COVID 19: My Point of View Part 2

COVID 19: My Point of View Part 2

What happens when you get infected with the COVID 19 virus?

When the virus gets in your eyes, it travels to a drainage system connected to the nose. Once it is lodge inside the nose, the virus undergoes an incubation period of 7 to 14 days. During the period from 1 to 5 days, the infected person will show no symptoms. After this, the person will have common symptoms such as dry cough, hoarse voice, difficulty in breathing, fever and diarrhea. After 14 days of the virus infection, the patient either recovers or dies from the disease.

Those COVID 19 patients who  recover will undergo an Asymptomatic Stage where they will show no symptoms but still carriers of the virus until such time they are fully immune to COVID 19 and will test negative to Swab Test.

I would like to make it clear that the Pre-symptomatic (the period from 1 to 5 days) COVID 19 Persons cannot be called Asymptomatic Persons simply because they have not yet passed the 14 days incubation period.

These Pre-Symptomatic Individuals are probable carriers of fresh and strong COVID 19 viruses that are deadly and could infect other people in the community or other places if they travel since they still have no symptoms and are free from quarantine measures. Symptomatic Persons are detected and are forced to be quarantined or hospitalized depending on their conditon (mild or severe).

Unlike with the Asymptomatic Persons that are undergoing the process of immunity and the COVID 19 viruses inside them are weakening or dying since they cannot anymore replicate themselves due to the action of the anti-bodies that are formed by the immune system. 

Another aspect that I want to write about is the stage of the COVID 19 virus when the person have acquired it. As I have written in my recent blog: COVID 19: A Review (please visit: domingobuen.blogspot.com), viruses acquired from Asymptomatic Persons are already weak and dying. It follows that virus infection from weak and dying viruses are not fatal. The infected persons become asymptomatic themselves until such time that they are fully immune to the virus such that they will test negative to a swab test.

The same is true for COVID 19 viruses which have stayed long enough in certain types of surfaces. They have already weakened (maybe there is a change in their chemical composition) and are not anymore deadly compared to fresh and strong viruses that came from Pre-Symptomatic and Symptomatic Persons.

Persons infected with weak viruses are more lucky compared to those infected with fresh and strong viruses who are not so lucky.

I would like to point out that these are my personal beliefs based on studies I have researched and following scientific facts about immunology. Still, I could be wrong, most likely if, the COVID 19 is man-made and "engineered" to be deadly to humans.  I am entitled to my beliefs and I don't force anyone to believe what I believe.  I staunchly advocate the safety measures to avoid getting infected by COVID 19 that are implemented by the health authorities and the government. Stay safe, hopeful and strong. We will overcome these trying times.

COVID 19: A Review

     Soon, an anti-body that will inhibit the proliferation of the COVID 19 virus will be mass produced and available to every patient that is COVID 19 positive; and this will finally deliver a Coup de Grace on the virus. However, if we look at the COVID 19 as a natural occurring virus (not man-made), it also has a weakness like every known virus has. In fact, the healthy human body has the ability to fight even the COVID 19 by producing anti-bodies that will control the reproduction of the virus and this is shown by many Asymptomatic COVID 19 positive individuals. Recent studies about the COVID 19 indicate that eighty (80) per cent of tested persons that are positive are Asymptomatic (without symptoms but positive with the virus).

     Following the rules of the immune system, the healthy human body can fight any infection, whether it is bacteria or virus, as long as it is not overwhelmed, meaning, the infection is only minor (few bacteria or virus has invaded the body) giving time for the body to produce anti-bodies that will control the infection. In case of major infection, anti-biotic or anti-viral drugs are necessary to heal the patient.

     This is true for Asymptomatic COVID 19 positive individuals. I believe that these individuals has  been infected  with  only  few  viruses  and fortunately  they  have a healthy  immune system that  developed anti-bodies that controlled the reproduction of more viruses that could harm the body resulting to death if not treated properly.

     I also believe that these Asymptomatic individuals are carriers of already weakened COVID 19 viruses that if they get transmitted to healthy COVID 19 negative individuals, there is a great chance that they will also become Asymptomatic until such time that they have developed full immunity that will make them negative to any virus test.

     Those positive individuals who got fresh and strong virus from symptomatic patients through cough or sneeze are not so lucky because the virus has replicated itself inside the body so rapidly that the immune system was overwhelmed causing severe inflammation of the tissues of the lungs causing difficulty in breathing.  

 

     I am not saying that we should not fear COVID 19 anymore. We should continue practising the current safety measures such as staying at home, social distancing, wearing facemask and protective gear and regular washing or sterilizing of the hands. As much as possible, we should not touch our eyes, nose and mouth because they are the entry points of the virus. We are doing these not only for ourselves but also for others especially those who are already sick from: diabetes, kidney and heart disease, etc. whose immune system is already compromised. We are also doing these measures for the very young and the elderly who are susceptible to COVID 19.

     The COVID 19 is so virulent because it has the ability to survive for a long period of time in various types of surfaces making it an effective method of transmission to many people. It is almost impossible to avoid contamination from the virus however minor or major it is. Nature has its way of establishing balance or stability through its sterling rule: “Survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit.” This rule is very harsh for humans like us. We are not purely animals so considering our positive side, we are compassionate, merciful, loving and we like to preserve life. As much as possible, we should care for the weak by nourishing and protecting them.

     The COVID 19 has shown its “Achilles Heel”, all we have to do is to make ourselves safe and be patient and hopeful that time will come when we will live our normal life again.

COVID 19 - My Personal Point of View

The COVID 19 Pandemic  has wreak havoc and fear among the people of the world. It has affected not only their peace of mind but also their financial and social security. Community lockdown kept people to stay at home and economy indicators posted all-time low. Governments are busy thinking and planning how to cope up with various problems related to the pandemic (how to prevent infection, how to care for the sick, producing food, feeding hungry and jobless persons, how to combat the COVID 19 and sourcing out and producing logistics for hospitals).

 But what have we learned about this COVID 19?

We have learned that the virus infects all type of people whether you are the president of a nation, generals, soldiers, politicians, doctors and nurses. Old and very young persons are more susceptible to get infected and eventually die from the disease. The virus spreads through person to person contact by cough and sneeze and by touching infected materials like money, door knob and other things.

Will we forever be fearful of this virus? What is the weak side of this virus if there is any?

I have observed that the people who were infected have travel history to other places and have talked to and mingled with many people. Many of them were tourists who love to travel. Politicians and celebrities were among them. These persons are always exposed to other people because it is part of their job to talk to people and make friends with them. Doctors, nurses and other front-liners who are fighting the virus are also among those infected with COVID 19 because they are exposed to the infected patients. Maybe they are not well protected or maybe they become very busy that they forgot to fully protect themselves.

Statistics show that many infected persons recovered from the virus infection compared to the number of persons who succumb from the disease. What does this indicate?

From my observation (this is only my opinion and is not based on scientific study), those who recovered maybe have been exposed to only a small amount of viruses and due to a strong immune system/anti-bodies have successfully fought the viruses and became immune to the organisms. Others were not lucky because they have direct exposure through cough/sneeze which released a “fatal dose” of viruses into their eyes and lungs (any bacteria or virus that enters the eyes will be discharged through the nose)  in the form of aerosol spray (fine liquid particles that can be temporarily airborne). Politicians and celebrities maybe have obtained the viruses through talking with infected persons in near distances and fine saliva particles have entered their lungs and became infected with the virus. Hand-shake and kissing in the cheek also facilitated their infection. A weak immune system will hasten the development of the disease.

Therefore we can really avoid getting infected with the virus if we protect our eyes and nose so we can avoid getting infected. Now it gives us a feeling of a relief to know the importance of protecting ourselves with face mask and eye gear. If there is no way that you can avail of a medical mask, you can improvised by buying or making your own mask made of cloth reinforced or padded with tissue paper. Even if it is not hundred per cent virus proof, maybe you can avoid getting the “fatal dose” of the virus. It is better to wear a mask than nothing at all. You can protect your eyes with eyeglasses and sun glasses that are not too dark. Better if you have a glass or plastic gear that covers the entire face.The face and hands are also exposed to the viruses so you should wash your face and hands regularly with soap.

Can we really be immune to the COVID 19 and be saved?

Immunity always plays a vital role whenever there is an ordinary infection or serious virus infections as in epidemic or pandemic. A strong immune system will help fight any kind of infection so that the body can produce anti-bodies that could make it immune from the disease. An example of this is when the Bubonic Plague devastated Europe from 1347 to 1352 killing an estimated 25-30 million people. As many people are dying from the bacterial infections, physicians have observed that those people driving horse carts who collect dead bodies from homes and the streets are not affected by the disease. These people are also the ones who cared for the horses. It was later found out that the horses have developed anti-bodies against the bacteria causing the Bubonic Plague and somehow transferred this immunity to their care-takers. Later a vaccine was developed by extracting blood from horses exposed to the Bubonic bacteria.

Now, the same technique is applied to combat the COVID 19. Scientists are extracting blood from people who were infected with the virus but somehow overcome it by having a strong immune system and maybe developed anti-bodies that will make them immune to the disease. From these precious blood, the anti-bodies are extracted and injected to people who are gravely ill from the virus, hoping that these anti-bodies will successfully fight the infection and will make them well.

Immunity can also be seen in squatters living in dirty places, bank employees who are exposed daily to many types of bacteria and viruses. They are exposed yet do not get seriously ill. 

I believe many people will survive this virus pandemic through protective measures and immunity. Eating healthy foods, regular exercise and healthy outlook in life will build-up your immune system that will surely help you fight harmful bacteria and viruses. COVID 19 will eventually be considered like the ordinary flu.

Heed the advice of experts. Stay at home and always wear your protective gear if you cannot avoid getting outside to buy food and other necessities. Be strong and keep safe always.

The nCoV Phenomena

Like the SARS, the current nCoV outbreak is a test of the Global Disease Control ability, through their personnel and facilities, to contain a deadly virus that could endanger not only the health of persons but the Global Economy itself. It has demonstrated how a certain province or community behaved and coped with the circumstances in a locked down state. With their insights, the authorities once again have had the chance to fine tune their capabilities in fighting a deadly organism.

We are lucky because the nCoV do not have the capability to attach itself to the colloidal particles in the air, making it an airborne organism that can be contacted by breathing contaminated air. Once it has lodged itself on the air particles, it becomes dormant and get active again when it enters a live and favorable host. The nCoV becomes temporarily airborne through the droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You should not be within a two meter perimeter when that happens or else you also get infected by the virus.

The most threatening with the nCoV is through person to person contact. When an infected person kiss you or you have touched his hand through handshake. The contaminated fluid from the nose of an infected person can be tranferred when he touches his nose and he touch something else. Things like door knob and anything that the infected person used or touched is a likely source of infection.

Heaven forbids when nCoV has infected a dense community like the squatters area. This will surely give the government authorities a head ache because contamination will be rapid because the people are very near each other and isolation of infected people will be difficult when it is in hundreds.

Another grim scenario is when the nCoV has infected insects or animals that could also possibly infect persons through their bites or their meats.

We are confident that through the best efforts of the government and other institutions that the nCov will be contained safely. Just like the SARs, the nCoV will eventually die down.

Total Human Development

     Modern definition of what man is revolves around four aspects: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual. We have a physical body similar to animals whose instincts are to eat and drink when hungry or thirsty, fight or run when threatened, needs shelter when feeling cold or hot and has a desire for domination and sex or procreation. Man has something which other animals do not have and that is the capacity to think and that is the mental aspect. Man has the capacity to analize, develop and build things that will meet his basic needs and he has the capacity to organize and rationalize. Unlike animals, man is an emotional being: he can feel happy, sad, angry or fearful, disgusted and surprised. On the higher realm man has the capacity to love that binds things. Man is also an artistic being and has the capacity to express his emotions, belief and perception based on his environment and feelings. Man is also innovative and creative. Man   also have an spiritual aspect which serves as a connection to the source of all things: the Almighty, the most Divine – God. The Spiritual aspect resides on a different plane and is difficult to understand or comprehend unless man is fully aware, mature, enlightened and started to learn the workings of the Spirit. This is far more complex and greater than engaging in religious beliefs, rituals and scientific endeavours. It goes beyond the known senses of man. When scientists tried to look at the smallest level or the nano level of an atom they found out that particles behave differently from the normal laws of physics, meaning something is beyond what we can see. Scientists can estimate or calculate the boundaries of the Universe but cannot determine what is beyond the vastness of Space.

     Man has started to be aware that it is not right to focus only on the Physical and Mental aspects. He should consider all four aspects including the Emotional and Spiritual aspects in order to achieve full development. From the beginning man has concentrated his effort on how to live comfortably using his physical and mental capabilities. He learned how to build houses, roads, bridges, skycrapers, airports with machines that he designed. He formulated an economic system based on finances, resources, consumerism and capitalism which resulted to the so called Economic/Infrastructure Development which also resulted to the proliferation of deceit, murder, and distrust. Man will hold on to power and money even if he commits evil deeds. Even if this will destroy his family and friends. Even if other people will suffer. Even if his environment and nature will be destroyed. Due to excessive materialism, he became numb and blind to what he truly feels and what is really happening around him. These resulted to misunderstanding, wars, addiction, pollution and various diseases. There is no harmony and balance.

   It is clear now through various experiences and mistakes that to achieve Total Human Development, man has to balance the four aspects (Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual). Excess focus on only one or two aspects will result to disaster. This balanced state does not happen overnight it takes years of practice and discipline with the right values and principles.

    It is not too late to change for the better. It is important that we are starting to be aware and learning to accept our strengths and weaknesses and try to change what we can and acknowledge what we cannot do. We are created on the image of God. Man has to exert his best effort in learning, doing what is right and continue striving for high ideals.

It's a Crazy Crazy World

Governments of the world are waging war on drugs. They involve many people, time and large amount of money to combat drug addiction; but it seems that they are losing despite their great effort and dedication to duty. Drug addiction is still pervasive and remains a big social problem.

First of all, what is the meaning of addiction? Addiction is the chronic use of a drug or chemical substance despite its negative side effects on the mind and body. People use it because it gives them a feeling of Euphoria or happiness or “heavenly” thoughts and feeling in a temporary state. That is why they have to use it again and again. Some use it for pure pleasure, others use it to boost their energy to cope up with the volume of their work and many people use it to escape the realities or “problems” in life. If they try to stop using the drug, they undergo a state of withdrawal which is great suffering for them and maybe fatal. So they avoid withdrawal by using the drug again. They become so addicted that they neglect their job, sell their belongings and do everything even if they kill or rob a person just to avail of the drug.

The society is trying to rid of addiction but it is ironical to note that the society itself is the one creating these problems and pleasures of life. The world has advanced in technology to uplift the quality of life of the people making daily routine easy to accomplish but they also learned to maximize everything to produce more pleasure and money including of course more work. This technology advancement has instead made life more difficult and complicated leading to more stress of mind and body.

The Global trend is maximization in order to compete with other corporations and businesses. “Maximize or die” that is their motto. The same holds true for all the people inside a system. Shape up or ship out.

Now you know why there are many drug addicts in our society.

Addiction is also defined as a chronic behaviour to something that also give them pleasure and fulfilment. People are addicted to food, games, gambling, sex and many people are addicted to power and money.

Corrupt politicians and other officials (government and private) will do anything to keep their position in order to gain more power and money. They engage themselves in corrupt activities and others in drug trafficking, smuggling and other evil deeds. They make politics as their business because they spend large amount of money during election and expect that if they win, they will get more money in government funds. They do these with the help of goons and other employees in a form of syndicates that are deeply rooted in government/private agencies (needless to mention the agencies, you know them).

They are so addicted to power and money that they look at their task of corruption and evil deeds as a form of war where collateral damages are unavoidable maybe to appease their conscience and convince themselves that there is nothing wrong with what they do. They say we are at war and there are enemies that we have to fight and orders are orders and it is only a job to be done. Obey or suffer the consequences.

Everything revolves around a vicious cycle just like planets revolving around the sun.

The world is at the brink of something that is inevitable and properly called for.

So be it.

The Dialysis Patient and His Monthly Laboratory Tests

     

As a new patient before, I was not familiar with the significance of the results of my monthly laboratory tests. Our Nephrologist read my result and if she tells me that a certain value on my test is high or low, I just obey what she tells me to avoid and not to do and buy the medicines that are in the prescription. Now that I have been undergoing dialysis for almost eight years, I know the importance of the correct interpretation of my laboratory results. We have many laboratory tests every second week of the month. Before we are hooked on the dialysis machine, the nurses take a specific amount of our blood which they then put in two test tubes to be sent to the Outpatient Laboratory for the following tests: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Pre-dialysis: Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Inorganic Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Albumin, Sodium, and Blood Uric Acid (BUA). Post -dialysis: Creatinine and BUN.

        Why the so many tests. Now I know that CBC is done to monitor the value of Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC) and other components of my blood. Hemoglobin value of a dialysis patient usually does not reach the normal value of a normal person which is 12 - 14. If the patient reaches a value of more than 12, the doctor will advise him to inject Erythropoietin for once a week. Injection of the synthetic hormone is stopped if the value is 13 or more. This is done to prevent too much viscosity or thickness of the blood of the patient that might result to stroke or heart attack. If the value is below 11, this means that production of RBCs is very low and the injection should be done twice or thrice a week depending on how low is the Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin combined with Iron help in the distribution of Oxygen in the tissues of the body through the Red Blood Cells. Erythropoietin is a hormone that helps in the production of RBC and is normally secreted or produced by the kidneys of a normal person. If the kidneys are damaged, the production of Erythropoietin stops. That is why synthetic Erythropoietin injection was developed to replace the natural Erythropoietin of a dialysis patient. It took many years of study and research to develop this synthetic hormone which is derived from cloning the gene for Erythropoietin. Low level of Hemoglobin and RBC results to muscle weakness and fatigue and will strain the heart while the patient is on dialysis. A blood transfusion is necessary to bring the Hemoglobin count to at least 9 or 10 up to 11 which is better. Anemic patients who practice too much physical exertion or rigorous exercises are exposing their heart to too much stress making the heart to compensate resulting to Cardio-Megally or enlargement of the heart.

       I know now that a high value of White Blood Cell (WBC) indicates an infection somewhere in my body that needs to be detected in order for the doctors to determine what type of anti-biotic they will prescribe me. A low WBC count indicates a viral infection or other diseases like Leukemia or cancer. It can also be caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis and other auto-immune diseases.

        Low and high Platelet count indicate an infection or disease. High platelet count could result to stroke or heart attack and low platelet count results in skin bruising and bleeding since it is the Platelet that is responsible in blood clotting.

      I know now that monitoring my blood Phosphorus level is important because high level of Phosphorus leads to increased mortality in dialysis patients because Phosphorus binds with Calcium in the blood to form Calcium Phosphate crystals which accumulate in the organ tissues including the heart, muscles and joints resulting to cardio-vascular disease and painful inflammation especially when the patient has undergone many years of dialysis. These crystals are mostly deposited in the lower limbs causing the skin to itch that the patient cannot avoid scratching his skin which result to small lacerations that expose it to bacteria that cause infection called Cellulitis which make the patient prone to Sepsis (blood infection) if left untreated with anti-biotic. Sepsis is a serious condition which leads to morbidity and death. Taking too much anti-biotics is bad for the liver. When the liver is damage, death of the dialysis patient will surely come next. Low level of Phosphorus among dialysis patients is very rare because Phosphorus in foods eaten by the patients accumulate in the blood since it is the kidney that excretes excess Phosphorus. Dialysis patients have damaged kidneys and excess Phosphorus has no way to get out of the body. Thus, it binds with Calcium and gets deposited in muscles, tissues and joints of the patient. Small amount of Phosphorus is removed by dialysis but most of the Phosphorus is in the tissues of the dialysis patient and hard to remove. Hyper-Phosphatemia or excess Serum Phosphate is treated with phosphate binders. To prevent additional phosphorus from entering the blood stream phosphate binders are taken by the patient after each meal. Effective phosphate binders are: Calcium Carbonate and Sevelamer Carbonate. Calcium binds with Phosphorus during digestion of foods in the intestine and is excreted or removed together with other bodily waste. Sevelamer acts like a sponge that absorbs Phosphorus and is also removed together with other bodily waste. The dialysis patient should still avoid eating foods high in Phosphorus since the phosphate binders cannot bind all the Phosphorus that he have eaten.

           As mentioned above, excess Phosphorus binds with Calcium. In this way, the level of Calcium in the blood is also monitored because high amount of Calcium causes Calcification and is detrimental to the: tissues of the organs and muscles and joints. Low level of Calcium however, results to Hypo-Calcemia which causes the bone to become weak and brittle. That is why Calcium Carbonate is prescribed to patients with low level of Calcium.

       Monitoring the Potassium level in the blood is also necessary because very high level of 7 and above can cause the heart beat to stop that will kill the patient. Death Row prisoners about to be executed are given overdose of Potassium that will cause painless death. Injured and sick animals are put to death by high dose of potassium. Low level of Potassium (Hypo-Kalemia) causes muscle weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps and twitching and irregular heartbeat. Just like Phosphorus, Potassium is accumulated in the blood of dialysis patients because of their impaired kidneys. Excess Potassium is removed by regular dialysis but some patients eat foods that are high in Potassium two or more days before dialysis. That is why Potassium builds up to dangerous level in the blood before they are dialyzed.

        Level of Albumin in the blood is monitored regularly since the dialysis patient is on low protein diet which makes the Albumin level to fall down. Serum Albumin is responsible for maintaining the volume of the blood. Low level of Serum Albumin results to less blood volume and the excess water in the blood is deposited in the muscles and body cavities including the cavity around the heart. This makes the heart exert more effort resulting to stress and eventual heart damage if not remedied. Low level of Albumin also results to leaking body nutrients out of the blood vessels depriving the muscles and organs of vitamins and minerals. This also results to Edema or swelling of the legs and Ascite (accumulation of water in the cavity of the stomach or abdomen which can lead to shortness of breath and peritoneal cavity infection). Some patients eat salty foods and as a result they feel very thirsty and drink a lot of water. Excess water is then stored in the cavity of the abdomen; more so if their Albumin count is low due to kidney and other disease like that of the liver. Low level of Albumin is corrected by ingestion of the dialysis patient of two to three egg whites per day. Egg yolk contains high amount of Phosphorus and Cholesterol and should be avoided.

       The amount of serum sodium is also monitored regularly. High value of sodium (above 145) can cause high blood pressure and Edema which could lead to stroke and heart attack. Excess water in the body of a dialysis patient is also harder to remove during dialysis if the sodium concentration in the blood is high. This strains the heart and creates a feeling of discomfort during dialysis. The patient is advised to lessen sodium intake and drink small amount of water in order to stabilize the sodium level and the excess water removed by regular dialysis of two to three times per week. Three times per week is the recommended dialysis session but dialysis patients limit it to one to two times per week due to financial constraints. Low level of Serum Sodium (below 135) is also bad for the dialysis patient because this could lead to hypo-tension (low blood pressure) and painful cramps during dialysis. Very low blood pressure could result to dizziness, shortness of breath, restlessness, seizures and coma.

        I know now that monitoring the Blood Uric Acid (BUA) is also important since this indicates whether the patient is prone to painful inflammations like Gout and Arthritis. Purine (the derivative of Uric Acid) is present in most fruits like oranges and berries. Foods high in Uric Acid are beans, meat and internal organs. Uric Acid is a crystalline substance which is the product of Nitrogenous Metabolism (digestion) and if it accumulates in high quantity in the blood of the dialysis patient could lead to painful swollen joints. Excess Uric Acid is removed by the normal kidney but dialysis patients have damaged kidneys, that is why Uric Acid accumulates in the blood. Some Uric Acid is removed by dialysis but some patients eat foods with high amount of Uric Acid two to three days before dialysis and that is why excess Uric Acid is accumulated before they are dialyzed. Excess Uric Acid is also treated with Allo-Purinol.

          Before a patient is diagnosed by the doctor of having kidney disease, his blood sample is taken for CBC, Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) tests. The laboratory tests would indicate if he is Anemic, with high value of Creatinine and BUN which clearly indicate kidney damage. Creatinine test indicate if the kidneys are functioning normally or are partially or totally damaged. A value of Creatinine of 2 to 3 means the patient has Chronic Kidney Failure and dialysis is not yet prescribed by the doctor. Creatinine value of 4-5 means there is substantial damage to the kidneys and dialysis of once a week is advised by the doctor. Values of more than 6-10 indicates major Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and values of more than 11 indicate End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) and two to three times dialysis sessions per week is needed. High BUN indicates that the blood is high in nitrogenous wastes that are accumulated because of kidney damage. Normal kidneys filter out these wastes. A clear example of this is when a normal person eats large amount of protein or meat, the by-product of protein digestion or metabolism is Urea and other nitrogenous wastes and is efficiently remove regularly 24/7 by the normal kidneys. It is noted that the urine of that normal person has a strong pungent smell like Ammonia. If the kidneys are impaired, these nitrogenous wastes including Urea is accumulated in the blood of the dialysis patient and can only be removed by dialysis. Large amount of Urea and other nitrogenous wastes in the blood results to the condition of Uremia (the blood becomes acidic and toxic). Serious Uremia affects the brain function of patients resulting to anxiety, restlessness and confusion. If left untreated, uremic patients suffers brain damage and eventually die.

       Levels of Serum Creatinine and BUN are monitored regularly by the doctor to find out if the degree of damage to the kidneys is improving or has worsened. Pre-dialysis (before dialysis) and Post-dialysis (after dialysis) value of Creatinine and BUN is taken so the doctor will see if the dialysis patient is dialyzed sufficiently or efficiently. High value of BUN and Creatinine even after dialysis indicates insufficient dialysis due to the type of dialyzer, length of time and frequency of dialysis and the Blood Flow Rate (BFR) of the dialysis machine. Faster BFR means more volume of blood passing the dialyzer is cleaned. This is limited though due to the condition of the patient if he has a serious heart problem or his blood pressure is too high or too low. Dialysis patients with minor heart problem can tolerate up to 300 ml per minute BFR. The type of the dialyzer also affects the efficiency of dialysis. High Flux Dialyzer (HFD) cleans more efficiently compared to the Low Flux Dialyzer. High Flux Dialyzer is not tolerated at high BFR by some patients with heart condition. If dialysis is insufficient and not efficient, it means that more toxins are retained in the blood that could increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among dialysis patients.

          The above tests are only the monthly laboratory tests of dialysis patients. Other laboratory tests are done depending on the condition and symptoms experienced by the patient to confirm if complications from dialysis is present. It is very important to fully understand the interpretation and meaning(s) of the results of these tests to guide the patient in dealing with his disease. This also will give the patient a positive outlook in life for him to be disciplined to resist temptations from: eating excess foods that could aggravate his condition, give him courage and hope to face challenges, pain and uncertainties that will come his way.

        

        

Life Before and During Dialysis

   

     In my almost eight years of undergoing dialysis, I have seen many of my co-patients become sicker and most of them eventually died. On what I have observed, their condition happened because they do not know much of the important facts of what dialysis is and they lack the right attitude or outlook in life while having dialysis. They are used to living their lives before having dialysis and they are unaware that life during dialysis has a big difference with what they love to do before dialysis. Like a patient who loves to jog early in the morning and do rigorous biking afterwards resulting to thirst and fatigue. Being a normal person before, he loves to drink very cold water and then take a cold shower immediately and nothing serious happened. This continued even when he is already on dialysis and then one day after drinking cold water and taking a shower he suffered shortness of breath until he can barely breath and was rushed to the emergency room of the hospital. His condition was very serious that the attending physician decided to perform intubation (put a rubbery tube into his throat up to his lungs) to allow him to breath. The tube remained in his lungs until his condition stabilized. He is lucky because he was able to survive such ordeal to tell to his fellow dialysis patients of his experience. Others were not lucky though because they suffered heart attack and died. He could be unaware that as a dialysis patient his Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cell count is below the normal value. In short, he is Anemic. He is also suffering from hyper-tension and this is seriously aggravated when he drank very cold water (this will make the arteries and vein shrink) and he was not completely rested from physical exertion. High blood pressure of more than 200/110 is a very dangerous condition especially to a dialysis patient. It could result to a stroke or heart attack and excess water that he drank will be forced into his lungs that makes breathing very difficult considering also that he has Anemia and distribution of oxygen to his heart and lungs is not normal.

     Other patients have a negative attitude or outlook in life. As if they have accepted defeat from their sickness to the point that they do not care anymore of what will happen to them as long as they are able to do what they want to do including eating too much food that will make them more sick. "You will still die even if you do not eat and drink too much. It will be better to enjoy life while we still live." This is what other patients say and seem to be proud of telling to their fellow dialysis patients. This proves that foods are very "addictive" since the patients do not mind dying as long as they can eat what they love to eat. They live to eat and not eat properly in order to live longer.

    Dialysis requires knowledge of the patient about his disease through research and personal experience. He also should have discipline to avoid as much as possible not to be tempted to eat and drink too much.  He should be patient, learn how to endure pain, have courage and hope that he will survive the challenges of dialysis and to live longer to be with his family and also be able to share to other dialysis patients his experience and knowledge so that they will also be motivated to adapt a positive outlook in life despite their condition.

     I have realized that a Vision Mission Statement for our association of dialysis patients is necessary for us dialysis patients to serve as a covenant while we still live. Vision and Mission Statement should be understood word for word and be instilled in the mind and heart. It should be internalized deeply on a day to day basis so that it will not be easily forgotten. Below is the Vision Mission Statement that I have made:

Vision: All dialysis patients in Bohol are dialyzed comfortably, sufficiently and efficiently in various hospitals in Bohol with ample benefits from the government and other charitable institutions; and they are well educated about their disease through seminars, forums, discussions among members and brochures about kidney failure and dialysis.

Mission: To have a network with hospitals, Government and Non-Government Institutions for the: putting up of more dialysis centers with more dialysis machines, formulation and implementation of educational programs on kidney failure and dialysis and ensure that logistics and financial requirements are met accordingly. For this, an Inter-Agency Task Group will be organized; and,

As a result of the efforts made by the above Inter-Agency Task Group, the members of Bohol Association of Hemo-Dialysis Patients and Watchers will have the qualities of a good dialysis patient who is well educated about dialysis, disciplined, patient, resilient to endure pain and challenges, courageous and hopeful that he will live longer and be still with value to his family and other members of the community.

     It would be heart-warming if the above VM Statement would be realized since kidney disease is on the rise and more and more patients are undergoing dialysis treatment. It is time that dialysis patients should have one belief that: Life does not end during dialysis and they should be strong to face challenges and accept them as they come and still have a positive outlook in life and be joyful despite a life of pain and uncertainty. 

                                          

                                     

ANSWERED PRAYERS

     

    A new era has dawned on Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) highlighted by: a newly constructed modern Hemo-Dialysis Center comparable to those of Cebu and Manila, a new high rise building, new hospital equipment, continuing construction of the Pharmacy, Blood Bank, Rehabilitation Center, Emergency facility and the newly built Malasakit Center. Medical services have greatly improved breaking the stigma that government service equates poor service. Behind all these developments is a type of aggressive but proactive management implemented by the new Medical Center Chief in the person of Dr. Mutya Kismet T. Macuno. Truly, Dr. Macuno is God sent especially for us dialysis patients who have experienced the worst condition before. The old Hemo-Dialysis Unit (HDU) was located in a small room with ten not well known brand of dialysis machines placed side by side very near each other. Admitted patients have dialysis together with the regular outpatients such that risk of infection or contamination is high. The room has poor ventilation and noisy with not so disciplined HDU Staff. The old HDU is right beside a huge electric generator creating a fire hazard in case of power overload. It is also beside the hospital’s morgue. Dialysis patients and their watchers in the waiting area are used to seeing dead patients in stretcher wheeled on the dirty hallway.

     In contrast to the old HDU, the new HDU started operation in July, 2018 is located in front of the hospital which is newly painted with appropriate combination of suiting colors, it has 15 brand new German made Fresenius dialysis machines placed not so close to each other, very clean comfort room, well lighted and with sufficient number of big split-type air-conditioners, state of the art water filtration facility, readily available oxygen outlets on the wall per patient and most of all; it has newly trained dialysis staff with two doctors on an eight hour shift. We are also very blessed because we do not have to pay for our dialysis. We are covered by 90 dialysis sessions per year under PHILHEALTH on a no balance billing scheme. Upon exhaustion of our PHILHEALTH benefits our dialysis expenses are automatically charged to the PDAF and Medical Assistance Fund (MAF) provided by the DOH, Governor and Congressmen of Bohol. Our monthly laboratory tests expenses are also charged to the PDAP/MAF. Depending on funds availability, part of our maintenance medicines expenses are also charged to the MAF. 

     As a gesture of gratitude, I have written a letter (copy printed below) to Dr. Macuno for all that she has done for us dialysis patients and to all the patients of GCGMH:

July 11, 2018

Dr. Mutya Kismet T. Macuno MD FPPS, FPSNbM, MDM

Medical Center Chief II

GCGMH, Tagbilaran City

Dear Madam:

After so many years of longing for a new relocation site of our old HDU, finally our dreams are fulfilled by an angel who knows what we feel and what we need and that is you. In behalf of the Bohol Association of Hemo-Dialysis Patients and Watchers (BOASHEPAWA) we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for everything that you have done for us. You are truly a child of God who knows how to take care of His people.

Having a new site for the HDU is one of the major objectives of our association. I have written Dr. Arcay some letters regarding this but he seemed to be having difficulty accomplishing our request then. For your information, our other objectives that we have fulfilled are the following:

1.      Our 2^nd Board Resolution was about the putting up of the provincial office of the Phillipine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO); and thru the intervention of Gov. Chatto our request was granted;

2.      Our next request was on the extension of PHILHEALTH’s 45 dialysis sessions per year to 90 sessions per year. The granting of our request was facilitated by Cong. Relampagos thru his relative who is a ranking officer of PHILHEALTH;

3.      Then, the request to Sec. Butch Abad on financial assistance coming from taxes from vice such as cigarette, liquor and gambling thru Cong. Relampagos. This could be the result of funds coming from Congressmen and the Medical Assistance Fund; and,

4.      Also, our association was able to give financial assistance to the family of our members who died (P1,000.00 pesos for directors / officers and P500.00 pesos for regular members).

Our current objective is to have a gathering probably on a beach to know more of each other, exchange experiences and insights about dialysis; and have an election afterwards.

You have done so much for us, but if you could extend an accreditation of our association in the future or refer a forum on dialysis, then, we could not ask for more.

Thank you very much and regards.

Very truly yours,

SIGNED:

BUEN T. DOMINGO

Chairman, BOASHEPAWA

     When I became a regular dialysis patient of GCGMH in October, 2011, I saw the need of putting up an association of dialysis patients with a legal personality (registered with the SEC) for us to be able to express our needs, privileges / rights and to legally solicit financial assistance for our dialysis needs. Also, I thought that it would not be difficult for me to do the organizing since I was an Area Development Officer of the UCPB-CIIF Finance and Development Corporation and I have experience in Community Development by organizing Small Coconut Farmers Organizations. I immediately organized a core group despite some negative feedback by the patients and nurses who were opposed to an association of dialysis patients (maybe they were “burned” by their previous experiences in organizations). I prepared the basic requirements and went to the provincial office of the SEC. I lost count of the number of times I went back to the office of SEC in Bohol to comply with the additional requirements or amendments in our documents since the SEC is very meticulous in screening applicant organization for registration. I have to go to the National Office of SEC in Manila to personally submit our registration documents to facilitate its approval despite my physical condition. I have water in my lungs due to previous Pneumonia infection and high blood pressure. I was gasping for air with my wife when we were crossing the overpass in Ortigas. At last on May 9, 2013, our association of dialysis patients and watchers was registered with the SEC with Registration Number: CN 201326623.

     Having dialysis before is very difficult since there was no provincial office of the PCSO. The patients themselves or their close relatives have to go to the National Office of PCSO in Manila just to get a 20 thousand pesos per three months financial assistance for the cost of dialysis. The 45 dialysis sessions per year of PHILHEALTH before was not enough to cover our dialysis cost for a year. They have to ride a ship to go to Manila and wait for many hours in a long line at the PCSO office only to get a net of 16 thousand pesos not considering the health risk of the patients. So we are grateful when our request for the putting up of the provincial office of the PCSO was granted. Also, we have to individually solicit funds from politicians and NGOs. During the period from November to December, many of the indigent patients have to undergo dialysis for once a week only instead of the regular twice a week due to lack of funds.

     We learned that having an association is effective in lobbying for our dialysis needs, so we passed a Board Resolution requesting the PHILHEALTH to extend its assistance of 45 dialysis sessions per year to 90 dialysis sessions per year. We provided copies of our request to Congressmen and post it in the social media joining other dialysis patients associations with the same request. At last, our plea was considered by PHILHEALTH and the 90 dialysis sessions per year was finally approved.  

     We also saw the opportunity of getting financial assistance from the government through the Sin Taxes (taxes obtained from cigarettes, alcohol and gambling), so we passed a Board Resolution requesting the then Budget Secretary, Butch Abad, to allot some funds for dialysis assistance. We wrote the Congressmen of Bohol to do the same from their Priority Development Fund or PDAF.

We are very grateful, when the Congressmen started allocating funds directly to the GCGMH and the DOH has implemented their Medical Assistance Program for the hospital. From then on and with Dr. Macuno at the helm as Chief of the Hospital, we do not have a problem regarding our dialysis needs.

     Many thanks for our prayers that have been heard. Merry Christmas and a happy prosperous New Year to everyone.

Tula, muni - muni, damdamin at iba pa.

Poems:

Ang Kabukiran

Nang ulan ay pumatak sa tigang at uhaw na lupa.
Tahimik na bukirin napuno ng kokak ng palaka.
Mga magsasaka'y gumayak sa bukid ay gumagala.
Nagsimulang bungkalin ang 
mayamang lupa.

Punla'y inihanda para sa masayang
tanimang magaganap.
Umaasa na ito'y yayabong at
mamumunga sa hinaharap.
Di alintana mga pagod at hirap kahit tirik man at mainit ang araw.
Tumagaktak man ang pawis
saya at sigla ang nangingibabaw.

Dating kayumanging lupa ngayo'y
naging makinang na dilaw at lunti.
Makapal na tubo ng mga palayan
ay malawak na nagpupunyagi.
Saan ka man tumanaw sa paligid luntiang palay na ngayo'y lumalaki.
Nagbabadya ng masaganang ani
na magdadala ng lualhati at ngiti.

Kaysarap maglakad mamasyal sa malawak malapad na bukirin.
Malamig at malinis na hangin sa umaga ay kaysarap langhapin.
Hangin na nagbibigay buhay sa bawat ugat ay nagpapaigting.
Sa katawan ay nagbibigay lakas
upang pag-ani ng palay ay pagigiin.

Di nagtagal butil ay unti-unting umusbong sa uhay ng palay.
Palatandaang pag-aani ay darating
at aalamin kung ano ang taglay.
Uhay na dati'y dilaw at luntian
ngayo'y gintong napaka-makulay.
Masayang anihan sa bukid dumatal
nagbibigay ng saya sa ating buhay.

Ang mga ina ay dapat mahalin samantalang sila ay buhay pa sa inyong piling.

Inang Mapagmahal

Sa unang pagkakataon nang ikaw ay isinilang at mamasdan.
Abot langit kaligayahan nadama
sa iyong pag-uha tumulo ang luha.
Magmula noon ikaw ay inaaruga
sa kaniyang dibdib ay pinagpala.

Siya'y inang labis na mapagmahal hanggang ikaw ay lumaki.
Iniaalay ang buong sarili kahit ano
pa ang sabihin nila sa iyo.
Kaya nga siya'y napalapit sa iyo
buong puso mo't isipan alay mo.

Ngayo'y wala na siya sa 'yong tabi
naiisip at nangungulila palagi.
Bumabalik-balik na alaala ng
kaniyang lantay na pagmamahal.
Sa bawat pitik ng iyong puso'y
nagpapasalamat lagi mo siyang
IKARARANGAL.

Ang buhay ay talagang ganyan may saya at mayroon ding hapis.

Dalawang Mukha Ng Pagibig

Noong una nang akoy balot pa ng payak na pamumuhay.
Sa di inaasahan ikaw ay dumating 
kamay mo'y iwinawagayway.
Sa unang pagkakataon ako ay
sumigla at umibig.
Ang mundo ko'y napuno ng saya at nagniningning ang mga kulay.

Ngunit singbilis ng 'yong pagdating
singbilis din ang iyong paglisan.
Naiwang lumuluha at nagtataka
bakit ka nagkaganyan?
Hinahanap ko ang dating ikaw
at ang dati nating pasyalan.
Animo walang katapusang saya
ngayo'y pighati ang nararanasan.

Madilim ang paligid at ang lahat
ay binabalot ng lungkot.
Hindi ko alam kung hanggang
kailan magtitiis at makakalimot.
Ngunit alam ko ito ay lilipas at
may hangganan din and dilim.
Sa dako pa roon naghihintay
panibagong pagasa at liwayway

This means season of Spring that gives hope and life to all.

Tagsibol

Muli narito na naman ang sandali na puno ng lakas at pag-asa.
Lahat ay umaawit sumisipol dahil sa matinding saya at ligaya.
Luntian at ginintuang paligid sa bawat Isa ay bumubungad.
Nagpapadama nagpapahiwatig ng matinding paghahangad.

Malumanay na simoy ng hangin na sa aking katawan ay dumadampi.
Nagbibigay sigla bumubuhay sa dugong napupuno ng sidhi.
Di maiwasang umasam ng isang bagay na malimit na minimithi.
Sa kaibuturan ng aking pusoy
Nag aalab na sinasabayan ng ngiti.

Wari'y kalangitan na nabuksan
nang ganda mo'y nasilayan.
Isa kang Diyosa sa aking paningin kumakaway sa iyong himlayan.
Nang daliri natin ay nagdugtong
di maiwasan dibdib dumagundong.
Dagitab ay lumatay sa katawan nati'y nagbigay kakaibang ugong.

Nag-apoy rumagasa at umaapaw
masidhing damdami'y sumisigaw.
Ikaw at wala ng iba aking mahal
damhin natin tamis ng pagsinta.
Hayaan mong tayo ay dalhin
sa rurok na malapit kay Bathala.
Hayaang pumayapa sa kandungan
mo'y managinip at humupa.

 Ang susunod na Tula ay katha ng aking damdamin at isipan sa panahon ng pag-limi2x at pagiisa.

Bahag-Hari

Hayaan mo akong liparin ng muni-muni at galak sa dako pa roon ng kaparangan.
Kung sa ganyang paraan lang masisilayan iyong natatanging kariktan.
Di ko mawari at di masukat 
Ang aking tuwa at kagalakan nadarama
Labis labis lalo na nang ikaw ay ngumiti
Nagningning mapungay mong mga mata.
Buhay koy umaliwalas at sumaya
Tulad ng Bahag-Hari na puno ng kulay at ganda.

Movie Lines and "Hugot":

“Bakit kung kailan tayo sa wakas ay nagkatagpo sa puso't isipan ay doon ko pa nalaman na huli na. Isang pag-ibig na dumaan sa tamang oras at panahon pero hindi naging tayo. Ngayon ang tamang oras at nasabi ko ang matagal ko nang kinikimkim at totoong damdamin para sa iyo. Masakit malaman na hindi na ikaw para sa akin. Gustuhin mo man o ako rin ay hindi na talaga pwede. Ang ating dating pagibig sa isa't isa ay sadyang naging maling pag-ibig sa maling panahon. Hindi talaga pwede

Ops,ops,ooops! bago kayo mag-isip ng ano pa man. Ito ang konklusiyon sa pelikulang 100 Tula Para Kay Estela. Tinamaan ka?”

(This is about my own interpretation of a movie line in 100 Poems for Estela. Two friends for a long time has not expressed their true emotion for each other. Until the woman fell for another guy and her friend finally found strength to say what is in his heart but its too late.)

"Bakit noong nakakakita ka Hindi mo ako makita pero nang mabulag ka nakita mo ako?" Kailangan pa bang mabulag ka para mapabilang ako sa 'yong mundo. Hindi mo lang alam at Hindi mo nararamdaman, narito lang ako sa iyong tabi naghihintay na mapansin at pahalagahan mo. Kailangan ko pa bang pigain ang aking diwa't isipan upang ang aking Marubdob na damdamin ang iyo mo rin madama sa pamamagitan ng pagsulat ng 100 Tula? Naks! Epekto lang ng KitaKita at 100 Tula para kay Estela. Hehehe. Sumakay kayo no?

Agos Ng Buhay

Sa aking paghihintay habang nakaupo sa isang sulok ng mall at ang aking asawa ay namimili sa grocery, napansin ko ang dami ng mga taong naglalakad paroon at parito. Iba't-ibang klase ng mga tao: may payat, may mataba, may maputi, may maitim, may matangkad, may pandak, may bata, may matanda at 'yong isang ale may karga pang sanggol.

Naisip ko tuloy na talagang nakakamangha ang Diyos na lumikha ng lahat ng ito. Iba't-ibang mga tao na may kanya-kanyang pag-iisip at ginagampanang papel sa buhay. May mga taong mayaman pero mababa naman ang pagtingin sa ibang mga tao pero meron din namang mapagkumbaba at mabait. Mayroon namang anak ng mayaman na hindi marunong tumayo sa sariling mga paa at maangas o mayabang na kayang gumawa ng hindi tama. May mga taong takot harapin ang hirap ng buhay kung walang mga taong tutulong sa kaniya. Dahil sa iba't-iba din ang karanasan ng mga tao,

halimbawa, lumaki sa hirap at mapait na mga pangyayari, natuto ito na maging matapang at matatag sa pagharap kung ano mang ibigay ng buhay sa kaniya. Pero minsan may kaakibat ding hindi magandang epekto at ito ay ang kakulangan sa kakayahan niyang magmahal at mahalin. Nagiging "bato" sabi nga nila, matigas pero pilit itinatago o kinikimkim ang kahinaan sa takot na siya ay pagtawanan at lumabas na talunan.

Ang iba naman ay tuluyang napapaso at nagpapadala sa agos ng buhay kung saan man sila dalhin o mapadpad. Nagiging lulong sa alak at ipinagbabawal na gamot at nakagagawa ng malagim na mga krimen tulad ng pag-patay, pagnanakaw, panghahalay at panglalamang sa walang kalaban-laban na mga nilalang.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito dapat nating tanggapin na talagang ganito ang buhay at matuto tayong harapin na may lakas ng loob sa tulong ng Maykapal ang bawat pagsubok na maaring sumubok sa atin. Siyanawa.”