From Hospital Bed to 8K: A 3-Month Check-In

From dragging my left side to finishing 8.04 km today, something I attempted to do maybe three or four times pre-stroke. I’d say that’s a pretty solid plot twist. It was a Sunday, too, which is when I’m supposed to do my long runs. The irony hit me while I was in the CR doing a #2. Not even kidding.

another Sunday at Bentang's

Link to what I wrote about my STROKE (while at the hospital): STROKED

Link to my recovery: STROKE RECOVERY

I now weigh 57.6 kg, which is more than 10 kg lighter than when I was hospitalized. I’ve also gained a bit of muscle in my arms and legs from moving daily and exercising at least 30 minutes a day.

My meals, especially on weekdays, are all homemade and usually look like this:

Breakfast: Overnight oats with chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds, walnuts, Greek yogurt, and nonfat milk

OR lugaw with boiled egg, turmeric, pepper, lots of ginger and garlic, spring onions, and chicken breast

Lunch: Any protein like chicken breast or lean pork loin, and salad (usually tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce)

I made spicy cabbage rolls one time. It has chicken breast, potatoes, carrots, green peas, sayote.

my husband's fave: roasted pork loin wrap, wwith cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, cream cheese, and wasabi paste

Pre-run fuel: Whole wheat bread with peanut butter, or boiled saba, or boiled camote

Dinner: Fish or chicken breast with utan bisaya or munggos (with everything on it (no meat), basically still utan bisaya) and kimchi, half cup of mais

My husband eats the same meals but in larger portions. I also make my own matcha tea. 

Weekends are when we indulge a little by eating out, but we still choose the healthier options. The canton at Bentang is my favorite post-run meal these days!

The result? Over the past three months, all my lab tests have come back normal. The most recent one was described by my doctor as “gwapa kaayo.” I thought she meant me. 😁

I also make sure to sleep early now. No more watching “everything i ate” videos on YouTube at 12 noon, sometimes until 3 PM. I work night shift, so yes, this was bad.

As always, deepest thanks to my husband and family for the overwhelming love and protection. To my doctors and caregivers at Chong Hua, the best hospital in my book. And to my boss, peers, and my amazing team at work, thank you for picking up the slack and for giving me grace as I ease back into this slightly slower version of myself.

AND HUGE HIGH FIVE TO MYSELF! For not giving up. For working hard to recover, even when it gets sooooooo exhausting. For learning about my condition through hours of reading and watching videos. For resisting the temptation to eat my favorite cakes, pata, and chicharon. To be honest, the last part wasn’t that hard. The thought of having a second stroke and going through all of this again is so terrifying, my mouth just shuts itself off at the sight of those foods or when i hear the words deep fried, buttery, creamy. Although, a very small bite won’t hurt once in a while.

I have come so far. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m here, right now, out and about, doing the things I love to do. Here’s a quick video of the huge difference in my progress. I cried while watching my past vids. It wasn't easy!

I am still not 100%. My left side is still a little weak especially my arms/hands but of course I'm going to continue to fight. Ako pa?

As always, thank you for reading this, for indulging me. I hope this helps, inspires, or maybe even scares some of you into facing the very real possibility of a stroke if you’re not taking care of yourself and eating well.

'Til the next blog. 💛

Solo

I spent Sat-Sun without my husband. His team is having a team building activity in Bohol, and if you know me, I never join those. I want my husband to really enjoy without thinking about me, especially after my stroke. I MISS HIM!!!!!

Right now, I'm in Kaayoo Cafe and it's so silent. I'm alone and not used to not having him to talk to about everything, or eavesdrop or just gossip!

This is what I'm having here.

I think this is the most post-stroke friendly food item they have. I was gonna go to Birdseed Breakfast Club but they open late and I’m hungry, so here I am. It's clean. It's silent. It's 8AM so that could be why. The embutido is not dry. I didn't eat the rice and just ate half the embutido and eggs.

Anyway, yesterday after driving my husband and his teammate to Pier 3, my team and I went to IT Park for karaoke. I was afraid I couldn’t handle the noise, especially the bass from the speakers. I was so hesitant to go in and was thinking of walking out the whole time, but I kept thinking about the quote that says not to avoid something just because you’re afraid. So I observed for a little while and actually began enjoying the noise.

My team is hilarious and I was trying so hard not to exert so much energy because I don’t want to go home with just 5% body battery left. I’m a changed person now. Before, I used to still do my long runs with just that much. Yeah, I did abuse my body, but definitely not anymore.

After that we went to Taoist Temple. I’ve been there probably almost 20 years ago. I forgot it had looooong stairs! We made it to the top but not without a few minutes' rest and my knees shaking. My gosh! I need to do an incline walk!

Thanks, Irish, for the photo!

After that I went to an empty and silent home. It's so different without my husband there. I watched some episodes of Desperate Housewives (which I’ve rewatched more than 10 times) and ate my leftover roasted chicken breast, kimchi, utan Bisaya, and lugaw. Had a looong sleep after that.

At around 3:30 AM this morning, I ate my pre-run oatmeal and a slice of wheat bread with peanut butter.

This is my run today!

There’s a running event in Ayala, so I had to park at the office. Sooo happy with my run. This is my longest, even pre-stroke, and I am not tired at all! I walked the first 10 minutes, jogged for 20, walked for 5, and jogged for 20 (repeated 2x).

After here, I’ll again go home to a silent home. Uli na, tweet! 😁

Update: Okay. So I didn't go home. I went grocery shopping for the prep meals. Happy Sunday! Now I'm home. Here's the pic I sent to my husband to show off!

'Til next blog! 💛