Online doctor's apppointment is the new norm

I noticed last May 20, 2020 (Wed) that I was running out of Metformin (my maintenance medicine for diabetes). I sort of panicked, I had no choice but to give 'online doctor consultation' a try.

Actually pino-prolong ko talaga eh. Few weeks ago pa dapat ako nagbook ng appointment pero dahil may hesitation ako, I called my pharmacist and asked if they could give me an 'emergency prescription refill.' Pwede kasi yun kung ang request mo eh yung maintenance meds mo talaga. Binigyan naman ako pero good for two weeks lang (normally for 30 days eh), then the pharmacist instructed me nga to get a new prescription via call or video appointment.

By the way, wala na nga pala kaming family doctor kaya floating kami ngayon. Our doctor Dr. Sahil Jain, who I really like and feel very comfortable with, went back to Toronto na yata for good. We thought temporary lang, na magpa-paternity leave lang siya nang medyo matagal, but then the other doctor at their clinic advised me to look for another family doctor na. Hay, ang hirap! Tapos natapat pa na pandemic, nag-semi close ang mga clinics. Nandito na rin kami sa Aldergrove ngayon kaya dapat dito na kami makahanap ng new doctor, kaso nga alanganin pa dahil hindi advisable pumunta sa mga clinics at hospitals ngayon (unless emergency) dahil sa Covid-19.

Hence, the proliferation of virtual clinics. Kahit naman daw sa Pinas uso na rin ang online consultation.

Grabe talaga ang hesitation ko sa online consultation, ewan ko ba. Mas gusto ko syempre ang face-to-face. Pero dahil prescription lang naman nga ang kailangan ko, walang ibang magagawa.

I've been seeing a lot of "doctors online" sites dito sa BC (just google online doctors canada/BC) pero dahil itong VivaCare ang medyo familiar sa akin (dahil nagki-clinic sila sa mga Walmart), sige ito na lang.

Ang dali lang palang magbook. You just need to ready your Personal Health Number (PEN). Pili ka lang ng date at time na gusto mo. Sobrang daming available dates and time, hindi kagaya ng sa physical clinics na pahirapan magbook. I chose a 3:45pm appointment the following day (May 21). I just chose the "prescription" option nga pala tapos nilagay ko yung mga medicines na kailangan ko.

NOTE: If you're not a BC resident, they will charge you $150 pala for the consultation. Shaiks!

 I received an email afterwards, providing me a meeting link.

The next day, I received another email reminding me of my appointment.

And 28 minutes before my appointment, may reminder na naman via text. 

Tapos after aroun 3:35, may nagtext again, saying: "the doctor is available now." I was waiting na rin naman so clicked the meeting link in the email.

I first talked to a receptionist/nurse who just verified if I am indeed Celeste Blanco. Tapos tinransfer nya na ako sa virtual waiting room. A few seconds later, kausap ko na ang doctor, who I thought will be female (kasi babae ang name ng assigned physician sa email eh).

The consultation only took a few minutes. After saying hi and hello, he just asked me kung kelan pa ako nagstart magtake ng Metformin at kung may allergy ako sa mga gamot na nirequest ko (I also asked for my cholesterol meds). He also asked me kung ano ang current blood sugar ko, I answered that I haven't had it checked yet because I am afraid to go to the lab. But I am sure that it is high because I've been eating a whole lot more during this quarantine period.

And it's done, ifoforward nya na raw yung prescription to my pharmacist. I put my pharmacy details nga rin pala when I booked my appointment. I chose the pharmacy located insider our kapitbahay-grocery store Frescho para malapit lang.

Before we hang up nga pala, I asked him if he could access my file kasi may gusto akong itanong about my gallstone surgery (Yep, I have gallstones! Ang daming sakit noh?). Ang sabi nya walang access ang telehealth doctors sa ibang health records namin. Ganun pala yun.

Hay nakatapos din! The experience was not as 'dreadful' as I thought it would be pero syempre mas gusto ko pa rin ng normal face-to-face consultation. Pero baka nga ito na ang "new normal" talaga sa ngayon. But I admit na mas madali ito kung prescription refill lang ang kailangan, ang bilis eh. Walang kahassle-hassle. Very accessible din ang doctors, kahit within the day pwede.

I called on the pharmacy after and asked kung naforward na sa kanila yung prescription ko. Yes daw. I asked my husband to pick up my medicines na lang para hindi na ako lalabas. So easy!

NOTE: We actually don't pay anything for our prescription medicines. Pinapaluwalan lang namin tapos pinapa-reimburse online sa health insurance provider namin. Ia-upload lang ang receipts tapos after a few days, papasok na sa bank account namin yung reimbursement. =)

High Cholesterol

In addition to Metformin for my diabetes, nagsimula na rin akong mag-take nito since July 19.

Yep, maintenance meds to lower high cholesterol. Nang magsabog yata ang mundo ng sakit, sinalo ko na lahat. Mag-39 pa lang ako pero may mga gamot na ako for life. Whew!

Kasali sa blood works ko ang cholesterol last July 7 and just as I had expected, mas tumaas pa ang cholesterol level ko kesa last December. Sa dami ba naman ng nilaklak kong isaw sa Pinas. I am to be blamed, I know. Wala talaga akong disiplina.

From 6.14 in December 30, 2017, 6.57 na siya ngayon. Normal is between 2.00 to 5.19. Very high na daw talaga kung tutuusin. Walang epekto ang fish oil ha. My doctor gave me a month to lower my cholesterol, tapos magpakuha daw uli ako ng dugo. When I asked him papano kung hindi pa rin bumaba, no choice na raw kundi mag-take ako ng gamot. I told him resetahan na niya ako kasi mukhang di ko naman kakayanin.

I want to be realistic. The only solution for my cholesterol level to drastically lower down is for me to significantly cut down on red meat and fried foods. Ano pa ang pwede kong kainin kung ganun? Since I am diabetic, talagang konting carbs na lang ang kinakain ko. At para ako mabusog, talagang nilalakasan ko sa ulam o protein.

It's actually hard to live here in Canada kapag hindi ka talagang taga-dito. I've had a Filipina doctor in Edmonton two years ago and I won't forget our last conversation. Noon pa lang kasi nakita na na medyo mataas ang cholesterol ko.

Ang sabi niya, sa talagang maggagamot na lang ang mga Pinoy dito sa Canada dahil nga sa nature ng pagkain. Mostly greasy, high in carbs and calories, processed. Ano bang healthy ang pwedeng kainin dito sa totoo lang? Salad lang yata. To be honest, hindi naman salad-eating ang average Pinoy (ako hindi kumakain ng salad). Hindi tayo mabubuhay nang yan lang. Ang mga isda naman na nabibili dito na galing Asia, puro frozen na. At dahil frozen, usually ipiprito mo na lang kasi hindi naman masarap sabawan. Super mahal din ang Asian vegetables dito tapos ang lalaki ng pack. Kung magluluto ka ng chopsuey, sobrang laki ng magagastos mo sa dami ng ingredients na kailangan. Sana kung marami kayong kakain. Pinakamura na talagang iulam ang karne sa totoo lang.

Tapos dahil mabilisan ang buhay dito, pinaka-convenient talagang kumain ng mga instant food (noodles, canned goods). Pinakamadaling luto rin ang prito. Sa case namin, ako lang ang kumakain ng mga niluluto kong may sabaw kaya nakakatamad magluto sa totoo lang. Yung anak ko puro pritong galunggong at manok lang kaya madalas sinasabayan ko na lang. Ang sabi ng doktor ko, mag-ihaw na lang daw ako instead na magprito. Ang tedious kaya nun, tapos good for one person lang iihawin ko for lunch halimbawa? Eh madalas gutom na gutom na ako by lunch time tapos magluluto pa ako ng ibang pagkain para sa anak ko tapos susubuan ko pa. Kung may nabibilhan lang sana ng lutong ulam dito sa tabi-tabi na parang sa Pinas, ayos sana.

Basta ang punto ko, ang hirap mag-healthy-eating dito lalo na sa puntong ito ng buhay ko huhu. Kaya talagang tinanggap ko na na maggagamot na lang ako. Pero siyempre pipilitin ko namang bawasan ang pagkain ng mga bawal na pagkain pero I doubt it kung talagang maiiwasan ko totally. Kahit ang nanay ko naiintindihan ang sitwasyon ko. Siya nga raw na nasa Pinas na eh hindi na rin malaman kung ano ang kakainin, ako pa ba na very limited ang food options dito.

Hay, diabetes at high cholesterol. Apart from my unhealthy lifestyle, namana ko rin ang mga sakit na yan sa magulang ko. Pero buti na nga lang at hindi ako "high blood" na katulad ng nanay ko. Bata pa lang ako eh low blood na talaga ako. Sana Po talaga hindi magbago.

July 19, 2019

I am grateful though kasi covered naman ng health insurance namin ang maintenance meds ko kaya hindi ko pinoproblema ang additional gastos. Kung nasa Pinas siguro ako, sobrang manghihinayang ako sa pera. Ang sabi ng nanay ko, Php52 ang isang piraso nung cholesterol medicine niya. Hindi birong halaga yun ha.

Pero dito pala sa Canada, usually 'generic' lang yata ang gamot. Basta ibibigay mo lang ang prescription sa Pharmacy tapos sila na ang bahalang mag-dispense. Unlike sa Pinas na makakapili ka (o ang doktor mo) ng brand na iinumin mo.

Kaya kung titingnan mo, mura lang naman pala ang cholesterol medicine ko for 90 days. $23.17 lang o Php926.80 (around Php10.30 per day). Mas mura pa nga sana yan kung walang dispensing fee na $10.

Yun nga pala, sa bawat prescription medicine na bibilhin mo dito, may $10 silang china-charge. Kahit na good for one month lang halimbawa (o 30 pieces), $10 pa rin ang babayaran mo. So better na imaximize mo na ng for 3 months para tipid. Good for three months lang ang maximum na pwede nilang ibigay eh.

Sa ibang health insurance companies, may co-pay. Minsan 20% ang share ng patient. Buti sa insurance namin (sa company ni Daddy Ford), sinasagot nila ng 100%. May health spending allowance kami in a year at iyon lang ang dapat naming iconsume. Malaki naman sya kaya hindi naman basta mauubos. Kailangan mo lang munang paluwalan sa pagbayad tapos irereimburse nila kaagad through bank deposit kapag nasubmit mo na ang resibo online. =)

Medical Services Plan of British Columbia

We moved to Surrey, British Columbia last October 2, 2016. Unlike in Alberta where you are covered the moment you moved there, we had to wait for 3 months to be eligible for BC's health care.

Just a few weeks ago, my husband informed me that we are already "covered." (By the way, I had to write to Health BC to explain why my son and I will be 'away' from BC for five and a half months). I was grateful but 'disappointed' at the same time.

Why, we have to pay $150 per month as premium for our Medical Services Plan!

Waaah! Another reason why I want to go back to Edmonton.

Bigla talaga kasi akong nanghina. I mean, on top of additional 7% provincial tax on goods, eto at me additional monthly bill kami. We are now paying the maximum premium (for those with above $42,000 net income) of $75 per adult (hence, $150). We don't have to pay for Nathan as there are no premiums for children under the age of 19.

Ford argues na meron din namang "bayad" talaga ang health sa Alberta, naka-imbibe lang sa income tax. Mas mababa daw ang income tax sa British Columbia.

Oh well, we will find that out this April when we submit our income tax returns. Pero sa ngayon, hindi ko pa talaga masabing gusto ko na sa BC.

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NOTE: I consider $150 a 'big' amount already. When you are living in Canada (especially on a single income), every dollar counts.

The story of Chicklet's birth

My cervix was still closed as of my last OB-GYN check up last November 10, 2014 (Monday). The doctor informed me that I'll already be induced that coming Thursday (November 13) because I have gestational diabetes and we can no longer delay the delivery. She instructed me meet her at the Misericordia Community Hospital before 7am. She's a woman of few words and just told me to wait for a call from the hospital on Thursday morning to know if there are rooms and staff available.

When I met Ford at the reception area (he doesn't go with me on the check-up room) and informed him that I'll be induced in three days, he couldn't help but smile. As in happy smile talaga. Naiinip na kasi talaga siyang makita ang baby. Ako naman, sobrang kabado. Inasmuch as I was excited too, di naman maiwasan na matakot kasi ako ang manganganak.

Sa totoo lang, ang gulo ng instructions ng doktor. Our brief conversation in the clinic went like this:

(After checking my cervix)
Doctor -- Your cervix is still closed. We would have to induce you on Thursday.
Ces -- This coming Thursday?
Doctor -- Yes. I'll meet you at the hospital before 7 in the morning.
Ces -- (Still unfamiliar with induction procedure) Does that mean I'll already give birth on that day?
Doctor -- We don't know. 
Ces -- (Suko na sa pagiging matipid sa salita ng doktor) Ahh ok.
Doctor -- A nurse from the hospital will call you on Thursday to inform you if there's available room and staff. Just wait for their call. I'll see you there. Bye.

Yep, that's it. I wasn't even sure at first if she said "Thursday" tatawag ang nurse. Sabi nya magmeet kami ng umaga ng Thursday, bakit sa Thursday lang din tatawag ang hospital?

I texted my friend Cecil who had already experienced birth induction with that doctor in 2012. Sabi niya talagang sa umaga ng Thursday din tatawag ang hospital. But we have to prepare early because the doctor is very strict.  Fine, talagang aagahan namin.

The day before the induction, I took my last preggy selfie. I was having mixed feelings then. I felt somewhat relieved that I will finally be over with pregnancy (admittedly, being pregnant for nine months is tiring). Yet I also felt a bit of sadness because I will no longer carry Chicklet in my womb. Magkakahiwalay na kami. And I asked myself as well, 'will I miss being pregnant?' This could be my first and last pregnancy kasi. Kung ako talaga ang masusunod, ayaw ko ng magbuntis pa uli. I am contented with Chicklet na eh.

After preparing everything that we have to bring to the hospital, I tried to get some rest. But I wasn't able to really sleep that night. I was anxious, I was nervous. I was scared of giving birth. Duwag talaga ako eh. And I didn't know if I could make it without my mother by my side.

November 13, 2014. I took a shower at around 4am and ate breakfast after. We were ready to leave by 6:00 am. My parents-in-laws woke up early to see us first. They wanted to come but we told them only one companion is allowed. I promised them that Ford will pick them us as soon as I have given birth so they can meet their grandson.

I had to entertain myself on the way to the hospital to kill the nervousness. To warn you, I look BAD in all my pictures here. Puyat kasi at sobrang kabado.

It was a very cold morning. Around -10c siguro. We arrived at the hospital at 6:16 am.

And because it's not 7:00 am yet, we had to go to the emergency entrance. It was then that I received a call from the nurse informing me that I have an 8:00 am schedule for that day. I told her that we were already in the parking lot because the doctor instructed me to meet her there before 7:00 am. Medyo naguluhan siya but since nandoon na nga kami, sinabihan kaming pumunta na sa 3rd floor after registering.

There's a patient registration area at the Emergency entrance and when we told a nurse that I am scheduled for an induction that morning, she put me on a wheelchair while we wait for the admitting staff,

Being on a wheelchair made me more nervous. 'This is it,' I uttered to myself.

Pero nang dumating yung staff, sinabihan kami na sa Main Admitting na lang pumunta since hindi naman kami "emergency" at iba ang procedure sa pag-admit sa mga non-emergency patients. Magbubukas na rin naman daw yun ng 6:45 am.

Then she added:

Staff -- Why are you on wheel chair? 
Ces -- I don't know. The nurse put me here.
Staff -- You don't have to be on the wheel chair. You can just walk going to the main lobby.

Ay ganun naman pala. But how I wished they let me use the wheelchair. I was trembling na kasi as we proceeded to main lobby. Sobrang kabado na.

The registration office was still closed when we reached the main lobby and we had to wait for a few more minutes.

My records were already in their system so registration was fast and easy. I've learned that only two (including me) were scheduled for birth induction that day. I was happy, at least hindi sila busy.

By the way, we were asked about our room preference. I've been hoping and praying for months na sana may available na private room so that Ford does not have to go home at 11pm and leave me alone at the hospital. Ganun kasi sa ward at semi-private rooms.

Thankfully, mukhang meron ngang available noong nag-register kami. Pero hindi pa rin daw sure, we'll only know after kong manganak at kailangan ng dalhin sa room.

According to the staff, a semi-private room costs $96 while a private room costs $120. A theme room naman yata is $200. Yung ward na pang-apatan ang libre.

Our extended insurance (Blue Cross Saskatchewan) only covers a semi-private room. We of course chose a private room, babayaran na lang namin yung $24 differential (which is not bad).

After registering, diretso na kami sa Maternity Unit sa 3rd Floor. Nakatambay lang ang mga nurse sa nurse station, mukhang hindi nga sila busy. When they saw us, inentairtain naman nila kami kaagad.

We were led to one of the birthing rooms and I was asked to undress and just wear the hospital gown. Pagkapasok sa room, I already felt that my husband was uneasy. Haha, kabado na rin. I teased him, sabi ko ang yabang yabang niya dati na siya pa ang puputol sa pusod ni Chicklet pero ayun at iiinduce pa lang ako ay namumutla na siya.

I asked him to just leave the room or hide kapag may gagawin sa akin. Ayoko rin kasi siyang makita, baka manghina rin ako. Gusto kong mga medical professionals na lang ang kaharap ko para hindi ko na problemahin ang asawa ko.

It was still early so we still had to wait for my OB-GYN. They placed an electronic fetal monitor on me (a non-stress test daw) to check on my baby.

They kept on checking my cervix (which was very painful) but it was so stubborn, closed pa rin talaga. At around 7:50 am, my doctor arrived (with two nurses) and checked on my cervix once again. She went out and came back alone at 8:00 and induced me so quickly. She used a cervidil induction on me. Cervidil is a vaginal insert used for starting or continuing cervical opening. It is a small rectangular pouch with a retrieval cord similar to the cord on a tampon.

The procedure was fast but very painful. I was really shouting in pain. My doctor left immediately after that without saying a thing (I told you, she's not that talkative lol!).

After five minutes, a nurse arrived and started to explain to me the procedure that will be done to me. She was shocked when I told her that I've been induced already. Apparently, my doctor didn't inform them and I could sense that she was pissed haha!

They observed me for the next two hours. They asked me to lay by my side. I felt nothing extraordinary.

Then the nurse informed us that we can go home for the mean time. I was hesitant, I wanted to stay in the hospital. Tutal nandun na rin lang naman kami. But the nurse told us that it will be more comfortable for me if I stay home in the next couple of hours since sa bahay may TV, internet, etc. Fine.

We were instructed to return by 8:00 pm that night (12 hours after I got induced). I was also asked to call them by 2:00 pm to report how I am feeling. They advised me to rest well and get some sleep because what will follow is a "very long night."

I asked the nurse if I can eat. A light meal, she replied.

I asked my husband if we can drop by T&T Supermarket (WEM) because I want to eat beef noodles. I wasn't sure kung nagluto din kasi ang mga biyenan ko. They were of course expecting na mag-stay na kami sa hospital hanggang makapanganak ko.

We went home right after eating, to the surprise of my in-laws. I went to bed and tried to rest. But of course, I couldn't sleep. I was terrified.

A little past 2:00 pm, I called the hospital to inform the nurse that I am ok. No extraordinary feeling whatsoever.

After I put the phone down, I went to the bathroom to poop. I was feeling the menstrual-like cramps na. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko ma-identify kung contractions na nga ba yun or what. Basta ang nabasa ko, one might feel the cramps daw after ma-induce. It was beginning to get so painful that I asked Ford to list the time for me -- 2:20 pm.

A few more minutes and I couldn't take it anymore. I told Ford that we have to go back to the hospital asap. I wanted to take a shower pero hindi ko na talaga kaya.

Namimilipit na talaga ako sa sakit on the way to the hospital. Umaatake ang contractions every 2 minutes lang yata. Sobrang sakit na talaga. Sa may emergency entrance na kami dumaan. I couldn't walk anymore so Ford had to get a wheelchair.

I was brought back to the maternity section of the hospital. Around 3pm na yun. Pinahiga ako sa kama, chineck, tinusukan ng morphine. I was expecting to get better because of that morphine pero parang walang epekto. Napakasakit talaga. Walang magawa kahit anong pacify sa akin ng mga nurses.

They made me take the shower. Morphine works better daw with hot shower. I didn't want to pero sige, sinubukan ko. I was in the shower for almost an hour pero mas nahirapan lang ako. Again, no words can describe the pain. Nakalupasay na ako sa shower room. Sabi ko sa nurse ayaw ko na. Sapilitan pa bago ako pinayagan.

They wouldn't want me back in bed kahit nagmamakaawa na ako. It's better daw kung nakaupo ako or naglalakad. I sat but I felt worse. They made me sit on a birthing ball. Again, walang effect. Mas nahirapan lang ako.

I was shouting in pain. Contractions every 2-3 minutes, imagine that. According sa nabasa ko, mas masakit ang contractions kapag ininduce.

For the so many hours that followed, I was crying and shouting. The funny part was that I had to translate pa my emotions in English so that the Caucasian nurses would understand. Instead of "Ang Sakit!", I said "Ouch! Ouch!" or "I can't take it anymore!" or "I'll die!" Lol!

I really can't believe na natiis ko ang ilang oras ng sakit. They can't put the epidural anesthesia yet because my cervix wasn't 4-5cm dilated yet.

At 9:00 pm, my cervix was already "ready" so they called the anesthesiologist. But to my disappointment, the doctor on duty that night was busy in the operating room! They had to call another doctor but he would arrive after 45 minutes pa daw! I wanted to cry harder! Forty-five more minutes of severe pain! I was begging the nurse, baka kako may magagawa pa kahit alam kong wala naman.

Thankfully, the doctor arrived at around 9:30 pm (wala pang 45 minutes). I felt so relieved. Malaking bagay yung ilang minuto na difference talaga eh. He prepared the big injections but I didn't care. Wala ng mas sasakit pa sa nararamdaman ko. Ford went out the room, natakot sa malalaking injections.

The doctor made me sit and warned me na makakailang contractions pa rin ako bago maisaksak ang anesthesia. He reminded me na wag gumalaw or else uulitin ang procedure. Ang problema, makilitiin ako sa likod. I couldn't sit still. Nahirapan talaga ang anethesiologist. Buti na lang mabait at patient yung nurse na nag-assist sa akin.

Mabilis lang pala ang magtake-effect ang anesthesia. Habang ginagawa pa lang yung procedure ay gumiginhawa na ako. After a few minutes, hindi ko na maramdaman ang contractions. "The worst part is over," I told myself.

I lied down on bed and they put the external fetal heart rate monitor again. The nurse then prepared all the paraphernalia needed for my delivery.

At almost 11:00 pm, while I was waiting to go into labor, Dr. Roy (OB-GYNE-in-duty that night) and some nurses came inside to talk to us. She said they've noticed some 'irregularity' on my baby's heart beat. Bumibilis daw ng sobra and they are worried. To double check, they have to insert something (I don't know the term) on my vajayjay that will touch the baby's head na para malaman kung talagang mabilis. If 'positive,' I would have to undergo and emergency C-section daw.

I was speechless. Lahat ng pains na dinanas ko the past hours ay bumalik sa akin. Kung kelan ok na ako saka ako mase-ceasarian?

After a few minutes, the doctor talked to us again. Talagang may problema sa heartbeat so no choice but to have that dreadful C-section. I was worried about the baby though. All along ok naman siya, ba't biglang nagkaproblema? I calmed myself. Nasa hospital na kami so we are safe.

Since it was already past 11:00, I asked the doctor if they could operate on me past midnight na tutal ilang minuto lang naman. Para kako maging November 14 ang birthday ng baby haha! Naisip ko na kasi after kong ma-anesthesia na 14 na talaga ako manganganak. I prefer it than 13 saka mas maganda kung 11-14-14 ang birthday, hindi ba? Parang yung kasal namin - 1-12-12.

But the doctor and the nurses just 'laughed' at me haha! They couldn't risk the baby na raw so kailangan mailabas siya as soon as possible. Di bale, sa ibang Canadian province daw (I forgot kung ano yung sinabi nila), past 12 midnight na kaloka!

To cut the story short, I signed the waiver agreeing for a C-section and they prepared na the operating room. I asked if i could sleep during the procedure (I am so coward) but they said I have to be awake. Pumikit na lang daw ako. Alam ko na rin naman yun kasi nabasa ko na, baka lang lumusot hehe.

A nurse shaved me down there and in a few more minute, they already brought me to the operating room. I was so nervous. Hindi ko na rin makita si Ford noon. We already informed the nurses and the doctor that my husband won't come with us because he is nervous. I just asked them to inform him right after I deliver.

It was my first time na mapasok sa operating room. I was really nervous pero dahil naka-anesthesia na ako, kalmado na rin kahit papano. Saka the most painful part was over, I wanted to see my son na rin.

I closed my eyes the whole time. Dinagdagan nila ang anesthesia ko. Wala talaga akong naramdaman, naririnig ko lang na mga salita ng doctor and nurses.

At 11:41pm, lumabas na si Nathan. All I could hear was his loud cries. Nakakaloka, 'eskandalosong bata' sabi ko sa sarili ko haha! I was very happy kasi wala akong narinig na ano mang problema o concern. Just "Oh he's so cute!" The nurses were genuinely excited. Siya lang daw kasi ang pinanganak nila that day.

After siyang linisan, he was brought to me. I wanted to touch him pero hindi ko magalaw ang kamay ko kasi nagna-numb dahil sa pagkakadipa sa operating table. A nurse told me na parang may urine na yata so they had to suck it first before they made him cry.

I was so happy and thankful! Yehey, nakaraos na ako! And my baby looked "normal"! Pero masyado lang siyang kulay red talaga haha!

Dr. Roy and a nurse continued in 'closing' me while I was wondering kung nasaan na ang asawa ko. Gusto kong makita niya agad si Chicklet! Naisip ko din na sayang, walang picture si Chicklet habang pinapanganak ko.

The entire C-section only took around 30 minutes. Then I was brought to the recovery room. I asked the nurse to look for my husband.

And so, here's Nathan's first ever picture! He was so tiny and so cute!

I looked so ugly, I know! Mag-contractions ka ba naman ng pitong oras.

My husband couldn't say anything when he saw his son. Medyo nasha-shy pa nga siyang lumapit haha! But he was very happy and proud, I could see it in his eyes. Ayaw lang masyadong magpakita ng emosyon haha!

After around thirty minutes, I was brought into my room na. I was so thirsty, buti na lang may nakaready na na iced water. After I was settled, I called my Mamoosh and informed her na nakapanganak na ako. How I wish she was with me during that time.

My pregnancy journey has ended. I was thrilled. I am a mother, finally.

Thank you, Saskatchewan Blue Cross!

I had my first check-up with a diabetes specialist Dr. Lawrence Lim last August 28, 2014 at the Misericordia Hospital Diabetes Center. I was happy because "my numbers" (i.e. blood sugar test results) were all within the normal range. Sino ba naman ang gustong mag-insulin?

Dr. Lim instructed me to keep on testing my blood glucose level at least twice a week (six times a day). He issued me a prescription for my supplies. They already gave me a free glucometer when I took the diabetes session the week before. Nakakatuwa kasi sa Pilipinas kailangan mo pang bilhin iyon. Dito libre lang pala.

There are so many pharmacies here in Edmonton but we ended up buying the supplies in Walmart Pharmacy. Nandoon na rin naman kasi kami.

When you buy prescription medicines here, they will ask you first if you have an extended insurance. Luckily, we do! My husband's company gives good employee benefits so we are thankful.

Though health care is free, an extended health insurance is necessary for medicines, dental, etc. which are not covered by Alberta Health.

My name (as a dependent) is at the back lol!

We were confident that we could get my supplies for free (or at least we'll just pay 20% of the total cost). But then the pharmacy assistant informed us that we have to pay in full because our insurance does not cover it.

Ha? How come? We've checked Blue Cross Saskatchewan's website and it states there that diabetes supplies are covered. I also remembered that majority of my classmates in the diabetes class have extended health insurance that covers these supplies. Bakit kami hindi? The pharmacy assistant told me that it has something to do with my "non-insulin use" which I didn't understand.

We had no choice but to pay $90+. I was so disheartened. Unexpected expense eh.

My husband told me not to worry. "It's just $90," he said. But he couldn't pacify me. One of the reasons why I like it here in Canada is their health care. We are not supposed to pay $90! My husband is paying so much tax and insurance fees already. $90 is still $90. That could buy a lot of things na for our Baby Chicklet noh.

In my mind, naisip ko na na kailangan kong magtipid sa paggamit ng test strips. Grrr.

When we got home, Ford immediately checked on Blue Cross' website and later filed an online claim. He'll know the results daw in five business days. August 29 noon (Friday).

Yesterday noon while having lunch, I asked Pod kung ano na ang balita sa 'claims' namin. Sabi ko lagpas na sa five business days, dapat my sagot na sila by that day kasi five days na (holiday ang September 1). Wala pa raw.

But then that night, pagdating na pagdating niya sa bahay, he was excitedly shouting: "Sige Bimbim magtusok ka na ng magtusok!" 

He received the refund check na pala for the $90!

Whoaah, that was fast! Agad-agad! And they reimbursed the full amount, not just 80%. We've already tried claiming for my medicines in the past and we had to pay 20% as 'participation fee.'

Now I am at peace haha! Bumalik na ang trust and confidence ko sa magandang health care system dito sa Canada! And I am impressed with the very fast and non-hassle mode of claiming from insurance companies. Kung nasa Pinas ito, aabutin ka ng santo-santo.

Thank you so much for being so reliable, Saskatchewan Blue Cross! You made my day! =)

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NOTE: Next time sa ibang pharmacy na lang kami bibili, Medyo parang kulang sa knowledge and malituhin yung taga-Walmart eh.