In the middle of pandemic due to several variants of covid19, people easily get sick tremendously. Many people are still recovering from sickness. Some of them are still in the worse medical condition due to complications. Most of the time, these people are bedridden and helpless in the hospital, quarantine facility or home quarantine.
Do you know the feelings of the patient being isolated, bedridden and helpless? Do you know also the feelings of the bedside caregiver monitoring the 24-hour medical condition of the patient? It is very tough to become a patient or a caregiver. Patients and caregivers are really experiencing physical, mental, emotional and financial pains.
Physical Pain
Medical patients are experiencing physical pains. They cannot turn over their bodies by themselves because they are so weak. Their blood cannot circulate well which may turn into bedsores and develop into skin wounds that prone to infection. They cannot open their eyes to see everything around. They cannot open their mouth to say something what they need. They cannot eat well using their mouth. Instead, they eat through nasal tubing that brings out physical discomfort. They can sense the pain while injecting the needles on their bodies. They cannot move their bodies voluntarily. They stay on their body positions for several hours.
Likewise, caregivers of these patients have physical pains too. They stay with them most of the time and monitor their health condition. They patiently lift up the patient’s body when needed. They patiently feed them and allow them sip some liquids in order to prevent dehydration. They quickly respond to the patient’s needs like changing diaper, cleansing the whole body and changing clothes.
Mental Pain
Medical patients are experiencing mental pain. They have many thoughts. They think negatively most of the time. Thoughts like what if they cannot survive. What will happen to them? Who will take good care of their families? Where are my children? Do they come?
Similarly, caregivers have mental pains too. They are worrying about the patient’s severe condition. They are thinking about what will happen next. Thoughts such as what they will tell to their families and how they will tell it. Do they feel sorry about it or just listen to what the family will say? Most of the time, caregivers are confused mentally. They cannot decide wisely on certain things.
Emotional Pain
Medical patients are experiencing emotional pain. They can only hear the voices around. They feel very sad that brings out unstoppable falling tears from their eyes. Patients know that they will die anytime. With their conscious mind, they pray silently. It is really difficult for them to leave their families, relatives and friends. It is very tough and heartbreaking process of separation in their entire life. They want to win the fight for life but they are helpless to do it.
Caregivers have emotional pains too. It is hard for them to look at the patients who are suffering from severe illnesses. They can feel the deep pain internally. They also cry and feel sad. They try to comfort the patients by all means.
Financial Pain
Medical patients and their families are experiencing financial pain. They spend much money and have developed huge debts from hospitalization costs, medical procedures, professional fees and medicines. They spend from hundreds to millions value amount of any currency. The outpatients incur medical expenses, food supplements and other necessary materials such as diapers, alcohol, bath soap and wipes.
Sometimes, caregivers are experiencing financial pain too. Most of the time, the caregivers are close relatives of the patients. If the family has poor economic condition, the caregiver usually provides the needs of the patient unselfishly. Being front liners, caregivers provide their humane services to the patients unconditionally.
In times of sorrow, can you still remember the last few words of a dying person that you love most? I would like to share with you the last few words and cries of my loving mother that might break your heart and bring your eyes into tears.
10. While on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami. Pano na cami a pinalsa Mo?” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami. Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”
(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”
At the age of 94, my mother still remember the Almighty God who created everything. In her entire life, she frequently prayed to God and attended the Holy Mass regularly.
9. On her bed, my mother said with her eyes closed, “Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co. Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co.” “Takpan! Takpan!”(Zambal)
My mother was a good helper. She was very kind to children and elders.
2. Still on her bed, my mother said softly with eyes closed, “Abuloyon moyo co.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”
(English) “Help me.”
My mother helped her family. She really loved them so much.
1. Still on her severe body condition, my mother uttered softly, “Ya.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Oo.”
(English) “Yes.”
My mother had strong influential words that anybody should decide and follow. She disciplined, guided and mentored us appropriately.
My mother just nodded her head when I talked and asked her until her complete consciousness had gone.
Yes, my mother was gone but her legacy, advises, courage, greatness, kindness, faith, laughter, memories, dreams and so forth remain in our hearts as we live.
When was the last time that you had visited your mother or your child? When was the last time that you had spent time to talk with your mother or your child? When was the last time that you had served foods and spoon fed your mother or your child? When was the last time that you lifted up your mother or your child? When was the last time that you had changed the diaper and dressed up your mother or your child? Maybe your answer varies from one another. Your answer might be a few minutes ago, a few hours ago, a few days ago, a few months ago, a few years ago, a number of years ago or it never happened.
Good Friday is a day of sorrow. This was the day when the Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, cried over the death of her beloved Son, Jesus Christ. This was the same day when the Lord Jesus Christ tearfully seen His loving mother crying continuously until no more tears came out from His mother’s eyes. The truth behind this was the moment of dying brings out pains physically, mentally and emotionally particularly between the mother and child. Sometimes, the bonding break up may lead and result into a severe depression if not properly managed by concerned individuals.
Some people have the battle to win against their opponents or competitors. Athletes in boxing, basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer and other sports want to win in a battle. Sport’s fans also want their idols to win. Contestants in singing, dancing or talent competition show their best performance to win the battle.
The Battle to Change
Some people have the battle to change. They want to change the society where they belong. Some people want changes in the government system that offers public services. Some people change as they grow and develop. These changes in various ways can be obviously observed by anyone. They might change physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, economically and spiritually.
The Battle to Heal
Some people have the battle to heal. People with sickness or illness want to be completely healed. They ask for medical help from the professional doctors. They ask for spiritual help from the Almighty One. People who got in despair or broken-hearted need emotional recovery or fast healing.
The Battle to Live
Some people have the battle to live. Victims of crime like in drug-trafficking, human-trafficking, homecide and other crimes who were sentenced by the highest court with death penalty or capital punishment need the battle to live. These people need your prayers to save them from execution. Pro-life supporters pursue and promote their advocacy for rights to live of every citizen of the world and have a quality, peaceful and happy life.
August 25 is the death anniversary of our beloved aunt, Indo Simay. She died last August 25, 1998 at the age of 83. I can still remember when I was in the private school. An office staff called me saying that I had a phone call. My niece was on the line and she told me that my beloved aunt, Indo Simay passed away in our province. I could not imagine myself when I got cry. Tears were flowing continuously on my face when I remembered the good memories of my late aunt. Everybody in our family felt very sad when she died. Everybody knew that Indo Simay was so nice to all of us. She loved our family. She loved her sisters so much including their siblings and grandchildren.
The Discovery
Beforehand, Indo Simay did not know her birthday since she was born. Due to massive damages brought about World War II. no listing of her name in the local registry records. Ever since, she was not celebrating her birthday. She only estimating her age then. When one of my brothers incidentally found her name in the records of the Church when Indo Simay was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. It was stated in the record when and where she was born. That was December 10, 1917 in Santa Cruz, Zambales, Philippines
The Very First Birthday Party
As initiated by my brother, members of Indo Simay’s extended family which include all her relatives had planned to have special event for her very first birthday party that was held last December 10, 1997. She will be 83 years old that time on her birthday.
The very first Birthday Party of Indo Simay was very memorable moments to everybody specially for her. All elders and living sisters with their own families were there to witness the special occasion. It seemed that everybody was happy. Indo Simay as a single lady and never been married was so happy that time. She prayed first. She did a lot of conversation with the guests and relatives. She laughed and felt so excited what was going on that day. She even danced with the beat of the music that kept on playing in a loud speaker. Indo Simay started to cry when each one of us danced her one at a time in the rhythm of a waltz music. Indo Simay cried because she felt how everybody really loves her in that moments. The party was accompanied by a country band. My brothers and I had rendered some folk songs with the country band. We served a lot of foods to all the guest who attended the party. There were a lot of gifts received by Indo Simay. All the relatives and friends gave certain amount of money to Indo Simay and pinned the money bills on her birthday clothes as they danced with her at the center of the floor. It seemed like her wedding day. People felt mixed emotions of happiness, love and care. It was a whole-day event. The following year, we did not know that the very first birthday party would be the last one for Indo Simay because it was on August 25, 1998 when she died due to pneumonia.
Indo Simay’s Legacy
Indo Simay was a very nice daughter of her parents, sister of all her sisters. She did a lot of sacrifices to all of us. Indo Simay helped and supported her parents and sisters in various ways. She spent most of her life with her parents and sisters. She was a very hardworking person. She worked from early in the morning until late in the evening. Indo Simay loved us unconditionally. She was worried so much when one of us were suffering from any illness. She was crying when one of us was missing. Indo Simay was a religious woman. She never lost faith to God. She kept on praying to God in the morning, afternoon and evening with the Holy Rosary on her hand. Indo Simay was attending the weekly Holy Mass even she was working seven days a week. She never left my mother while we were growing up. Indo Simay served, cared and loved us with all her efforts, skills and abilities. We treasured so much all her advises and kindness. Indo Simay can be considered as the unsung hero in the modern world. I know you are in heaven now, Indo Simay, because you really deserved to be there with the Almighty God forever. We keep on praying for your soul. We love you so much, Indo Simay.
“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”
Hands-on 