Went to PGH today with my grandparents and my aunt (Tatay's sister). We
were able to spend some time visiting Tatay in ICU. They limit visitors
to ICU patients, so we had to go in one at a time, for a maximum of 15
minutes per visit. We're making it a point not to stay longer than
around 10 minutes, and we make sure each visit is 30 minutes apart so
Tatay can rest.
(Masyadong natutuwa si Doc pag madaming bisita na sabay sabay o sunod sunod. Hwehehe. Imagine that, we have to safeguard Tatay from excessive amounts of joy because his BP goes up every time he gets excited.)
Tatay is getting better.
When I saw him last Sunday, his eyes were wide open and slightly
protruding. It looked like he was glaring at everybody even though he
wasn't. I found out later that this was because the bloodclot was
causing pressure on his brain. Nanay sent me a text on Monday, saying
that the pressure was greatly reduced, and his eyes went back to
normal. When I saw him this afternoon,
gwapong-gwapo na ulit si Doc. May eyebags nga lang.
Tatay can speak in clear phrases and full sentences now! When it
was my turn to visit him, I asked him how he was, and he smiled wryly
and went "Haaaay. Grabe." When Lolo went to visit Tatay, the two of
them prayed together. Lolo said Tatay was speaking full sentences and
agreeing with him in prayer. Even better, later that evening, Nanay
went to ICU to check up on Tatay, when our pastor called. Tatay was
able to talk to Pastor Hermie over the phone. When my mom went up to
our hospital room-slash-homebase, she told us the good news. Everybody
was all smiles. Plenty of hugging all around.
He started his physical therapy sessions yesterday. He's taking to it
pretty well, says Nanay. We're still praying that he'll be able to move
his hands and limbs fully. Although he was able to close his
right hand and move his right leg last Saturday, at the moment, he's
mostly moving his left side. But we have high hopes for Tatay,
and great faith in the God who does miracles.
Tatay relishes being hugged and held and touched. He holds my hand
tightly whenever I visit and loves having his face and arm touched.
Lolo gave Tatay a hug when he visited, and Tatay hugged him back with
his stronger arm. He fell asleep after a while, curled up on his side,
still holding Lolo's hand tightly. We had to call the nurse to help
Tatay stretch out so he wouldn't accidentally roll over on his IV tube
and the wires for the heart monitor.
Nanay and Tita are fine. The room has a big bathroom, a TV (with cable!
Cartoon Network...wheee!) and a well-stocked refrigerator thanks to
everybody who's been bringing food and munchies. I think they'll
manage.
The only thing missing from the room is the patient. We're still
waiting for the doctor to give the go-signal for Tatay to leave the
ICU. Any time now.
President Roman, several of Tatay's classmates from highschool and
elementary, Tita Malou, Lola Dan and my friend Jyas dropped by today.
My cousin Mariel has been popping in to keep Nanay and Tita company in
between her papers and other assignments.
Enough for now. More incessant babbling soon. Please continue to pray for Tatay's swift and complete recovery.
