Another Lease

Along with Jun, Andy and his girlfriend Zak, I visited Duch’s mom at the Philippine Heart Centre last night. She’s in critical condition and she’s waging a final life-and-death battle, with the dark shadow hovering ever so closely (I know, I get carried away by my hyper-active imagination sometimes).

When the heart rate speeds up and the blood pressure falls down, we couldn’t help but trade worrying glances at each other.

Stepping inside the Heart Centre brings back unpleasant memories for me. This was, after all, the place where, many years ago, I waged my own close combat with the Grim Reaper. Suffering a complication from typhoid, I underwent critical surgery to stem the river of blood oozing from my insides.

It’s amazing how something like this can mobilize people around you. My relatives, colleagues and friends scoured hospitals and blood banks around the metropolis and organized a blood drive. Having a not-so-common blood type, I almost didn’t make it.

Prayers were said, masses offered.

I was given a fighting chance just in the nick of time. In fact, complete strangers showed up to donate blood.

One doctor, I wasn’t even his patient, kept holding my hand in the recovery room. I can’t even remember his name anymore. But that simple gesture lifted my spirits up.

There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind: miracles do happen.

I was given a most precious gift: another lease on life. I am just grateful and happy to be alive. There’s nothing more I can ask for.