Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Seeing the light at the end of my Carpal Tunnel

I can't remember exactly when it started.  In 2005, I was diagnosed as having cervical myalgia due to cervical fusion and spinal stenosis which required me to undergo rehabilitation at Manila Doctors Hospital.  A few years after, I transferred location but continued with the PT sessions.  Then when I had a check up with another rehab doctor, I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).  This is not a good thing, given that my job required me to create ad materials, brochures and events-whatchamacallits.  Changed career and went to banking operations.  Less strain on my hands, particularly the right hand.  However, it was already too late since based on my last EMG-NCV, the CTS has progressed and physical therapy is no longer applicable to my condition.  It is either I wear a splint for a lifetime or have a CTS Release Surgery.  My doctor also warned me of muscle wasting which may lead to the thumb being useless. It was a no-brainer decision, surgery it is! I'd rather have a miniscule operation scar on my hands than having useless hands.

So on January 7, 2011, I had my CTS Release Surgery under location anesthesia at Manila Doctors Hospital with Dr. Agbayani Jr.  Both hands are affected but my right hand will be operated first because it's condition is more grave than the left hand. First, I was prepped then anesthesized then sliced and tendons cut-off.  My travel time from the South to Manila Doctors and my stay at the patient's waiting room area was even longer than the time it took for the actual operation.  My left hand was bound in a soft material and bandage-wrap. 

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A sweet deal

Got acquainted with "deals" when I learned to use Facebook.  I clicked one ad on the sidebar and I was led to Cashcashpinoy.com. I signed up and a few days after I received a notice on Sofitel Philippines' Spiral Restaurant Buffet Deal.  No time to think twice, I bought three vouchers for this deal. It was so easy to make the purchase as I was given the option to buy through my credit card or make payment over-the-counter with their selected partner banks.

So on October 30, my mom, my son and I went to Sofitel during lunch time to make use of the vouchers.  We don't have a car but commuting is no problem since Sofitel is very accessible by public transportation.  The ever reliable Orange Cabs/Jeeps (which have been in existence since I was a kid) makes a stop in front (or rather at the side) of the hotel.  At the Spiral's reception area, there was a queue so we lined up and waited for our turn.  The people ahead of us were made to wait until seats are available so I thought that we also had to wait since I did not make a reservation.  But when I presented the vouchers, the hotel staff just had to tick-off the number from their list and we were whisked to our seats.  No need to be in the waiting list.


I've dine at Spiral before and I am really looking forward to introducing my son to the different cuisines.  We chow down on Chinese, Mediterranean, Continental, Japanese and other whatchamacallit food.  Of course, desserts are not forgotten.  It was really a feast! However, I failed to have my first foie gras because everytime I went to the French section, the foie gras is just about to be cooked so I went to other sections and when I went back, the foie gras had been snatched by other guests.  But overall, the Spiral deal was a great experience.


Facebook also (indirectly) introduced me to Buyanihan.com through a blog on online deals. I also signed up and snagged my first deal which was the Pasta Box set meal of P135 (value of P300) consisting of Pasta, Panini and Bottomless Sago't Gulaman or Iced Tea.  Pasta Box is located at The Collective, a warehouse-converted-to-entrepreneur shops in Malugay Street in Makati.  I had to ask directions from the staff of other shops so it took me several minutes to locate the Pasta Box.  I'm familiar with the area but not with the store/shop layout of The Collective and the signage of the Pasta Box is not visible from the hallway.  I went inside the store and found it to be small yet cozy, the house music was played at the right volume.  I presented my Buyanihan coupon to the store owner and I was offered by her staff with the menu.  I chose Putanesca for my Pasta, Pinoy Panini and Sago't Gulaman. 

I'm not much of a "sweets" person, I don't put sugar in my choco drink, I'm not fond of cakes or chocolates but the Sago't Gulaman was too bland for my taste.  I think  they forgot to put sugar/syrup in the drinks.  The Pinoy Panini was served hot and with cassava chips on the side.  This is one great Sandwhich, combining adobo flakes and kesong puti.  Really yummy! The Puttanesca has the right combination of tangy and salty taste. I love the olives and capers.  The meal is a great bargain at P135. I wasn't able to finish-off the pasta as much as I would have wanted too coz I'm already full.  The panini alone was very filling.   I'll be coming back here even without the discounted deal.