I’m not ready yet for the holidays. 🫠 I still have so many things to clear in my to-do list! I can’t face carmageddon yet in Metro Manila 🤦🏻‍♀️

Anyway, I only found out that PGH Radiology doesn’t have sedation for MRI with contrast. The scan needed by my child is full abdomen and that is for two hours. The Radiology staff recommended that I go to FMAB for that, which I did.

That answers my question as to why were we scheduled for an MRI at FMAB and not within the same building when we were still admitted. And because it was difficult to pin down the anesthesiologist on time (before the biopsy), we didn’t push through with it anymore. And by the time FMAB was able to calendar our scan, we were already discharged from PGH.

So that’s what I did this afternoon, try to pin down again a schedule that fits with the anesthesiologist. Tentatively it’s on the 12th but I asked if we could move it to the 4th week so it would exactly be 2 months since taking the anti-TB meds and the CT scan. I told the technician I’m not sure if it’s ok we would be short of 2 weeks…our oncologist is already abroad so I can’t text her today. If the anesthesiologist is not available by our requested week, then I’ll take a chance on the 12th. If the colon walls still have the same thickness as before, then chances are it would still be the same way two weeks later. But still…I have a nagging feeling that the two-week difference is significant.

So I don’t know…I need to wait for FMAB Radiology to agree to 4th week of October before I ask for a paid time off (PTO) from my boss by next week. I plan to take my PTO in time for the MRI, visit to the oncologist, and have rest days as a gift to myself on my birthday week.

Along with the MRI scheduling, I checked out Jjimbang Hotel and Spa in Malate, Manila and see if it’s a viable option for us before the MRI or after the procedure because my body is already screaming for onsen!

HOWEVER, they don’t have hot pools for women—only men have the privilege of having one. Which is terribly disappointing. What’s the point of going there when you can’t have onsen?!

After that disappointing visit, I decided Twin A and I would just have to make do with the hotel nearest PGH and just book Zennya and have my massage there.

My sis-in-law and I went to Rustan’s Makati for her appointment with a skincare specialist that was launching a new product to the Philippine market.

After dinner and buying Silvanas for my brood to take home, SIL and I drove home and stopped at an onsen in our own town. To think I am just 15 minutes away from here—I haven’t bothered checking out this place for more than 20 years!

They’re now offering private rooms with their own onsen (instead of taking the public onsen), book physical therapy, accupuncture, ultrasound therapy, etc. I can choose the overnight, 8-hr, or 4-hr package. Or I can do a la carte for as low as Php 900 (30 mins onsen + 1 hr massage therapy). There’s no reason for me to take the overnight package because I prefer sleeping on my own bed when it’s just 15 mins away by car. I can bring my mom first and try the 2 hr onsen then PT. Or do the 4 hr package (with meal). I will bring my girls later for the 8-hr package. I asked about the temp of the pools, the receptionist said it’s between 38-40 C, which was consistent with what I remember.

I have to fix my schedule!!!