Thursday, 1 January 2015

NEW YEAR...NEW LIFE


we are all happily celebrated the Christmas and New year with Rus. The fight was so tough, we never thought you could make it, my son. This year, you had passed another 2 surgeries....if including last year ...a total of 4 general operations which you made it.  I look back and I see how hard you fought, and it reminds me of a time that some people say you can't make it, yet you prove them wrong and you did my son. You were sent here by God to serve soooo much purpose. And you my son have become a medical phenomenon. Thank God for the gift of life. Thank you for all the people who PRAY, and support us in all very special way… May God multiply all his blessings to  all of you.

Thursday, 20 November 2014

THANK YOU LORD

 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”_- 2 Corinthians 9:15

We thank God for answering our prayers. he give Rusver abundant life to live. We thought we had lost him because life in the ICU was so rocky. Doctors anticipated that in theirs only a bleak of hope for him yet miracles did happen along the way. We were able to leave ICU safe and sound to the regular room. Three days from the regular room to our home.

This video shows how Rus cope in the ICU. The nurses were all happy to feed him by mouth because he was no longer NGT feed.
This video shows his transition stage in the regular room. His enthusiasm makes us very happy. We don't see as skinny but on how he cope those horrible needle poking and how he tolerated his feeding everyday.

                                                                      


Its been for a week since Rusver was home from the hospital. How the entire world jubilated when Rus came home safe and sound.  It is now our moment we can seat back and relax rather than staying in the hospital hearing with a monotone sound of the machine and seeing the colorlessness hospital ambiance. We had come up nearly 3 months in the hospital stay.

Thank the LORD!

Since the first day Rus came home, we visited the Divine  Mercy Shrine at El Salvador to give thanks to the Lord for answering all our prayers.We give thanks to all the people who help us in one way or another. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 – “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Rus just learn how to walk because his legs has no strength yet his practice is only for 2 days then he learn to walk by himself. His eagerness and his coping mechanism is very fast. His feeding were all tolerated. The next time we visited his doctors for evaluations, everything was impressive. We thank everything to the Lord because he is the author of life.

So from here, we are waiting for Berna's second coming to celebrate mamas birthday. I know for sure she will be very delighted because the boy Rusver is well now and my second baby is coming too.

Everything, WE SALUTE to GOD!

Sunday, 10 August 2014

DYING STAGE

The prognosis of Rus tummy in his third surgery was not doing well. The swell continues. The infection level is high because fever never subsided. He has a constant temperature of 38 to 39 degrees. Every day the tummy is increasing in a few centimeters.

Today I am just writing what had happen on the 7th of August 2014.

That day was a very significant day because it is the day that Rus battles for his life. I would never expect it will come that far…holding a dying child. 
After school, I rushed to the hospital to see and toke care of my son. Arriving in the Maria Reyna, I saw  Rus breathing deeply as if he lacked of oxygen. I asked my hubby regarding the doctor’s feedback to his status. He said, “he needs to be in ICU. Tummy is still swelling and fever is still high.”
I toke a deep breath. I toke some wet rag and wet with water. I do sponge bath on him to tone down his temperature. He is still breathing deeply and he is whinny. I laid him comfortably on his bed as he watched his videos from my handphone. 

He was not happy  as if he is asking for something which we couldn’t decipher. I asked his papa to come closer to us and requested him to carry Rus instead of me. My hubby allowed me to rest for a while as he toke over of caring Rus.  I lay on the bed next to them hoping I could sleep. I saw them together, they all slept together in his bed enjoying the videos in the phone. Just a few minutes later, I noticed Rus two loud painful cry. I was irritated why he was in pain. So I got up check his IV sites for dislodge. My hubby also wonder.  As a mother instinct, I toke him, lay on my lap for comfort. My hubby helped me pass him to me properly. As he seated in my lap, I noticed bad features in his face.  My niece Nel shouted, “Rus is pailing!!” 

 My hubby is trying to blurt word of comfort to his son.  I started to be very hysterical. I shouted for doctor’s help. Immediately my niece call the nurses  for help and they had noticed that patient Rus needs immediate support for he is in critical stage already.  I noticed my hubby also wailing and he is trying to comfort is cold, pale and light as a feather body. I hugged Rus in my arms closer to my chest with tears as my hubby enveloped us in his arms. I called him name for several times begging for the Lord to do something to him. Although, I noticed the nurses were doing some set up for resuscitation, but I never mind it. The doctors came to get Rus from my arms and placed him on his bed. They did all the necessary things for him to revive. They checked all his vital signs. I noticed he has no more blood pressure. The oxygen level slowly drops from 80 to 72. Doctor Bellina, a crtical care doctor quickly ask my permission to put him a tube for ventilator. Without haste, I agreed saying; “ Just do all necessary things for him…Please don’t salvage him…” I both woe and calls God’s mercy for him to recover….my hubby tried to pacify me as he shed in tears… I knew that my hubby also asked for God’s mercy to extend Rus life. Some nurses suggested that I should be vacated from the area considering that I am 6 months pregnant and I shouldn’t witness the scenario to avoid stress. It made me angry considering that I want to be in my son’s side in his difficult moments. I never went out in the room. I hugged to my hubby as he comforted saying God’s words of worship. Both of us were crying. Then, the portable x-ray machine came and the technician signaled me to vacate the place. They toke some x-ray for his tummy check. MY hubby tried to help me calmed down especially we both go through difficult situation. He called and SMS his family and friends regarding his son’s condition. Nel tried to calm down as he was crying, too. 

This is the appearance of Rus before leaving the hospital.
Soon , the boy was revived. Vital signs were normalize. His cold body started to warm for he was aided with drop light. Doctors made post conference with us immediately. The chances for him are so slim….they quote 60/40. 60% is the critical level and 40% is the chance of survival. Any moment the boy would leave us. Maria Reyna Xavier Hospsital ‘s ICU was full. They help us scout nearest hospital with vacant ICU. It is only Polymedic Medical Plaza (PMP) has the vacant slot. We talked a lot from the doctors regarding his transport to ICU. He will not be transported unless vital signs are stable because transportation is also critical. He may lost during the transport. So we waited all things were cleared. We had made clearance in the MRXU and made down payment to PMP. 


Just around 9 in the evening all of my hubby’s family came for comfort and moral support. My family came to comfort us, too. As they continued to pray for him, Rus finally awaken. He moved and started to be fussy. Nurses tried to control him. We were all happy considering he will be transported consciously. Not too soon, we were in the PMP via ambulance. He was transferred to ICU properly prior I left the hospital. His papa and Nel stayed back in PMS to close monitor the baby. We arrived at PMP safe and sound. My family never left us not until Rus was settled in the ICU.





4TH OPERATION CAME...
The life here simply it doesn't end here. A lot of humps and bumps along the way. I almost tormented because of desperation for him to live. He undergone 4th operation because his tummy extended a little bigger this time. I was very nervous of the choice yet very hopeful in the hands of the surgeons. I do believe God is working on them.Yes, indeed. The operation is very successful. They were able to release 400ml of water and air in his body. They created 3 drainage in his body. One for the jackstone sprut, and a two pen rose drain.

The purpose of a drain is to let blood, pus, or other fluids escape from a wound while it heals, without letting bacteria get in. Blood or pus will flow through a tubular drain or round a solid one.Although not all wounds need drains, and drains have their risks: (1) Bacteria may enter from outside, especially if nursing care is poor. The risk of this is small if you use a closed drainage system and your nurses are good. (2) Bacteria may come from inside a patient and infect the tissues through which the drain passes, particularly the abdominal wall. (3) A drain may erode a vessel or a suture line, especially if you leave it in for a week or longer.


Rus in jugular IV insertion
Since Rus came in Polymedic Plaza with all possible IV sites in the hands and feet were all collapse. teh doctor has no choice but to ask permission from us to do the jugular IV insertion. We were frightened from this style yet it is the best for him as the doctors commented. Soon its no longer jugular. In fact, the two sites of the head and the forehead were also used for the IV insertion.

WEAN OFF FROM THE VENT
After a week being operated for the 4th time, we were happy when the doctors wean him from his ventillator  consequently on the following days he was given through trial oral feeding. The doctors told us by 2 days time we will move to the regular room.


So we go home with a good rest. On the following day, when my hubby was very excited to inform me that Rus has undergone first oral feed via NGT, I also long to see him.

In my excitement, upon arrival in the hospital, horror envelope me. I saw Rus being dehydrated. He suddenly dispel body fluid horribly. He is so skinny, pale, dry and irritable.He look like a dying Somali boy. My heart was pounded with mortar. I cant help but to cry. Asking help from the doctors why he dispel a lot of fluids uncontrollably! In this point, a lot of trial they do. Our hope of having in a regular room suddenly burns down. He is dying!

One week after the continuous IV transfusion and urine sample evaluation, I see no choice but a miracle to happen. He is desaturating! Intencivist doctor declares, only God's miracle can only take him way to leave. I see no choices but to hold on the little hope that in us. many people inform me on my son's status. They even said I must ready  when my son will leave. However, I rebuke all what they said. Int his difficult time, I rely my strength to God.





3RD DAY FROM SURGERY

 Blaise Pascal, a French writer and philosopher from the 1600s, said, "Deep within the soul of every human being, there's a God-shaped hole, and only God can fit in that hole." That is the deep sense of loneliness and suffering that many of us feel on a day-to-day basis.

It was Rus third day the moment he was out from the operating  room. He is really whinny in his bed. I felt so sadden when the doctors diagnose him that he has edema. He needs a dose of new antibiotics and albumen. I know that this new sets of medicine are really expensive and hopefully that Rus will be able to cope well. All our prayers in him.

I miss my son so much his laughter and his giggles. When I sleep in my room and see the crib, I miss him. The room is so quiet. Toys are just all neatly piled up. I miss his being rambunctious. I miss him all. This day I felt so alone. I can not deny that my heart  is in thirst of his laughter and I want him again in my arm giggling.

Dear Lord, help me to feel your presence and trust that you are always with me.  Help me to find my comfort, not in things, but in the love Jesus secured for me at the cross. I know that you will never leave me or forsake me. Help me in my unbelief. Help what I know to be true to be what my heart lives out as truth. May this season of loneliness draw me ever closer to you.Help me to seek you in my loneliness.

Saturday, 26 July 2014

THIRD SURGERY


 
Post operation photo. Rus stayed in the recovery room.


The moment had come for the third surgery. We had waited for so long for this moment to come. In fact we had waited for a year and 6 months for the total closure of his fistula. 

On the day the was he confined in MARIA REYNA XAVIER UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, I, his mama was not around. I can't stay too long in the hospital yet I always spent moment to be with him. I am pregnant for the second child.  I am protecting the baby in me because I don't want to any bad things will happen to the second child. Furthermore, I can not apply for leave considering that I am a newly hired public school teacher in Macabalan National High School.

It is only my hubby who walked with him in every step of the way, witness every details what the doctors do and observed his son's reaction towards the people and things he doesn't like.

On the day  the was  in the operating room, my hubby eye witness how his son struggles. Rus was very angry and cried a loud when the anesthesiologist poke a needle on him.He is begging help. When he was back in the arms of his papa, since he was sedated, he slowly close his eyes and his cries became weaker and weaker until it fades. He eventually fall asleep. The team of doctors made a simple, sincere prayer prior he let my hubby left the area back to the regular room. He pitied  his son. He  was unable to control his eyes. Tears slowly rolled his cheeks. His throat choked, no voice spoken. He surrendered his son to the doctors. Then, left the area.
Catching my time to be with him. I still see him in the recovery room prior he was delivered to his regular room.

Although I am always constraint of the time, I always make it a point that I could spent time with Rus. I have to go back home from school prior visiting the hospital. I have to be 'clean' before I have to touch Rus.




Tuesday, 15 April 2014

TIME AFTER TIME

Hello everybody!

Our baby had come up a long way. Even though he had short gut, he is  gaining weight dramatically. So many significant issues that happen every month although I was not able to document them right away.

Last time he had an episodes of amebiasis for two months. Even though he got this horrible sickness, he is not contaminated with fever. He just go normally in his daily routine. But one horrible incident that frightened us, was his frequent vomiting. Just  a few weeks after being treated with amebiasis, gastritis stroke him! he was rushed to the hospital and admitted.

I felt bad during my stays in the hospital. I felt like being sick. All the discomfort I felt because I stayed in the children's ward.  I did it to cut cost. We do not  have much money to pay all the expenses. Luckily we were there 24hrs only. We were discharge and all our payment where  charged to our PhilHealth Insurance.

Soon the baby  was well, we visited again from his doctors. He  was vaccinated by his neonatologist pediatrician while he was cross-examined by his pedia-surgeon. All things go well. They even have unanimous decision that Rus will be operated to close his short gut.
However, I highly suggested to the doctors that it will be on June will be better because at to this moment considering it, we were still on the peak of financial constraint.

As per suggested by his doctors, they want the boy to  underwent charity in order we can cut cost. So we went to process his papers.  Hopefully things will go fine for us in order we can save much and at the same time avail the best care and services. It will be the same doctors to do take good care of him.  We pray that we can hurdle all this difficult and stressful moment in our life.

Now our Rusver had 6 teeth. He is happy and very dynamic which give his doctors an impression that this little lad will survive.


I will not be as prompt in my bloggings because I am looking forward for my life and family which gives me a hectic day to be in my computer blogging.





Monday, 20 January 2014

RUS 1st BIRTHDAY: A FAMILY REFLECTION


Beating the odds in life is not easy especially without God's help. In this moment,we give thanks to the Lord our God for He lead us to this wonderful and glorious moment- Celebrating Rus first birthday. As we reminisce the past, they seems like a bad dreams. We were able to hurdle it. We will never forget those people who touched our lives. Those difficult moment, I feel God's presence more and more and how his love and miracles swipe our life and he make a difference in Rus life.


We are thankful to God because Rus is getting bigger and heavier. He is not sickly anymore. He is jovial and eats a lot.  For so long of waiting, at last, we were able to purchase a walker for him in order he can exercise his limbs. We praise you, O God, for these great and terrible things, which our eyes have seen. The strong family support plus the group of friends that never ceases to pray and help us, made us to be victorious in every difficult situations.


Celebrating Rus first birthday was a  very touching incident in our life. Although we only have a meager money at hand yet our family members initiated to realize the celebration to be worth remembering. The celebration was simple but very meaningful because we able to create a family fellowship. We praise your name God.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3

I had notice that through Rus, we become closer as one family. He reconstruct ways to connects the broken bridges. Although we can not deny the fact that in a family we do not have a perfect in- laws, yet the grudges in the past were slowly healed.  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

I praise your name, O Lord now and forever! How great are you to us.

Friday, 10 January 2014

JUST REMINICING

 I stop writing for awhile in this blog after we had visited the doctor and Rus was diagnosed with microcephaly. I did travel with my husband with the baby visiting places that somehow can ease our pain. We visited family and friends. We talk with them regarding our case. Although it is a heart breaking news but all we need is comfort.


 It was the first time for Rus to travel as far  as Laguindingan just to be with his relatives. I am solace with my husband's family as we were talking about with my son's case and our current struggles with him.I am grateful for they continue to pray for us.

I also spend  many times reading, reflecting and reading the Bible. Sometimes I may fear with my son yet I found peace with God.




Time had swept away so fast. My “O” baby had reached 11 months. It was his first time to celebrate Christmas with us. The baby whom the doctor wants to be terminated had gone far already in our hands through God's mercy and strong support group of the public.

We also expose our son to the public by bringing him to special occasions like the employees Christmas party of my spouse. We give thanks to the company whom my hubby work with for their untarnished support to our son especially those  difficult times. They were  happy too considering the boy had grown well. Towards the end of the program, the company will always have a raffle for all the staff. And lo! we were surprise for it was the SECOND TIME that my husband bring home the GRAND PRIZE again. They said, ever since we had this "o" baby; my hubby is getting luckier and luckier. It is God's grace that bring him luck to us. Indeed, he is a lucky baby.


When the 2013 is about to end, I had launched also a home base childcare-tutorial catering children aging 2 to 3 years old. Through these children,I had implemented the curriculum for play group or toddler which I had long created. Although I will not expect a full blown result because of  my current business location is not belong to a elite group of people in the society. Anyway,  for least, this endeavor had click for a start.

Everything that we do, we offer it to the Lord for he is the one that will bless us. I pray that all we plan and work for, specially of opening a business, may God will bless us.