Back to work on Monday and other updates

Dear Mama,

    Some good, not so good, and really not so good updates. I'll be going back to work on Monday, Mama. It's my last Saturday for the holiday break. On Monday we'll be going back to the office. I don't know where to classify that news, though. Of course, I'm happy I still have work.

    Edgar got sick again last night, Mama. He must have felt tired and cold while we were walking at the Clark Parade Ground last night. He went to the doctor for his check up. He was given medicines for 7 days, Mama. He doesn't have the result of his blood test. He might come back tomorrow for the result and reading.

    Angel on the other hand is feeling better, Mama. She's been in good mood this past days. Must be because of her birthday, and probably effect of the medicines she's taking. I hope she continues that way and will recover fully, Mama.

    During lunch earlier, Ralph told us he had his last day at work last night. I did not ask him why, nor asked him anything. I know that's how the BPO works for accountants. The client can stop your services anytime. But Ralph wasn't a bit worried nor concerned that he is out job, Mama. I'm not sure if he's just being optimistic or he's just hiding it from us, especially me, because he doesn't want me to worry. I hope he finds a new job soon.

    So, I really don't know how to feel right now, Mama. All I know is I really need a hug from you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Angel's birthday celebration

Dear Mama,

    We were able to celebrate Angel's birthday today somehow. First, she celebrated it by herself last night, Mama. She bought some snacks, cookies and pastries, and asked Edgar to cook the bacon she bought. Then she arranged them in the charcuterie board. She also bought a small cake, and she created a video of all the foods she prepared. We haven't seen it though, Mama.

    Then today, Ralph treated us to steak and coffee inside Clark before he proceeded to work. We left the house late in the afternoon so we would have enough time, Ralph won't be late for work, and he wouldn't have to hurry. Edgar was already there, Mama. He left home this morning to attend to some personal matters. He applied for his ID in PAGIBIG, which took him almost the whole day. So he just proceeded to Clark and waited for us there.

    I was glad I already felt better today, although I was still feeling cold early this morning, Mama. But at least unlike yesterday when I don't really know how I'm feeling - cold and some pain which I am not were real or just imagined. At least I'm okay now, Mama. I hope.

    That's all for today, Mama. Wish you were here to join us in Angel's birthday celebration.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Edgar's turn and then me

Dear Mama,

    I don't know if it's a plague or something, but after Angel and Ralph, it was Edgar who got sick, and then it was me. Edgar did not go to work yesterday, Mama. He was feeling sick when he got home the other day (Tuesday), so he rested yesterday. He was taking medicine round the clock, though. He was taking Bioflu, Mama. Last night, he was feeling better already. He went back to work today, Mama.

    I was already feeling something since Monday night, Mama. It got worse last night and this morning. I am also taking medicines now for my fever/flu. I was already feeling better earlier after my breakfast, but I'm feeling cold now as I'm typing here. I'm not sure if it's the fever or the weather, Mama.

    We still do not have anything planned for Angel's birthday, Mama. She did not push through with the party. She wanted to have an overnight staycation, but it took a wrong turn because she excluded Ralph who has work on her birthday. Of course Ralph and I were disappointed, Mama. Also, we really cannot have an overnight stay because of the cats in the house. Add the sickness that has plagued us one by one, that's why we were not able to discuss anything on her birthday, Mama.

    We might just go out on Saturday, or Sunday, if everyone is already okay. I'm sorry, Mama. I'm failing again as a father. How I really wish you were still here.

    I miss you, Mama.

        

                                                                                                                Daddy

Ralph's turn at the ER and Angel's birthday party

Dear Mama,

    Last night, it was Ralph's turn to go to the emergency room of AUFMC. He was coughing while we were having our dinner last night, Mama. After dinner, he took a bath, and he asked to be accompanied to the hospital because he had difficulty breathing. At the ER of the hospital, after the doctor listened to his lungs via stethoscope, she immediately said they will give him a medicine.

    They gave him medicine via IV, Mama. So they had to inject him to put the receptacle where they'd administered the medicine. He was also given oxygen, and had nebulizer 4 times during our stay there. They actually wanted to admit him so they can monitor him better, Mama. But as usual, there were no available rooms. We just went home and signed a waiver. He was given prescription for home medications, Mama - antibiotics, steroids, and the fluid used for nebulizer.

    He was feeling okay yesterday when we went home, Mama. At least better than before we left last night. He was able to sleep. But this morning, after having his nebulizer session, I noticed him standing and holding on to the table. I asked him what happened, he said he was having difficulty breathing if he is lying down. So, I went back to AUFMC to check if there are rooms already available, but there aren't any yet. I was asking to be listed so we'll be called once a room is available, but they said Ralph had to go back to the ER first to get doctor's order, even though we were just there last night.

    I just went home, as per my communication with Ralph through text messages. We were actually looking at another hospital. Fortunately, after his second session he was already feeling better, and was able to to lie down and sleep in his bed. Must be the medicines and nebulizer already taking effect. Thank God. He did not go to work now, though, Mama. He has to complete his nebulizer schedule for the first day. Hope he fully recovers. Help me pray for him, Mama.

    As for Angel's birthday, she said she wanted to push through with the birthday party. I said it's only a few days left, she needs to confirm the venue, date, and guests. I said yes, but she had to take care of everything. Edgar also said he will help in the expenses for the birthday party.

    It's quite expensive, but it's her first birthday party since the last time we celebrated it in Bagongbayan when she was still so little. So, I guess we had to do it. I hope everything goes well.

    I really wish you were still here. I'm failing as a father, Mama. I'm sorry.

            

                                                                                                                Daddy

Update after doctor's visit

Dear Mama,

    Angel went to see her doctor this afternoon, and I accompanied her. We've waited for almost 2 hours because there were so many patients, Mama. I was worried because Angel was already feeling uneasy. She said her skin was in pain because it was cold at the hospital's waiting area. I'm glad she was able to hold on and waited for her turn.

    After her check up (she did not want me to accompany her inside the clinic), we already went home, Mama. But we passed by the drugstore to buy some of the medicines the doctor prescribed her. She was given steroids for her pain, and she was also given medicines for her hypothyroidism, Mama.

    Angel asked if she should see an ob-gynecologist because her symptoms were similar to those with PCOS. Her doctor said she can if she wants to, but he believes it's her thyroid that's causing everything. We'll see in the following days, Mama. Although, I might persuade Angel to still see an ob-gyne.

    I hope Angel will feel better soon, Mama. She has a lot of plans that she was doing little by little. She was slowed down by her condition. I hope she'll heal soon, especially with her birthday coming.

    That's all the update I have for Angel now, Mama. I'm really sorry I wasn't able to take better care of her. I wish you were still here.

                                                                                                                Daddy

New year update

Dear Mama,

    It's just me and Angel at the house right now. Ralph went to Manila to see some friends from his previous job, while Edgar went to see an officemate. Probably related to his being an insurance agent, Mama.

    We went out yesterday, January 1st. We went to Marquee Mall, Mama. We had our photo taken at the photo booth and then we ate dinner before going home. There wasn't really much anything to see at the mall yesterday, Mama. There were no events nor any activities.

    It was quite a worrisome time, Mama. Angel was not feeling okay. She wasn't able to walk normally. Her skin were irritated, she was in pain. It seems her condition is getting worse, Mama. What should I do? Please help me, Mama. I'm sorry.

    She's been going to the doctors, both internist and dermatologist, but they cannot really help her. She's getting tired of the medicines, which were not really helpful. They sometimes would provide temporary relief, sometimes they won't even have any effect on her.

    It will be her birthday soon, Mama. I want her to celebrate her birthday without any worries. I'm really sorry, I'm failing, Mama. Please help us.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Happy new year, Mama!

Dear Mama,

    It's the first day of 2026. It's 10 a.m. now, Ralph and Edgar are already awake, they're just resting. Angel is still sleeping. She sleeps late, Mama. As in she just slept around 6 a.m. earlier.

    We had our Medya Noche last night, Mama. Edgar cooked spaghetti, although he had some problem because of his stomach, Ralph continued the preparation. They also prepared the ham I got from my company. Aside from those, I also ordered shanghai and barbecue from the apartment in front of us. We ate early as we usually do, Mama. Edgar wasn't able to eat, though because of his stomach problem. He rested early, Mama.

    Things were just okay, Mama. Angel went out to the garage to check on the cats and kittens because there were people using firecrackers in our neighbors. They were setting them off on the street in front of us. It was brief, though. they were done before 1 a.m.

    It will be Angel's birthday already next week, Mama. She was requesting for a party, with some of her new friends from her journal community, which were only three. I was okay with that, unfortunately, she did not push through when she realized it was just a week's preparation. She was worried they might not come since it's too short a notice. I wasn't able to help her, because I did not how to prepare. I'm sorry, Mama.

    I guess that will be all for now. I'm still thinking how I can make Angel's birthday next week special. Wish you were here.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mama!

Dear Mama,

    It's already the 28th of December. Sorry, I wasn't able to write on Christmas day, Mama. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

    We weren't able to hold our traditional Christmas party, Mama. We weren't able to do it since the pandemic lockdown in 2020. Moreso now because the house is in chaotic mess. I couldn't clean it up. I'm sorry, Mama. I'm failing you again.

    Angel is sick Mama. I don't know how to take care of her. Please help me take care of her, Mama. She's been feeling cold since early December, and she said her skin feels itchy, tight, dry, and name it, she's feeling it, Mama. She even cries in pain sometime. I don't know what to do.

    Last week, before Christmas, we went to the emergency room of the hospital where she had a blood chem test which were all normal. She also had a dengue test, which yielded negative results. She was advised to have a thyroid gland test, which they did not have in AUFMC. She had it last Saturday at HP diagnostic, Mama. The test results showed she has hypothyroidism, which of course is still subject to the advise and confirmation of her doctor. Unfortunately, her doctor won't be available until January.

    I also learned on the internet that her symptoms are also similar to someone with PCOS. Of course, this is undiagnosed as of this time, Mama. But I am getting paranoid. I am trying to hide it, but I am panicking, Mama. Please help me. I don't know what to do.

    I'm sorry, Mama.

                                                                                                                Daddy