A trip to the ER

Dear Mama,

    This afternoon, I took Ralph to the ER of AUFMC. He asked to be brought to the hospital, Mama because of his lingering fever. I have already started with the laundry when he said he wanted to go to the hospital. So, I stopped what I'm doing and we got ready to go to AUFMC. Edgar booked a Grab car for us. 

    We went to the ER at around 4 p.m., Mama. They took his temperature and BP after he filled up the info sheet. His temperature was 38.+ which was lower than his tempt at home which was 39.+. Probably because he took Bioflu at around 2 p.m., Mama. What surprised me was his temperature was normal!

    Finally, he was looked into by the ER doctor, Mama. The usual routine questions, to determine what was causing Ralph's fever. They ordered some lab tests - CBC, platelets count for possible dengue, urinalysis, and ECG. He was supposed to have stool exam, too but he wasn't able to produce stool samples.

    Then we waited for the results, Mama. Ralph was also administered IV fluids because they felt he was dehydrated. And then we waited some more. At past 7 p.m., the doctors finally came back to us and said Ralph's lab tests are all okay, and he is negative for dengue. He was also not dehydrated. I breathe a sigh of relief, Mama. We were then advised to wait for the discharge instructions before they send us home.

    After 30 minutes, they came back with the discharge instructions. Ralph was prescribed with antibiotics and some medicines, including paracetamol. We then waited for the cashier because they had to coordinate with the HMO provider for Ralph's bill. Good thing it was approved because they said the whole procedure would have cost 10 to 12 thousand pesos, and that's just for the lab tests.

    Anyway, we went home at around 8 p.m. We stayed at the ER for more than 4 hours. But I can't complain, at least Ralph's okay. We also passed by the drugstore so Ralph can buy his medicines, and bought litson manok for our dinner.

    Ralph's already sleeping now, Mama. He feels better. I hope this will continue and he'll be well tomorrow.

    That's all for now, Mama. I just want to update you on Ralph's condition. Please continue guiding us, especially our children. Please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Ralph is sick again

Dear Mama,

    Ralph is sick again. He was not feeling since Friday, Mama. Although he worked last Friday night.

    This morning, he said he might not be able to work tonight. He sent me a photo of his BP which was quite high, Mama. He is also complaining of swollen tonsils. He was taking medicines since last Friday, Mama.

    I'm sorry I was not able to take good care of our children, Mama. Please help me. Help me make Ralph feel better, Mama. We cannot afford another hospitalization for now. It will drain us even further.

    Please make Ralph feel better, Mama.

    If only it were the other way around, I'm sure our children would have been better taken care of.

    I'm sorry, Mama.

                                                         Daddy

We lost another kitten

Dear Mama,

    This morning, we lost another kitten.

    As Edgar and I were about to leave home for work at around 6 a.m., I saw a dead cat on the street in front of our gate, Mama. It was Kuting, one of the kittens staying in our garage. She was ran over, Mama. I was devastated.

    I don't know what to think. I was not able to take good care of them.

    I'm lost and confused. Why do these things happen to us?

                                                                                                        Daddy

Sunday nightcap

Dear Mama,

    It's Sunday, 8:30 p.m. I'm about to go to sleep, Mama but I thought I'd write a letter before lying down.

    I just finished doing 2 doodle arts, Mama. They're not bad. Not exactly awesome, but not bad. At least decent enough. If only my hands were not shaking, Mama, I could have done better. And of course, it's not also helping that I already have a poor eyesight.

    Yesterday morning, we had breakfast at Denny's in SM Clark before we went to the supermarket, Mama. Then last night, we went to Starbucks for coffee so Ralph can complete his stickers. Both were Ralph's treat, Mama.

    I think that's just about it, Mama. I really don't have anything much to say. Tomorrow's another manic Monday (remember our theme song then? haha...)

    Until my next letter. I miss you, Mama. Please pray for my peace.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy

New week

Dear Mama,

    It's Monday. It's the start of a new week.

    We just had our dinner, Mama. Ralph is now getting ready for work. I hope he moves faster. He's a bit slow, Mama. I don't like doing it, but I often nag him to hurry up. Otherwise, he'd be late.

    I'm concern about his coughing, Mama. He is not getting well. He has medicine and breathalyzer. Please make him well, Mama.

    Maybe I'd do some doodle art tonight, Mama. Maybe later, after Ralph has left.

    Please pray for my peace, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Weekend

Dear Mama,

    It's another weekend. The second weekend of the year, Mama. Everything's good so far. Everything's quiet, Mama. I mean, everything except my mind. I never lost this anxious feeling inside me, especially when I am at home. I wish I could get rid of this.

    We might go out later, Mama. We'll be going to the mall again to look for Angel's shoes. She was not able to find anything she likes last Thursday. I hope Ralph will be okay later. He's from nightshift, Mama. He's already asleep right now. 

    I really do not have anything much to say, Mama. I just want to talk to you. I wish I can hold your hands and embrace you now. I miss you, Mama.

    Please pray for my peace.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

Angel's birthday

Dear Mama,

    It's Angel's birthday tomorrow. We might go out for dinner, Mama. If it will be okay with Ralph. And then we'll be looking for shoes, Mama. I promised her I'll buy her shoes. She finally settled for the shoes as her gift, Mama.

    It will all depend on Ralph. As you know, he is working nightshift, Mama. I hope he'll be able to sleep well tomorrow morning when he arrives home from work. Edgar will be here tomorrow. He filed for a leave. He said he'll be cooking spaghetti for tomorrow's lunch for Angel. I'll be working tomorrow and I'll just meet them at SM Clark.

    I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I wish we're still complete in occasions like this.

    I miss you, Mama. Please pray for my peace.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy 

Back to work

Dear Mama,

    The holiday is finally over and tomorrow, January 6, we will be back to work. I can't say my break was really productive, Mama, but it was a break and I had some time to rest. Of course, except for the times I was battling with my anxieties.

    Next stop will be Angel's birthday, Mama. Our baby will be turning 27. I'm really getting old, Mama. I just wish for her to be healthy and happy. I hope she can find a job she can enjoy, or have a business she can sustain. Which I think she prefers. Please help me guide her, Mama. I am clueless sometimes.

    Praying things will be better for us financially, Mama and hoping my mental health will be better.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

January 2nd

Dear Mama,

    It's the second day of January of the new year. Edgar is already back at work, Mama. Ralph will also be going back to work tonight. He is sleeping right now, or at least he's trying to. It's 8:47 a.m. right now, Mama. Angel is also sleeping.

    I finished the laundry, cleaned the cat litter boxes, and also took out the trash. Just resting for a while to write this letter. Afterwards I will continue with more chores. I will be back to work on January 6, Mama.

    A week from now, it will be Angel's birthday. I can't believe she's already turning 27, Mama. I hope she'll be better soon. I hope I can help her in dealing with her personal problems, Mama. I'm sorry.

    It's a bit quiet in the neighborhood now. I hope it stays that way, especially tonight. But the grill house beside us will be opening tonight after closing for the holidays, Mama. I hope there won't be any disruptions just like in previous nights.

    Anyway, that will be all for now, Mama. Until my next letter. Please guide our children. And please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy