Kongkong

A month ago, my grandpa fell down and was brought to the hospital. After a few days, he was discharged.

A week or so later, my aunt, sent us a note that he doesn’t seem well. He’s having a hard time moving around. He can hardly get up from his bed. His right side seem to be really really weak. That same day, my aunt informs us that she and my grandparents won’t be coming to Manila next year for my brother’s wedding anymore.

He had a ct scan scheduled a day or so later. After few further tests here and there, apparently, he actually suffered a mild stroke. There was a blood clot found in his brain but thankfully, no surgery is needed. Since then, they’ve been in the hospital. It is actually a blessing in disguise because my aunt and my grandma can no longer manage to take care of him at home. Now that he’s in the hospital, at least able bodied folks, who knows what they’re doing are taking care of him now.

Around a week ago, he was transferred from VGH to UBC so that he can work on rehabilitation and therapy. His transfer here is a good sign, because now he is better, and he only needs to get the strength and mobility back.

Ever since this whole ordeal, my aunt has been giving us a day by day account (via our yahoogroups). My aunt’s a pretty good storyteller. Here’s one that cracked me up, but at the same time, if you reread, it’s quite sad actually.

Today he looks better but is not himself.  He told Mother that tomorrow he is facing the firing squad.  He told us to phone Edward.  We ask why are we phoning him.  He said to tell him that he is facing the firing squad tomorrow.  Skyped with Meya. He was watching his Pao Ching Tien.  I asked him do you want to talk to Meya. He said tell her I am going to die. Dinner time, we got him out of bed and sitting in his wheel chair.  Actually he asked it.  Then Malabon phoned, we asked him if he knows who he is talking to.  He said Ton which is correct but when he came to Edward, he said Chiang Kai Shek but later he recognized him and Di-so. 

…

I forgot to mention that the other day when we arrived and saw him being wheeled back in the room, Mother asked him where he went.  He said "chua ki tai tau"  (brought him to be beheaded).

Papa said that it sound like he wants to die already, that he might be having a really hard time now. Papa talked to my Amah (grandma) earlier via skype. They had the video on so my dad clearly saw how sad my grandma is. Kept wiping her eyes while they were talking about my Kongkong. Naawa sila kay Kongkong kasi he’s clearly very week, and very much out of his comfort zone and routine at home. You see, Kongkong is a very routine driven person. Him being in the hospital, not being able to stand up, and do what he usually does, is a very sad and discouraging feeling.

Although he is already 86 or 87 years old, we always saw him as this strong person, only limited by his weak legs. They just went to the Philippines early this year. They even have plane tickets already for their trip early next year for my brother’s wedding. And now, what a sad affair. I guess as they always say, nothing really prepares you for the worst. We’re still hopeful that he’ll recover. But you know, to be honest, death seem to be looming around. He may have a few more years ahead of him, maybe not. But the thought that he is weak, and saying all these things, it’s just strangely sad and worrying. I say strange because I have never been in this situation before wherein someone close to me is nearing his end. I may have had before with my lola, but I was very young back then and didn’t understand a thing of what was going on.

And you know what’s worst, my Amah. I cannot even imagine what she’s feeling right now. You see, my grandparents were one of those many people who had arranged marriages back then. Typical Chinese culture. But see how they turned out. After decades of marriage, their love for each other is clearly very strong. My Amah was the typical lady brought up to be the housewife she was obliged to be. And obliged she did. Oh how I see her selfless service to my grandpa. Now, many of us are even more worried about her, than my Kongkong.

I guess, each one of us goes through a little something like this every now and then. Things and events like these gives us the opportunity to rethink about what’s important in our lives. I know I did, and I still am realizing things here and there.