Michigan

Since March 2005, when I first diagnosed with Leukemia, I was bound to stay home or at least, near the hospital.

April 2006, was supposed to be my first trip out of town, courtesy of the Lumbo family, to Wigamog Inn Resort at Haliburton, Ontario. Unfortunately, I was confined in the hospital and was never allowed to go anywhere even after I was discharged on May 1. So this trip was cancelled. My doctors want to have me very close because of my situation.

Days, months had passed. I asked my doctors again if I can go out of the country. They said yes, but not in tropical countries like Philippines. So then, I was excited to cross the boarder on a road trip. Kuya Orly and Ate Ruby found out and they decided to take me and my family (Jerson and Jensine) with them to Michigan to visit their daughter, Jackie. This will be my first trip out of the country, more or less, just across the boarder.

We went to Andrews University at Berrien Springs, Michigan. We did a lot of shopping, well, mostly, window shopping along the way. It was also Kuya Orly's birthday so they took us out for dinner with Jackie who attends in Andrews.

We attended the Sabbath at Kalamazoo, Michigan were we met the other Mt. Zion members like the Frias couple, Regoso family and Jaraba family. Auntie Josie was there, too. After the service, we found out that we were to attend a birthday party of Tatay, relative of Auntie Milet. We joined them for dinner and stayed at Auntie Maila and Uncle Tito's house for the night.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Kuya Orly and Ate Ruby for this first time trip out of Canada, for everything. The hosts, Jackie at Berrien Springs and Auntie Maila and Uncle Tito's at Kalamazoo for their hospitality. And for all the people we met there, thank you for this good experience.

Ontario Science Centre

Believe it or not, this was my first time here at Ontario Science Centre, as well as Jerson. Needless to say, this was also Jensine's first. This was a free summer family trip from Telus Mobility, where Jerson works. So, I said, "why not try?, anyways, it's free".


I have not been doing a lot of walking trips like this so I brought my cane for safety. It was very tiring for me but seeing Jerson and Jensine having fun, I felt happy too.

There were lots of fun and activities for kids like face painting, balloons, food, music, exhibits and shows.

It was a good day being with my family having fun while experiencing something new!

First Anniversary

One year it has been...since I had my Bone Marrow Transplant. Today, I had my anniversary check up. I did blood test, Pulmonary Function Test at Mt. Sinai Hospital and a regular check-up by special doctors. Blood test result at the end of this blog. PFT is also fine, according to the oncologist who looked at the results. The only signs of rejections or better call it, reactions from the transplant was the discoloration on my face. Doctors said it will go away soon.

FACTS: Spirometry (meaning the measuring of breath) is the most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), measuring lung function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. (Wikipedia)

REFLECTIONS: I believe I have a purpose in this world, to serve God. I committed myself of telling my story, how God healed me and continously healing me. If you read my previous post about Thanksgiving, that was just a start. I am planning to do this in other places, wherever He wants me to. In Mark 8:35 from New International Version,

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Complete Blood Count
HGB – 118 (normal range = 120 to 160)
PLT – 307
WBC - 4.9
Neut - 2.1
Mg - 0.66 (normal range = 0.70 up)
Creat - 51
Ca - 2.40

Liver Functions
ALB - not available
ALT - 16

ALP - 50
AST - 26
TBili - 4.8

Legend:
Green: Normal
Yellow: Abnormal
Red: Critical

Thanksgiving Service

Canada's Thanksgiving Day! I presented in two churches about how thankful I am for everything that happened to me. Mt. Zion Church celebrated Thanksgiving Day on Sunday, October 8 while Scarborough Filipino Church was Monday, October 9.

I prepared a 30-minute speech of my life, my trials and my God. We have to be thankful to Him not just on Thanksgiving day but everyday.

"To give gratitude for what we have, yesterday, today and tomorrow. "

" Giving thanks to Him is easy when things are going fine…“The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy”, quoted by Mother Teresa"


"In Jeremiah 29 verse 11, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "