Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing. – Emma Donoghue 

After September 2021, I have always struggled celebrating Christmas and New Year. I appreciate the festive atmosphere around as the holiday approaches. But at home, it has always been different since my mother passed away. Looking back, we have survived four holidays together: me, Dad and my older brother. There are so much to be grateful for. In the end, I close my eyes and end the day with a contented heart. Having a safe and comfortable home, a stable job, food for everyone and more importantly, good health, these are more than enough blessings. 

Good health. This has always been my prayer everyday. Please keep the entire family safe and healthy. 

January 15, 2025 - I was preparing to leave home from work. I felt the need to check on my brother. He was having seizures. Halfway last year, we consulted a neurologist after my brother had consecutive episodes of seizures. He was given medications and he never had any episode until last week. I checked his vital signs. His oxygen level was dropping to 90 and pulse rate was beyond 120. We stabilized my brother with an oxygen tank. We wanted to ensure that my brother is really safe. We decided to have him checked at the hospital. Soon enough, we were again inside the Emergency Room. We ended with a hospital admission. The past week were filled with tears, fears and uncertainties. 

My brother had  Aspiration Pneumonia. It was the same reason for his hospitalization last year. This time however, it was worse because we needed a neurologist to better understand the cause of his seizures. The initial antibiotics administered did not work. My brother had mild fever on Day 3. We shifted to a stronger antibiotics, from Ceftriaxone to Vigocid.  There were nights when he can't sleep because of his endless throat clearing episodes. He was installed with NGT and developed stress ulcer along the way. He was internally bleeding and almost went to a need for blood transfusion. 

Today, I'm thankful that everything is over. We are in the comforts of our own home. We have surpassed another hospitalization.