Finding Hope: A Woman’s Struggle with Health Challenges

Due to overwhelming stress and constantly worrying about my future and finances, my body began to react in ways I never expected.

At times, while thinking about problems at work, with my family, and the uncertainty ahead, I would suddenly be hit with intense pain. It wasn’t just an ordinary headache—it felt like it started from the back of my neck, moved behind my ear, and traveled up to my forehead. I couldn’t even explain why I was feeling that way.

For a month, I endured the pain while trying to balance different aspects of my life.

But the constant tension and worry left me wondering: bakit nga ba ganito ang nangyayari sa katawan ko? Sometimes, when stress builds up, it manifests physically.

I didn’t know that the pain I was feeling was more than just a headache—it was my body’s way of telling me something was very wrong.

When You Don’t Know What’s Wrong

Mahirap magkasakit pero mas mahirap na hindi mo alam ang sakit mo.

You feel lost, wondering what you’re fighting against. Lalo na pagdating sa mga hindi inaasahang sakit na walang kasiguraduhan kung paano ito lulunasan. Imagine the fear of not knowing which enemy to battle when you’re already overwhelmed by life’s daily struggles.

I went to see an internal medicine specialist.

At the clinic, I tried to explain everything—my stress, the constant worry about finances, and that nagiging chronic na sakit ng ulo. The doctor mentioned something I never thought I’d hear: “Suspected Aneurysm.” My heart raced and my mind spiraled into fear.

“Paano ako nagkaroon nun?” I kept asking myself. Maybe they were mistaken, I hoped.

Understanding Aneurysm and Its Implications

Aneurysm—also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm—is essentially a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain.

Although this sounded scary, it was necessary to rule it out. The doctor suggested I schedule a CT scan and an angiogram. Ito ang mga tests na kailangan kong pagdaanan para makita kung totoo nga ba ang hinala nila.

In both CT scans and CT angiograms, an IV (intravenous) line is used to inject a contrast dye that helps highlight blood vessels.

This contrast material provides a detailed view of the brain and its blood flow. Knowing the process helped ease some of my anxiety, yet I couldn’t shake off the lingering worry.

The IV Experience: When Fear and Relief Collide

Pagsubok pa rin dahil walang ugat na makita sa left and right arms ko.

Pasa, putok na ugat at inabot ko. Napatanong ako, “Bakit ba kailangan yun?” Kasi kailangan pala itong gamitin para maipakita sa mga doctor kung paano dumadaloy ang dugo sa aking katawan at kung may bara ba.

When the IV was finally inserted, I felt the fluid coursing through my veins.

It felt like my heartbeat slowed down. I couldn’t breathe properly—my head was spinning, and every part of my body felt weighed down by the heaviness of everything I was going through.

In that moment, I asked myself, “Is this the end?”

Bui then, something miraculous happened. The nurse and doctor quickly responded to my discomfort, and I even experienced a sudden urge to pee—a sign that my body was reacting and, somehow, starting to fight back.

“Buhay pa ako,” I thought. It was a small yet significant reminder that I was still here, still capable of overcoming challenges.

The Unexpected Diagnosis: Cluster Headache

After a long night and more tests, the result came back.

I was cleared of any aneurysm. Instead, I received the diagnosis of Cluster Headache. Sa sobrang stress na nararanasan ko, napakaraming factors ang maaaring mag-trigger ng cluster headaches.

Stress is a well-known trigger, releasing hormones that affect blood vessels in the brain and potentially spark an attack.

A cluster headache isn’t just any headache—it’s a severe, pulsating pain that often feels like a crushing force around one side of the head. Maraming kababaihan ang nakakaramdam ng ganitong klaseng sakit, lalo na kapag ang stress ay hindi na makontrol.

Alongside cluster headaches, my ongoing battle with PCOS also made things more complicated.

The Domino Effect of Stress: PCOS and Headaches

Stress can act as a domino effect in our lives.

Kapag sobra ang stress, hindi lang ito basta nakakaapekto sa mental health mo kundi pati na rin sa physical health. For me, stress worsened my PCOS symptoms.

PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder that can create numerous challenges—from irregular menstrual cycles to emotional instability.

Sa pagdaan ng panahon, napagtanto ko na stress is not just a minor inconvenience. It is a critical factor that can tip the scales of health—whether it’s triggering severe headaches or worsening PCOS.

Kaya, every time I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself to slow down and take a moment for self-care.

Learning to Love Yourself in the Midst of Chaos

Grabe pala talaga ang epekto ng stress sa buhay natin, lalo na sa ating mga kababaihan.

There were moments when I thought, “Baka through the years dapat hindi ko na lang inisip ang mga bagay na hindi ko kontrol.” Maybe if I had focused more on loving and understanding myself instead of worrying about every little thing, I wouldn’t have reached that breaking point.

I learned an important lesson: self-love is crucial.

When life becomes overwhelming, you need to remind yourself that you deserve care and compassion. Minsan, kailangan mo talagang itigil ang negatibong pag-iisip—“hindi ko makontrol yung stress” dapat ay isang paalala para baguhin ang pananaw, hindi isang dahilan para sumuko. Perhaps if I had embraced self-love sooner, things might have been different.

But as they say, everything happens for a reason.

Embracing Faith Through Health Crises

In the midst of my suffering, I turned to my faith.

There were times when I felt like I was at the end of my rope, and then I would remember what the Bible says about trials. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV). This verse became my anchor. Even when the physical pain was unbearable, my faith gave me strength and hope.

Faith is not just about believing in a higher power; it’s about trusting that every hardship is part of a larger plan.

Sa bawat pag-iyak, sa bawat pagdududa, nandoon ang pangakong may liwanag sa dulo ng madilim na daan. I learned that even when our bodies fail us, our spirit can rise above the struggle if we trust in something greater than ourselves.

Overcoming Fear and Finding Strength

After being admitted to the hospital for observation—because the CT scan results were clear but my symptoms persisted—I realized how fear can be both a curse and a catalyst.

When I felt that searing headache, I wasn’t just battling physical pain; I was fighting off the terror of the unknown.

“Bakit na naman ako iaadmit?” I wondered. Sa halip na hayaang lamunin ako ng takot, pinili kong labanan ito.

Every time I experienced an episode, I took deep breaths and recited prayers, reminding myself of the strength I possess. Every moment of pain became a lesson, teaching me to be resilient.

I discovered that our bodies can endure far more than we imagine, especially when bolstered by hope and faith.

The Intersection of Health, Faith, and Self-Love

Habang lumipas ang mga araw, unti-unti kong natutunan na ang tunay na kalusugan ay hindi lang nakikita sa physical na katawan.

True wellness is a blend of body, mind, and spirit. When stress, cluster headaches, and PCOS converge, it becomes easy to feel overwhelmed. Ngunit sa bawat pagdadausdos ng sakit, may natatanging pagkakataon para matutunan ang kahalagahan ng self-love at pag-asa.

Sa bawat episode ng matinding sakit, naaalala ko ang mga simpleng bagay na nagpapasaya sa akin—ang ngiti ng isang kaibigan, ang pagyakap ng mahal sa buhay, at ang tahimik na sandali ng pagninilay sa isang magandang umaga.

These moments remind me that life is full of beauty even amidst pain.

Learning to Live with the Unpredictability of Life

One of the hardest lessons I learned is that not everything in life can be controlled.

Minsan, kahit anong pilit mong ayusin ang lahat, may mga bagay na hindi talaga nakokontrol. And that’s okay. We must learn to accept the uncertainties and focus on what we can change.

I started to journal my experiences—both the painful moments and the small victories. This practice allowed me to see progress over time.

Sa mga nakasulat na salita ko, napagtanto ko na kahit gaano man kabigat ang problema, may mga paraan para harapin ito nang may tapang at determinasyon.

After facing months of excruciating pain and uncertainty, I realized that joy often hides in the simplest of moments or a heartfelt conversation with a loved one. Kahit na sa gitna ng sakit, may mga sandaling nagpapaalala na mahalaga pa rin ang buhay.

Ang paghanap ng kasiyahan sa mga maliliit na bagay ay nagbigay sa akin ng bagong pananaw sa buhay.

I started celebrating small wins—like a headache-free day or a peaceful moment during my daily meditation. These little victories added up and slowly, I began to feel more hopeful.

Faith as a Pillar of Strength

Through every phase of my journey, my faith remained unshaken. Even when I felt at my lowest, I clung to the promise that God is with me.

“Be not afraid, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10, KJV) became a daily reminder that I was never alone in my struggles. Faith taught me that every hardship carries a hidden blessing. There is a reason behind every trial, and often, these challenges lead us to discover strengths we never knew we had.

Naging malakas ang paniniwala ko sa Diyos, at kahit sa pinakadilim na oras, ang liwanag ng pag-asa ay laging nagniningning.

Rediscovering My Identity Through Healing

Before all these challenges, I was caught up in a whirlwind of responsibilities and future worries.

Pero habang dahan-dahan kong nilalakad ang daan ng paggaling, natutunan kong muling mahalin ang sarili ko. I learned that self-worth isn’t defined by external achievements or the opinions of others, but by the love we give ourselves. Through every headache, every moment of doubt, and every tear shed, I rediscovered who I truly am—a resilient, hopeful soul capable of overcoming any obstacle.

Every setback became a setup for a greater comeback, and every painful experience was a stepping stone to a more meaningful life.

A Message for Every Woman Out There

Sa mga kababaihan diyan na patuloy na humaharap sa iba’t ibang hamon—whether it’s due to stress, health issues like PCOS or headaches, or the everyday struggles of life—this story is for you.

I understand the weight of worry and the burden of expectations. I know how it feels when the pain seems unbearable and the future uncertain. But always remember: you are stronger than you think.

Every battle you face, every moment of despair, is an opportunity to grow and become more resilient.

Huwag mong hayaang ang stress at sakit ang magdikta ng takbo ng buhay mo. Stand up, take a deep breath, and believe that better days are ahead. Even when the pain seems overwhelming, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, guiding you toward hope and healing.

Keep your head up, cherish every small win, and never forget that the light of hope shines brightest in the darkest moments.

By sharing my personal journey, I hope I’ve touched your heart and given you the courage to face your own struggles head-on. Always remember: you are stronger than any obstacle, and every challenge is just a stepping stone toward a more resilient, joyful life.

Stay blessed, keep the faith, and never stop believing in the beauty of tomorrow.

Love,

Reese

#PCOSAwareness #SelfLoveJourney #HormoneHealing #StrongPinay

PCOS Millennials