Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

As I attend 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Teach-back Session for the 2nd time around after almost 7 years, I realize that things do change. Priorities years ago are different. Challenges are more complicated and achievements become more meaningful. What keeps intact is my core values.

Just to share what Stephen R. Covey presented in his book,  7 Habits of Highly Effective People which is very much helpful for personal effectiveness


The Seven Habits move us through the following stages:

1. Dependence: the paradigm under which we are born, relying upon others to take care of us.

1. Independence: the paradigm under which we can make our own decisions and take care of ourselves.

1. Interdependence: the paradigm under which we cooperate to achieve something that cannot be achieved independently.

• Habit 1: Be Proactive

• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

• Habit 3: Put First Things First

• Habit 4: Think Win/Win

• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

• Habit 6: Synergize

• Habit 7: Sharpen The Saw

The first three habits are:

Habits 4, 5, and 6 then address interdependence:

Finally, the seventh habit is one of renewal and continual improvement, that is, of building one's personal production capability. 

Part of this session is to write personal mission statement. I was able to give myself opportunity to re-write my personal mission statement since the same activity was done during the 1st time I took it.

Here it goes...

For my son, I will dream big with him and make it happen. But for now, let me be his playmate.  We'll enjoy each day of his childhood.  I will create good memories and experiences that he could look back when time comes. I will be with him visibly or not along the way.

For my husband, I may not be better than the best wife, who cares? I love him more than anybody knows.  Ours is not perfect but genuine. And I promise to keep it that way forever. We'll continue to do the household together, eat and get fat together, sleep and dream together, plan and execute together, and get old together...see the reality of the world til death do us part.

For my parents, I'll uphold the integrity and dignity they installed in my heart and mind. They are not asking but I'll try to give back the favors they've given me during my younger years.  I am lucky for having them and I owe them for who I am now.

For myself, I will continuously be strong for myself.  I will conquer my fears.  Cancer won't stop me from doing better. In fact, it drives me to realize urgency in executing my goals and consider time is of the essence.  My body is the temple of my soul.  In the name of longevity, I'll not take it for granted and keep it healthy, not only for myself but for my family and friends. I'll pursue additional studies and  sharpen my weapon.  I will build sturdy financial account for the future.  I will establish relationships and keep connected to people. I'll make sure I provide inspiration through service to others in my own little ways.  I hope to touch lives even with small level of impact through sharing thoughts, charity and gratitude.

In the end, I will enjoy the breeze, laugh heavily, and savor each day. 

Sis Lunch at Daang Hari...

It was one weekend when my sis craved for eating seafoods. So we decided to go on lunchout at the nearest Seaside. To get away from the trafik along Alabang area since we're from the south, we decided pass by DaanHari. We took the Magsaysay road at San Pedro, Laguna and Victoria.
Upon arriving at the Seaside Area, we were welcomed by various teasers from various restaurants along the area.
We chose Sis Restaurant where they offer 20% discount. You have to market for the seafoods to be cooked. One good thing is that Sus have their own maeket where you could bargain as well.
We are 6 in the group and come up to this menu spending 3k net.
1/2kl buttered garlic shrimp
1/2kl tempura
1/2kl spicy crab
1/2kl ginataan crab
1/2kl salmon belly sinigang sa miso
3 rice platter
It was great late lunch. We get fully enjoyed.
Take note:
● They accept debit and credit caeds but adds 5% more to your gross bill.
●TV and Videoke are available free of charge.

No baby for the next five years.. 😕

During my last check up, my breast surgeon interpret the latest laboratory test done. It was the P63 and estrogen and progesterone.
I may not fully understand the medical explanation for this but what matters to most is that I don't need to go trough chemotheraphy or radiation as if now as the test results confirmed that it was not invasive.
But then there's a probability that it would recur anytime. So I need to take Tamoxifen for five years.
There are various side effects of taking Tamoxifen that's why the doctor instructed me to try various brands so I would know which will best suit me. Some of the side effects mentioned was almost same as menopausal syndrome. There will be times mentruation will stop, some sort of moodiness, restlessness, and dizziness. But at times, these do not happen.
The worst of this is that we are not allowed to have additional baby for the next five years. The medicine will cause deficiency in case I'll get pregnant. We are the prime age yet young couple. We only have one son as if now and not sure if still capable of bearing after five years. Anyway, again I know He has plans for us...for me..whatever it is...I'll just hold on...and go on with my life.

💞 True friends are never apart maybe in distance but never in heart

It was one weekend afternoon during my medical leave, me with my husband and sonwere comfortably lying on the bed watching movie when my husband's phone rang. He was talking to someone then went out of the room.  I was supposed to follow him and confront who is he talking to but I also felt I need to restroom at the same time. So I intendedly ask him in a loud voice asking who was it then I proceed to the restroom instead. My intention was to be heard by whosoever was on the other line.
When I came back I ignored him already and go back to my son. Few minutes after, my husband was calling me to introduce to his friends. To my surprise, I saw one of my college friends in the terrace through the window and when I go out the other member of our "barkada" was there.
I was so touched that they made this effort to visit me considering they are from north (Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal etc.) and I'm from down south Laguna. Some made a way even though they have kids to attend to and asked their parents to take good care for them even from a while. Others have appointment. The other one was supposed to have proposal since it waa his birthday the day after. The conspiracy they did with my husband to surprise added to my feeling of being special. We spent the rest of the day with laughters from old memories. For sometime, some were not able to attend happy days of my life but truly during these tough times they were there to cheer me up and remind me that I always have a friend in them. I may not be that lucky in other aspects of my life, it doesn't matter.  I have these treasure.

In the Eyes of my Niece

One fine afternoon, in the middle of my one month medical leave, I was collating my son's pictures to make album. My niece, Arwen, came to holding a paper fold into 4.  It was showing a drawing of me, my husband, baby zach, and herself. I smiled, kiss her, and say thank you.
She go out of my room then came back with another piece of paper. I asked her what does her drawing says, she said it was me during the time I was in the hospital and the two kids on the side is arwen and zach. I was getting teary already because all this time she's been very observant of what was done to me. She even drew a shower and a pool with a big X to specify that I was not allowed to take a bath. She used to be there when I was guided to the bathroom then.
This time, after she went out of the room, my tears fell. Then she came in again with another drawing. There was a bed-like salbabida.  I was sitting there floating in the pool. At the back of the paper are money drawings. She told me she would buy me one so my wound won't get hurt. Then the more tears fall from my eyes. I hug her tight.
Then another piece of paper with a drawing of me in tears and her handling her heart to me.
It was a simple gesture from a 6 yr old chile who truly touched my heart deeply.

Mother's Day 2016 @ Asian Hospital...Big Thanks...

Afar from the usual Mother's Day celebration, still I was in the hospital for recovery. This is my 2nd year to celebrate yet I don't have my son with me for the whole day.  Since visitors most specially kids are not allowed in my room due to radioactive exposure prior operation, only my husband plus the cheerful nurse assigned to me are my companion that day.

this made me smile...thank you...

My husband and I just finished our lunch date right beside hospital bed pretending we're in hotel. While we looked for movies to watch a Pastor came in. It was a Sunday, supposedly church day, yet I'm still confined in my hospital bed and not allowed to move, so he just said a short prayer and give me a Holy Communion.

Minutes after, Asian Hospital staff came in with some handicrafts. They have plain rattan bracelets and some color palette.  Those are for the mother patients within the hospital. It should be painted on the spot by anybody accompanying the patient. And so was done by my husband (even though he's not much into arts). :)

thank you dad...it's the thought that counts... :)

In early evening, finally, the staff removed the radioactive sign on the room and gave us go signal that visitors are allowed already. We live nearby Alabang so my in-laws were able to bring my son right after the go signal was given. Even for a moment I had my son with me on that day. This simple celebration means so much to me. Even though the event itself seems to be so simple, it means a lot.

This too shall pass...

Once the diagnosis was given, I half-heartedly accepted the need for operation.  I even want it to be done right away with fear that it may spread out to other parts of my body. The breast surgeon is willing to do so but she'll be out of the country days after and will only be back after a month. Since I prefer that only one surgeon be responsible with the operation, I decided to go on the next month. That period of waiting gave me chance to make myself stronger and firmer with the decision to proceed. We visit Padre Pio Church at Pasig and attend healing mass during the feast of St. Peregrine. As I kept on saying to myself, all for the love of my son and our young family.
I was asked to be at the Asian hospital 10am of Friday then. All my things are packed up for the admission. I was given instructions to work on for the admission.  The following are needed upon hospital admission:
1. Health Card (if you have insurance) - check your available balance ahead of time and make sure hospital and doctors are accredited so you could estimate if you'll be needing cash out. It will also be helpful if you ask your doctor estimated total package for such procedure
2. Members Data Record - optional nowadays unless not availabe on line
3. Certificate of Philhealth Contribution
4. Valid ID
5. SSS Sickness Form
After giving basic instructions from the admission, we were asked to sign on the agreement and lets us choose preferred room. We chose the Standard Private room just to give more allowance to unforseen expenses we might have during the stay. As well as car pass to avail of free parking.
I was admitted around 11am and was given instruction nothing per orem after 12am. At 11pm, I already have dextrose through IV.
Comes 4am the following day, I was picked up at the room and brought to Nuclear Medicine for Sentinel Node Biopsy. Only patients are allowed inside. Prior to that, we put ice on my breast to make it numb as there is no anesthesia to be used for this biopsy. I was placed in gamma room with a very narrow bed and locked my arms and feet. When the Nuc-Med doctor started to prick the needle that was near the nipple area, I was in tears due to pain. But after a while, it gets naive. Afterwhich, there was something moving towards the bed I was lying in, it seems like pressing me as it was only about an inch above my body. Probably they saw me being scared so they let me close my eyes. In just an hour, I was returned back in my room and was able to nap.
At 7am, I was brought to the operating room with my husband so that nurse could instruct him where to go if doctor requests his presence and if he needs to check on me. It was at the PACU.
When the operation proper was about to start, I was asked to state my full name and birthday. Then anesthesiologist introduced herself together my breast surgeon. Before I knew it, I was already unconscious and was waken up at the recovery.  It was already 1pm when I was brought back again in my room.  My throat hurts as a tube was place in it to reach the lungs. And of course, I only have a boob this time.  I can't move my right arm. While my left hand is still in dextrose.
My recovery took me 2 days and was discharged just in time for the National Election Day.  But since I need to rest, I was not able to exercise my right to vote.
The feeling is not as easy as what I thought but one thing for sure.  This too shall pass. My God is stronger than anything else.