EVEN if people knew that Covid-19 is deadly, there are still many who fail to strictly self-impose health protocols, like wearing face masks and face shields. And although I fear the disease, honestly, I felt less anxious when I completed my vaccination. I knew and felt that I have at least 92 percent protection against the virus. If I come across a person with Covid, then I will not have to worry.
Last Sunday, though, I had a patient who called me very worried. He said they were supposed to spend Father's Day together with the whole family but his mother told him not to push through with the small family gathering. His mother said to him that she was sick and had lost appetite for the past six days. And so, he immediately requested a home service laboratory test for Covid-19. Unfortunately, his mother tested positive. The following day, confirmatory tests came and still the result was positive.
When we talked, he shared that he had sleepless nights. He is worried of his mother’s condition alone in the quarantine facility. I felt his devastation when he stated that his elderly mother pleaded him, "Kahit anong mangyari anak, huwag mo akong ibibigay sa kanila." He was sobbing and he cannot even go near her to give a calming embrace before being transferred to the Covid facility.
He regretted not visiting his mother when he could have. It was difficult for him to be optimistic of the situation as he knew Covid-19 can be fatal. His mind was filled with what ifs -- what if tomorrow he won’t be able to hear his mother’s voice? What if he cannot be with her during her last breath?
For him, everything becomes so unsure now. He hated to see his mom gasping for breath in a video call. Still, he hated himself much more, realizing he spent most of his time working than sharing happy moments with his mother. He learned about the value of family relationships and realized that it is alright to feel weak.
Yesterday morning, when we talked, he shared that his mother is starting to recuperate. But the anxiety in his voice is still here. He has not been sleeping properly for days. He must be exhausted but he continues to cope. "I could not lose a pure soul who had guided me constantly when I was a child up to now," he said.
I guess most of us feel the same. One of our greatest fears is losing our mothers. We might not be vocal about this but in our hearts is our wish for our mothers to not experience pain and sadness. Innate in us is the desire to soothe and comfort our mothers who never stopped loving us.
Some might not have fulfilled the wish of their mothers like "Kahit anong mangyari anak, huwag mo akong ibibigay sa kanila". This is to follow the quarantine protocol and receive the needed medical interventions. However painful it may be, it is with our open hearts that we understand the need to separate our loved ones diagnosed with Covid-19 from us.
Covid-19 is real. We must strictly and properly wear a facemask and a face shield. We can prevent our loved ones from experiencing illness and feel sadness due to the imposed quarantine. Let us all not wait to lose a pure soul like our mothers. So, keep protected and stay safe.