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Under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. Let it do its work so you become mature and complete, not lacking anything. {James 1:2-4}
Faith does have a way of testing me…On June 12, my father was brought to the Intensive Care Unit. He suffered respiratory distress and had to be intubated. He must have reached the emergency room in a really bad condition they had to let everyone except the medical personnel out of the room.
Through it all, I knew he was going to pull through. He is one fighter, my dad is. No one and nothing can bring him down.
A few days later, he had to go undergo dialysis. His creatinine doubled within 24 hours. Apparently, he had an untreated urinary tract infection that spread to his blood, and his heart, lungs and kidney reacted to the infection. All the time, the cough and fever that he was self-medicating (my dad is an ornery old man and when I ask him to have his check-up, he will find witty ways to oppose me! Think of the movie “Grumpy Old Men” and he can be one of them-in a cool way of course, because he is one fun, ornery old man. He has a caustic sense of humor,) was actually his body’s response to the spreading infection.
On Sunday, the tube was removed and I was relieved he was recovering fast. Through all these, by the way, my 14-year old daughter Nicole has been nursing high fever with flu-like symptoms since Friday and my 7-year old son likewise was having high fever since Saturday.
(I soo wanted to make a Father’s Day post for him-my hero…but I can’t bring myself to…seeing him frail and pale with tubes in his nose and mouth, arms swollen from three different IVs…)
Nicole’s nose bled on Monday and hubby had to bring him to the ER. They were home after an hour and her blood test came out normal although she was asked to go back the next day for another blood count. I brought Adrian to the pediatrician that same day. The pedia told me there is an increase in dengue and typhoid cases and since she can’t find any reason why Adrian is having a high fever (upper respiratory seems clear and there are no other complaints), she recommended a dengue and UTI test for Adrian and a dengue,UTI and typhoid test for Nicole.
The whole time I was having a talk with the pediatrician, the ICU personnel has been calling me informing me that my dad had to be intubated again! I didn’t know which to do first. (For the parents out there, this is one of the best reasons to justify having many children. I have an only brother. Dalawa lang kami and my bro is staying in Manila. He had to go back to Manila on Sunday. )
I ran to the ICU to see how he was after bringing my two kids for the blood tests. I was shocked at how pale he was. I had to ask the nurse if conscious ba siya or he was just sleeping. The nurses told me he responds when they talk to him, but he sure is not responding to me!
I had to go back to get the blood tests. OK naman ang first two page for Nicole. I saw the word negative, but when I read the third, the dengue test, it read “Positive.” And when I saw Adrian’s with the Dengue test “Positive”, too, my world sank. How could that be???
Their blood count was still normal, so I consulted with the pediatrician. I told her earlier my dad is in the ICU so it would be more convenient for me if the kids get confined so that they can be watched closely and I won’t have to run home to check on them and then go to the hospital to check on my dad.
Monday was the pits talaga. I was numb. How could everything happen in a day??? And to top it off pa, the medical personnel called me informing me that they have to use the defibrillator on him because his heart was beating abnormally fast. I had to watch them use the paddles and make kuryente my dad (Note: mas exagg sa movies than in real life, I think). Five times yata. I had to watch and make sure his heart returns to normal beating. So in between taking care of two patients alternately vomiting and wanting to pee, I was practically going through the motions, I was one emotional wreck.
The kids pulled through. I checked them out yesterday afternoon (Friday), but my dad is still there. He is gradually getting better. I really hope he will get really really better so he can go home na.
And oh, by the way, I was sooo glad I cried when I saw comments from the BC Bloggers community. I wasn’t able to finish the round last week because of what happened, but I was soo happy when I read my blogger friends’ words of encouragement and prayers. Sobrang saya ko talaga because we (BC Bloggers) might not know each other personally, but we are family.
Relatives, friends (Ben,Carthel,Malou,Sir Mike Del Rosario and a lot more), office mates, strangers I met at the ICU watcher’s room offered prayers, words of comfort and even food. Truly, love in this world is truly boundless.
Please continue to pray for my family. And through all that happened to me last week, not once did my faith waver. In fact, it became stronger. Totoo nga, if life gives you a major storm (parang tsunami nga hehe), all you have to do is turn to HIM.
Here is an inspiring song “Ambon” by True Faith…
keep strong maris…
maris,, "ambon" by true faith…. we're always here maris..
Ben, thanks soo much talaga!
hi marie! i think my mouth was wide open the whole time i was reading your post. i couldn't imagine how i would have coped if the same situation presented itself to me. you have proven that your unwavering faith really made you stronger. thank GOD your kids are all okay. may GOD continue to heal your father. 🙂
oh, you're such a strong woman, kung ako yon baka natulala na lang ako haha, as in sabay sabay talaga, good thing that your kids are now okay and hope your dad recovers the soonest possible time
take care also of yourself
yikes…grabe naman! but i'm happy that your kids are well now, rainy days na kaya uso ang dengue, prayers for your dad sana okay na siya
Hi Sis, I haven't visited the COMEX spreadsheet until today. I've heard about these news quite late already but just the same, I am wishing things to be better for your dad and your kids. God is indeed good, I have proven it a number of times in the past. In fact, the only thing that keeps me going now is FAITH. I'm sure that HE will take away all those burdens from you soon. And believe me, something good will happen amidst all these difficulties. Hold on Sis…GOD is with you all the way and of course you and family will be in my prayers, too at this very moment.
hi Marie,
I can't imagine myself going through what you been through, It's tough! All I can do is prayers for your Dad fast recovery, and give you more strength and keep your love ones away from harm. Glad to know that your kids is ok. Take care!:)
oh… while reading your post i could not imagine myself going through all the stress.. I might go somewhere to hide..anyway my prayers to your dad and children for their fast recovery, just have faith all everything will be okay..
Rosemarie/Gven-Rose
i didn't notice the comment on the CommEx spreadsheet until i read this post. glad your kids are all okay. prayers for your Dad. while I was reading your post, my throat was like full of lump and sumisikip ang dibdib ko. now that i am a mom, too, i can't imagine my son going thru that ordeal, more so if sabay pa sa dad ko. that must have really been a major storm. this experience has really showed that all you have to do is to run to HIM and be faithful. and His promise that everything will be alright will surely happen. ouch, i'm teary eyed while typing this. hope your dad gets better and better soon.
God answers prayers and all I can do is pray for your family to get well and help you go through this situation. God is good! Be strong!
Marie, I'm sorry I wasn't able to talk to you before this. I'm so so glad that your children are now okay. I am praying for your dad now. I proclaim healing in Jesus' name. Amen! He'll get better soon, Marie. Just stay strong. 🙂
I will pray for your father's fast recovery. It was really tough day for you but you overcome it! Prayers can move mountains.. keep on praying! Have faith 🙂
I am praying with you sis… The mighty hand of Jesus will be upon him. Hang in there!
I'm praying for you and your family sis.. Don't worry to much God will always be there for you.
Hi Marie. I will be including you and your family in our prayers. I hope your father gets well soon.
Said a prayer for your family. Your family is lucky to have your taking care of them. Kaya mo yan. Kakampi mo ang Diyos.
hello marie! praying for your dad's complete recovery… GOD bless you and your whole extended family
i'm praying for your dad and i hope he pulls through. i remember when my brother died last november, he went through the same process of being intubated tapos ginamitan pa ng defibrillator. awang-awa ako. i felt so helpless kasi i know nahihirapan na siya. i wouldn't wish that experience on any other person. so my prayers are with you. hang in there. your dad is a fighter.
Sis, I guess I'm late but nevertheless, I am glad the storm has passed already. When it rains, it pours talaga…but see how blessed you are and that God is always with you and your love ones…I pray for the continued healing of your dad and good health to everyone in your household. Take care!
hows your dad now?
stay strong, in times like this, u cant be anything but strong tlga, for your family, self and dad. keep safe xx
You're one tough woman Marie, keep the faith. We'll be praying for your father.
Hope that everyone recovers and are back in the pink of health.
Yes, we are here praying for you. Hang in there! The Faithful Lord will be with you every step of the way. 🙂