September 16, 2011, 3 p.m. Saudi time, I called up house to check on Mama’s health as she was not feeling well the past few weeks. I was able to talk with mama for a minute because her speech was slurring. I was told that she was vomiting since morning and was not able to hear her food. They thought she was just having hyperacidity because of taking so much medicines for cancer, high blood, diabetes, etc. My brother wanted to bring her to the hospital but Mama declined.
At around 1 a.m. of September 17, 2011 Saudi time I phoned my brother to ask about mama’s condition and told them to let me know immediately of any progress. If mama will be admitted to the hospital, they should send me even a text message on my roaming and not when mama’s already at the hospital or what.
That afternoon, 3 p.m. I phoned home again and was told that mama was admitted at Velez hospital due to more vomiting and slurring of speech. Doctor’s initial finding was a blood clot on her brain and mild stroke as mama’s left face was partly deformed and a slightly twisted tongue. Doctor requested for a brain scan but was not done that day as no budget yet. Again, I reminded my family to keep me updated. I phoned mama and was able to talk to her for few seconds as her words were slurry and she is struggling to talk. I just told mama to take rest and take her medicines and that I love her.
September 18, 2011, I phoned mama at the hospital but was not able to talk to her because talking was a bit difficult for her and speech was still a bit slurry. I was told that brain scan was done but was waiting for the doctor to read the result. Since mama’s brain had some fluid, an intravenous drug was administered to help reduce the water.
My sister-in-law said, Mama asked if I could share some for the hospital bills. I was so hurt that I am not able to do so much because I was so far away and finances at this time is so limited considering a week before my mom was hospitalized, my dad was admitted too and bill was a whooping 90,000.00 pesos not to mention the expenses incurred out of the hospital.
September 19, 2011 3 p.m. Saudi time, my sister-in-law called up and said, I have a news for you about mama. I asked if it was a good news of bad news. I had a gut feeling that it was not a good one but was not prepared of the blast if ever mama has left us. She continued and said, brain scan result was read and mama’s cancer has spread to her brain now, mama has brain cancer. Swollen and water on the brain is I guess to much already for mama not to mention the lung and bone cancers that affected her earlier.
I was holding my emotions and my tears, I don’t want to cry. But after our talk, I burst into tears. I don’t know what to do. I called up my Filipino housemates and told them about mama’s condition. If only Saudi Arabia is on the other side of the fence of the palace, I could have jumped out to be with mama. I want to see mama soon and I don’t want to waste time as I might not see and talk to her. I don’t want to see mama with closed eyes and can’t be able to talk to her and tell her and whisper to her ears, I love you, Ma.
My housemates advised that I should ask the Princess for an emergency leave. I was also thinking of the financial side, as I had some loans before I went home last June for my annual vacation but unfortunately, days before my scheduled flight, mama was admitted at the hospital due to severe pain caused by bone cancer. After that, she went for another round of radiation.
It was past 4 p.m. I composed myself before going down to my room from my office. My office is at the 3rd floor of the palace and I have to pass by the family room of the family. When I opened the door the, couple and the youngest son were sitting at the family room. I immediately closed the door but the youngest son called me up and asked what happened. Their, I was not able to control myself again and burst into tears. I just told them that my mother has brain cancer now. I did not expect when the Princess offered me to go home and see my mother. She personally called up office to process my tickets and my visa and the next flight available for the Philippines.
Office-in-charge told me that the available flights will be on Wednesday and Thursday. I told them that the youngest son told me, if no earlier flight available, I will just tell him and he will be take charge of it. I expected to go home the earliest by Wednesday. At about 6:30 p.m. I was informed to pack my things and I will leave the Palace by 10:30 p.m. and my flight to the Philippines will be at 1:40 a.m.
Caught off-guard, I went to my room to pack my luggage. Don’t know that to bring. Stress, lack of sleep and all the emotions took its toll on me. But I have to be strong for my family and my daughter.
September 20, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. Philippine time, from the airport I went straight to the hospital. Mama was surprised to see me home but was so happy that I was with her.
I don’t know the purpose of my sudden going home. It was not planned and everything went so smoothly, not according to my plans but according to God’s plan. All I know is that God has a purpose. I don’t know what the purpose is but in my heart it’s certainly for a good reason.
These days, I have been into so much challenges and trials. From finances to my personal life, my daughter and family, I am so emotionally challenged. It seems that everything was given to me in one setting. Sometimes I want to tell God, can you please give the challenge one at a time? It seems a heavy load already and I wanted to raise my hands as a sign of retreat. But at the back of my mind. I can do this. These are only challenges. After this, if I pass the test God has given me, He will reward me for passing the test with flying colors.
As always, my greatest weapon is my faith and my personal relationship with God. I remind myself that all I need to do is to bend my knees, bow my head and thank God for all the challenges that made me stronger as a persson each day.
Thank you so much Lord for all the guidance and for carrying me when I am down.
At around 1 a.m. of September 17, 2011 Saudi time I phoned my brother to ask about mama’s condition and told them to let me know immediately of any progress. If mama will be admitted to the hospital, they should send me even a text message on my roaming and not when mama’s already at the hospital or what.
That afternoon, 3 p.m. I phoned home again and was told that mama was admitted at Velez hospital due to more vomiting and slurring of speech. Doctor’s initial finding was a blood clot on her brain and mild stroke as mama’s left face was partly deformed and a slightly twisted tongue. Doctor requested for a brain scan but was not done that day as no budget yet. Again, I reminded my family to keep me updated. I phoned mama and was able to talk to her for few seconds as her words were slurry and she is struggling to talk. I just told mama to take rest and take her medicines and that I love her.
September 18, 2011, I phoned mama at the hospital but was not able to talk to her because talking was a bit difficult for her and speech was still a bit slurry. I was told that brain scan was done but was waiting for the doctor to read the result. Since mama’s brain had some fluid, an intravenous drug was administered to help reduce the water.
My sister-in-law said, Mama asked if I could share some for the hospital bills. I was so hurt that I am not able to do so much because I was so far away and finances at this time is so limited considering a week before my mom was hospitalized, my dad was admitted too and bill was a whooping 90,000.00 pesos not to mention the expenses incurred out of the hospital.
September 19, 2011 3 p.m. Saudi time, my sister-in-law called up and said, I have a news for you about mama. I asked if it was a good news of bad news. I had a gut feeling that it was not a good one but was not prepared of the blast if ever mama has left us. She continued and said, brain scan result was read and mama’s cancer has spread to her brain now, mama has brain cancer. Swollen and water on the brain is I guess to much already for mama not to mention the lung and bone cancers that affected her earlier.
I was holding my emotions and my tears, I don’t want to cry. But after our talk, I burst into tears. I don’t know what to do. I called up my Filipino housemates and told them about mama’s condition. If only Saudi Arabia is on the other side of the fence of the palace, I could have jumped out to be with mama. I want to see mama soon and I don’t want to waste time as I might not see and talk to her. I don’t want to see mama with closed eyes and can’t be able to talk to her and tell her and whisper to her ears, I love you, Ma.
My housemates advised that I should ask the Princess for an emergency leave. I was also thinking of the financial side, as I had some loans before I went home last June for my annual vacation but unfortunately, days before my scheduled flight, mama was admitted at the hospital due to severe pain caused by bone cancer. After that, she went for another round of radiation.
It was past 4 p.m. I composed myself before going down to my room from my office. My office is at the 3rd floor of the palace and I have to pass by the family room of the family. When I opened the door the, couple and the youngest son were sitting at the family room. I immediately closed the door but the youngest son called me up and asked what happened. Their, I was not able to control myself again and burst into tears. I just told them that my mother has brain cancer now. I did not expect when the Princess offered me to go home and see my mother. She personally called up office to process my tickets and my visa and the next flight available for the Philippines.
Office-in-charge told me that the available flights will be on Wednesday and Thursday. I told them that the youngest son told me, if no earlier flight available, I will just tell him and he will be take charge of it. I expected to go home the earliest by Wednesday. At about 6:30 p.m. I was informed to pack my things and I will leave the Palace by 10:30 p.m. and my flight to the Philippines will be at 1:40 a.m.
Caught off-guard, I went to my room to pack my luggage. Don’t know that to bring. Stress, lack of sleep and all the emotions took its toll on me. But I have to be strong for my family and my daughter.
September 20, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. Philippine time, from the airport I went straight to the hospital. Mama was surprised to see me home but was so happy that I was with her.
I don’t know the purpose of my sudden going home. It was not planned and everything went so smoothly, not according to my plans but according to God’s plan. All I know is that God has a purpose. I don’t know what the purpose is but in my heart it’s certainly for a good reason.
These days, I have been into so much challenges and trials. From finances to my personal life, my daughter and family, I am so emotionally challenged. It seems that everything was given to me in one setting. Sometimes I want to tell God, can you please give the challenge one at a time? It seems a heavy load already and I wanted to raise my hands as a sign of retreat. But at the back of my mind. I can do this. These are only challenges. After this, if I pass the test God has given me, He will reward me for passing the test with flying colors.
As always, my greatest weapon is my faith and my personal relationship with God. I remind myself that all I need to do is to bend my knees, bow my head and thank God for all the challenges that made me stronger as a persson each day.
Thank you so much Lord for all the guidance and for carrying me when I am down.
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