Today’s dad’s 49th day of hospitalization.
Dad’s hospitalization journey was like a roller coaster ride, marked by ‘downs and ups’.
Yes, the downs came first.
The ‘downs’ are the crisis-like moments denoted by [C] and the ‘ups’ are the salvation moments, denoted by [S].
But the overall journey, upon looking back, is that of an upward trend.
We can only give thanks to God for His mercies.
Day 1 - Admission for suspected pneumonia (also the day when DORSCON level turned Orange) Day 2 - Tested positive. Moved to Isolation ward Day 3 - The 3am morning call. Admitted to ICU for the next 3 weeks [C1a] Weeks 1-3 a) heavy sedation, intubated for more than 14 days b) possibility of tracheostomy after a period of stagnancy [C1b] c) At the end of the 3 weeks, sudden turnaround of events → off intubation [S1] Weeks 4 & 5 - Isolation ward a) Slow progressive improvement b) Stagnancy again c) May need a complicated procedure for his massive clot [C2] but the swell reduced considerably over the next few days [S2] d) Complications developed Week 6 - Readmission to ICU for 6 days a) The second turbulence [C3] b) Continuous blood transfusion c) Cause of bleeding finally identified and rectified [S3] Week 7 - Isolation ward & ICU for the 3rd time a) The stay in the isolation ward was short-lived b) Another massive bleeding episode [C4] c) Readmitted to ICU, blood transfusion d) In less than 36 hours, at 12 midnight, the ICU ward nurse called saying they were going to transfer dad out to the general normal ward [S4] Day 48 evening - De-isolated to the general ward
I have no explanation for the sudden turnaround of events.
Did I have doubts regarding the doctors’ decision to transfer dad out even though they had not identified the cause for which he was readmitted to the ICU for the third time? Definitely.
But through the past 7 weeks, I’m progressively learning how to “strive less”, “be still”, and know that YHWH is God (Psalm 46:10).
The past 7 weeks were filled with moments of anxiety when we do not have all the answers that we want to make certain decisions.
Yes, we can definitely press the medical team, MOH etc, but how much good does it do?
I know the medical team and the hospital’s back-end staff have been trying to do their best, even though sometimes it does not seem so.
But no one’s perfect. No system is perfect.
There’s a limit to all perfection, but God’s commands are boundless. – Psalm 119:96
We need to decrease our need for control, and our need for answers to all our questions.
We need to recognize our limitations, and that includes the medical team, our ministers, our government.
We need to support and encourage them in this long marathon.
We need to stand united as one human race.
We need to humble ourselves and turn to the one and only Person Who has all the answers, even though He may not reveal the answers to us.
If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Psalm 46, selected verses
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way . . .
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms
fall; he lifts his voice,
the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the LORD has
done, the desolations he has
brought on the earth. . . .
"Be still,and know that I am God;
I will be exalted
among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
WEH PSALMS 