reflection Archives - Stories of Life by the Sea

What the Last Election Taught Me

Noe Lineses — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:56:08 +0000

I’ve stayed quiet for a while, but I think it’s time to share what the last election really taught me. I ran for Councilor despite being on dialysis three times a week. I knew I couldn’t do house-to-house campaigns like before. But my wife and sister encouraged me to stay in the race. They believed we could still win, especially with my brother—a doctor—leading the campaign on the ground. They told me people were surprised and touched that a doctor was campaigning for his brother, and many of his patients promised their vote. I did my best. I campaigned hard on Facebook. I called friends and supporters. We printed posters, stickers, and tarpaulins. I truly believed we were doing well. But then I started hearing whispers: “People want to see you.” “They’re wondering where you are.” “Maybe your team didn’t have enough time.” “People are expecting ayuda, money, or something.” Then came the results. I placed 18th out of 19. Almost last. Only above the Mangyan candidate. From being Number 1 Councilor years ago to that—honestly, it felt like the end. It crushed me. But life goes on. That election humbled me. It broke me a little—but it also opened my eyes. It showed me that politics is not what it used to be. That people’s expectations have changed. That no matter your past record, people still want to see you, feel your presence, and sometimes, yes—receive something from you. I share this not to blame anyone, but to reflect. To heal. To move on. Maybe public office isn’t my calling anymore. But service—real, honest service—is something I can still offer in other ways. This is not the end of my story. It’s just a turn in the road. Thank you to everyone who believed in me. I’ll always be grateful.

The post What the Last Election Taught Me appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

New Hope for Kidney Patients: 3 Breakthrough Treatments That May Change Our Future

Noe Lineses — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:19:08 +0000

By Emmanuel LinesesFellow traveler in the fight against CKD — Living with chronic kidney disease is a journey of patience, endurance, and faith. I know this path well: I am 55, diabetic, on dialysis, still urinating about 1 liter a day, still fighting to control my blood sugar—and still hoping for a better tomorrow. As I searched for new ways to improve my life, I discovered that we are living in a time of incredible medical breakthroughs—and for us, kidney patients, the horizon is brighter than ever. Here are 3 new treatments that may soon offer real alternatives to dialysis—and possibly change our lives forever: — 1️⃣ Stem Cell Therapy: Awakening the Kidneys’ Power to Heal What is it?Stem cells are special cells that can repair damaged tissue. For CKD, scientists hope stem cells can: ✅ reduce inflammation✅ reverse fibrosis✅ help kidneys regenerate Current status: Already in clinical trials in Europe, U.S., China Small human studies show early promise—some patients improved kidney function No global approval yet—experimental Estimated availability:2028-2030 — possible approval for early-to-moderate CKD (stages 2-4) My reflection:“Imagine if instead of losing more function, my kidneys could heal… even a little. Stem cells may give us time—more years, more memories, more life.” — 2️⃣ Wearable Artificial Kidney: Freedom Beyond the Dialysis Chair What is it?A portable device you can wear (belt or vest), providing continuous dialysis as you walk, work, sleep.No more sitting 4 hours, 3x/week.Gentler on the body, closer to natural kidney function. Current status: Human trials have already been done (U.S. and Singapore) Second-generation devices being tested now Waiting for FDA approval Estimated availability:2026-2028 — likely first limited launch2030 — broader global use My reflection:“What would it mean for me to travel again… to go on vacation my family, to walk by the sea, free from the dialysis machine? The wearable kidney could return freedom to our lives.” — 3️⃣ Implantable Bioartificial Kidney: The Dream of a Dialysis-Free Life What is it?A surgically implanted device inside the body—combining:✅ Nanotechnology filters to clean blood✅ Living kidney cells to perform complex functionsNO external machine.NO immunosuppressant drugs (if using your own cells). Current status: Animal and blood tests successful Preparing for first human implant trials (U.S.) Most promising “permanent” solution on the horizon. Estimated availability:2028-2030: first implants for select patients2030-2035: broader patient availability My reflection:“One day, I may write: I no longer need dialysis. I have a new kidney—inside me—not from a donor, but from science and hope. This is not fantasy; it is coming.” — Timeline of Hope: What We May See in the Next 10 Years Year Treatment 2026 – Wearable kidney early launch2028 – Stem cell therapy approval possible2028-2030 – First implantable bioartificial kidney patients2030+ – Widespread use of these new treatments — Final Reflection: Why I Still Hope Yes, today I still go for dialysis. I still watch my blood sugar. I still fight the tiredness. But I also know: science is moving faster than ever. In 5-10 years, the world of kidney treatment will not look the same. What should we do now?✅ Take care of ourselves—preserve the kidney function we still have✅ Stay informed—watch the progress of these breakthroughs✅ Believe—because hope is powerful medicine, too For me, this is no longer a distant dream. I believe that in my lifetime, I may yet walk free from dialysis. And so may you. Hold on. Stay strong. The dawn is coming. — With hope and faith,Emmanuel LinesesA kidney warrior who refuses to give up

The post New Hope for Kidney Patients: 3 Breakthrough Treatments That May Change Our Future appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Reflection: Karma and Judgement

Noe Lineses — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 06:44:22 +0000

You may find joy in my suffering now.You may count your victories through my pain, my weakness, my trials. But the Divine watches all.The scales of justice are in the hands of One greater than us both.In time, all hearts will be weighed, all deeds revealed. And when that day comes, you too shall stand before the Eternal Judge.The burdens you placed upon others will return to you — many times over. For what you sow, you shall surely reap.Karma is but the law of the Spirit.And no soul escapes its truth.

The post Reflection: Karma and Judgement appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

A Reflection: When Dreams Die

Noe Lineses — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 02:10:20 +0000

Sometimes, the heart simply longs to hear: “You will be alright.”Not because it is true in the moment — but because the soul needs hope to breathe. There are wounds so deep that others cannot see them.Even those closest to us forget. They treat us as if nothing happened — as if we are still whole inside.But we know the truth. Inside, something broke. And the pieces no longer fit the way they once did. Losing a dream is a kind of death.The death of the “you” that believed, hoped, and fought.The death of plans and bright tomorrows that will never come. It is so easy to blame yourself.“I was gullible. I was foolish. I was not good enough.”The mind becomes a cruel judge.But hear this truth: you are human.Humans dream. Humans hope. Humans fall. Humans grieve. You are allowed to grieve.You are allowed to feel this pain.It is not weakness — it is love. Love for what could have been. But also remember:The story is not over.Dreams die, but the dreamer can live again.Not the same — perhaps quieter, wiser, sadder — but still alive. And life, though different, still holds mornings.Still holds unexpected joys.Still holds new things to be discovered. Do not believe the lie that you must “move on” quickly.Do not believe the lie that it is all your fault.You had courage to try. That is never foolish. Even when the heart is tired, even when you feel like a shadow of yourself — know this:God has not abandoned you.Your worth is not in winning.Your worth is not in success. You are loved.You are seen.You are still here. For now, breathe. Cry if you must. Rest your tired spirit.Let the days pass.In time — not today, not tomorrow perhaps — light will find a way into the cracks. And maybe then, the words your heart longs to hear will come:“It will be alright.” And this time, you will believe them.

The post A Reflection: When Dreams Die appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Reflection: Through the Shadows of the ICU

Noe Lineses — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 21:48:13 +0000

I remember those nights — when the thin line between life and death seemed to blur before my weary eyes. In that cold ICU room, my body was a battlefield, my spirit fragile. Pain wrapped itself around me like a shroud. My heart was pounding not just from sickness, but from the crushing weight of fear and loneliness. And then — the visions came. Clouds inside the room, floating as if the heavens themselves had bent low to meet me. Strange faces — beings I could not name — gazing at me with unknown intent. Music, clear and haunting, like the choirs of church angels singing Alleluia, filling the sterile air with a beauty that felt out of place amidst the beeping machines and harsh fluorescent lights. And my mother — her face emotionless, her gaze steady. She, too, was there, though I knew she could not be. Was it a dream? A hallucination from my rising creatinine? Some might say so. But I was awake. I remember. I felt it. Perhaps when the body nears its limits, the veil between worlds becomes thin — thinner than we dare to admit. Perhaps pain opens doors the mind cannot explain. Or perhaps the soul, in its deepest suffering, reaches for comfort in unseen places. When dialysis finally came, the visions faded. The music stopped. But in their absence, I was left with raw pain, a hollow emptiness. The body cleansed, yet the spirit plunged deeper into a sea of sadness, a full-blown depression that clung tighter than the sickness itself. Looking back, I wonder: were those visions a warning, or a comfort? A glimpse of a realm beyond my understanding, or my mind’s desperate effort to make sense of suffering? I may never know. But I do know this — I survived. Through the visions, the music, the unbearable nights, I endured. Though depression still shadows my steps, I remind myself: if I could withstand those nights, I can face today. For somewhere in those strange clouds, those mysterious faces, there was also a whisper: You are not alone. Keep going. And so I will.

The post Reflection: Through the Shadows of the ICU appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Reflection: “Hope in the Midst of the Machines”

Noe Lineses — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 21:45:44 +0000

At the dialysis center, voices fill the air — stories, struggles, advice, laments. It is a strange gathering of souls bound by a common thread: the fight to stay alive, one session at a time. I often sit quietly, listening not by choice but by circumstance. And sometimes, what I hear weighs heavy. Words like, “you will grow weaker, life will grow harder.” Resigned voices, accepting that the years ahead will only bring decline. But in my heart, I cannot — I will not — accept that. My life is not a slow march to despair. I am more than a patient hooked to a machine. My story is not yet finished. Yes, dialysis is hard. Yes, it brings fatigue, loneliness, even fear. But this is temporary. I believe that with all my heart. My eyes are set on a future beyond this — a transplant, a renewal of life, even if now it feels distant and uncertain. I know the odds. I know the cost. But I also know my God. And so, I pray:Lord, please make a way where there seems to be no way.Use me, even now, even in this weakness.Give me a new chance to live a life that honors You, to help others, to find joy again.Forgive me for my failures and faults. Lift me up from this valley. I choose to hope. I choose to fight. I choose to believe that this suffering is not the end of my story. There is a purpose yet unseen, a future yet unwritten. And as long as I breathe, I will keep going — in faith, in courage, in hope.

The post Reflection: “Hope in the Midst of the Machines” appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Reflection: A New Chapter at the PG Dialysis Center

Noe Lineses — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 23:12:24 +0000

I am back at the new dialysis center here in PG. To be honest, after the last election—so painful and disheartening—I wasn’t feeling particularly pleased to be back here. I’ll keep my thoughts about that to myself for now. But today, I want to share something else—my experience after my fistula operation at NKTI. After the operation, I found myself in a room with about ten other patients who had also just undergone their fistula procedures. When I arrived, they were already talking, sharing stories, bonding over this strange new reality we all shared. The man next to me said he used to be a soldier and now manages a security agency. He was the most talkative in the group—at first, I thought he was angry about something. But then he began to open up. He said that sometimes people joke that the “P” on our wristbands doesn’t stand for “patient” but for “perwisyo”—as if we are a burden to our families, to everyone. It was sad to hear—and painfully true at times. He started dialysis in February. I started in March. He is 56. I’m 55. Among that group, we were three in that age range. The others were much younger—too young to be going through this. One young lady shared that her kidneys failed because she used to eat a lot of pancit canton and drink Coke. Another said it was from too many energy drinks. We were all struggling, many of us battling depression. The former soldier said that one morning, in despair, he almost ended his life. He had a gun ready, but his daughter begged him through tears to think of his family, to hold on. And so, he did. I don’t know why, but I felt the need to tell him this: “What we are going through now is temporary. There may still be hope—new technologies, new treatments. We just have to hold on.” He listened. And for a moment, I think, he found comfort. This is a nightmare. And every day, I must fight the monsters that make life miserable. But I must believe there is light at the end of the tunnel—however distant. I am loved. This is temporary. That must be my mantra. Otherwise, I could easily fall into the same sadness that gripped that soldier. I’m blessed to have my brother and sisters who help me so much. My children, too. And of course, my wife, Melody—so loving and caring, always making sure I take my medicines. This life is hard. The man I used to be is gone. But I must fight—for them, for my loved ones. And I pray… may God continue to bless us and have mercy on our family.

The post Reflection: A New Chapter at the PG Dialysis Center appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Facing Death Bravely

Noe Lineses — Wed, 28 May 2025 23:42:54 +0000

To face death bravely is not to deny fear, but to acknowledge it—and still choose peace. It is to look into the unknown with eyes wide open, trusting that life was never meant to be clutched tightly, but offered freely. It is the courage to say goodbye without bitterness, to forgive what wounded you, and to bless what made you whole. It is whispering “thank you” even in your final breath—for the love you gave, the lessons you learned, the battles you fought. To face death bravely is to die with dignity, and live on in the hearts of those who remain.

The post Facing Death Bravely appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Reflection: “Gratitude in the Midst of Struggle”

Noe Lineses — Tue, 27 May 2025 03:46:05 +0000

In the stillness of this moment, I pause and look around me—not at what is missing, but at what is still here. I have a roof over my head and an air-conditioned room where I can rest.I have the means to keep the lights on, the water running, and my family cared for.Even in my weakness, I have strength left to build, to create, to bless others. I can still make websites—works of my hands and mind that may one day provide not just for me, but for those I love.God has not left me empty. Bookings still come. Support still arrives. Healing still flows through the choices I make and the grace He gives. Lord Jesus, thank You—for not abandoning me when I feel broken.Thank You for reminding me that usefulness is not measured by what I’ve lost, but by what I still choose to do with what remains.Teach me to be more grateful, not just for comfort and provision, but even for the struggle—for it brings me closer to You. Let every heartbeat echo with hope.Let every website I build become a doorway to new beginnings.Let my life, even now, be a quiet song of praise. Amen.

The post Reflection: “Gratitude in the Midst of Struggle” appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

To Zeke and Kian

Noe Lineses — Thu, 22 May 2025 09:01:32 +0000

From your Lolo Noe My dear grandsons, How I wish I could run with you, laugh with you, and chase the waves like a normal Lolo would.How I long to carry you on my shoulders and show you the stars like I once did when I was young. But even though my body is tired, my love for you is strong and endless.Even if I cannot always join your games, I will always cheer you on. I watch you with pride. I pray for you with all my heart.I dream of better days — and every time I see your smile, I believe those days are coming. Never forget, my boys, your Lolo loves you more than words can say.You are my sunshine, my joy, my reason to fight each day. Love always,Lolo Noe

The post To Zeke and Kian appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.