SINCE I was admitted to the hospital on June 2019, I told myself that I will try my best never to stay in a hospital again. And so even when I was terribly sick last December, I tried to recover and regain energy on my own. But last week was different, I felt so tired and weak, but I pretended to be in good health. I vomited twice which prompted my husband to rush me to the nearest hospital.
Thank God, I was not diagnosed with coronavirus disease (Covid-19), but I each day in the hospital was filled with discomfort and fear that I’m actually suffering from Covid-19. It cost me sleepless nights and allowed me important realizations in life.
1. Friends may not visit you for fear of virus transmission but there will still be some who wouldn’t be scared and would show they cared. Those few can be those you least expect. Despite the scary news, I appreciated my busy best friend Grace Dela Vega to see me. And my trusted Cecile G. Enriquez who was not allowed to go to my room but instead met my husband in the lobby. I was also constantly visited by Dr. Joey Villanueva.
2. People who are closest to ask how you are doing. I actually felt bad because of these friends who cared for the public but forgets the closest friend they have. It was so painful to imagine that if I have the virus, they may have even forgotten my name. Thanks to Magnolia May Jadulang who constantly monitored my condition until my discharge. To Frank Malavi who sent me messages day and night. And to my husband Rey who is willing to die for me to live and my kids who keeps me alive. Yes, there were people who texted and called me, I still thank you all, but I feel.
I must say that Corona Virus Disease is not only an infectious and deadly disease. But it does break relationships - it may destroy long-time friendships, creating a gap between you and people you least expect to avoid you. I understand that we need to follow social distancing but that doesn’t mean forgetting to love because love heals. We can still love from a distance.
Remember that we cannot see God, but God’s love alone can heal.