My Erpats’ Angioplasty and Pacemaker Operation

15

Marso 17, 2012 ni theairprince

I’m back! Pasensya na dahil maraming mga bagay-bagay ang naganap. Marami lang akong iniligtas na inaapi… at marami rin akong inapi. Charot.

Last February 23 (Thursday), my dad was admitted to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Medical Center in Las Piñas City for his angiogram, angioplasty, and pacemaker operation. Prior to that, he had medical checkups to Dr. Ma. Rosario Sevilla M.D., his cardiologist (Uhm, she’s not related to us. Galing no? Kaapelyido pa namin and kapangalan ng isang ate ko), at Asian Medical Center and Hospital in Alabang. He was adviced by his doctor to undergo those procedures after he was found having an irregular heartbeat.

Mahirap talaga pag ang tao ay tumatanda. Aside from battling sagging skin and gray hair, there are more serious health conditions we have to monitor and prevent. Diabetic ang tatay ko. Maraming complications ang sakit na diabetes; it even doubles the risks of cardiovascular diseases. He also used to smoke 15 years ago so he developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (chronic bronchitis + emphysema) as he gets older. Last year, my dad was also hospitalized because of pneumonia.

This year, he underwent series of ECG and it was found out that he was suffering from cardiomyopathy or the disease of heart muscle. It results to arrhythmia wherein there’s an irregular electrical signals to his heart, thus, resulting to irregular heartbeats. Since ECG is limited only to detect irregularities on patient’s heart electrical activity, the doctor could only guess that there was a possible arteriosclerosis. She advised my father to have angiogram to detect any obstruction in his blood vessels.

My dad was also told that he might need to undergo angioplasty and pacemaker operation after angiogram. The entire operation is less invasive compared to bypass surgery and it will take almost a week for him to recover. Angioplasty is done to widen the narrowed blood vessel while pacemaker, a device larger than 5-peso coin, is placed to regulate the heart beat.

Ok. Sorry for high falutin scientific terms. I’m trying my best to make you understand the procedures. Parang impeachment trial, may terms na mahirap or imposible i-translate sa ating wika. Anyway…

My family discussed this overnight since we had to decide as soon as possible. Considering that the operation is too expensive, we considered a lot of factors (ie. cost of procedure, hospital & medical fees, distance of hospital from our home). We were eyeing for Philippine General Hospital in Manila but it’s too far. Finally we settled at ‘Perps’ since it’s less expensive than Asian Med (Eh parang hotel kung makasingil dun) and closer to where we leave. Also we are referred to Dr. Eric Oliver Sison who will be performing the operation.

We were scheduled to bring him early morning of February 23. As soon as we brought him to his room, a finance staff assisted my older sister and  sister-in-law and explained the payment procedures, while I helped my dad change into his hospital gown. By 8 am, he was brought in the operating room for angiogram, first angioplasty, and pacemaker implantation. In just an hour, it was done. Ambilis nga eh. Then he was returned to our room, looking groggy due to sedatives.

The unit area where we were staying (the cardiovascular intensive unit section) is strict: only 2 people are allowed to stay and only 2 visitors are permitted according to time schedule. Ugali pa naman ng family ko na kapag may naoospital, parang buong baranggay ang bumibisita. So we had to take turns. 2 would enter the area while most of us wait at the holding area.

I had to take care of him the entire day everyday since I was the only one who had ample free time. My ate would accompany me on mornings while my younger sister during evenings. Mom would visit in the afternoon during her break since she needs to handle her business. I took a day-off on Saturday since I had a scheduled photoshoot for Mr. & Ms. APC 2012 pageant, and returned the night of the following day.

I got the chance to have time for my tatay (that’s what we usually call him) even in that worse scenario. Being the panganay of the second family, I felt responsible and at the same time lucky. I know we are way too different since we have a wide age gap (he’s 76 and I’m 25) but on that moment, everything is settled. I may misunderstand  him but he needs me. I’m not like those children who are showy about their love and care to their parents (saying ‘I love you’ or hugging/kissing) but giving time when he needs is my humble way of my responsibility and gratitude for him. That was also my way of repaying what he sacrificed for me even if he is strict like a military personnel.

It feels great when you take good care of your parents. Though it was challenging at first, the experience was rewarding. Other than being familiar with health-related stuff/being informed about diseases and prevention, I gained trust and confidence from my father. He finally realizes my potentials and aspirations in life.

He was discharged on February 27 (Monday). Right now he is doing great. He is finally recovering. Biniro pa siya na since maginhawa na ang pakiramdam niya, baka masundan pa ang bunso namin sa pamilya. His wound from the surgery is healing.

I would like to thank those who prayed for him. I was very anxious before the operation kaya I couldn’t stop tweeting about my feelings at that time. Salamat sa mga suporta at dasal ninyo. Syempre, thanks to God for his successful operation.

I am also grateful to my siblings. In times of trials, we remain intact and supportive. That’s what the advantage of having 10 brothers and sisters. Gulat ka, no?

About the bill… wag niyo na tanungin kung magkano inabot. Masakit pag-usapan. Hehe.

So other than the heart-warming experience, what did I learn? Health is a serious issue. Good thing I don’t smoke and I don’t usually drink alcohol. Siguro dahil nakita ko ang complications from my father. A lot of factor should also be considered for a healthy living: proper nutrition and food intake, enough sleep and hydration, exercise, and healthy lifestyle. In that way, we can lessen the risk of the diseases.

Yun nga lang pag ikaw ang naging tagabantay. Aside from forcing to watch what your dad likes to watch (in case, the Impeachment Trail of CJ Corona) or mamemorize mo na ang bawat kanto ng kwarto na tinutuluyan mo , you are prone to eating a lot particularly those from nearby fastfood chains. Andaming malalapit na kainan sa ospital… Mcdo, KFC, Shakey’s, Sinigang Express, Goodah… etc. I was craving for McDonalds but after few days, sumuko ako. Napurga ako sa trans fats.

Love your parents. Love your family. Love yourself. Love your health.

Hot like Mexico, rejoice!

PS. BY THE WAY, hindi ko makakalimutan yung isang nurse na nag-assist sa erpats ko. Natipuhan ko naman. Simpleng maganda siya. Hindi nakakaintimidate pero ewan bakit natorpe ako. I remember when my kuya handed me enough money to buy food for those who were staying for the night, he told me to buy also for the nurse staff. Eh nagkataon na duty niya. So I decided to buy Shakey’s. I bought an extra regular sized pizza for them. Sana pala binilhan ko siya just for herself. Nung inabot ko yung pizza for them, hindi ako makatingin sa kanya. Muntanga lang. Haha!