stomach, I saw a figure in the TV it was my baby inside my tummy. My baby’s still small. The lady told me to wait a minute, she called a Doctor. Then the other lady checked my tummy again. She asked me if I had any bleeding and cramping for the past week. I never had cramping or bleeding so I told them, no I didn’t experience any of them.  And the lady told me that your baby’s heart stopped. I told them what do you mean that my baby’s heart stopped? I was supposed to be 12 weeks pregnant. She said that my baby stopped developing on its 9^th week. I told them can you repeat it again and can I have a copy of a record please! They tried it again, they can’t hear any heart beat neither I, plus there’s already blood on my uterus wall. I was crying so bad, I can’t believe that my baby’s heart beat stopped. They said that they will call my OB doctor to schedule an appointment on what’s should be done on the baby inside my tummy. The lady accompanied me outside. I can’t stop crying, Von was sitting outside and saw me crying. He said what happened Hon? Why are you crying? Are you okay? He hugged me. I can’t talked and I can’t control the tears running in my eyes. I just faced the most nightmare of my life. And when I managed to talked I told him that our baby’s heart beat stopped on its 9^th week. He said did they try again? Is there any record can I see a picture. I said yes and I told him what the lady has said inside the clinic. And after a few minutes we headed to his car. And at his car I’m still crying. I wanted to stop crying but I can’t helped myself. Every time I’m thinking that the fetus inside my womb is already dead. . I was down and felt like I’m carrying the whole world in my shoulder. Von was comforting me but nothing worked because of the pain and the disappointment i had that time. I don’t know what I to do, when we got home. My mom and dad saw me crying. I told them the bad news. They comforted me and said that I know it was hard for now but God has a purposed and it happened also to some pregnant woman. Don’t think too much and stop crying. I can’t stop crying and I can’t think of anything but my baby. I cried all night. There’s a time that I’ll just cry out of nowhere because I still have a glimpse of what happened to my baby. Then after three days, My Doctor scheduled me for D &C. They gave me 2 options, first was to wait 1-2 weeks and let my body flashed my baby by itself or get a D&C procedure. I chose the D&C procedure because there’s a cons if I chose the first one. If I let my dead fetus stayed inside me for more than 2 weeks, there’s a probability that my blood can get poisoned. And at the 1^st week of June, I had my D&C. I waited for so long inside the room at the hospital. They poked me and gave me IV dextrose. And after so many hours of waiting. They moved me in the operating room. Then injected me anesthesia. I just felt a hot sensation running inside my veins and I can’t remember anything. Then when I woke up I’m already at the recovery room. The first moment I opened my eyes, it was blurry and I immediately checked the time it was late already. I think it was 7pm.  I asked the nurse for how long I am sleeping and when the procedure finished? The nurse told me that I was sleeping for one hour and the procedure takes only 15 minutes. She said that I need to eat and call someone to pick me up. She said I can go home after 30minutes to hour. I called my brother and I waited for him to come and picked me up. I didn’t feel the pain, except when I pee, I felt a little bit pain in my private part but it was tolerable. Then when I got home I rested and eat.

                I felt better now even though sometimes I still cry when I think of what happened to my pregnancy. When Von and I we’re inside the car, I’m always quiet and just looking straight. I’m tired to talked or look at the surroundings. Sometimes I just cry and Von comforted me every time I’m said. I know he feel sorry for me. But after 1-2 months I accepted it and I know God has a purposed. We will just try again next time when we’re ready again. This is just a trial and challenges that God has given me. I think papa God is testing Von and I. We were proud on ourselves that we get over that trial in our life and we still think positive after all. I know that our little angel is watching us wherever we go and whatever we do. This experienced makes us stronger and tested our relationship as couple. Thank you God for giving me the best husband, a family and friend. That they’re always at my side through my ups and downs. My positive outlook in life is still the same and never changed even I had the bad experienced in my pregnancy. Just always move on and think of more positive stuff and we know that we still have our family and friends to cope with us. Now, I completely moved on and I felt stronger. I know that I can carry any problems that I will encounter in the future and stay positive. It just a part of our life.

                Now, I am blessed again. Thank you God for giving me a healthy pregnancy. I am 5 months pregnant and everything was normal. I will make another blog about my current pregnancy. Thank you for reading my blog. For all the woman who experienced or experiencing the same situation I had, don’t lose hope and start a brand new beginning. And whoever is experiencing a big trial or challenge in life right now. Always remember that God has plan and purpose in every trial he given to us.  Thank you once again and be happy J