New Beginnings

February, a romantic month, a month of love and for love, a season of bliss for the young and old. We all get intoxicated by lovely flowers, music, and wine celebrating Valentine’s! But it wasn’t so for me and Butch.

Butch as always was almost and always been drowned with work, work, and work, while I tried to keep afloat in a sea of adrenaline, and balancing everything in my life with superhuman effort. My body finally reached its limits and one morning after getting out of bed, I felt nauseous and a bit dizzy. I walked out of the bedroom to go to the dining room and I began to feel weak. “Hmmm, this is something new,” I said. My intuition told me it might be high blood pressure. I measured my BP and lo and behold, it was very high, at 160/108!

The next days would see us going in and out of doctors’ clinics. I went to the UP Infirmary for observation, and had my blood and urine tested and my chest x-rayed. My test results showed that my cholesterol level was high. I could not believe this because I love vegetables and fish. Well, once in a while i would indulge in some sinful dish. The husband nagged me to see a cardiologist since one week had passsed and my BP was still high. Of course I went to a reliable doctor recommended by another doctor-friend. I was given 3 different pills and was advised to relax and be aware of food I put into my mouth.

My BP has normalized and my budget for medicines and vitamins has finally grown bigger. I’m more aware of my diet and the importance of gentle excercise. I‘ve been eating oatmeal since that nauseous morning and I am learning to enjoy it by adding fruits and honey on it. There are more fruits of the season and fresh salads on the table now. I still ask for my fish stew or sinigang. I have stopped drinking coffee though, my only vice.

Butch and I will make each day a Valentine’s Day as we celebrate a new beginning in my life. Yes, its a new beginning, a beginning of a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. I look forward to new days and new mornings, and new adventures with my my family and best friends!