Waiting for an Open Window Part 1

Photo credit: http://wallpaperswide.com

In 2013, my husband and I stopped having fertility treatments. Not only was it expensive, it was emotionally exhausting. After taking several rounds of Clomid, follicle monitoring sessions, taking an HSG, two IUIs, a year of acupuncture, tons of Chinese herbal tea, we decided that it was enough for us now. Whew!

We put our plans on hold to have a baby. I resigned from a stable employment to stay at home and start doing freelance work. Most of our income was put into doctors' fees, laboratory fees, medicines, and transportation costs. We're thankful that God gave us the resources to pursue treatments which we thought would help us conceive.

14th Acupuncture

Last Saturday, Hubby and I went to St. Francis Natural Clinic for my acupuncture treatment. We were late (!) and had to wait a few minutes. There were two new patients who were filling out the clinic's form.

I was assigned cubicle #2. Sister Regina came and asked about my well being. I lay down and she took my pulse. I told her that I had taken Clomiphene (Clomid is the most popular brand but I took Ova-mit, a cheaper brand) and showed her my TVS form from last cycle. She wrote something on my chart and was serious as she jot down notes. I was wondering what she was thinking. She asked me if I'm working (I am). I told her that I had a two-week vacation but is still not pregnant (insert sad face). She touched my left hand and said, "Relax. We'll get there." Right there I realized that I'm really stressed about not conceiving. I'm denying it outside but inside, not conceiving saddens my heart.

As needles were inserted and the moxa was lighted, I closed my eyes and thought about happy things. I sent a little prayer to our future baby to come to us as we are eagerly awaiting for him/her. And then, I fell asleep. I didn't wake when the nurse changed the moxa in my tummy. Maybe I'm really stressed and the needles did me some good.

Sister Regina prescribed another set of herbal medicines for one week.

Fees:
Treatment - P900
Herbal medicines - P1,060   

13th Acupuncture

Went to St. Francis Clinic for my 13th acupuncture treatment with Hubby. There were not much patients around and I was assigned to cubicle #3.

Sister Regina asked me when I got my period and I told her about the fever/cough I had a few days earlier. Seems there's a virus in town. I told her I started taking Clomid, actually it's Ova-mit, and I will be visiting my OB on my 12th cycle day.

I lay down the bed and she inserted the needles in the usual areas - head, tummy, knees and foot. I had two rounds of moxa.

As always, I try to take a nap during my treatment. I meditate. I release the negative emotions and thoughts. I welcome the bright light to shine inside my body as I call upon our baby. I pray that this cycle Hubby and I will be successful. Sister Regina prescribed another set of herbs for me (P1,150). 

I don't want to stress about the future but I do. Sometimes, the envy bug hits us when we see other parents with their children. I just remind myself that God's timing is best and always perfect. We may never understand what's happening  now but we will in the future.

12th Acupuncture

I'm excited for this acupuncture treatment because for the first time, I will be going with my Hubby. I brought some chocolates for Sister Regina and the nurses. :)

We arrived early at the clinic but there are about 5 patients waiting. Seems a busy day today.

I was assigned cubicle #5, my first time to be in that corner cubicle. Hubby and I waited for 30 minutes or so.

Sister Regina came in the cubicle and I gave her the chocolate which she graciously accepted. She asked me about my period, my bowel movement, when my husband arrived, etc. She took my pulse on both hands and intently looked at my chart. I asked her if it was OK if I don't take Clomid yet. She said that that's our plan. :) She would prescribe herbs for me to take.

I showed her my tongue to gauge my health and she also asked Hubby to do the same. Good thing we didn't eat anything before going to the clinic. :0

The needles were inserted in my head, tummy, knees, inside thighs (first time) and ankles. I felt as if I was immobilized! Hehe. I tried to relax my mind and to sleep later on but sleep eluded me. I imagined my body becoming ready for conception. I thought of being pregnant, having a full term and safe delivery and finally, embracing our firstborn. I read that you should visualize yourself as a pregnant woman and being a parent. Sometimes a tear would fall when I think about these things.  

When the treatment ended, I saw Hubby, sleeping on the chair. :)

These are my new herbs. I have to take it twice a day for 7 days. I forgot what these herbs are for (*hand slap on the head*).

When water is added, it turns black with sediments.



Acupuncture: P900
Herbs: P1,020

Honey + Cinnamon

I read an article saying honey and cinnamon help in conception.

In another article (sorry I cannot locate it) says that in some countries, women mix honey and cinnamon. They rub this sticky mixture in their gums all throughout the day to help them conceive. This practise is doable but I admit it's quite not practical for me. I work all day on the computer and I can't imagine washing and re-washing my honey-cinammon stained fingers. :) To compensate, I just add these two ingredients to my morning meal which is muesli. 

Tip: When buying honey, check out the label. It should say 100% pure honey (or the likes). In groceries, there are lots of honey on the shelves but some are just caramelized sugar. So be wise.

11th Acupuncture + Another Herbal Tea

This is a delayed post.

After confirming my ovulation (story here), I excitedly went to St. Francis Natural Clinic for my acupuncture. I want to show Sister Regina the result of my recent TVS. I'm so happy to know that I've ovulated naturally, without the aid of Clomid. This is my goal when I started acupuncture in December. 

Good thing the clinic is not so busy that day. I was immediately assigned to cubicle #3. Sister Regina asked me about my cycle (I didn't have acupuncture then since she is out of the country and I don't have my TVS result yet). I told her that it seems to me my cycle was shortened (27 days instead of the usual 30-32 days) and the flow was lesser than what I usually experienced. Maybe it's because of the herbal tea? She asked if I was stressed during my period (not really). She looked at my TVS result and said my endometrium lining is thin (0.8, the ideal is 0.86 and up). 

She prescribed another herbal tea for 10 days to help my body produce enough cervical mucus. My husband is coming soon, so I better be prepared. (*wink*)

The herbal tea! Ta-da! The label is in Chinese so I cannot search what the tea contains.    

Inside the bag are 20 small plastic bags with the tea. As you can see, the tea has shades of orange, moss green, orange red, etc.

When I put a cup of hot water to the tea, it looked like water with rust. Heehee. Good thing my senses are already familiar with the odd taste and funky smell of Chinese medicine. I am proud to say I can drink a cup of herbal tea without any delaying tactics. Bottoms up!

Lookee! Lookee!

My TTC friend L told me that googling "Sister Regina" and "acupuncture" includes my blog in the search results -- second to Smart Parenting's article.

For vanity purposes, I also searched "Sister Regina Liu". My blog is on second page. Not bad.





When I started this blog three years ago, I never thought it would even be included in a Google search result. Guess many people are interested in trying to conceive with the aid of acupuncture. This inspires me to write more (I'll try to post daily. *fingers crossed*)

Thank you for your time reading!

I'm a Believer!

image here

August 2010
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, more known as PCOS. It seems I have anovulatory cycles. Meaning, I don't ovulate regularly or not at all, despite having regular menses. This is a big factor of us not getting pregnant obviously. Husband and I underwent a fertility workup for two cycles. We were not successful in getting pregnant.

November 2010
My husband has left for a 9-month contract overseas. I consulted with another OB in the city (nearer to where I live and work) who specializes in Infertility cases to know what I can do to help me overcome PCOS and get pregnant eventually. She discussed with me the different stages of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Based on the stages, it seems I'm done with Stage 1 which is taking up Clomid. She recommends an HSG exam a month before Hubby returns home. I don't want to have that exam yet. I feel it's too early. To sum up the consultation, all I can do is wait till my husband comes back so we can start with a fertility workup.

I cannot wait nine long months without doing anything to help me conceive. So, I searched all over the Internet and read books about fertility. Seems I can try acupuncture and change my diet.

December 2010
I went to see Sister Regina Liu, an acupuncturist known in the TTC (trying-to-conceive) world. She read my ultrasound result and advised me to have acupuncture every other week for three months. After that, I' ll go back to my OB to have a TVS.

April 2011
I went to the OB, full of high hopes that acupuncture has done its miracle of balancing my hormones and chi. Hopefully I am now ovulating without the aid of Clomid. Turns out, I'm still not ovulating. I went home dejected.

May - June 2011
Sister Regina prescribed a herbal tea. I drank it twice a day for about 9 days. After finishing the bottle, she gave me two bottles of herbal tea, different from the first one.

July 2011
I missed the OB at the clinic. :(

August 2011
I got my TVS. It says I'm ovulating naturally! On Cycle day 15, I have 16mm follicle (which will mature to release an egg in about two days) in the right ovary. Woohoo!!!

10th Acupuncture + 3rd HPV Shot

This is the day of my 10th acupuncture and the third (last) HPV shot.

I first went to Friendly Care to be listed as one of Dra. Aguilar's many patients that day. I'm #12. After the nurse checked my blood pressure and weight, processed my health card, I was free to wait for Dra. or come back later. Coming back later is more productive than waiting since I can do my other errands, such as my acupuncture. :)
I arrived 20 minutes before the acupuncture clinic hours and was immediately ushered to cubicle 1. Seems like a not-so-busy day today unlike my 9th session.

Sister Regina came in the cubicle after a few minutes. She read my chart and asked about the usual stuff (cycle, herbal medicine, arrival of husband, etc.). She told me to have a TVS (transvaginal sonogram) on day 11 or 16 on my next cycle. She will be leaving the country and won't be back till August 21. If my ultrasound still is not OK (I didn't ovulate for the cycle), I can still come to the clinic. Another nun can help me. I do pray my ultrasound will be OK.

As I lay there after Sister Regina inserted the needles, I counted the approximate date days 11 and 16 will be on my next cycle. I guessed about the first week of August, maybe on my birthday even. :)

I used the deep breathing patterns used during yoga class to relax my mind. Deep inhalation. Deep exhalation. I tried not to think about anything aside from my breath. Why is it when you want to clear your mind, tons of things come into your head instead? Try as I may to relax and meditate, ideas come to my head. But after a few minutes, I fell asleep, which is what I want during acupuncture.

I woke up and waited for one of Sister Regina's assistants. None came. I wonder if I just slept for a few minutes even if I felt I slept a good 20 minutes or so. I don't have a watch so I'm not sure how many minutes has passed. At last an assistant came and removed the needles. I glanced at the clinic's clock and my session lasted for 45 minutes. :)

3rd HPV shot

I went back to Friendly Care to have my third and last HPV shot. Yoohoo! When I came to Dra. Aguilar's clinic, she was already in and was with patient #10. Good. Only a few minutes of waiting.

When I went inside Dra. Aguilar's clinic, she said it has been a long time (last time I went was April) and finally, I'm graduating with my HPV shots. The vaccine was given quick with a bit pinch on my left arm.

As she was removing the sticker on the vaccine's box to put on my file, I was debating in my head whether to tell her about taking the herbal medicines of Sister Regina. Call me coward but I wasn't able to muster the courage to tell her. I'm shy, I guess. I know she has nothing against acupuncture, but still I went mute.

Herbal Tea The Second

The second prescription of herbal medicine from Sister Regina comes in a similar container as the first. I should take this the same way I took the first. I double-checked with the assistant if it is different since they look the same to me.

Here are the ingredients written at the label:
Radix Rehmanniae preprata
Radix Paeoniae alba
Radix Angelicae sinensis
Rhizoma Chuanxiong

From what I gather, these herbs promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation among other things.

I boiled a cup of water and put 8 scoops of the herbal medicine. This medicine is darker in color, and the water turned blackish brown after putting it. The smell, ugh! It smells like incense! I waited for about 15 minutes to cool this concoction and drank it little by little. It tastes like the ashes of burnt wood! Just when my tongue is familiarized to the taste of the first herbs, now, I have to do the same to this.

If my calculation is correct, 200g of this medicine is equal to 18 cups. I can finish this in 9 days. AJA!

9th Acupuncture

Tropical storm Falcon ravaged the country the day before my appointment with my acupuncturist Sister Regina. I was deciding whether to go to the clinic or not. Rains poured incessantly during the night, I feared that flood will enter my apartment (as what happened in the Ondoy devastation in '09), I wasn't able to sleep well despite the cool temperature.

Good thing the sky cleared up the next day.

I left the apartment earlier than usual for my appointment. I alloted much time in case the sky brings rain again, unexpected traffic due to flood, etc. This worrying was no use since I got to the clinic an hour before my appointment. Good thing, the clinic is open and Sister Regina's assistants are there.

Patient #1! Woohoo!

I sit on a chair inside my cubicle. Outside I hear other patients talking with each other, some in Chinese and some in Tagalog. I open my book, The Reader by Bernhard Schlink, as I wait on Sister Regina. After a 10 minutes or so, Sister came inside the cubicle.

After the usual preliminaries, she asks me to lie down. As she is inserting needles in my head, she tells me about her patient who had a severe case. This patient does not have menstration if she does not take pills. She can have one year without her period. Before her wedding, she underwent acupuncture also to prepare her body for future conception. They got married, the husband left the country (he's a seaman) and she got pregnant. But, it was an ectopic pregnancy. They are now working up again.

This story makes me feel happy but I feel a bit worried at the same time. Ectopic pregnancy?! I didn't worry about ectopic pregnancy before this but now, I sometimes do. Blame it on my worrier gene.

I tell Sister that I have about two cups worth of herbal tea left. She says I should finish it and she'll give me another type of herbal medicine. By next cycle, I should have an ultrasound and see that my follicles are big and round. Note that she says "see that" not "if". She's positive acupuncture combined with the herbal medicine will do wonders to my polycystic ovaries. I do hope so!

Herbal Tea Update

After two weeks of drinking Sister Regina's herbal tea, I am proud to say that I can finish a cup in one session. No more half cups for me! The taste is still not palatable but I can swallow it without having the urge to puke. I think this is a psychological thing. Whenever I drink the tea, I tell myself that this is good for me, this will help me reach my goal of conception, this tastes like chocolate drink (uhm, no).

I'm happy that I can now see the bottom of the tea container. This means I have a few cups left. I wonder if Sister Regina will tell me to continue with the herbal tea. If she does, I think I'll pass. :) I'm more inclined to just continuing acupuncture only.

8th Acupuncture + Herbal Tea

Going to my acupuncturist, Sister Regina, is one of the things that I look forward to. I feel that I'm doing my body and qi (say: chi) some good by having acupuncture. Every session seems a step forward to reaching my ultimate goal of conception and having a healthy pregnancy. It's like running. Every step on the track is important to reach the finish line.

Also, this is the day when I will start taking the herbal medicine Sister Regina talked about during my previous session.

I came thirty minutes before my appointment and only one cubicle is left for me. Looks like a busy day today. I read Frances Mayes' "Under the Tuscan Sun" as I wait for Sister Regina.

The two cubicles before mine belongs to a couple. From the looks of it, they're undergoing a fertility workup too. I heard the man said to Sister Regina that he is trying to loose inches from his waist. It helps when the couple's are healthy to conceive. Having a trim waist line is a sign.

Sister Regina came to my cubicle and she looked at the book I was reading. :) I told her that my May cycle is delayed by about 7 days or so (I had a 40-day cycle, the longest for this year). We did the usual ceremony before the acupuncture. She asked about my period, my bowel movement, PMS, cramps, breast tenderness, etc. Her voice is soft I sometimes cannot hear her well. I'm afraid I might give the wrong answer.

After inserting the needles, Sister Regina left te cubicle to attend to her other patients. And I totally forgot about the herbal medicines!

As I lay there, the moxa burning on my tummy, I hear another patient. I think he has a clogged nose. He's wheezing. I cannot calm my mind, being distracted by the wheezing sound. Oh well.

After thirty minutes, an assistant came to my cubicle and removed the needles. I asked her about the herbal medicines. She told me that it will be given at the front station. She advised me to just bear drinking the herbal tea as it has a not-so-good taste (and maybe smell as well). I've read women forum and they say that Sister Regina's tea is hard to drink. They're tea drinkers but they cannot stomach the herbal tea. Oh my!

In the front station, I asked another assistant about the herbal medicine. She gave me a yellow container with the label in Chinese (P1,400) and a small white plastic teaspoon. I have to dissolve 8 scoops of the tea to one cup of hot water. Drink the tea an hour after breakfast and dinner. Before leaving, I scheduled for another session a week after next.

I'll keep you posted as I brave my way to drinking Sister Regina's herbal tea.

7th Acupuncture Session

I went to my acupuncture appointment after knowing that I didn't ovulate this cycle. I came thirty minutes before the opening of the clinic so I waited outside, trying to practise in my mind what I would say to Sister Regina. Since we communicate in English, I want all my thoughts to be delivered correctly, as I want them. Miscommunication is the least I want at this time.

While waiting, several patients arrived. A Chinese couple sat beside me and told me it was their first time. They asked if the needles hurt (No).

As the clinic opened and the assistants let us in, I was led to cubicle #1. After a few minutes, Sister Regina came in. I told her about my two ultrasound and the result. I told her that I think I only ovulate when I have acupuncture (based on my BBT charts for the past cycles). She told me I'm still fine. I have to go back to her on my June cycle so she could prescribe some herbs.

After paying for my session, I scheduled my next appointment in June. I'm thinking, I'm now on the next step -- herbs.

6th Acupuncture Session

During my first consulation and acupuncture session with Sister Regina, she told me that we'll do 6 sessions and after that, I'll go to my OB and have an ultrasound (or TVS) to see if I'm ovulating. I'm excited and at the same time sad to go to my 6th session. This is the last of the series Sister Regina "prescribed" to me last December but this also means I'll not be having any acupuncture if the TVS results turn out positive. I'll miss having acupuncture.

I came 15 minutes earlier than the clinic's hours but I was ushered into cubicle #2. Sister Regina did the ritual of asking me if I'm ok, my eye twitching, etc. I asked her if I should have an ultrasound after the session. She said not at this day of my cycle (cycle day 22). She said I should have an ultrasound before my ovulation, say day 10 or 12. From my BBT chart, I ovulate on day 19 so I guess I have to get he ultrasound on day 15 or 17.

I lay there thinking about when I should get the TVS and when my next appointment with her would be. This is not what I had planned when I came to the clinic. I was thinking after acupuncture, I'll have an appointment with Dra. Aguilar and see if acupuncture made me ovulate. But that is not going to happen now. I have to wait for my next period and wait for the appropriate time to get an ultrasound.

I pray that I'm regularly ovulating, as what my BBT chart says.

5th Acupuncture Session

I came to the clinic 10 minutes before my appointment and was immediately ushered to cubicle #2. I have not yet freshened up after my commute when Sister Regine entered the cubicle. She seemed not to be in a hurry as she asked me the usual questions about my monthly period. That's the advantage of being an early patient, you can have more time with your acupuncturist. She noticed that I was touching my eyes, my left eye was twitching. She asked about it, if there was soreness (none) and for how long have I been experiencing it (about 3 days, though I'm not sure exactly).

I lied down on the bed and she started the insertion of fine needles in my head. She also put some around my left eye. This was a first! I thought she forgot to check my tongue. She didn't. I showed it to her as whe was inserting the needles in my tummy.

One thing I noticed was that when she inserts a needle in my left foot, it hurts a bit. I don't know what's the reason for this discomfort. I will ask her about it on my next visit.

I was able to sleep in this session. Yoohoo! I was startled when an assistant replaced the moxa. I slept again when she went out. My session ended before I knew it. My thirty minutes was already up. An assistant woke me up and removed the needles.

4th Acupuncture Session

I was 10 minutes late for my 4th session. Rode a bus that took forever. I should've taken a bus with the sign "Fast Lane" which means it is taking the underpass and not the lanes along Farmers Cubao which are always full of buses waiting for passengers.

I was assigned cubicle #7, the last available cubicle in the clinic. Thank God! If I was late for a few more minutes, I would've waited an hour for my turn.

After I dropped my bag on the chair and drank water from my water bottle, Sister Regina immediately entered the cubicle. She instructed me to sit on the bed as she interviewed me. She always ask about my period, the date and the flow. Before the session, Sister looked at my tongue and took my pulse.

Thin needles were inserted in my head, belly, knees and feet. Moxa was placed in a needle on my belly and it burned fast. The smell was strong. After two moxas, the session was finished. And my hair smelled like the moxa's smoke. :)

Everytime I'm in a session, I always wanted to be able to sleep through the session. Since this is the third to the last session, I fervently hope that acupuncture will make me achieve my goal of preparing my body for conception. My mind is full of thoughts about having a baby, about correcting my polycystic ovaries, etc. I collected myself and told my mind to stop these thoughts. I need to meditate. I need to focus on releasing stress and tension and filling my heart and mind with positive thoughts. Good thing, this technique worked. I was able to sleep, even for a few minutes before the session ended. I didn't realize that an assistant has already come to the cubicle to remove the needles.

After each session, it seems that I have just woken up from sleep. I think this is a good thing. In my next session, I will try to quiet my mind and meditate so I will have a longer time of blissful sleep. :)

3rd Acupuncture Session, 1st shot of HPV Vaccine

I first went to Friendly Care to have me listed in Dra. Aguilar's patients for the day. I'm patient #10. I didn't wait too long to get me listed. I planned to go first to my acupuncture session and then to my OB. I estimated that by the time I get back to the hospital, I woudln't have to wait too long.

I arrived at Sister Regina's clinic around 12:30pm, the clinic was still closed, even the gate. There were no vehicles in front, meaning there are no patients yet inside. And I was correct. I was the first patient of the day and I was immediately ushered into Cubicle 1.

Here is what a cubicle looks like inside. After a few minutes of waiting, Sister Regina came. I was able to ask Sister about foods to avoid, she said None. She just advised me to lessen my intake of cold food. When there is a party or an event, I can drink/eat cold food but just in moderation and not at all times.

Amazingly, this session is not that painful like the 2nd session. Maybe it is because of the day of my cycle. I felt relaxed. When I opened my eyes, it's as if I've been asleep for a while. It seemed I have slept but I did not. (I really wished I was able to take pictures of me with the needles.)

I now know what the cigar-looking thing that Sister's assistant is burning on my tummy during my sessions. It's called Moxa. For this session, I had two rounds of moxa.

After thirty minutes, my session is done. I scheduled another session after two weeks.

After acupuncture, I went straight to Friendly Care. I waited for a few minutes and then it was my turn. Dra. Aguilar had cut her hair short, I thought she was another doctor! :) I asked her the difference between the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix (the cheaper one). She said Gardasil is anti-cervical cancer and anti-genital warts while Cervarix is anti-cervical cancer only. The anti-genital warts vaccine is optional so I chose Cervarix. The shot only took seconds and didn't hurt as much as I imagined it.

I asked her what to do about another vaccine which she prescribed, the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella). Since Inay is not sure if I had that vaccine when I was young, Dra. said I should take the Rubelle IIG test. This is to confirm if I am or not immune to these diseases. At Friendly Care, this lab test costs P780.

After paying, I went to the second floor where the Laboratory is located. There are many people having their Annual Physical Exam. The window where I submitted my lab test request has a basket filled with urine and stool samples. Eeeww!!! I wrote my name on the log sheet and was called after a few minutes.

After the blood extraction, the nurse informed me that I can get the result after three working days.

2nd Acupuncture Session

I went to the St. Francis clinic early, trying a new route of commute. Fortuately, I was the second patient to arrive, the clinic is not yet even open. :)

As I wait outside the clinic, more patients arrive, mostly women. During my first session, there were no patients waiting in line. I was immediately sent to a cubicle. But now, there is already a line. Good thing I came early.

Sister Regina and her staff starts with a prayer before opening the clinic. A staff called us to enter and I was assigned to cubicle #2.

Sister Regina came. She studied my information sheet (now in a brown folder) and asked if I got my period and if the flow is "OK". I said "OK". Then, I showed her my tongue, the start of a session. After looking at my tongue, she said I should minimize drinking cold drinks. Ooops!

For this session, she put needles in my head, knee areas and feet. No more in the fingers as the first session. Surprisingly, there is much "pinch" as she put the needles. I don't know why. The pinch are more pronounced in one needle in my head and that above the right knee. Not sure why this is so. Maybe because of the time I'm in my cycle?

After thirty minutes, I'm finished with the session. Paid P800 for it since it's my second time. For first-time patients, the fee is P1,400 (P800 session and P600 for consultation).

I hope and pray acupuncture can correct my PCOS and I will not need to take medications just to ovulate.

Acupuncture Session

Last month I started having acupuncture.

I decided to take the natural way first to prepare my body for conception. As much as possible, I would want to stay away from invasive drugs to get me pregnant. I want to give myself the chance to take the au naturele route. I read somewhere that natural medicine should be the first choice rather than the last resort for couples trying to get pregnant.

My acupuncture session was on a Saturday morning. My acupuncturist, Sister Regina Liu, is popular among women trying to get pregnant and I'm excited for my first ever session.

The clinic is in Panay Ave., near Don Roces Ave. in Quezon City. High walls surround the place and you will not notice that there's a clinic behind the tall steel gate. There's not even a sign at front.

As I entered the clinic, friendly staff greeted me in their quiet, whisper-like voices. An assistant gave me a form to fill out, since I'm a new patient. The three-page form contains questions in English with their Chinese translations. I wrote down my personal details and medical history and the reason why I'm having acupuncture.

There are 7 (I think) office-like cubicles with light orange curtains as their "doors". I was led to Cubicle #3 and waited for Sister Regina who is talking with patient in #2. Inside was a bed, a chair, a small table containing the acupuncture stuff, a small bin. Everything is minimalistic. A frame of Anne Geddes babies hung on a wall beside the bed, maybe to help patients have positive thoughts about having a baby.

After 15 minutes or so, Sister Regina entered the cubicle. I told her about my PCOS and my goal of correcting it (if possible) and preparing my body for conception. I showed her my ultrasound result and she asked me some more questions. She asked me to show my tongue, a session always start with showing the tongue so she can see the status of your health.

I lay down on the bed. She started putting tiny needles on my head. I asked her how many sessions should I take to achieve my goals. She advised me to have acupuncture every other week for three months. At the end of the third month, I should have an ultrasound to see if acupuncture helped me. Sounds good to me. Needles were quickly inserted to my fingers, knees, belly and feet. Then, Sister Regina left me with her assistant. The assistant put a needle with some sort of Chinese medicine on top on my belly. The medicine is shaped like a stub of a cigar, maybe an inch. She lighted the stub and asked me to relax. An aluminum foil is below this needle to catch the ashes. She told me "Relax ka lang" and left. The session will be finished in 30 minutes.

As I was left in the cubicles, I told myself to sleep. But, no, I can't sleep. My muscles jerked, as if it was chilly in the room. I don't why but I couldn't control these involuntary contractions. I closed my eyes to lure myself to sleep but sleep seems to be elusive to me.

After thirty minutes, the assistant returned and removed the needles. The session is finished.

I felt relaxed after. Not sure if that was my imagination or if I think I became relaxed, but who cares. :)

I paid for my session and scheduled my second appointment. I'm excited to come back.


Sister Regina Liu
St. Francis Natural Health Care
#19 Panay Ave.,
Quezon City
Tel: (02) 373-5503