PATIENT'S STORY

Wrote by rhodzjourneyph 6:27 AM Post Comment

What is your ultimate goal after this pandemic?

Some of us, or should even I, my ultimate goal was not to be contracted with this COVID virus. Luckily, I am affiliated to a hospital, which shifted to a COVID facility.

Yes, you read it right, I still feel lucky that it is converted to a COVID facility, because it provides enough PPE while on duty. Standard protocols are practiced, which is NO PPE, NO duty!

(Disclaimer: But, as COVID facility only! Many hopes to return the hospital to its original purpose as Pasig City Children’s Hospital-Child’s Hope).

In my previous blogs, I talked about my personal experiences being a health care provider and sharing the experiences of the patients.

In this blog, it will revolve to me as a patient, as a heath care provider, as a daughter and everything in between.

Last June, I became weak, and difficult to step forward. Faith has been tested each day. And the situation became hard to carry.

Last June 6, after I attended an engagement proposal of my friend, I started to feel unusual. I went home (accommodation) right after the mass and not tempting to join the post celebration after. I tried to rest the rest of the day, but colds, body pain, and headache began.

The next day (June 7), my head nurse scheduled me for RT-PCR. I tried to get off from my bed and go to my scheduled swab test. I dragged myself to buy food, eat my breakfast, and washed my clothes. After all these things, I prepared my things for a possible quarantine.

I tried to go on my duty that night, but I received a call from my colleagues stating the most devastated word of all time, during this time (hehehe). It was confirmed, I tested positive for COVID. I called my parents right after, telling the situation and my plans.

My plan is to be quarantined in a facility, because I was hoping that my parents will be negative. But my mother was starting to exhibit symptom which was I thought a post vaccine effect. That night, I processed my admission into a quarantine facility with the help of our head and colleagues. My goal during that night was to rest because that was my body wanted to do. My colleagues provided comfort, send their messages and prayers. It was an overwhelming indeed, and I appreciated much.

That night, I was transferred to a quarantine facility. I took my rest, even I am scared in the place. I slept almost the whole day the next day. I updated my parents and had a video call. My parents became my strength during that time. I also tried to convince them to have their swab, because my mother’s cough was much evident than previous days plus a dropping of oxygen saturation to 94-95%. My mother stayed in my room and started to isolate. That night, I felt the heaviness of the cross that I was carrying. I asked prayers from my friends within and outside community of CFC-Singles for Christ. The path has been difficult to walk that time, and I have a hard time to pray as well because of the worries and fears.

The following day, June 9, my mother’s symptoms became irritating into my ears when we had a video call. She coughs almost all the time, and I already asked the help to some of other colleagues, if they can have a swab earlier than the scheduled day, and have an appointment with the doctor to be able to prescribed the medicine for her. I questioned myself if I did the right decision after all, to isolate on a quarantine facility. I messaged one of a closest people in my heart. She made a wonderful and affirming message, and it goes like this “mahal natin ang mga magulang natin, pero mas mahal Nya ang mga magulang natin”. When I heard it, my tears fell down on my face. I can’t help it, but that night crying was the most therapy back then. It eases the pain, and worries, which helped me to realize that the divine intercession come along in my back and tapping me saying “just hold on, I am on it! Relax and enjoy your resting moment”. After our conversation, I also told my story to my (sectoral) upper household. It is indeed, a full of faith, hope and love that night. Comforting messages, from our couple coordinators and brothers and sisters jump me to a joyful moment with the Lord.

Next day, I prayed for a negative result, but I still laying on His hands whatever His will. I woke up that day with a much more relaxed and hopeful. My parents had their swab, and check-up. My colleagues take over while I was away with my parents. They assisted them all throughout the process. They are indeed a gift from heaven. When we had a video call that afternoon, my mother shared a joyful moment. She was touched by the care and assistance that was shown, (and dramarama sa hapon started! 😊 )

Days after, I overjoyed of how the Lord unfolds surprises and graces. He sent different people who made our journey be easy as we could imagined. Friends, workmates, neighborhood, community of CFC East A and Central B, and situation itself told me that I made a good decision. It is a good decision because I trust on the process, on His cross and on His helping hand. In addition, I became an instrument to others to my room mates at quarantine facility believing that my profession will never stop inside the hospital, and not even if you are a patient.

I surrendered our situation and peacefulness is much more present. I always asked her oxygen saturation, and other vital signs. Her oxygen saturation started to increase after almost a week, but her condition was much better than the previous days. Checking her breathing pattern was also checked during video call.

I was discharged after almost 11 days, and returned to work after my swab test on the 15^th day. The journey has not yet done to my mother because of the symptoms that is still present. After almost a month, we received a clearance from her pulmonologist, and have a good result of xray and swab test.

My dream to stay negative all through out this pandemic season may not be fulfilled, but His lessons and realizations are the most treasured of it all. One of it was, you will never understand the suffering of your patient if you alone will never be on the same situation.

It is indeed a long journey, but the Lord is present every step of it. He never abandoned His loving children.

PS: I would like to grab the opportunity to thank everyone.

To FIECAS and FABELLON family. Thank you for keeping us on fire and comforting us. Videocalls, and messages keep us to moving on and keeping the faith

Thank you to my Housemates (mam jeck, mam jho, mam regine) you are all awesome

To OR family who messaged and gave comfort (mam bam, mam yeza, sir henry, beshy Benjie, doc paolo, doc rox, and doc lalaine). Doc Lalaine, supported me emotionally all throughout the journey. Doc Rox, always assured that everything will be okay.

Other colleagues outside OR department. (Charie, mam deth, and beshy jil). Salamat Jill sa maagang palumpia mo.

To OPD staff and head nurse, Sir Dean. Sir dean who always answered my inquiries and concerns

To laboratory department, who answered my concerns through Mam Cris

To NSO department who coordinated my quarantine facility.

To my closest Friends, BBG! Thank you for all your prayers

To brave souls (Steph, neah, and leona), upper (ate che, kuya Efraim, paul, nikko, carrie, elaine, and steph) and lower household (lheli, cindy, and elaine). Brave souls you always make me laugh, and feel loved. Thank you for activating as being my GG.

To Alea and Michael, salamat sa pagsuyo at pagbili ng mosquito patch.

To upper hh (sector), Tita rita, tito Andrew, jov, jelai, clem, del. Thanks for being with me and praying with my family. Tito Andrew/ Tita Rita, thank you for treating me as one of your daughter, ramdam po ang pagmamahal. Salamat po sa pa-grocery.

To Cluster couple coordinator of CB3, Tito Jerom and Tita Abba, for delivering us covid kits, and sumptuous lunch. Couple coordinators of Central B, tita Lalen, Tita Beth, and Tita Mely, lahat po kayo ay grasya.

To CFC- Central B HOLD, thanks po for including us into your prayers through Tita Mely, Nay Marian, Ate Cynthia

To Murillo’s (kua jude at ate cynthia) fambam! Salamat for always being ready to send my needs. Salamat sa pavideocall nyo.

To Nay Levie, indeed you are heaven’s sent! I love you to the moon and back

To CFC-East A1, thank you for praying with us and checking with my parents.

To my Ninang Sol, who became the extra hand of the family’s needs. Maraming maraming salamat po Ninang.