Plot twists

Dear Mama,

    I went to my doctor yesterday for my quarterly check up and I brought my blood test results as I mentioned in my previous letter. I said I was worried about my blood sugar, right? Do you know what my doctor said when he saw me, Mama? He said my cholesterol has shot up. I did not even remember seeing that! I thought everything was okay except for my blood sugar which I was worried about. He even asked me if there were too many occasions lately, Mama.

    He said I went from 60+ from my previous test to 110+ in this latest lab test. He advised me to work on it, Mama - diet and exercise, or he might need to increase the dosage of my maintenance. For now, he kept my dosage at status quo, just make sure it will improve next quarter.

    When I asked him about the prediabetes result, he said I should not worry about it. It's still minimal and might be caused by the difference in fasting hours. It can be corrected, of course he also advised me on my diet.

    But that's not the only plot twist, Mama. Yesterday, at around 1 a.m., Ralph went home from work. I wasn't aware because I was sleeping then. Good thing, Edgar was still awake and he was able to open the gate for Ralph. I just read the messages in the group chat when I woke up.

    Ralph said they were sent home. Their client terminated his contract with their company, and it was 'effective immediately.' And just like that, Ralph is now unemployed. No warning, no heads up, just termination of employment. They will be paid for the whole month, Mama. After that they will have 60-day redeployment phase, wherein the company will find some client who hire them. But during those 60 days, they will be on a no-work, no-pay status, Mama. After that 60 days, when the company can't find client for them, they will have to let them go. BPO is fucked up system, Mama.

    Angel is also planning to resign. I am not sure if I already mentioned this in my previous letter, Mama. She is planning to resign because of the toxic treatment of their superiors who are all power-trippers. which by the way is common in BPOs, Mama. She hasn't filed yet, though. Although she already advised her immediate supervisor and was told she will have to render 30 days for her resignation. Which I think is stupid, Mama. They threatened her with termination, and yet if she would voluntarily resign she would have to render 30 days? That's just one shade of power-tripping I was talking about, Mama.

    So, I guess I can't retire yet, right Mama? Actually, I still have 1.5 years 'til retirement. My problem is, I don't have any savings, and our children aren't settled yet. I know, it's all fault. I'm sorry, Mama. I failed.

    I'm really sorry.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Visit to the doctor

 Dear Mama,

    Tomorrow is the day. I will go to my doctor tomorrow, Mama. And I will bring my lab test results. Although I already read the results, I'm still hoping he'll say something else. That it's just okay, we can still recover from it, it barely passed the limit, or something.

    I'm just bluffing myself, Mama. I know. The result was clear. I can't deny it. Actually, I have been experiencing the symptoms even before I had my blood test, Mama. Always tired, always thirsty, always want to pee, and always sleepy. Although I was just blaming it on lack exercise, Mama.

    I don't to be a burden to our children, Mama. 

                                                                                                    Daddy

My latest lab test results

Dear Mama,

    Last Wednesday I had my quarterly blood test for CBC, FBS, and all other things included in my prescriptions which I cannot understand. Thursday, of course, we went on our staycation for Ralph's birthday, and Friday I was too tired. So, I only got my results this morning, Mama.

    I did not immediately look at it when I got home, I had to do a lot of things in the house. When I was done, I sat down in my bed and look at the results, Mama. At first, I thought everything were okay. I mean, they are all okay, Mama. Except when I realized that I miss the first line - the FBS.

    It went over the prescribed limits, Mama. And based on the notes on the side, it was on the pre-diabetics range. Next Wednesday, I will have my quarterly check up, and I need to show my lab test results to my doctor. This is just the first it happened, Mama. I hope there won't additional medicines nor diet precautions. 

    Must be the reason why I always feel tired, Mama. I'm afraid. I feel down right now.

    I miss you, Mama. I wish you were here.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Ralph's birthday celebration

Dear Mama,

    We were able to celebrate Ralph's birthday twice this year. The first one was last week where we had our dinner at Buffet 101 in SM Clark since they have 3+1 birth month promo, Mama. The second one was last night where we had a staycation in a compound villa with pool.

    It's like we rented the whole place, Mama! Because there were no other guests. Probably because it was a weekday. That's why I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the place, while Angel enjoyed dipping in the swimming pool. Ralph, most of the time slept in the room.

    Last night we played a board game in our room. It's always fun when we play board games, Mama. Because our children are very competitive, but we were laughing all throughout the games because of the rules of the board games. We played 2 sets of games, Mama. The overall winner was Edgar.

    We had our staycation on a weekday because it was Angel's day off, Mama. The three of us - Ralph, Edgar, and I had to take avail of our VL. But it's all worth it, Mama. We had fun and we were able to rest. Of course, it would have been a better celebration if you were with us.

    I really miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

        

                                                                                                    Daddy

Ate Tey is with you now

Dear Mama,

    Ate Tey was rushed this morning to the hospital. Anna sent a voice message to the group chat saying she's not okay and they're taking her to the hospital. No details. I knew then something was wrong. Later Anna said Ate Tey had a heart attack, Mama. That's what the hospital personnel said. She said they were able to revive her, but after one hour she flatlined.

    We were all shocked, Mama. I just went to Sta. Teresita last week and she was fine. Yu-Juan also posted she was talking to her yesterday. She was not even sick nor taking maintenance. At least nothing that I know  of. Maybe we just don't know because she doesn't go to the doctor regularly. Perhaps, the only positive thing we could say about this is she did not suffer long, Mama. But still...

    That's all I wanted to say, Mama. Angel left for work already, and I'll be  waking Ralph up in a while so he can prepare for work, too.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

    

                                                                                                    Daddy

Another bout with anxiety

Dear Mama,

    Ralph just left for work, it's 10:26 p.m. now. Angel left earlier around 8 p.m., Mama. I'm about to rest now. Edgar is also in his room. 

    It was a long day, Mama. Not really tiring, but it felt long. 

    Earlier I had another bout with anxiety, Mama. I didn't know what to do. I was calling your name. I tried to sleep, but my mind won't shut down, Mama.

    I felt calmer when I played my guitar after dinner, while waiting for Ralph to leave for work.

    I miss you, Mama. I need you.

                                                                                            Daddy

Another rainy Saturday night

Dear Mama,

    It's another rainy Saturday night. It's 7:42 p.m. right now, Edgar and I already had our dinner. Ralph and Angel are not here, Mama. Angel is already at work, and Ralph attended another trivia night. They left together, Mama. Ralph booked a Grab car and dropped Angel at her work, then proceeded to the venue of his event.

    Right now, the rain is pouring heavily. Good thing it has stopped a bit earlier when Ralph and Angel were leaving. It was raining the whole day, Mama. A lot of places have been flooded because of the continuous rain. I'm praying for everyone's safety.

    That will be all for now, Mama. I miss you.

    I love you, Mama.

                                                                                                Daddy

Nanay has been confined in the hospital

Dear Mama,

    The rain has stopped, for now. Hopefully, it won't rain again tonight when Angel and Ralph leave for work. It's 6:21 p.m. right now, and Angel is getting ready. Edgar is cooking our dinner, and also Angel's 'lunch' for her break tonight.

    Nanay has been confined in the hospital, Mama. She was admitted last Saturday, and she was discharged today, Tuesday. She spent 4 days in the hospital. Anna said they took her to AMC last Saturday because she was vomiting and chilling. The resident said she had phlegm in her back that's why they had to admit her. Her urinalysis also showed she had UTI. Today she was discharged and was given home medications, antibiotics, specifically. 

    During her stay in the hospital, she had nebulizer treatment, Mama. Which caused  her phlegm to loosen up. Anna took care of her while they were in the hospital, Mama. Hopefully, she'll completely heal and won't get sick again.

    That's all for tonight, Mama. By the way, I'm listening to my songs right now in Spotify. Because who else would stream my songs except me haha...

    I hope I'll dream of you tonight, Mama. I need to see you.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy

P.S. Angel just talked to me and said she doesn't feel well, and won't work today. I hope her supervisor understands, Mama. She's really sick.