Went to PGH today with my grandparents and my aunt (Tatay’s sister). We were able to spend some time visiting Tatay in ICU. They limit visitors to ICU patients, so we had to go in one at a time, for a maximum of 15 minutes per visit. We’re making it a point not to stay longer than around 10 minutes, and we make sure each visit is 30 minutes apart so Tatay can rest. (Masyadong natutuwa si Doc pag madaming bisita na sabay sabay o sunod sunod. Hwehehe. Imagine that, we have to safeguard Tatay from excessive amounts of joy because his BP goes up every time he gets excited.)Tatay is getting better.

When I saw him last Sunday, his eyes were wide open and slightly protruding. It looked like he was glaring at everybody even though he wasn’t. I found out later that this was because the bloodclot was causing pressure on his brain. Nanay sent me a text on Monday, saying that the pressure was greatly reduced, and his eyes went back to normal. When I saw him this afternoon, gwapong-gwapo na ulit si Doc. May eyebags nga lang.

Tatay can speak in clear phrases and full sentences now! When it was my turn to visit him, I asked him how he was, and he smiled wryly and went “Haaaay. Grabe.” When Lolo went to visit Tatay, the two of them prayed together. Lolo said Tatay was speaking full sentences and agreeing with him in prayer. Even better, later that evening, Nanay went to ICU to check up on Tatay, when our pastor called. Tatay was able to talk to Pastor Hermie over the phone. When my mom went up to our hospital room-slash-homebase, she told us the good news. Everybody was all smiles. Plenty of hugging all around.

He started his physical therapy sessions yesterday. He’s taking to it pretty well, says Nanay. We’re still praying that he’ll be able to move his hands and limbs fully. Although he was able to close his right hand and move his right leg last Saturday, at the moment, he’s mostly moving his left side. But we have high hopes for Tatay, and great faith in the God who does miracles.

Tatay relishes being hugged and held and touched. He holds my hand tightly whenever I visit and loves having his face and arm touched. Lolo gave Tatay a hug when he visited, and Tatay hugged him back with his stronger arm. He fell asleep after a while, curled up on his side, still holding Lolo’s hand tightly. We had to call the nurse to help Tatay stretch out so he wouldn’t accidentally roll over on his IV tube and the wires for the heart monitor.

Nanay and Tita are fine. The room has a big bathroom, a TV (with cable! Cartoon Network…wheee!) and a well-stocked refrigerator thanks to everybody who’s been bringing food and munchies. I think they’ll manage. The only thing missing from the room is the patient. We’re still waiting for the doctor to give the go-signal for Tatay to leave the ICU. Any time now.

President Roman, several of Tatay’s classmates from highschool and elementary, Tita Malou, Lola Dan and my friend Jyas dropped by today. My cousin Mariel has been popping in to keep Nanay and Tita company in between her papers and other assignments.

Enough for now. More incessant babbling soon. Please continue to pray for Tatay’s swift and complete recovery.