my mother has been in and out of the hospital for the past five years, and there were times when she was confined twice a year due to heart attacks. The last time she was confined to the hospital, she suffered a major heart attack which led to a complication called pulmonary edema, where due toM the inability of her heart to pump blood well, fluid accumulated in her lungs. While in the ER, she suddenly had difficulty of breathing. I held her hand and watched the cardiac monitor as the vital signs go below normal. She turned blue and fainted. I hear the rushing sounds of the monitor and the nurses as they run to my mother's side and wheel her to the blue code area. I knew what was coming and i no longer need an explanation for the procedures needed to be done to her so i just gestured to the medical team to go on.
I was already in tears when i saw the doctor insert a tube in her mouth. He couldn't insert the tube because her trachea was bleeding. I then prayed to God and asked Him to help my mother survive. But halfway in my prayer, something dawned on me. i remembered how much my mother has been through, her daily complaints of pain, and struggle to stay alive. So instead of bargaining with God, i surrendered my mother. i told Him that whatever His will is, let it be. I was ready for whatever answer He might give.
I dialled my sister's number and told her what was happening, and she was stunned as i was. I called my dad and told him to come back to the hospital immediately.
The fast buzzing sound from the monitor slowed down, and I saw from the monitor that her oxygen status has improved greatly, her vital signs have also improved. the tube was already inserted in her mouth after the third try. She was on mechanical ventilation and had many tubes attached to her. She survived but needed strict monitor for the next 24 hours. Though I was completely exhausted - emotionally, physically and spiritually, i wanted to stay beside her but with all the machines around her, i was asked to stay outside instead and wait for developments. I spent the night outside, praying until I fell asleep. The following day when i checked on her, her condition improved and machines were removed one by one. She was already talking by noontime and was moved to a different area with less monitoring and it was only less than 24 hours! She had to stay in the hospital for almost ten days to ensure that she is in good condition already. Aside from worrying about her condition, we were also worried about the bills at the time which was enough already to buy a car. But we stood on God's promises and He fulfilled them.
That was October 2011. She was not confined more than 24 hours in the hospital since then.
Though she has had attacks and complaints of chest pain or irregular heart rhythms, they were all relieved and treated by medications or rest -at home.
I still cry whenever i remember that night when i thought God would already take her away from us. But i always thank Him because He never left us when we needed help. He has kept my mother safe in every operation, every childbirth, every illness. He abundantly provided for my mother's hospital expenses ever since through my mother's friends, colleagues and other people who have shared their blessings when my mother needed it. And we those people whom God has sent to get us through those tough times.
Today, we are celebrating the 15th year after her successful operation. And we are praying for another 15 years or so.
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