Nap Time Rocks!

Finally home

I’ve been barfed on three times, peed on twice, I’ve changed diapers a hundred times, been called “mommy” by Mia a thousand times while crying, kicked off the hospital bed, and had cramped muscles for carrying a 27-lbs crying toddler.

The pains of being a single parent. I’m thankful my family especially my mom were there to help out, but nothing beats really when there’s someone else to lean on in times like these. And in times like these, I’d have to be honest, I begin to hate that one person even more.

Anyway, back to our hospital ordeal. I had to rush Mia to the hospital last Friday night because of really bad asthma-like symptoms. She couldn’t breathe properly, was having a hard time doing it, and was throwing up already. We were home alone (with my brother), so I called my parents to ask them to come home and help me bring Mia to the hospital. It never occurred to me I had an emergency on hand.

When my mom came home and saw Mia’s breathing, (yeah it was that bad) she panicked. She was so panicky that I had to tell her to get out of the car in the middle of the street and let me drive instead. And being the raging driver that I am, I defied all laws of traffic just to get Mia to the ER at St. Luke’s.

The nurses and the doctors at the ER were very helpful in not just making sure Mia was ok, but in assuring me that things were going to be alright. I was very thankful I brought her there instead of the hospital nearer my house where I used to bring Mia all the time. World Citi Medical Center had pretty bad customer service if I may say so. At St. Luke’s I was treated like a very important person and was always attended to. The medical staff was very nice too.

Just a slight problem though. Because St. Luke’s is a very popular hospital and known for its quality and professional service, the place was always ‘fully booked’. It took us hours before we could get a room which wasn’t even in the pedia wing and was a bit more expensive than expected. I had no choice though; it was 2 a.m. and I was very tired, and Mia wasn’t getting any sleep.

But all is well now, and we’re back in the comfort of our own home. The doctor’s diagnosis was acute bronchiolitis with pneumonia, but nothing a few meds and rest can’t cure. Mia is still verrry clingy, just ask some friends who came to visit, and still ‘ngongo’. At least now she can breathe easy and she can play around without worrying about back flow (blood flowing back through her IV insertion). We just need to maintain 7 days’ worth of antibiotics and nebulizing, which she is very cooperative to do.

So being a single parent has its downsides. But what kind of parenting doesn’t, right? I really should be thankful that I got through this instead of recalling how difficult it was to go through the sleepless nights at the hospital. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish he was there to help out. But the important thing is it’s over. What I got instead is a lesson on how to be a tough parent. And that relying on unexpected help isn’t so bad at all. There’s Someone who’ll always be there no matter what and I’m really thankful He never left.

Hospital bill: P46,240. Amount I paid for: P42. God is really good.

Mia’s Medicines: P953. An aunt’s goodwill: P1,000. He is really, really good. May sukli pa.

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(Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes!)