THROUGH UPS AND DOWNS
In every problem, there is always a solution. In every pain, there is always healing. And in every storm there is always calmness. TB or Tuberculosis is a problem, it is painful and it will bring storm whenever an individual got this. But when the curing or treatment is done, there is calmness. Based from many medical studies and experiences from a person having TB, it is not that simple. The six months of medication is truly not easy thing. It will take a lot of patience and courage doing it.
The story of Noel continues as we read more on his treatment and curing of TB, especially during this pandemic crisis. Truly, that based from his experience, the pain doubled because of his gout, his uric acid that attacks his knees and that sometimes it’s unbearable. Really it is.
This time, we will read the other side of his story. His family. They are the ones in-charge in taking care of Noel while on treatment. We can say that they are the ones playing a big role for Noel to achieve his road to recovery.
I asked his family’s initial reaction and feels knowing that he is a TB positive. His mother worried so much, of course it’s one of the saddest moment for them, knowing that one important member of the family is sick and has TB, you really don’t know what to do.
His wife said, that During his 14 days quarantine, Noel decided to let them move to his mother’s house. Then the routine starts. I asked her of course what was her reaction knowing that Noel is positive from TB? And she quoted:
“Nung una akala ko lang sugat sa lalamunan kasi pag uwi ko galing trabaho nagsumbong sakin ang anak ko ang sabi sakin si papa yung dura niya may dugo agad kong kinausap ang asawa ko na anung nangyayare sayo bakit may dugo daw ang dura mo ang sabi niya lang sakin hindi niya alam kasi nasamid lang daw siya at pag ubo nya pag dura niya may dugo ng kasama nung una hinayaan ko lang muna baka sugat lang sa lalamunan pero kinabahan na ako kasi padami na ng padami ang pagdura niya ng dugo. Kinausap ko siya na punta na tayo ospital. Hind na normal yan. Pagdating ng ospital hindi agad kami naasikaso sa E.R kasi kasagsagan ng covid 12am siya na isya asikaso ng nurse at doctor sa labas ng E.R kinihanan siya ng dugo at x-ray nagulat na lang ako ng nurse sir my history ba kayo ng T.B sabi ng mister ko wala po pag katapos niyang mag xray dun lang kami sa labas ng E.R naghihintay habang naghihintay kami ng result kada ubo niya my dugo halos maubos ang dala kong tissue kakahingi dahil sa lumabas na dugo sa kanya iyak ako ng iyak nun at sobrang kaba dahil sa nangyayari sa mister ko nagdadasal ako na sana gumaling ang mister ko. At dumating yung doctor sinabi sa kanya na na hndi pa malinaw ang lahat kasi wala pang result ng x-ray binigyan lang sya ng gamot pampa apat ng dugo at gamot na mga antibiotics at gamot para hindi siya ubuhin balik daw kami bukas para sa result ng x-ray.”
Hearing those lines from his wife breaks my heart and true enough that our family is one of the best comfort given to us in times like this. The high hopes and big expectation that her husband will soon be free from TB is such as high as a mountain to describe of.
His wife somehow also asked Noel where or how did he get it? (TB) “Baka dun sa kapatid ng mekaniko ko kasi may sakit na TB yun, pero ang alam ko naggagamot yun.”
We can say that it is indeed one of the fastest way to recovery is the moral support that we are getting from our loved ones. Whenever we are feeling down, whenever we are on that kind of situation, just like with Noel. His wife truly is giving her best care and love to fully recover from it.
As to my last question, I asked the wife the daily routine and the ways how and their daughter is taking care of Noel? And she quoted again:
“First 2 weeks naka quarantine siya tuwing umaga dinadalhan ko sya ng pagkain almusal bago ako pumasok pero naka mask naman ako my oras na ang hirap lalo na kung tatayo sya para mag c.r bubuhatin ko siya pro pag iihi lang sa arinola na lng siya naiihi tuwing umaga ko yun ginagawa may panahon din na pinapaliguan ko siya hirap kasi dahil sa uric acid or (GOUT) aalayan ko sya papunta sa c.r. pag gabi naman dinadalhan siya ng mama niya ng hapunan ang gagawin ko lang paguwi ko galing trabaho sisilpin siya at itatapon ang arinola niya may gabi na naguusap kami tru video call naiyak sya sakin dahil sa nangyayari sa kanya gulong gulo daw ang isip niya hindi siya makatulog kakaisip niya.”
Such an inspiring, teary-eyed moment, reading these lines coming from a wife. The sacrifices and the love that Noel is getting from his wife is really exceptional.
As we are getting closer on the last part of Noel’ s journey, will soon find out his status after months of medication, is he getting better? Is he near to the road of recovery? Well, we all hope and pray for the best.
“The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that the free man makes for himself and by himself.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton
