I never thought the time that I would take care of my parents would come. When I was young, I wanted to take care of them but did not know I really would. The time came for me to rise to the occasion.
More than two years have passed, but the hardship Papa went through when he got terribly sick is still fresh in my memory. He was in anguish. It came to his most vulnerable point when his feet and legs got swollen that he could not walk by himself. I had to carry him. Having a back problem, it was no easy feat. I am still amazed that God gave me the strength to render tender love and care for Papa. After having his stent, it was a miracle that Papa was able to live a few more months after that and even after having congestive heart failure (CHF).
Caring For Papa
Together with his terminal illness and CHF, Papa almost gave up. He said: “Lahat na lang bagsak” (everything is a failure). I answered right away: “You are still alive, Papa!” True enough, not everybody gets to live after CHF. According to Medical News Today, the five-year survival rate was 49% for those who are 75 years and older. It is rare for a person to live through that with CHF but he did, even for only a few months. Papa had to say goodbye after a year of going back and forth to the hospital like clockwork. I requested for a Priest for Papa to receive his last sacrament, the Anointing of the Sick. Until he heaved his last breath and my brother cradled Papa in his arms, we cannot thank God enough for having given us those moments of caring for him.
Another Chance With Mama
As if one heavy blow was not enough, Mama also had an emergency. It was around midnight when I heard Mama shouting, calling for help. I was aghast when I saw her sprawled on the floor, so helpless and unable to move. We stayed at the hospital for almost a whole month. Words were not enough. All I could do was cry. It felt Christ heard me crying so hard at the Perpetual Help Chapel that He gave us another chance with Mama. At present, I also tend to Mama’s needs. She has her nursing aides too, a few times each week. But there are times when I bathe her as well. She gained back her appetite. In the beginning, I felt overwhelmed. Thankfully, she is more mobile now. There are times when we have our squabbles but what’s most important is that she is alive.
Like Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, it not only shows “Love thy neighbor,” but speaks clearly of attending to the sick as well. He did not know him personally but he stopped to check up on the man lying on the road who was beaten after a robbery. He also went out of his way to give him medical aid.
What is quite unfortunate in these trying times of the pandemic is that people are refrained from attending to and in visiting the sick, their loved ones afflicted with the disease. People are grieving but still, people believe. It is the saddest time to be alone in their last moments. Aside from the health care they provide, there are medical frontliners that find a way for the patients to at least talk to their relatives and family members. Doctors, nurses, therapists, emergency responders, medical aids, and caregivers amongst many others are providing the health care that people need especially at this time.
“To care for the sick” is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. It is tough to be the primary caregiver but it is also heart-warming to know that in their twilight years, together with my brothers, our parents were able to feel the deepness of the love we have for them. At times when we feel in what other ways we can show love, it is God who plants seeds on one’s life path. No matter how hard it is, love comes to fruition after all the tribulations. At the end of the day, it is always love, the goodness and guidance of God’s love that prevails.
The Heavenly Father reminds us of His love in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
