This is a case of a 4 year old female patient who was a known asthmatic. She had the doll-like features of a young Matet. She possessed the charm of a small Nino Muhlach. She displayed the wit of a little Aiza Seguerra. I, as someone who is fond of children, was quickly enamored by her. She became my favorite patient. She unfortunately succumbed to her debilitating illness. This month marks her first death anniversary.
I can vividly remember the first time I met her. At the ER, I saw a cute, innocent-looking, slightly chubby little girl breathing heavily as if she was trying hard to gasp for air. Her paradoxically fast respiration was evident, coupled with bouts of bothersome cough.
"Dok, inaatake po ng asthma," her anxious mother stated.
Via stethoscope, I could hear wheezes all over as if a whistle was accidentally lodged in her lungs. She was intractable (unresponsive to meds) to initial ER therapy. This, plus her markedly severe dyspnea (difficulty of breathing) prompted further management, thus she was admitted.Her symptoms were distinctly persistent. It took multiple drug regimen before her asthma exacerbations were controlled.
During the course of her hospital stay, for unknown reason, my feet would always drag me to the bed where she stays. There was something about the little patient of mine that fascinates me. She was playful but not a rascal. She was talkative but gentle. Her endearingly cute face and high spirited demeanor made her a joy of the hospital ward. She was like a childstar waiting to be discovered. The extra attention and fondess I showed her were lovingly reciprocated. I was about to leave her bed after one of my constant visits when I was suddenly caught off guard.
"Papa!" she said out loud to call back my attention, as she extended her arms motioning for me to carry her.
The other bantays of the ward could not help but laugh.
"Ikaw ha, siniswerte ka, gusto mo na magpa-ampon kay Dok," one of them jokingly commented.
Her mother and father could not hide the sheer bashfulness out of the said situation.
One evening, like a thief in the night, her asthma began attacking once again. Prior to her exacerbation, she was fed with tuyo by one of her bedside neighbors. All along, I thought she would go into status asthmaticus (a potentially life threatening situation where the asthma does not respond to treatment.) Fortunately, her asthma were relieved after aggressive medications. Afterwards, I could not help but admonish the culprit for such reckless act.
The early morning of the day of her discharge made her go all the way to find me. At the nurse's station, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
"Papa, uwi na kami," she sweetly muttered followed by a warm hig.
Her fixated look on what the nurses were eating confered that she was hungry as a bear. After ordering a delivery from Jollibee, I and my favorite patient shared our first breakfast together.
After a month, she was admitted back to the hospital. Her bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation that time was made worse by a coexisting pulmonary infection--- bronchopneumonia.
Her second stint resulted in a more bonding time for both of us. She would usually join me for breakfast after my every overnight duty. She was always enticed to see me draw cartoon characters and the bantays' faces. We would play a lot. (Yes I can morph my 28 year old self into a four year old.) We would usually stroll around to almost all areas of the hospital.
"Dok, alaga mo?" was the usual remark I get from the other hospital employees.
Indeed, I was an instant yaya. And I was happy being one.
When she was sent home for discharge, a feeling of mixed emotions enveloped upon me. I felt sad to see her go. But I was more elated that despite the more distressful situation she was in, more than the antibiotics and bronchodilators, her utmost determination made her well.
One fateful day, upon arriving at the hospital for my duty, I was greeted with a deeply sad news from a fellow physician who was on duty the day before.
"Yung alaga mo naka-admit ngayon. Comatose nung dumating. Mukhang nag-anoxia (lack of oxygen) yung brain sa tindi ng hika. Naka-intubate ngayon. Madalas nga magseizure. Toxic nga kagabi, " he revealed.
Inflicted with anxiety and concern, I promptly went to see her.
The sight of the situation that she was in was unbearable. Her illness (the asthma), though not rare,was so cruel to suddenly transform her entire well being into a paralyzing state. What was once a playful little girl had turned into an..........
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