Long Delayed Update

Life really does surprise me most of the time.

Mama is doing great now. What happened to her truly was a miracle. Even her doctors acknowledged it. For one, her heart rate and blood pressure remained normal throughout the operation. Next her neurologist told he she'll be able to walk a week after the surgery. She managed to walk unassisted three days after her operation and she was able to eat by herself on the fourth day. Her neurosurgeon said mama is by far the strongest-willed patient he ever operated on. She only spent about a week in the hospital. After she was discharged we had to go for check-ups twice a week. She had 4 doctors - a neurosurgeon, neurologist, EENT (internist - is that right?) and a cardiologist. She was supposed to have a 3-month therapy with the Internist to completely regain her balance. But in just a month she fully regained her coordination amidst the amazement of her doctor. She also has a therapy with her neurologist. It was supposed to last until march or so. But by the looks of it she'll probably graduate on February. Her neurosurgeon decided that she no longer need medication so she's drug free since last week. Heeheeheehee...

Last December the doctors recommended that mama go back to teaching so they can assess her thought and memory pattern. She passed with flying colors. As a matter of fact her doctors pronounced that she has fully regained her physical and mental capacity.

Through this trial the Lord has shown us so many miracles. Even mama told me some days ago that she feels na sobrang spoiled nya kay Lord despite the fact that the accident happened. Ok this sounds a bit cliche but it's is true - our family have grown closer because of this; We feel God's love now more than ever; and because of this it became clearer who are friends are, who really cares for us and who are genuine.

Thanks again to all of you for your prayers and support.

I'd like to share to you a verse that greatly spoke to my mother. :)

"In the prime of my life
must I go through the gates of death
and be robbed of the rest of my years?"
I said, "I will not again see the LORD,
the LORD, in the land of the living;
no longer will I look on mankind,
or be with those who now dwell in this world.
Like a shepherd's tent my house
has been pulled down and taken from me.
Like a weaver I have rolled up my life,
and he has cut me off from the loom;
day and night you made an end of me.
I waited patiently till dawn,
but like a lion he broke all my bones;
day and night you made an end of me.
I cried like a swift or thrush,
I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes
grew weak as I looked to the heavens.
I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!"
But what can I say?
He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.
I will walk humbly all my years
because of this anguish of my soul.
Lord, by such things men live;
and my spirit finds life in them too.
You restored me to health
and let me live.
Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back.
For the grave cannot praise you,
death cannot sing your praise;
those who go down to the pit
cannot hope for your faithfulness.
The living, the living—they praise you,
as I am doing today;
fathers tell their children
about your faithfulness.
The LORD will save me,
and we will sing with stringed instruments
all the days of our lives
in the temple of the LORD.
—- Isaiah 38:10-20

Mother Walks

I thank you so much that you are concerned enough about Mama to ask me about her. My apologies for not posting often. I'm sorry too that I'm not able to reply to all your text messages.

These past few days have been such a blur. Last Thursday (October 19), Mama was already discharged from the hospital. This truly was a miracle. Even her doctors were amazed at how fast she was able to recover. She had her operation the other week Thursday (October 12). The doctors told us it's going to be a week before Mama would be able to walk, but just 3 days after the operation she was able to walk and eat by herself. By Monday (October 16), a series of test was performed on her. Doctors confirmed that she won't lose any physical capabilities. Thank God! Furthermore, her neurologist told us that at the rate of her recovery, she would be able to go back to teaching in a month! That fast!

I thank you all for your prayers. We acknowledge that it is only because of the Grace of God that my mother is recuperating this fast. May you still continue to pray for her as she is still recovering.

Currently, by doctor's order, she spends most of the time in an airconditioned room. She's not allowed to sweat so that means 24-hour aircon for her. Her whole body is still aching though so she still can't sleep well. Most parts of her are covered with bruises so she can't stay in one position for long. On the other hand, she no longer speaks in whisper. Her voice is getting stronger now. In fact, she's her makulit self again. Just a while ago she was telling me that I should take a picture of her head stitches. It'll be hard to explain to people daw kasi kaya we should take a picture. Tsaka for remembrance na din daw. I still haven't measured how long is the stitches, but by estimate, it's probably longer than 8 inches. The wound starts from a little off the center of her forehead curving down to the base of her right ear.

The moment Mama could already start talking, she told me how the whole accident happened. She was sitting on the the very front on the right side of the bus by the window. It was raining, though not heavily, but the windshield wiper was not working. She felt that they were going a bit too fast. She was a bit tired so she took a nap and the next thing she knew she was on the side ditch and blood was gushing out of her head. The minibus hit a parked 10-wheeler truck. She was too hurt to scream so the people who were scurrying around helping the injured did not notice her. The next thing she knew a shirtless guy who smelled faintly of alcohol was screaming at the people to take my mother to the hospital. But there was a lot of commotion so no one took notice of him. He came near my mother, finding nothing to cover her open wounds, he gathered some leaves and used them to hamper the bleeding. Then a private vehicle stopped by and they took mama to the hospital. All throughout the entire time the shirtless guy didn't leave my mother, he talked to her telling her to hold on and that she will survive. The next thing my mother remembered was that papa was already on her side and that a doctor was already stitching her head wounds.

We thank the Lord for all the good samaritans who helped my mother. We may never know their names but we are constantly praying for them. May God bless them for their kindness.

Of the 50 or so passengers who were on the bus, 4 of them were critical. One passenger lost a leg, the conductor suffered crushed pelvis and the other severe facial injuries. The families of the 3 other victims agreed to a settlement. In fact, we are the only ones who did not sign. Just today I met with a lawyer to discuss what our family should do. We have found out a few days ago, that not only was the minibus's wiper was not working, but the speedometer was not working either. Furthermore, the parked truck did not have an Early Warning Device.

We are still praying for what proper actions should we take but still our primary concern is my mother's well being. The doctors gave her a month to recover from her neurosurgery. We thank you that you are still continuing to pray for her. May God bless you and your family.

Mama's Made of Sterner Stuff

I'd like to thank all those who have prayed for my mother and are still praying for her. Details are a bit sketchy to some so i decided to put it up online.

Last Tuesday (October 10) Mama was on her way from Dagupan City to Bayambang when the accident happened. Early that day she called to inform us that her eldest brother just passed away. And that she'd be taking the last 8PM trip so she could check on her in-laws.

At 8:45PM we were informed that the bus Mama was riding hit a 10-wheeler truck. Mama was sitting on the very front right side of the bus. Papa rushed to the hospital and I was left to look after the net shop. After an hour or so papa came back, his clothes we a bit bloodied and he was carrying a plastic bag with Mama's clothes inside. He calmed me down saying that although Mama is badly bruised all over the body, her head wounds are only superficial. The doctors merely sewed her head wounds and in a few days she'll be fine. But Papa is not taking any chances so he asked for a series of tests to be performed on Mama just to make sure.

[For pictures of the accident, click here.]

The next day Wednesday (October 11) the results came early in the morning. Mama doesn't have any fractures of any kind. But the hospital was not equipped with MRI. We had to transport her to Dagupan City for that. But her doctors in Bayamabang were pretty sure that MRI results would be negative. Mama was conscious and coherent.

At 11AM that same day, they took her to Trauma Center in Dagupan. The MRI results arrived at around 9PM that night. Results showed that she has two blood clots on both sides of her brain. She was scheduled for operation the next day Thursday (October 12) at 9AM. The bill for the neurosurgery was projected to exceed 180,000Pesos. That night the hospital was asking for at least 50,000pesos for downpayment. We also had to find blood donors for Mama.

Papa was with Mama at the Trauma Center while I was in Bayambang looking after the shop. We need money now more than ever so Papa decided that we can't close the shop. Papa called at 9PM as soon as he received the news to inform me be about the situation. I counted all the cash we had but since bank is closed, cash on hand wasn't enough. My tita said there are 24-hour pawnshops. I took out mama's jewelry case and placed everything on it in a plastic bag. In my haste I forgot to remove Papa's wedding band. Until now he doesn't know that I pawned it.

At 1AM (October 12) the doctors decided that Mama could no longer wait until 9AM. She has to undergo the operation ASAP. She was already writhing in pain. And they were afraid that because of Mama's heart problems, she might have an attack. The doctors were kind enought to operate on her despite the lack of downpayment (which is against hospital policy).

The operation lasted 3 hours. At 4:30 AM papa called to tell me that Mama's vital signs are already stable. But she still needs to stay in ICU.

The critical part is already over. With the grace of God Mama managed to survive it all. I thank you for all your prayers. I know it was because of all of you that things turned out well for Mama.

Papa called this morning. Mama is already awake and coherent. She's scheduled for evaluation today - meaning the doctors will again do a series of tests to determine which capacities will she lose and which ones she will regain. Please pray for positive outcome. There is a greater possibility (according to her doctors) that she will not lose any capabilities. Doctors noted how remarkably strong she is. Please please pray for that.

We found out just a few hours ago that there was a miscommunication between Papa and the cashier. We thought that the 180K was the projected total bill. Unfortunately the amount only included the operation itself. The succeeding tests, evaluation, confinement, medicines, and professional fee means additional 100K in the bill. As of this time, we are expecting a bill of 280K by Tuesday - that is if Mama doesn't need therapy after.

I am truly thankful to GOD for His provision, His mercy and His Grace. I know it's such a cliche, but everything happens for a reason. I still do not understand why it all happend but I have peace in my God that He knows what He's doing.

I am truly overwhelmed by people's generosity. Help in all forms - prayers, kindness, finances, etc. are overflowing. I know that you too have your own concerns and it fills me with awe that you could still share in our burden. May God bless you a thousandfold for your generosity. Again, my family would like to thank all of you. Thank you. Thank you.

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If you wish to contact me:
Email: sendyourmails@gmail.com
Landline: (+63) 75 592 0226
Cell#: (0919) 661 5006

For friends who have been texting me and asking for our bank account:
My Landbank account is already closed.
So we're using my brother's
Bank: Equitable PCI Bank
Accnt Name: Terence Ariel G. Bohol
Accnt#: 1473-0915-65

You could also link this site to your own so more people could pray for Mama. Thank you.