Around 6:30am last Tuesday, I woke up to the sound of my mom and dad’s voices telling me that we need to bring my dad to the hospital. The moment my sleeping brain had processed their words, I got up immediately to check on my dad who was sitting on his bed, stricken with fear . The sight of him having a hard time breathing scared the shit out of me. Then I rushed to change my clothes, wash my face, find the key, and started the car — all in under 2 minutes. Moments later, we were traversing the long C5 road to Medical City.
Because it was rush hour we got stuck in a horrific traffic in Ortigas Avenue. Considering that was the only road going to Medical City, I don’t know how an ambulance could speed up through that kind of traffic to get the patient to the hospital on time! I pity the employees who are on their way to their Ortigas offices too. Made me kinda glad that my way to my office isn’t as bad as that one. Fortunately, my dad got his breathing back to normal right after we stepped out of the house. Even so, I still brought him to the hospital to find out what was wrong.
The doctor’s findings were nothing new. My dad has been a smoker and drinker for years which is why we were no longer shocked to hear the doctor’s news. His breathing trouble was caused by the boxes of cigarettes he had smoked, and his diabetes (and that slight liver problem) was caused by the gallons of alcohol he had drank for years since before I was born. Well, gallons is an understatement. It’s a miracle he hasn’t gotten either of the two big “C’s” yet. Thank you, Jesus.
He and my mom stayed in the hospital for two days, where he was given a bunch of medicines, tests, and insulin shots that I could no longer count. His doctor wanted him to stay for another 5 days but my dad insisted on leaving yesterday so he could help prepare for my brother’s wedding this Sunday. He’s not in a critical condition or anything like that, so the doctor just let him sign a waiver. My dad’s probably the most stubborn person I know.
I’m glad he’s hanging on. He says he’s not gonna drink again and that he will try to phase out the smoking. Like I haven’t heard him say that many times before. I hope he’s serious this time, though.
