The Dreaded Call and Unexpected Trip

Tweet

November 1, 2012, Thursday night, I received a call from someone using my aunt's phone. She told me my aunt underwent a brain surgery and in a state of coma. She showed me my aunt’s condition through Skype and I was at loss for words. How could I ever accept something like that? My aunt is still so young, and was so alive until that day. It was early in the morning as I was told. She was on a graveyard shift. When she came home her head was already hurting so bad. She was hungry so she ate something and went to bed. After an hour, she woke up with a severe headache. She couldn't move well, and she was vomiting, and continued to do so even there was nothing more to spill out. She lay down on the floor and her husband called for an ambulance. After she was examined, they learned that a vein popped, and there was a brain hemorrhage. They immediately opted for a surgery to stop the bleeding and close, connect or whatever they needed to do to the severed vein. I also received a call from the Philippines that day. They were telling me to go to my aunt no matter what. I had to take a day off the next day. I was much disoriented. I wanted to grieve but I needed to find my way there. So I called our pastor in church. He and his wife helped me find the best route to take. All I knew that time was I needed to be there as fast as I can. No hotel reservations, etc. I needed to be there and I would worry my stay later. The trip was around five hours. But it seemed longer. I wished I wasn't alone on that trip. But I think it was best that I was alone. I got more time conversing with God. I spent my time finishing the gospel of Matthew. I was hoping and praying that when I get there my aunt would be able to talk. I was fetched by aunt’s friend who called me the other night. We directly headed to the hospital and I saw my aunt lying on bed, no signs of life except for breathing. Then other friends came, and the room was filled with love and care. It helped me to carry on knowing that there was so much love showed to my aunt. But most importantly, because they have faith in Him, and even with that little hope of recovery, they still believe. I met new older friends. I stayed for the night at a Filipina's house and I was treated as wonderfully as I could ever imagine. I felt their love. They were showing their love for my aunt to me. I knew then, that my aunt is in good hands. That morning, another Filipina came to the house and fetched me. When we arrived at the hospital, my aunt’s husband told me to come with him to their house. He wanted to show me the life of my aunt. He was telling me how it was so cold, and untidy not having my aunt around. They live in a simple house. And it was cold. I asked him to reenact what happened that morning. There I confirmed the story. I was reminded how fragile life is; how it could easily be taken away. It was a simple day, but it was the day when all was to change. It was hard for me, yet I believe it was more difficult for those who couldn't be there for my aunt. As much as they wanted to, it was not a bus-ride away..