at times like this…
I wish I was back home with my family in the Philippines.
Last week when I phoned my mother, I heard that one of my 3 sisters was pretty sick and weak. I immediately said goodbye to my mother and rang my sister and sure enough, even her voice sounded weak. So I asked her if she’s already been to a doctor, she said no because budget is tight since her youngest son of 8 was hospitalized due to dengue. I asked why didn’t she tell me, her answer was ‘I don’t want to bother you with my problem.’ I rolled my eyes and told her that I shall call her back again.
After transferring a small amount via Western Union, rang my other sister (also strapped for cash, w/ 4 kids and she’s a single parent) to give the transfer details and asked her if she could accompany our sick sister to the hospital for a check-up. I specifically instructed her that if our sister needs to be admitted then do so. I called back my sick sister again to tell her all’s been taken care of, all she has to do is show up.
It turned out that she’s Hepatitis A, was given instructions like plenty of rest, do’s and don’ts, etc. But that wasn’t it all. Today she had an ultrasound and was asked by the doctor to come back tomorrow because a specialist would like to ‘read’ to her the result. They’re suspecting her gall bladder.
It’s frustrating not being able to be there, beside my sister, even to just give her a moral support. Or to take care of her kids should she needs to be ‘away’ for a while. That’s her biggest concern, her children, their daily needs. Or to just hold her hands whenever she feels scared. Phone calls aren’t the same. And all I can do? I guess wait for any news. I am nervous and have butteflies in my stomach.
Expats like me, frustrating, isn’t it?
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I have promised the beautiful mum of Lucy that I shall dedicate a bouquet for her..so Dinah, though only virtually, they’re all for you. I hope you like them! :)
and a stem of rose, coming from me & that handsome guy behind:
- a rose for Sachiko for strength
- a rose for atinna for strength and may you soon be able to fly wherever your bee wings will take you
- a rose for Nunu’smum may your wishes soon come true
- a rose for Rose smile pretty, smile! :)
- and a rose for Stel just because we love yah ;)
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Before, I wasn’t really open to the idea of placing magnets on my fridge, but now I am. Though I limit them to quite a few and swear not to go over board like almost not seeing the door. I promised to swap magnets with Siena, so Siena, here are my finds. I am ready to swap 2 of them. Just let me know which 2 you fancy (or if there is any.)
Have a good week everyone!
Call me Thess. Married to a wonderful Dutchman.
October 9th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
hi thess,
i’m sorry to hear about your sister. i really hope she will get well soon. she’s very lucky to have a sister like you. i also have a brother who comes to my aid when i need it most. he is younger than i am but sometimes he is more like a kuya because of the way he takes care of me. having family who cares for you is life’s greatest gift.
rach
October 9th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
cute animal magnets :)
October 9th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
ate, dili pa ako nakahanap ng telepon at di pa ako maka window shopping gid.ginatalian ko na lang ng pisi ang akon na micropon at umobra ng konti. sa miyerkules pa siguro ako makabili ng new, inday.
nawala na ang sakot ng akon na panga pero ang sakot ko sa utak ay nandun pa rin. dili man nakuha ng antibiotic da cabuangan ko.
huhuhu….gracias, gracias sa muchos bonitas rosas, dakila ka talaga, inday! sana naging ate rin kita sa totoong buhay, pero di bale may susunod pang buhay pagkatapos nitong pers layp kaya ang pipiliin ko ay maging pug ako para kafatid ko si charlie ngetpugdoodle. lutuan mo rin ako ng cusilbang peras ha, mukang ang sarap eh.
ate, hindi man bubuyog ang fakfak ko, sa ibon man yan, ikaw naman. hiniram ko yan kay icarus.
o sige na nga, bubuyog na lang ako bzzz….bzzz…bzzz…bzzz… gusto mong honey?
October 9th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
im sorry to hear that. i hope she gets well soon.
October 9th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Hi Tita Thess,
So how are you now? Its pretty stressful isn’t? I understand how you feel cause I always feel the same way. I hope and pray that they all feel okay now and best regards… Hugs- to make you feel better!
October 9th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
I’m so sorry to read about your sister so sick. It must be very hard for you living so long apart and not be able to do all you wold have like to do for her. But you really gave a lovely bouque and what lovely pictures and words! I’m sure you siste feel lots of love and support from you even on a long distance!
Btw: Thanks for linking me - I have of course returned the favore.
October 9th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Halo Thess, sori to hear ’bout your sis, ang hirap talga kapag nasa malayo tayo, sana gumaling sya agad.
God Bless…
October 9th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
hi thess, hope she’s feelin better now. i can sooo relate…i was in manila last July, for my dad’s surgery..(he had lipoma on the neck)i only stayed for a week, then i flew back to saudi to prepare for our MOVE to the Kingdom of Bahrain. i dont have fluttering butterflies in my tummy anymore.
Big hugz to you dear for being a loving sis to them.
God Bless!
October 10th, 2006 at 12:32 am
huhuhu tats na tats man ako sa autumn rose… thank you thessiree and charlie pogipuggie…
i wish your sista all the best in her recovery, samahan kita mag nag for her to rest and obey Dr.’s orders.
lutuan ko siya ng apple pie at apple soup at apple dumplings….
magnet? magnet?! dami niyan ha….pero ganda ng arrangement din (not like mine, riot)
October 10th, 2006 at 8:56 am
I hope your sister gets better soon. I know how you’re feeling, yung uncertainty, yung helpless, yung worried, sama-sama na.
Hugz, neybor!
October 10th, 2006 at 8:57 am
You are SOOOO SWEEEETTT!!!!
It’s bee-yoo-ti-pul! Am bango bango pa!
You made my day…salamat ha!
O sige, like na copi shap na tayo! Vamos!
(nang matupad naman ang isa sa mga wishes ko he he)
October 10th, 2006 at 9:42 am
ako alang rose? *tampo mode*
sorry to hear about your dear sis! sana gumaling na sya kaagad. Hugses
October 10th, 2006 at 10:50 am
get well soon sa sis mo neybor thess….
uhmnn hindi ka lang pala magaling kumanta
mahusay ka ring mag-ayus ng flowers
ang cute :)
October 10th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
hello thess..
sorry about your sister,buti na lang naagapan agad.. god is really good,..
ewan ko ba, kahit na ako, kahit walang pera, basta humingi at nangailagan ang pamilya ko, gagawa at gagawa ako ng paraan,. kahit na gaano mag kaliit ang mahagilap ko,.. hayy.. eto ako, BUM!
salamt sa rose..di mo malilimutan ang pangalan ko,. rose din eh.. hehe!
di pa din kita nasasagot sa email,. me sakit kasi si liena.. pag ganitong me sakit ang mga anak ko eh, kinakabahan ako eh.. ..
balik na lang ulit ako,..salamt ulit
muahh.. smile na dyan..! TC
paano palayung skype? hehe. tange ko eh..
October 10th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
hi thess.
thanks for dropping a note on my blog. i’d love to swap but i haven’t found a suitable courrier service. i’ve asked some but their prices are a bit steep. i hope i could find a reasonably priced courrier service. i’ll get back to you on that one.
for the mean time, i would like to send you a post card (this is also in line with siena’s postcard post). kindly e-mail me your contact name and address where i could send the post card.
thanks,
rach
October 11th, 2006 at 9:56 am
RACH: Hello again Rach!
Let’s just say that when we love someone, we don’t have to think twice to extend help. You’re lucky as well to have such brother. :)
I perfectly understand about the courier price, I sometimes think it isn’t worth it (to ship) especially if the mailing cost is more expensive than the content. But there are other ways, like your idea of sending postcard- we can start with that, & that’s very nice of you… of course I will email you my infos as soon as I get the chance, I’d like to send you postcard too :) Thanks Rach!
MMP: naku naman inday, bakit ngayon pa tumubo kasi mga pangil mo, masyado ng late! *lol* at psst, luka-luka ka Ikaw ang ate ko!! (see u at iskayp)
YMIR: salamat, but she’s just started her journey eh
TIN: ok naman kahit stressed *sigh* salamat sa dalaw Tin.
RENNYBA: hi Renny. Yes, the distance is just too much..but what can I do except my best when things go wrong. Thanks for the link back!
ETHEL: manay, merci.
CHELLI: hello there pretty doctor :) How’s your dad doing now?
My sister needs an operation ASAP *sigh*
btw, thanks for the visit, regards to the whole family and doggy!
STEL: tita stel, makakalimutan ka ba naman ni Charlie?! Pag may card na, will ring u.
RHADA: salamat neybor ha!
NNR: oo, promise yun, papasukin ko ang copishap basta hanggang pintuan lang ako ha, tas may suot na gas mask ;) Donk woli, ma22pad wishes mo ;)
CHEH: elo manash, kumusta bakasyones? kumusta mga biik nimo?
MELAI: salamat byuti. naku pinagsasaksak ko lang sa vase mga roses na yan ;)
ROSE: kumusta na si Liena? eh di hindi nakakapasok ng school? :( Relax ka lang dyan at wag muan intindihin email, tsaka na yun pag okay na lahat. Ingat!
October 11th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Hi Thess,
I feel really sad about your sister’s condition right now. Mahirap talaga yung malayo tayo sa family, di man lang natin mahug but I am still thankful that she has a sister with a kind heart. You are an inspiration Thess.
October 11th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
Hi Thess,
It’s me pa rin po. Wow I love your collection…
And thanks for the chance to swap, puede kaya yung bottle of wine and si doggie aw-aw?
Send din ako 2 for you Thess…:-D
Thank you, thank you..
October 12th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Sana gumaling agad ang sister mo. God bless you!
November 11th, 2006 at 8:46 am
awwww, thess…..:kiss: