A Day In The Life of This Miss

I found this fascinating quote today:

My boyfriend sent me an audio copy of this song a few months ago and I've listened to it multiple times. I fell inlove with the song without even understanding the lyrics. I never bothered to ask him what it means or never made an effort to at least translate it online until today while I'm lying down fervently wishing that I could fall asleep soon. I miss him. It's been more than a week since he flew back to Belgium and we haven't had the luxury of time to talk as we are both catching up with the work we left while on vacation. I cried while reading the English translation. Je l'aime a mourir means "I love you to death" or "I love him/her until the end". This song is originally sung by Francis Cabrel. I'll however share a video of an acoustic version sung by Roxy.Kessa Thea, A Day In The Life of This Miss, Jun 2009

 

Read the entire article through this LINK.

You should read the whole article.

Face and Body Treatments from The Beauty Writer

The Beauty Writer has promised a giveaway and sure is, she's having a blog giveaway. She has with her some gift certificates from Aesthetic Science Clinic for Cosmetic Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. She has a whooping Php10,000 worth of GCs to be given away to one ultra lucky blogger who would be a harbinger of the good news to the blogosphere.

I decided to join because I could very well use this to help treat the pox scars and give me back my radiant face and skin. Ahhhh, how I miss my blemish-free skin...

Anyway, here's what the winner will get:

Diamond Peel worth P1,200 - This innovative non-chemical exfoliation treatment corrects the signs of aging and sun damaged skin with no downtime at all. It also helps in the improvement of acne scars and stretch marks. For optimal results, a series of treatments is advised. It is a safe and therapeutic approach to skin care when done in combination with other facial treatments.

eMax Skin Rejuvenation worth P3,500 for face - uses combined energies for effective and gentle restoration & rejuvenation of skin appearance

Body Scrub with Bleach plus Massage worth P1,400 - A 2-hour relaxing body treatment for softer, smoother and lighter skin. A rich sea salt is blended with the finest oils that has exfoliating properties and is used to remove dead and unwanted skin. A bleaching agent is then applied all over the body.

Reshape worth P4,000 for abdomen/butt and thighs - employs cutting edge RF technology to heat the inner layer of skin to achieve a Total Body Reshaping and sculpting. This revolutionary heat wave therapy will improve your body contour and skin texture to give you that toned, firm look without aggressive exercise or dieting.

Want to be pampered? Here's how you can win:

1. Write about the contest in your blog.
2. Make sure to link your post to Beauty For A Living.
3. Leave a comment informing The Beauty Writer of your post.
4. Wait for 7 days. Contest ends on July 3 midnight and winners will be announced the next day!

Gift certificates are valid until August 31, 2009. Winner may claim the treatments at:

Aesthetic Science Clinic
G/F Jupiter Place, Jupiter Street
Bel-Air, Makati City

Healing Potions

Here are the pictures of the products that I have used so far in the attempt to get rid of scars left by the too-late chicken pox virus that hit me late January.

I use The Face Shop's Ricewater Brightening Foam which I have featured in my other blog. You can read about it here. And oh by the way, while I was in the healing stage of the pox sores, Cetaphil helped a lot. It was a gentle and hypoallergenic wash that does not contain soap. It didn't sting or hurt when used. I used the St. Ives Apricot Scrub on my back and not on my face. It provided a gentle exfoliation for the old skin. I alternately use Bench's Seaweed and Papaya Body Scrub and the Yoko Yogurt scrub that smelled Divine. For maintenance, I use Revlon Aquamarine Lotion with Vitamin E and Elastin.

I am currently using the Olive line of Body Shop right now. It smells clean and so organic. It's a must try (although a lil pricey but every bottle, tube and tub goes a long way.

I use Myra E body lotion when it is a little humid outside and I need to be moisturized. It is nongreasy and smells very good too. I just used a 200ml bottle of this and decided to altogether switch to Aquamarine.

For more inner cleansing and Vitamin E supplement, I am taking 2 gel capsules of Myra 400E everyday. One after breakfast and one after dinner.

And this picture, I could swear and attest to its effectivity although the biggest downside for me is the fishy smell (mainly because it has shark oil). You just have to religiously massage the product and you will see significant difference after a few uses.

Slowly Fading Away

Almost four months since I had the chicken pox, the scars have been slowly fading away already. The real big ones on my back are lightening up. Thanks to all the products that I have used so far. I will be blogging about product reviews of the liquids and creams and scrubs that I have used to try to get my skin back.

Watch out for the blog updates in my other blog by clicking this link.

A Month Plus Three

It has been more than a month since I had the first break-out of lesions and I haven't had fever or any other untoward complications whatsoever. All I have left are some marks on my back. I hope they all disappear soon enough. Summer is here and it would be a frustration to not be able to wear the new outfits I bought. Arrrgh! I really did not mind getting the chicken pox, what I hated was the bad timing. Anyway, I am still using the scar serum and I have seen some great results as the marks have lightened considerably, I have also been religiously taking Vitamin E supplements and my lotion's primary ingredient is also Vitamin E. I also have weekly body scrub sessions. Ah vanity!

Anyway, I infected my lil sis and Uncle Don by the way so they had to deal with the pox as well. Uncle Don got his vaccine 2 days after my lesions appeared so I guess it didn't do really well. He took the generic brand of the pricey medicine I took and he had big lesions on his face. So, if you are thinking of using it too, I suggest go make your wallet cry for a few days and buy the meds I took. My lil sis is undergoing dermatology treatments as well so she could get rid of her pock marks.

I hope I'll never get infected ever again. Ta ta...

Day 15

February 8, 2009 - I have been pleased with how the medicines worked wonderfully to me. Anyway, I am officially over the chicken pox ordeal. I am just dealing now with the scars it left me. I am happy to say I only have one noticeable scar on my left cheek but I don't think it is even a scar, hopefully it will soon disappear in time. Still, the most of the scars are on my back so it is really hard putting the scar serum I am using (Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Vitamin E Scar Serum). It is sold over http://www.drugstore.com/ at $10.99 for the 30ml pump bottle and http://amazon.com/ sells it at $7.95. I hate the smell because it's a little fishy (shark liver oil) but I could care less as long as these scars all disappear in time. I bought mine in a local wellness shop here in Makati and the price has been tripled. But anyway, I didn't have to pay fo shipping or handling fees so I think it's fair enough.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Vitamin E Scar Serum combines five powerful ingredients to reduce the appearance of scars resulting from surgery, injury, burns, acne, stretch marks, C-sections, cuts, scrapes and insect bites.

Cocoa Butter - a superior moisturizer known to diminish the appearance of marks and scars
Vitamin E - a powerful antioxidant that is helpful in reducing scars (24,000 IU's)
Shark Liver Oil & Silicone - deep penetrating emollients which smooth and soften the appearance of scars.
Allium Cepa - helps diminish scar matrix.

I am so ready to go back to work again on Tuesday.

Day 9

February 2, 2009 - I went to the doctor yesterday to have my lesions checked and to get an assessment whether I can go to work or not already. I was told to rest for another 7 days so that I would not be able to infect anyone anymore at work.

Boredom has already sank in and I am running out of things to do at home (in my room) already. I have virtually read all my books and have memorized cable programming from sun-up to sun-down. I have a rather pathetic life right now. Poor me.

Day 5

January 29, 2009 - Today is officially the 5th day of the virus attack. I still am maintaining the meds prescribed by the doctor except for TYLENOL as my fever has already subsided and is maintained at 36 degrees. I have also started taking Myra 300E and Centrum as food supplements since I am not been eating really well because of my sore throat. I also asked Uncle Don to buy me some oranges, kiwis, cabbage and broccoli to facilitate fast healing of the wounds as they are all rich in Vitamin C.

I felt a tinge of self pity while looking at my face in the mirror. And while talking to Kevin I told him I feel so alone and ugly. But the sweet tongue that he is he told me I am not what I felt and that he would love me and would be there for me in sickness and in health. That made me feel a little better and it quelled my drama episode.

Anyway, I do have a few more breakouts but only little ones. I hope they all stop appearing tomorrow.

I think I am on my way to fast recovery. Thanks to my doctor, Dr. Sergei Ledesma and to the nurses who acted so quick when I was rushed to the hospital.

Day 4

January 28, 2009 - I woke up early today with a very sore throat that swallowing anything solid proved to be so painful. I ate beef noodle soup for breakfast and then took my meds and had a quick shower. Ah! Showers are so blissful. When I got out of the bathroom, I was told by my mom and a few friends that I should not be showering so the blisters would heal faster. Well, I don't think I can survive a day without taking a bath. Anyway, I still feel a lil itch on my back and my tummy because of the blisters and I think I have accidentally popped the ones on my back. And yes, I don't wear any bra at all anymore while at home so I won't disturb the little "itch harbingers" and risk getting numerous pock marks.

The blisters have doubled on my face doubled in number already but good thing not in size. I am thankful for that and yes I don't look as ugly as I expected yet. Hahaha! And I haven't combed my hair for the 3rd day today as it hurts when the comb grazes the scalp. Such a pain! So, I have my hair on in a bun almost always. I had homemade beef soup with a little rice for lunch. I had to force myself to eat so I can take the nasty meds. I have stopped taking TYLENOL already.

After lunch, I sprayed Lysol all over my room, every nook and cranny. I am a little paranoid now and I vowed that I will clean my room all over this weekend. I will not leave any corner undisturbed. I have been also thinking that I might have developed a fear for crowded places already and may even reach to a point when I could have a bottle of Lysol in my purse just to make sure I am not acquiring any bad bacteria/virus anymore. I shall call this weekend plan OPERATION: Spritz and Wipe.

I was also able to plant the new lily tubers I bought last Monday. If I delay, they might end up rotten so I had to get up and do something productive for the garden I am growing.

Day 3

January 27, 2009 - My temperature has been swinging up and down and I have been in bed almost all day except for when I go shower and eat. I took a bath four times and it's the best thing I could ever do. The blisters are wee little and not as bad as I expected. I also hve little blisters in my face already. I feel miserable. This is not a good feeling. Sigh!

Chicken Pox: Primer

Source: http://doh.gov.ph ; http://healthscout.com

Cause: “varicella” virus

Varicella, otherwise known as chicken pox, is a generalized infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is an extremely contagious disease that is characterized by a blistery rash. The incubation period (time between exposure to the illness and the appearance of symptoms) of chicken pox is 10 to 21 days. It is contagious for about six to eight days after the rash appears or until all of the blisters have dried out.

Mode of transmission

• person to person by direct contact, droplet or air borne spread of fluid or secretions from persons with chickenpox

• contagious 5 days before and 5 days after the appearance of blisters

Signs and symptoms

• appearance of reddish skin lesions which later become blisters on the 3rd - 4th day of fever

•weakness

• muscle and joint pains

• sudden onset of fever

Immediate treatment

• chickenpox rashes will disappear in 1-2 weeks time even without treatment

• frequent baths are sometimes helpful to relieve itching. Adding finely-ground (colloidal) oatmeal such as Aveeno can help improve itching. Oatmeal baths can be prepared at home also by grinding or blending dry oatmeal into a fine powder and adding about 2 cups to the bath water. One-half to one cup of baking soda may also be added to bath water to reduce itching.

• the most common lotion used for chicken pox is Calamine lotion. This or any similar over-the-counter preparation can be applied to the blisters to help dry them out and soothe the skin.

Prevention and control

• Avoid crowded areas during epidemics

• Isolate known cases

• Vaccine is available as precautionary measure and as per doctor’s advise.

Prevention of Varicella (Chicken Pox)Chicken pox can be prevented through vaccination (now recommended by almost all major national health and public health groups). Recommendations are:

Children and Adolescents:

Healthy children can be vaccinated, optimally at age 12 to 18 months or anytime up until the age of 13, if they have no history of chicken pox. Adolescents 13 years and older who have no history of chicken pox, should receive two doses of vaccine four to eight weeks apart. Duration of immunity after vaccination is not completely known. Re-vaccination with a booster dose may be required to sustain immunity through adulthood.

Adults: Two doses of varicella vaccine four to eight weeks apart are recommended for healthy adults with no history of chicken pox or previous vaccination. Health care workers, daycare workers, employees of colleges or residential facilities, family members of immunocompromised individuals, and others who live or work in environments in which transmission may be easy are particularly encouraged to receive vaccination.

Those who had the disease before are already immune and will not have the disease again.

MUST BUY: Aveeno Oatmeal Bath

Day 2

January 26, 2009 - I woke up feeling a little better than yesterday but still didn't have the appetite to eat. I also observed some little red bumps on my shoulders and the back of my ear. As I didn't know what those blisters were, I rubbed some bath salt over them. (Big mistake!) My head is still itchy and I think I have pricked the bumps. Arrrrgh! I know I shouldn't have done it but blimey I have long nails. I went to the bank with my sister and then shopped again after. I was able to eat lunch at almost 3PM already. After lunch, I started feeling nauseaus again and I didn't want to hear loud music or didn't want to see many people. So, I asked my sister to stop shopping for now and decided to go home. When we reached home, I lounged in my bed wearing just my undergarment for about 2 hours and rested and I observed that the rashes started to multiply. I then went to the shower and washed myself up only to find more red bumps from knee up. We initially suspected it could be measles. I then decided that I need to be checked by a physician and so we went to Makati Medical Center. I was diagnosed by the attending physician in the ER to have chicken pox caused by the varicella zoster virus. I then thought of the possible reason why I had it and it dawned on me that one of the managers at work had chicken pox a few weeks back.

So I guess this is it. After 26 years believing that I could never get infected and that I am superbly healthy, here I am with maybe at least 50 blisters all over my body. I was advised to take ACYCLOVIR 800mg 5x a day to alleviate the effects of the virus, EBASTINE 10mg once a day to lessen the itchiness and TYLENOL 650mg every 4 hours for the fever. I currently have 37.8C temperature. I was also advised by the doctor to avoid getting near someone pregnant.

Yes, I do have the virus now. Who knows who could have I infected already. But one good thing about this happening now is I would not run the risk of acquiring it when I am pregnant myself. Thank heavens! I hope and pray that I will feel better and that I won't have multiple scars. And oh, the nails are short now...

Day 1

January 25, 2009 - I have been feeling really ill a little after lunch. I had a slight fever I know but didn't bother to check and just headed to the shower again to hopefully chase the uncomfortable feeling away. My joints were a little sore and I knew I was very cranky. My scalp was a little itchy too and I felt little bumps to the touch. I was also feeling very nauseaus and had failed attempts to vomit. I went to MOA with my sister so we can shop for some stuff she could bring home on Wednesday. We had dinner but I only ended up eating half a soft corn tortilla with roasted chicken filling. We went home and before I went to bed I took a Paracetamol tablet.