Bona fide text
Health is wealth
Yes, health is really wealth. Sounds cliché but it is really true. Its essence is real. And I can attest to that when I was lying in the hospital bed for a week. Yes, I was admitted due to pneumonia with pleural effusion as diagnosed by my doctor. Pneumonia is a lung infection and pleural effusion is excess fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity, the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs.
It was my first time (hopefully my last) to be confined in the hospital in my 26 years of existence. When the doctor said last two Fridays ago that he was submitting me for admission in the hospital, I was shocked. I said to myself at that time, it was not ordinary cough or difficulty of breathing anymore. Aside from my friends and my Josephian family, I don't have a nuclear family member who is living here in Iloilo. My parents are in Ibajay, Aklan and it will take five long hours of travel going to Iloilo City. Around 5 o'clock in the afternoon of February 27, the doctor said that I should go home fix everything, bring whatever things I need to bring because I'll be staying for five or more days in the hospital. (I brought textbooks because I'll be working with my exams and my Record Book because I need to compute manually the grades of my 4th year which is due the following day: If you are a teacher, you're thinking of these things because you're beating up with the deadlines). I was admitted exactly 8 o'clock that night with the help of my friends. And the rest of the happenings are kept in my diary.
Again, as I've said health is wealth. Nowadays, we can't afford to get sick. The popular tag line, “Sa panahon ngayon bawal magkasakit,” is a good motivation to all. Once you're in the hospital, many tests will be required, medicine receipts will overflow and of course your accommodation is somewhat higher than the room rates of the hotels.
Think of it, if we're depriving ourselves of taking multivitamins that cost P10 or more or even vitamin C that is priced at P6 or less compare to the hospital room that could cost more or less than P2,000 a day. If we just know how to say no to some task given to us because our body speaks enough, though our intention motivates us to say yes. If we just know how to take care of our selves, eating the right food in the right time, having enough sleep, drinking a lot of water, eating fruits and vegetables and pamper ourselves with healthy kind of lifestyle, then we are safe enough and away from any kind of sickness. But before I was hospitalized, I admit, I was the contrast of everything.
After the seven days, I learned many things. First and foremost is to value our health. We can't work, if we're sick. Hospitalization requires a lot of money, so don't get sick. If you are not feeling well and it is somehow unusual, see the doctor immediately. And always trust the doctor's advise. Medicines, laboratory tests and doctor's fee are quite expensive these days. Another thing, be thankful to the real friends who can help you not only in financial aspects but also in all kinds of support that they give. And lastly, have time to be with your parents, no need for hospitalization just for you to bond with them. I really appreciate my parents for the support and for taking care of me all through out. And of course, prayers work. Have a constant communication with God not only in times of problems or troubles. Honestly, I can't live a single day without talking and praying to Him.
As I end, I would like to grab this opportunity to thank my doctor, Dr. Rene Juaneza, for the help and for the assurance that I'll be okay. To all the nurses and nursing aides of IDH, who monitored my condition for seven days. My Josephian family, especially to Mrs. Josefina Garcia, our school directress, to all the teachers, students, parents and friends who visited me in the hospital, and to all for the support, for the text messages, and prayers. To my TNT family, my apology for not submitting a column last week, thanks for understanding my condition. Also, my special thanks to Dr. Chester and Dra. Mary Ann Jardiolin for introducing Dr. Juaneza to me, to Mrs. Jane Bretaña for facilitating my PhilHealth and SSS requirements, and to the persons who were there during the admission and for staying in the hospital on the first night, my dear friends Elna Benitez, Nieves Tayco and Alvin John Zapanta. Thank you so much!
Again, value your health my dear readers. Don't wait for something to happen before you realize things. Take good care of your health. Have a nice day!