How to Eat Nang Senyang's Lumpia...
Status Update: A bone marrow biopsy was expected to be done last February 1, 2012. What is this for? It's like a pre-test and a post-test. When we had the first bone marrow biopsy last December 30, 2012, his marrow had so many cancer blasts, at a speeding rate. So, we had to administer chemotherapy right away.
Chemotherapy's purpose is to lower down blood counts in the hopes that while lowering them, the cancer blasts will lower also to the point of remission. Now, what is remission? When I first heard that word, I really asked our doctor what it is. I don't like to be lost in all medical terminologies so I want it to be explained to me as simply as possible, in terms that I can relate to. So here, I will also try to do that.
So back to remission. It's like a decrease of all cancer symptoms. In Lito's case, there should be zero cancer blasts with normal blood counts that his marrow has produced. Right now, we are monitoring his CBC to determine normal blood counts and so far, other components of the blood are starting to progress and go within normal values but his WBC counts are still low. The WBCs are the soldiers of the blood, they fight off infection. So, when your WBC counts are low, it is best to stay away from any infection. Now, you'll understand why our ninja is in isolation. A little cough or cold will alert his WBCs and since they are not enough, it will just complicate Lito's condition.
While there is remission of cancer cells, it is not a guarantee that it won't come back, thus we are trying all possible options, including stem cell transplant.
So, our doctor advised us that it will be best to have the biopsy in Manila instead. All necessary preparations are done-- plane tickets, hotel bookings, doctor appointments. We will fly on the 7th together with his siblings, have the biopsy, check-up and matching on the 8th and go back on the 9th. On the 10th, we will have a second and higher dose of his chemotherapy to really fight off any other cancer blast before the stem cell implantation.
For the meantime, Lito is having a grand vacation at his room, playing all day with his computer, watching Season 1 of the Big C-- seriously, a must-watch, and just dozing off every now and then. And the appetite-- still at its best. Especially when we had the Nang Senyang lumpia madness yesterday. It was crayyy--zyyy! For Alphonsians, this is a familiar treat but for those who don't know what this is, you better head off to Lapu-Lapu City, and find out where the famous Nang Senyang lumpias are.
In our gratitude to the years of street food ingenuity, that of Nang Senyang, we pay tribute to her being like a mama to us, for the years of giving us small discounts, extra lumpia, extra puso.. small for some but are tattooed here in our hearts. Eating the lumpia is not just a simple sauce dip to mouth bites but it is actually an art. So, listen to Lito's short tutorial about how we eat the LEGENDARY lumpia of Manang Senyang...
So anyway, that's just a status update. I ask you to still pray not just for remission but for cure. Not just for Lito, but for everyone who's facing the same battle.
God bless us all.
Chemotherapy's purpose is to lower down blood counts in the hopes that while lowering them, the cancer blasts will lower also to the point of remission. Now, what is remission? When I first heard that word, I really asked our doctor what it is. I don't like to be lost in all medical terminologies so I want it to be explained to me as simply as possible, in terms that I can relate to. So here, I will also try to do that.
So back to remission. It's like a decrease of all cancer symptoms. In Lito's case, there should be zero cancer blasts with normal blood counts that his marrow has produced. Right now, we are monitoring his CBC to determine normal blood counts and so far, other components of the blood are starting to progress and go within normal values but his WBC counts are still low. The WBCs are the soldiers of the blood, they fight off infection. So, when your WBC counts are low, it is best to stay away from any infection. Now, you'll understand why our ninja is in isolation. A little cough or cold will alert his WBCs and since they are not enough, it will just complicate Lito's condition.
While there is remission of cancer cells, it is not a guarantee that it won't come back, thus we are trying all possible options, including stem cell transplant.
So, our doctor advised us that it will be best to have the biopsy in Manila instead. All necessary preparations are done-- plane tickets, hotel bookings, doctor appointments. We will fly on the 7th together with his siblings, have the biopsy, check-up and matching on the 8th and go back on the 9th. On the 10th, we will have a second and higher dose of his chemotherapy to really fight off any other cancer blast before the stem cell implantation.
For the meantime, Lito is having a grand vacation at his room, playing all day with his computer, watching Season 1 of the Big C-- seriously, a must-watch, and just dozing off every now and then. And the appetite-- still at its best. Especially when we had the Nang Senyang lumpia madness yesterday. It was crayyy--zyyy! For Alphonsians, this is a familiar treat but for those who don't know what this is, you better head off to Lapu-Lapu City, and find out where the famous Nang Senyang lumpias are.
In our gratitude to the years of street food ingenuity, that of Nang Senyang, we pay tribute to her being like a mama to us, for the years of giving us small discounts, extra lumpia, extra puso.. small for some but are tattooed here in our hearts. Eating the lumpia is not just a simple sauce dip to mouth bites but it is actually an art. So, listen to Lito's short tutorial about how we eat the LEGENDARY lumpia of Manang Senyang...
to manang senyang: thank you for the prayers and concern.
this is added marketing just to show our gratitude hehe
So anyway, that's just a status update. I ask you to still pray not just for remission but for cure. Not just for Lito, but for everyone who's facing the same battle.
God bless us all.
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| lunch ready |
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| dip in legendary Senyang sauce.. |
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| devour.. nyam nyam nyam.. |
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| kick-ass TV series.. |
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| 3D glasses- on! |
