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Bedridden and Helpless

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.

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Tags: bedridden, care, caregiver, caregiving, children, Covid19, culture, death, disease, duty, elders, emotional pain, ethics, family, family members, father, feelings, financial pain, frontliner, grandparents, helpless, hospitalization, illness, life, love, medical patient, mental pain, moral values, mother, obligation, pain, pandemic, parents, physical pain, quarantine, quarantine facility, responsibility, senior citizen, sickness, tradition

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Categories Communication, Education, life, Philippines, Philosophy, Psychology, Short Stories, Writing

The Last Few Words and Cries

13 Apr

“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”

(Teofila Mas Meron)

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)

(Tagalog) “Nanay, Ate, hintayin ninyo ako. Nanay, Ate, hintayin ninyo ako.” “Takipan! Takipan!”

(English) “Mother, Sister, wait for me. Mother, Sister, wait for me.” “Cover up!, Cover up!”

My mother was the youngest and favorite child in their family. She loved her mother and sister so much. My mother saw brilliant brightness.

8. My mother said with eyes closed, “Alalayan moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”

(English) “Help me.”

My mother had ready helping hands to anybody who needs help.

7. Suddenly, my mother was crying loudly while pointing her diaphragm, “Masakit eti! masakit eti!” (Zambal)

(Tagalog)”Masakit dito! masakit dito!”

(English) “Painful here! Painful here!”

My mother never complained even in rough times of her life.

6. My mother requested with eyes closed, “Dasalan moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Dasalan ninyo ako.”

(English) “Pray for me.”

My mother always pray for everyone’s wellness.

5. While inside the ambulance rushing into the hospital, my mother shouted, “Cacoyna labay! Cacoyna labay! Tama na! Tama na! (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Ayaw ko na!, Ayaw ko na! Tama na! Tama na!

(English) “I don’t like it! I don’t like it! Stop! Stop!

My mother never stops for being a good mother and grandmother to us.

4. While in the hospital bed, my mother said again 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?”

My mother was a strong believer of God. She had strong faith at all times.

3. Still on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Tambayan moyo co. Tambalan moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako. Gamutin ninyo ako.”

(English) “Help me. Heal me.”

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.

Tags: bed, care, caregiver, caregiving, challenges, cries, cry, death, English, Filipina, Filipino, God, grandmother, great mother, grief, health, help, Holy Mass, Holy Week, hospital, kind, legacy, life, love, loving mother, mother, pain, parent, parenthood, Philippines, pray, prayer, senior citizen, sickness elderly, sorrow, Tagalog, treasure, values, word, words, Zambal, Zambales

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Categories life, Philosophy, Psychology

Mother and You

27 Mar

When was the last time your mother hugs you? When was the last time you see your mother smiling? When was the last time your mother asks or tells you something? Do you listen? Do you care or show concern? If your answer is yes, you are lucky enough.

God gave life to you. Your mother nourished that life for you. She carried you in her womb for several months. She could even smile after giving birth of a healthy baby. Sometimes, she never slept and felt anxious when you were crying if you had an illness.

As you grew older, your mother helped you to sit down, stand up and walk until you can do it by yourself. When you started to go to school, she taught you how to read, write and count things. She defended you and fought for your rights if somebody was doing wrong against you. She always provided things that you need. She advised and guided you all the time. She felt very happy and proud whenever you achieved something or received an award. She felt sorry for you when you failed to achieve your dreams.

When you became a matured person and had your own family, your mother was always there and never left you. She took good care of your children. She helped you in doing household chores. She felt very happy seeing her grandchildren playing, singing or dancing. Sometimes, she threw out jokes with them.

The time passed by and your mother was getting older. Her body and mind were already deteriorating. She often got sick. She could not sit down, stand up and walk by herself. Your mother could no longer do the things that she used to do for you and your family when she was young. She always felt the pains and sufferings due to her illness.

Did you feel sorry for her bad health condition? What immediate action that you did to prolong her life? Do you really love your mother? Do you really care? Do you let her go or not?

Tags: adulthood, care, concern, daughter, Easter Sunday, family, health, illness, love, mother, parenthood, responsibility, sacrifice, senior citizen, sickness, son, sufferings, values

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Categories life

A Happy Father’s Month

26 May

A Happy Father’s Month.

Tags: care, children, culture, daughter, family, father, fatherhood, fiesta, happy father's day, holiday, love, Memorial Day, ocassion, parenthood, Philippines, senior citizen, son, tradition

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Categories Communication, Education, Philippines, Short Stories, Writing

Aging Mother

3 May

Our mother is the greatest person that we ever known in the world. She is our role model of traditions, family values and love. Our mother devotes her entire life and sacrifices many things for the welfare of her family. Our mother makes sure that all of her children are always in good condition with or without her husband’s support. But what if our mother is getting old now, does she deserve to be cared for her needs? Absolutely Yes, it is our obligation as her children to take good care of her to the rest of her life. What does an aging mother need? Just like what a baby needs, let us consider the most essential things below.

Aging mother needs daily basic needs.

Our mother needs nutritious foods to sustain healthy life. She needs clean clothes, bed sheets and blankets. Our mother needs a family home and living together with her own children. She feels happy with her own children and grandchildren.

Aging mother needs medical help and healthy habits.

Our mother needs the help of a medical doctor to monitor her health regularly as she gets older. She needs to practice healthy habits like personal hygiene, enough sleep, getting fresh air and does simple physical exercises daily.

Aging mother needs our time.

Providing the basic needs for our mother is not enough, she needs also our precious time with her. No matter how busy we are, no matter how poor or wealthy we are, we as her children should provide a quality time with her. Our mother wants us to listen to her stories frequently. She also listens to the stories that we want to share with her. Quality bonding time is necessary to cherish the good memories with our mother as she lives with us. Try to take a walk with her in a very awesome and wonderful environment. Talk to your mother with all your heart and let your mother feels that you really love her very much.

Aging mother needs you

Do you know how important you are to your mother? You are so important to her. Do not ever leave the opportunity to take good care of your mother. Because if you will ignore this kind of opportunity to your mother, you do not know what will happen next. Time comes that you cannot ever hear her voice and stories. You cannot ever hear her advises. You cannot ever see her smiling and laughing with your funny jokes. No more mother to receive your Mother’s Day greeting card. No more mother to wake you up in the morning. No more mother to prepare your favorite meals. You cannot ever hug and comfort her with your loving arms. You cannot ever go together again to the church, shopping malls, birthday parties, beaches, fiestas and other special occasions. Definitely, you will really miss her presence.

Therefore, what are you waiting for? It is not too late. Act now. Wherever you are, always remember your dearest mother. Have a “Happy Mother’s Day!”

Tags: aging mother, basic needs, children, elderly, family, family values, Happy Mother's Day, health, home, mother, motherhood, senior citizen, shelter

Comments 3 Comments
Categories Education, Holidays, Philippines, Short Stories, Writing

Ang Iyong Nanay

6 Dec

Sa pagdadalantao at pagpapakain sa iyo, ang iyong Nanay ang nag-alaga sa iyo.

Sa pag-aalaga sa iyo kung ikaw ay magsakit, ang iyong Nanay ang nagmamalasakit.

Sa pagmamalasakit sa iyo upang ikaw ay makapag-aral, ang iyong Nanay ang palaging nangangaral.

Sa pangangaral sa iyo upang ikaw ay lumaki ng matiwasay, ang iyong Nanay ang umaalalay at umaagapay.

Sa pag-aagapay sa iyo upang paglabanan ang anumang unos sa buhay, ang iyong Nanay ay nariyan at dumaramay.

Sa pagdamay at pagtulong mo sa kapwa, ang iyong Nanay ay natutuwa sa iyong mga gawain

Sa iyong mga gawain na kaaya-aya, ang iyong Nanay ay masaya sa iyong pinapakita.

Sa iyong mga kita para sa iyong ama’t ina at pamilya, sa kanilang dalawa ay sadyang napakahalaga.

Sa iyong pagpapahalaga sa pamilya, ang iyong Nanay ang nagturo sa iyo, di ba?

Sa iyong pagtuturo saan man, ang pangaral ng iyong Nanay ang hindi mo makalimutan kailanman.

Sino ka man at saan ka man, hanapin at sundin ang iyong Nanay

Kaya, habang ang iyong Nanay ay nabubuhay, buo mong pagmamahal sa kanya ibigay.

Tags: birthday, birthday party, care, caregiver, children, creative writing, daughter, duties and responsibilities, elderly person, good mother, grandchildren, great mother, home for the aged, love, mom's birthday, mother, mother and child, Nanay, parent, parents, poem, senior citizen, son, wonderful mother, writing, Zambales, zambali

Comments 8 Comments
Categories Communication, Education, Holidays, Philippines, Short Stories, Writing

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