Hospitality

My family and I have spent a lot of time in the hospital. As such, we have collectively gathered some observations about Makati Medical City:

1. This hospital is a maze. Seriously. You have no idea where you're going, where to turn, or how to get there. Floating Island is no longer where it was, but it looks much nicer.

2. All families in the ICU have that same, haven't-slept-yet, don't-give-a-damn-about-it look. The hallway of the ICU is a little depressing, actually. Aside from disheveled, barely bathed individuals loitering the halls (aka family members who have kept bedside vigil), you sometimes hear fits of crying too.

3. Even though this room rate costs much more than a stay at a hotel, we do not necessarily get the same amenities. Why can't they put in couches that are at least as long as a person, so the person can lie down comfortably?

4. After realizing that one of my dad's doctors was kinda cute, Married Aunt wanted to use Single Aunt as payment and gratitude. Hahahahahahahhahaha. I have yet to find a doctor, however, that looks like Dr Alex Karev from Grey's Anatomy. (Malandi pa rin).

On another note, my family and I would like to thank the many helpful doctors and nurses who have made this stay a little more bearable:

-Dr Ebreo from the ER, who picked up my dad from the office, attended to him, and even dropped him off in the ICU unit.

-I forgot the name of the Senior ER Resident, a very nice lady who was incredibly patient with us hysterical folk. Her voice was calming, soothing, yet authoritative.

-Nurse EJ, whose patience and bedside manner were absolutely fantastic. She was very attentive and would come right away when called. Amazing lady.

-Drs. Villanueva, Villavicencio, Ordonez--the residents on the floor of the ICU.

Papa seems to be doing very well. :-)

Welcome to Manolo's Road to Recovery

At Friday, 3:30 pm, Manolo Aquino collapsed in his office, due to what we now know as a hemorrhagic stroke in his right temporal lobe. As of now, he is confined in the Neuro ICU in Makati Medical Center. Visitors are very limited.

Messages to his mobile phone are most welcome. I read your messages to him, and it seems to calm him down.

Right now, dad is intubated and cannot speak. However, he is very responsive and can communicate very well. His left side is quite weak, but he can fully move his right side.

So far, these are the things my dad can do:

1. He can open both eyes, and follow you around with his eyes.

2. He is also able to recognize you, who you are, etc.

3. His sense of humor is intact.

4. He is able to grip a pen and scribble his thoughts, feelings, etc.

5. He constantly asks for things that he cannot have. Like water, or coca-cola.

6. He keeps indicating that he wants his breathing tube out.

The messages of prayers and love keep coming in. We, his family, very much appreciate this. Thank you all.

I will try to update this blog as soon as I can. However, for real-time updates, please view the twitter website: www.twitter.com/manologetswell.

Leave your comments on this site too, and I'll make sure to read them to Papa. Continue to pray for his speedy recovery. :-)