Recently, I had a series of the most sleepless nights. They were unlike any other I had ever experienced. I was miserable. My head felt heavy as a rock. My legs and arms were itching. I had joint pains, body aches and a terrible stiff neck from tossing and turning while trying to find a soothing position. This tiredness hang over me and I felt hot and feverish one hour, then experienced chills the very next.
My resistance dropped further from lack of sleep. In the middle of the night my nose bled. My throat began to ache. I was coughing and severely congested. My head would throb with each cough, accompanied by pain in my chest and abs. Through out this ordeal I didn’t even feel like talking. I switched off my cell phone. I was just so tired. That’s when I suspected there was something very, very wrong. I just didn’t know what it was.
On the fourth day I asked my hubby to call our family physician, Dr. Gerry Agcaoili, to find out if I was taking the right medication for cough and cold. My fever seemed to be down yet I still felt unwell. His advice was to have me take a blood test right away.
I didn’t feel like getting out of bed. My body felt so heavy and sore. Dr. Aleta Corrales of the nearby MTECH Hospital was kind enough to make a house call that same afternoon. She took along Shiela, a gentle medical technician, to draw my blood.
Two hours after they left, Dr. Corrales called back to relay the results. I expected her to say: "No need to worry. You are okay. We just wanted to play safe." Unfortunately that wasn’t what she had to say. She was alarmed by the results which showed that my platelet count was down. Her fears were confirmed. I tested positive for dengue. She recommended that I be hospitalized immediately. At first I thought there was some mistake. I had my hubby call Dr. Agcaoili again to ask if it was necessary to go to the hospital. He said absolutely I must go. And now!
My heart was pounding with fear. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me! With a sudden adrenaline rush I got out of bed, grabbed some clothes and toiletries to stuff into a bag. Somehow I managed to find the strength to jump into the shower and put on my favorite pink outfit. This made me feel a little better. You know, looking good is feeling good. Even if I was sick I still wanted to go to hospital looking presentable for the doctors and nurses.
In minutes, Jetty, my ever reliable assistant was at home ready to take me to the hospital knowing that I refused to go earlier. I still tried to get out of it, of course. But she knew how to quiet me down by saying, "Ma’am kailangan nyo na mag check-in ngayon na at baka bumaba pa lalo ang platelet count nyo. Sige baka mag-collapse kayo," was her stern warning.
My little Vincent ran in hugging me tightly saying, "Mama, I’m scared. Is it true? Do you really have dengue?" I assured him I was going to be okay but that I had to go follow the doctor’s orders. I reassured him by saying, "We must pray to God for Mama’s healing because God is the greatest healer, physician and provider. And all will be well. Don’t worry."
At that very moment I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and calmness as I kissed my son goodbye before getting into the car. On the way to the hospital, I prayed for a sign that I would be okay.
Upon our arrival, the emergency room was busy and full at about 8 in the evening. After registration I was issued a pink hospital bracelet to wear! Ah, my favorite color! What a warm welcome indeed. Thank God for the little things. He certainly knew how to cheer me up because it matched my outfit. The moment they snapped on that pink bracelet, something came over me. I felt God’s love like a warm blanket embracing me. Then I knew all would be well. I was smiling as they wheeled me into a neat little cubicle where I was promptly attended to by Dr. Roland Balburrias, a very cute doctor and director of the Medical City Wellness Center.
I was not alone. Welcome to the height of dengue season. I learned that majority of the emergency area was filled with an overflow of dengue patients and that dengue cases were at an all-time high. The hospital rooms were full, I was number 50-something on the waiting list.
The next problem was who was to sleep with me in the hospital? My Ate Jaqui was at home with fever and chills. My only brother was attending to his farm in the province with his family. My sister Christine just left for Korea to head the Filipino delegation to the Busan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market. My youngest sister Yvonne was in Singapore with her husband on business. My hubby had to go home that night to keep my little terrified son company. In the absence of my siblings, Mary Noah, our very motherly family friend and techie consultant, valiantly walked into the emergency room to fill in. She had her hands and ears full answering all their frantic long distance calls, checking on whether I needed blood transfusions or donors, and what food I wanted to eat.
We finally got into room 1506 where I was very well cared for by nurse Robert Cristobal. I must say the new and modern Medical City has certainly come a long way from the old days. The hospital also has broadband Internet – thanks to Lloyd Asuncion, their friendly technical engineer who came up to activate it – that made Noah very happy because she was able to do some work on her little hi-tech laptop while I slept.
My first night though was sleepless again as there was a medical emergency next door and there were flashing sounds and disco-like lights in my room to signal all the nurses on the entire floor. I felt so sorry that I had left my earplugs and blinkers which are my trusty sleeping aids. (Yes, I admit I have weird sleeping habits. I may be a noisy person when awake. But when it comes to slumbering, I am a seriously light sleeper who requires total silence and complete darkness.)
Since there is no cure for dengue, my medicines were food, prayers and lots of fluids. The comfort foods I craved for came aplenty. Being an adobo lover, my fave mother-in-law’s yummy chicken and pork adobo as well as my ate Jaqui’s delectable adobo flakes were lovingly delivered by Yaya Josie with steaming hot jasmine rice and the sweetest bananas. Lots of fresh calamansi juice made by caring Yaya Vina kept me safely hydrated. My blood tests came back with normal results in no time. Three days later I was declared safe from danger by Dr. Mario Melendrez and released from hospital to recuperate at home.
The miracle of it all was I never lost my voracious appetite through out this entire ordeal. I ate and drank like a horse. This kept my resistance up and worked wonders on my system, keeping me hydrated and strong. Why am I telling you this? So that you will all remember to drink lots and lots of water. It is the best health drink! And eat healthy all the time. And keep up the regular exercise! This will strengthen your immune system.
Before I forget, as preventive measure for dengue, the doctor gave me the following reminders. Destroy mosquito breeding places. Change water of flower vases. Wear long sleeves and long pants. (Oops, I admit, I was guilty of running around the garden in my spaghetti straps, backless tops and little ruffled mini skirts.)
Good thing I am also not afraid of needles. The technicians easily drew as much blood as they needed. Without resistance, I willingly gave my arm not feeling any pain.
As I write this I am convalescing in the privacy and comforts of home.
Admittedly there are times when we push ourselves beyond limit because we think we are so strong, so invincible. In my case it’s quite humbling to admit that all it took was a tiny little Aides mosquito to topple me down and debilitate me. A dear friend, Gina Yap, texted me: "Honey listen, that little mosquito is telling you to slow down and rest."
Looking at the bright side of life, however, I believe God had other plans. I must say I did enjoy the luxury of full rest, sound sleep and satisfying my hearty appetite. As I get stronger day by day it is such a joy to feel well, whole and fearless once again!
To my dear family and friends, thank you for your kindness and prayers!