DILEMMA UNVEILED & COPING UP: Things only Big Boobed Women would understand

It's so funny how people spent thousands of bucks just to have that big asset they have ever dreamt of...even under a knife. Women think that it is an equally reasonable wealth for a girl who wanted to have that perfect figure. Well that's not always the case. This experience of mine will somewhat an opener for those who can't understand our rants *_^

1. YOU CAN NEVER EVER WEAR COMFORTABLY TUBE/PLUNGING/STRAPLESS DRESS

I have experienced (for a million times) seeing people/actress wearing a tube dress and it looked cute, classy and beautiful.

I love tube dresses...most of my wardrobe closet consist of those, but when I wear it...d*rn.  These kinds of dress makes me look slutty while with others it looks just pretty normal. T_T

How I live with it: I wear cardigans/cover tops to divert the attention of people.  Or sometimes I avoid buying those kinds of dress (BUT I CAN'T!!!!)

2. IT'S D*RN PAINFUL

Most of the times when I am doing exercises and jogging with my hubby, I always told him "Ang sakit!" (it's painful!). One time I didn't notice that while I was in Academic Oval at U.P. Diliman, others were hearing what I am saying ('coz I am really in pain). *shy* 

How I live with it: I make sure to wear SPORTS BRA (the best brand).  But again it's expensive.

3. IT'S VERY HARD/EXPENSIVE TO LOOK FOR BUSINESS/CORPORATE DRESS and TWO PIECE BIKINIS

I know you would agree to me...on my personal experience, it will take me 2 hours in the mall (no exaggeration) just looking for a perfect dress/blouse that would fit my body and not squeeze my "asset".  What's harder than ever, I need to buy a separate 2 piece that would fit my size perfectly. Bikinis are no match with the size I have up there. :/  One more thing: Bandeau is hard to wear, you need support unless you are ready to get accident of others seeing it :(

Notice I have been wearing two beach bras here? :/

How I live with it: I schedule one day in a week (at least) to roam around the malls looking for a dress that would fit me.  I go on bazaars/tiangge too. (hoping I could get that would fit me and sometimes I am pretty much lucky)

4. GOING UP ON AN MRT/WALKING IS ENOUGH EXERCISE
Imagine you are bringing 7-10 pounds of mass!

How I live with it: I hold it discreetly (while covering up with a bag/folder) while walking/going up stairs

5. FOOD GETS INTO IT
I know this sounds crazy but everytime I eat/drink and something spills, she eats more than I do!

How I live with it: I seldom eat (haha)- perhaps putting a towel on my chest while eating helps a lot

6. PEOPLE I AM TALKING TO ALWAYS LOOKS ON IT

As early as 10 years old, I can still clearly remember when construction workers are looking at me while I am heading my way to a bakery shop.  D*rn, I just realized when I am grown up that their looking at me in a different way and it sucks! I have already a pretty big one that time (Worst, my mom was not allowing me to wear bras until I reach 14 years of age O_o)

How I live with it: I make sure that if I cannot stand with the stares of men, I wouldn't wear dress that will be a main attraction to them.

7. OTHER GIRLS USUALLY GETS ENVIED/IRRITATED WITH ME

Every time I am telling that it is a burden for me, they would think I am "mayabang"...well, I told and challenge them that try to go on my situation and you will see it for yourself. Haha.

How I live with it: I just don't mind them.  Well I am considering having a breast reduction in the near future.

How about you?  Do you have the same experience as mine?

Feel free to comment and share your ideas too.

-xoxo-

St. Lukes Medical Center Global City: One of the best hospitals

Health is wealth. I personally believed in this saying. I know how it feels to be always confined and be surrounded by doctors and nurses for a couple of days. *sigh* (sad to say, I often got hospitalized). 

First, I was confined due to my polycystic-like changes (1 cm, 12 in number) on my left ovary wayback July 2012. Then come January 16, 2013 (my birthday!), I lost my second child at 7 weeks to be exact (and I need to be confined again (sniff, sniff). Lately, I was diagnosed with an inflammed gallbladder and needs to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy by 27th of September, 2013 (it's our 5th year Wedding Anniversary). To make it short, I was such a lucky person to get all of these important dates of my life and celebrate in the hospital. T_T

Going back, I was scheduled to have my surgical operation at St. Luke's Medical Center. (Please take note that I have my own Health Insurance Card, MAXICARE and have it coordinated first at the MAXICARE department of St. Luke's, a week prior to my confinement). 

I am really scared to death. It is my first time to undergo a major operation and be put to sleep for more than 2 hours.

Two o-clock in the afternoon, I was admitted.  I am nervous but at the same time, amazed on how the lobby looked like. I can tell that it resembles a lobby of a hotel.

Source: Mushings.com

Then after 30 minutes, all is set and I was accompanied by someone to go into my room and orient me what are the things inside my room (private room-regular), I remember I am confined at the South Wing of the hospital.

Here's how the room looks like:

Upon entering, I saw my name was immediately placed on the door opening.

The room is cozy, I have my own refrigerator:

My own Samsung TV with Remote and a DVD player:

A look out window where I can see clearly the road and the buildings.

Other parts of the room:

Comfort Room:

Medical Kit:

Cabinet provided:

I like their safe box:

Nicely presented and sumptuous meals (on my case, I have a diet to follow because of my upcoming surgery):

 

                   Diet Card(September 27, 2013)

                Feedback Form (September 27, 2013)

                                                Merienda (September 27, 2013)

                     Dinner(September 27, 2013)

                    Lunch (September 28, 2013)

By 10 pm, the nurses asked me to take a bath using their Anti-Bacterial Liquid Soap.

I really can't forget how I felt when they put an IV on me (i was literally crying, I am afraid of needles).  It was 5 am.

Come 7 am, they moved me on the other floors where I will be getting a needle test (forgot the exact term, please bear with me, I am really nervous that time) to check if I have an allergy on the medicines and anaesthesia that will be put on me.  (Please take note that I was advised not to eat nor drink any liquid for 7 hours before the operation). Then I was put in the recovery area to wait for my anaesthesiologist.

After the needle test, the anaesthesiologist came, orienting me what are the procedures for the anaesthesia.  I just learned that on top of the anaesthesia that I will be inhaling (to make me dizzy), they will be putting a tube on my mouth up to the larynx.  I was like "OH MY GOSH!"  But it was explained to me that I won't feel anything that time. I will just feel a little irritation on my throat after the surgery. Haha.

My surgery was scheduled 9 am.  But unfortunately, my surgeon is late that time due to unforseen events.  He arrived 11 am.

Come 11:30 am, I was brought to the operating room.  My heart pumps faster, I swear!  I felt like I wanna pass out. >_< I immediately saw Dr. Crisostomo Arcilla, Jr., smiling at me and telling me things will gonna be fine. 

I was immediately transferred to a surgical bed, removing all of my clothes underneath, and replacing it with a surgical gown. They wrapped my both arms (this is to avoid uneccesary /involuntary movements that I might do during surgery). The last thing I could remember is that the Anaesthesiologist was giving me a plastic mask with air coming out.  I could still remember that last words she told me, "you will get dizzy".  Then I was put into sleep.

The next thing that happened is I remember myself shaking/chilling that much, and a painful sensation on my tummy while being transported to the recovery room again (around 3:30 pm) and someone responded to me saying "Are you in pain, can you rate it from 1 to 10, 10 as the highest?). So even in pain, chilling and hardness of breathing, I told them, "I am in pain, 10, and giniginaw ako!"  Someone assisted me by giving me a heat blanket, and gave me a pain reliever via IV. After 10 minutes, the pain is still there (I have a very low tolerance in pain), so they gave me another dose (a higher one) of pain reliever.  This time, the pain subsides a bit. They were asking me about the pain form time to time, until such time that the pain is already manageable.  I am so happy with the service I got.  It gives me comfort.

I was brought to my room, 5 pm to be exact. I remember my hubby showing me the stones that was gotten from me and was shocked how big are they!

I still got these gas pains (they told me I have CO2 gas on my stomach needed to inflate it during the laparoscopic surgery). The pain really unexplainable.  I was unable to sleep that night. (I have shoulder and back pains)

I only have one comment on some of the nurses, some of them will leave my IV empty, making my wrist painful (for not responding immediately to replace the bag of fluids).  But nevertheless, the facility and services I got was awesome!

On the 3rd day, I felt like I can leave the hospital already. Therefore, I asked my hubby (who is there all the way assisting me), to get the Statement of Account:

After deduction of the PHILHEALTH and SSS, our total bill is:

I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Crisostomo Arcilla, Jr. for taking care of me. In fact, his professional fee is not that high, considering he is one of the best surgeons doing the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. (He is one of the Board Members & former President  of PALES-Philippine Association of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeons).

Here is Dr. Arcilla's profile: http://www.thefilipinodoctor.com/doctor-details.php?doctor=MjAxMTM2OTk1&di=1

He is also affiliated at PGH & Asian Hospital.

Likewise,  they have a very good customer service.  When the MAXICARE Physician failed to give to me the records I needed, they sent me via LBC straight to my home the Medical Records, same with my email.

I will definitely recommend St. Luke's Medical Center Global City!  It is definitely one of the best!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=371992119497599&set=pb.175572545806225.-2207520000.1392111068.&type=3&theater

-xoxo-

You may visit their Facebook FAN PAGE too!

BLUE CARD FROM PGH: Planning to get one?

I have been planning (for a long time) to get a  blue card from PGH (Philippine General Hospital) but because of my busy schedule (and my husband has his card health benefits too where in I am also a beneficiary of it), I got too lazy to fall in line to avail these government services like getting a free (or if not, a very minimal fee) when having medical services like check-up, confinement and others. Others may think that it is a CHEAP way (or it is not cool), but hey, did you know that this is where a portion of our taxes go? Come to think of it, instead of paying thousands of bucks for a single medical exam, you can just pay a few hundreds for it.  You are entitled as long as you are a resident of the PHILIPPINES (I believe in other cities there are also health card benefits like the so-called, YELLOW CARD for Makati, etc.).

So, here am I, brave enough to conquer to long queues. Aja!

What are the requirements for you to be able to avail their so called BLUE CARD?

Based on my personal experience while applying for a BLUE CARD, you need to be a resident of the Philippines.  They are not looking for any identification card, marriage certificate, etc, but you need to input vital information on the registration sheet like your Birthday, address, spouse, telephone number, which I don't know if they are going to confirm in the near future.  But I was able to have a dental procedure even without showing my ID(s)...all I have to show is my blue card.  I am not so sure if it applies to all (confinement, etc) so better to call their hotline at 554-8400 or click HERE.

I arrived at PGH exactly 7:00 am. I was shocked for I saw around nearly a thousand people falling in 5 to 6 separate lines in 6 counters (I got this DEJAVU feeling when I was applying for an NBI clearance haha). I told myself, are you kidding me? As early as this? But don't be intimidated. Blessing comes to those who wait hehehe.  Sabi nga, kung may tiyaga, may nilaga :)

I have this mixed feelings (irritated, tired) but all of these are gone when I happen to saw some of those parents falling in line, while carrying their very sick child. It just sink-in how our country is in need of a serious medical attention. A lot of people out there needs these medical services for they don't have that enough money to augment their medical needs. I should be thankful for I am not doing it in emergency situations like what I saw. :(

So let's get started.

If you are still not a blue card holder, all you need to do is go to the OPD (Out-Patient Department) of PGH which is located at Padre Faura St. (between Pedro Gil and U.N. Avenue Station, in front of the Supreme court). This is the building where you are going to apply as an outpatient.

These are the following steps:

Counter 1: Pagtanggap ng pasyente (they will ask what is your purpose on check up whether it's dental, pediatrics, etc. The patient don't need to fall in line if the patient has a companion that can fall in line. Then you will be asked to register vital information on the registration form they will give you. You can fill it up while falling in line at counter 2)

Counter 2: Payment (They will ask and take a quick look at the registration form and pay Php 7.00)

Counter 3: Checking (there is a roving guard to check if you have completed all the information on the registration form. Mind you, he is strict for no BLANK SPACE(S)/UNANSWERED SPACE(S) allowed. Then someone on the counter will check if those written on the registration form is right based on how they understand and read it.

Counter 4: Processing (There is an employee encoding all the information written on the registration form into a database). That was a tough job! Kudos to this employee!

Counter 5: Old patient

Counter 6: Verification

NOTE: 

If applying for a new card, you don't have to fall in-line for counters 5 and 6.  These are intended for old patients who already carries BLUE CARD or have lost it.

Line 1 and Line 6 refers to Counter 1 and 6

When you're done with Counter 4, you will be given a BLUE CARD like this:

Also, you will be given a small paper where you will be directed and needs to fall in line (again) for assessment and check up by the doctor:

Don't worry, you will not be lost, for there is a bulletin board showing where the departments of OPD are:

Note: My apologies for the blurred pics, for I was in a hurry when taking up these pictures.

Luckily, there were only few patients on DENTISTRY/DENTAL department.  In fact, I am already assessed by 8:45 am. :) 

Hope this post helps for those who plans in getting a BLUE CARD.

-xoxo-

Note:  This is not a sponsored post. All of the images where taken inside the UP-PGH Outpatient Department and this blog post was done as a sort of help to my readers.