God's Trick AND Treat...

This is the third time I have this feeling, not a good feeling to experience but God has shown us who's in charge.  On theory, I know there's no point to worry but when it comes to your mother and your family, it's not easy...thanks for all your prayers, God allowed Mom to experience another miracle, with Coke...

20121029 Monday - Super-storm Sandy stopped me from visiting tonight.  So we can only Skype.  Mom's nose is blocked so she has to breathe w her mouth and that's why her mouth is dry all the time.  Maybe that's why the oxygen can't get in from her nose.  Her lungs are, therefore, giving her a hard time.  She can't breathe well, even having trouble talking.  I encouraged her to keep practicing her toy which can strengthen her lungs.  On top of her shortage of breath, she also needs to fast after midnight for another bronchoscopy (fiber camera for her lungs).  Pray that nothing is serious.  We are not sure if they can squeeze her in for bronchoscopy tomorrow, pray that she gets to see the specialist early in the morning so that she doesn't need to fast that long.

Jonah does have the special way to keep Mom up.  Mom we all love you, hang in there!!! Thanks for the soup Auntie Tinnie/Uncle Jonathan.  Thanks for the food Auntie Shirley Poon!  Sorry that I can't deliver it downtown, but don't worry, it won't be wasted.  I'll thank you on our tummies' behalf, hahaha.  

20121030 Tuesday - Thank God, Mom did the check up appointment at 1130 but Dad still didn't have breakfast when I called in the morning.  I'll go get some Chinese bakery for him so he gets to eat in the morning, not just cup noodles...

What a memorable evening!  I called Dad after work as usual to check on them.  He passed the phone to Carly and I almost flipped cuz' she said Dr. Shaheen is showing some concerns on Mom's lungs.  She explained to me in a lot of medical terms which I have no clue.  In short, Mom's  condition went downhill in the afternoon and it's becoming critical.  She is having a hard time breathing with the blood pressure 200+.  Her heart rate is also dangerously high.  They are worried that she may have a lung complication called "Trali" - an lung injury that patients get through transfusion (or basically fatal lung failure).  Carly said the doctors has already informed the ICU from Mt. Sanai to standby.  Just in case if she does have a lung failure, they will transfer her.  The nurse didn't want us to move her cuz' they are afraid that she may faint.  

The bottom-line is, even Carly wanted to stay in the hospital.  She said, the night will be crucial - see if Mom can get better or if she'll keep going downhill.  I tried to stay calm over the phone and when Carly asked if I have any questions, I purposely pushed out something random just wanted to pretend that I'm okay.  I went home and told Gloria.  She was also worried but was calm enough to ask if I have informed Fian and if we should inform Rev. Wong.  She offered me to take care of the boys so I could go visit early.  Thanks B!!!

My heart was heavy on the way down but I could only pray and I could only ask for prayers.  Thanks for all your prayers.  God did take care of her lungs.  Mom was sleeping when I got there.  She knew that I was there.  Her breathing was frequent and heavy.  Carly and Daddy were there.  They told me that her had two pills to bring down her blood pressure (and heart rate) but it may affect her breathing.  It's another balance game and really just up to God.  I brought them soup and some leftovers but surprisingly, they ate.  I know it must be Carly (thanks, or my old man won't eat).  Tyler later then came.  We were talking and eating, and all of a sudden, Mom half opened her eyes.  She saw us eating and asked, "I want Coke...".  Her breathing, we then realized, is getting smoother.  Thank God that I brought Coke down (they love Coke always but somehow I just brought one down when leaving the house).  After her first zip, she stopped and said, "it's not cold enough"...we all paused for about one second, then we all started laughing cuz' it's a very good sign.  So Dad stopped eating and went for ice.  We also got space for her cuz' she's "UP"!  After the cold/icy coke, her heart rate, her blood pressure and her oxygen level ALL WENT BACK NORMAL!!!  She even asked what time it was and wondered why I was there that early.  After another few check up, the on call doctor and the nursing team have confirmed that no ICU was needed at least for the night.  Carly and Tyler finally could breathe and leave.  I knew God has done His trick again, thank you so much!!!

Thank God again for allowing Mom (and all of us) to experience another miracle last night.  Dr. Shaheen actually apologized in the morning that he got all of us worried.  But actually, I really want to thank him cuz' it tells me how much he cares about his patients.  Not only to thank the doctors, but also the nurses.  See, they want to make sure Dad is not having any high blood pressure too!!!

Sandy was powerful, ripped off my patio furniture cover into pieces and it's all over my backyard (good thing it's didn't break my devo tree, thank God) but nothing is more powerful than God.  The electricity was out when Gloria and I were praying on Monday night but we are not worried at all cuz' in the total darkness, there's nothing else but His presence and my family.  What a great feeling and what a great testimony to share.

³ "The seas have lifted up, O Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
⁴ Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty." (Psalm 93:3-4)