all for the love of Xami

What a trip we had in Baguio.  We left at half past nine on Thursday morning,  October 13th with your dad driving our Scarlett.  We had an uneventful ride. We stopped at the Blvd resto in Kayapa Central to have lunch and change your nappies.  We arrived in Baguio at 3PM and went directly to La Trinidad because it was already too late to see the neurologist, besides we are very tired.  We were met by ninong Wilfred at the McDonalds in Km5 and then he took the wheel and drove Scarlett to their house in Ambiong. We spent the night at their house and you cried a little too much for a little bit too long that night. :)  But we put vicks on your soles and dad massage your feet and you laughed like nothing had been the matter with you.  They love you there, like a real grandson.  They take turns checking on you.  Even Jaaziel went into the room to see you.  Every time ninang Carol cuddles or holds you, you coo and 'talk' or sleep like the  baby that you are.

We left at around 8AM to go to Baguio but while we were approaching  Km 4, Scarlett kept dying on us that she even reversed on someone else's truck.  Dad managed to coax it to arrive at a safe place where we could pull over and check what was wrong.  A mechanic in a shop nearby made a few adjustments and so we were able to start again.  To make the story short, that did not keep Scarlett from coughing and dying for countless more times but it brought us to BMC at last. I actually laid you on their ER bed but when I asked if Doctor Bolislis is around, we were told she was not. They said she is in BGH so we went there but then I found out that this particular doctor your was no neurologist but a pediatrician.  The next room was an office of a neuro pedia but she wasn't around so we then left and went to Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital where we finally saw Dr. Manolo Fernandez.  We waited for a bit and you were a bit fussy.  When it was our time to get checked, you started howling like something was hurting you.  The doctor took you and you stopped crying.  He checked you up and said, you seemed to be okay but the EEG does show that something is wrong. He laid you face down on his palm and lift you up and you were able to hold your head so he said, "Ang yabang mo ah!"  He changed your medicine to phenobarbital, much milder than the Valproic Acid Dra. Bunuan prescribed and then told me to come again after a month and he'll repeat the EEG. If the EEG reveals that your seizures have abated, we won't have to subject you to any treatment anymore.  Let us pray, my dear son, that this would be the case, as it is so difficult feeding you a medicine that I know could poison you.

When we went out to the receptionist to pay, you started crying again, like really cry so loud I did not know what to do.  You cried for a whole five minutes or so and the doctor came out and took you back.  He must have noticed I was already so flustered and tired and when he gave you back to me, at least you were starting to relax already. I sent a text message to your dad who went to buy a tension wire for Scarlett somewhere downtown.  I went to find us a deserted hallway on the first floor so that you could nurse.  We were in the feeding position when a good-looking older woman stopped by and peered at you and told me that I was doing you good breastfeeding you.  She said she breastfed her children until they were five and four.  She has has the look of a doctor, must be a pediatrician or something.

We left after your dad came back.  We arrived back home at 6:35PM.  It only took us less than 4 hours to get home, an hour shorter than our going.

You are prescribed with a controlled drugs.  Dr Manolo Fernandez prescribed 100 tablets but this morning, they only gave us 30 tablets at the mercury drug.  They're afraid a drug user is abusing the med. lol.

On Anticonvulsant

I started you on Valproic Acid today because your spasms have been very strong, and came in clusters that are too frequent.  I hope this medicine will not harm you or anything. Your dad left for Manila this morning and so tonight, it's just you and me again.  You are asleep now, after I gave you your medicine and vitamin.  Please Lord, let this medicine do its work but keep away its bad side effects. Please keep my Xami...

AN NAMBEEW HI XAMI

So many things happened this week.  First, tropical storm Pedring hit us last Monday night and by Tuesday morning, the winds were so strong that it fell two of your dad's mahogany trees right behind our house.  He was so sad about it. They were standing really proud and one storm, they're gone.  The river along CFM also overflowed and we were advised by your lola Medy to take precaution and just go to your lola Melita just in case the floodwaters come to our house.  So off we went in the car and then your dad came back to place everything in the house in a safe place.  We slept at lola Melita's apartment.  She gave up her bed for you, and your mom and dad.  The next morning, waters were steadily getting lower and so your dad came to get us and tita Erlyn, and Tita Janice were cleaning our house when we arrive, and everything was out of place. :)

Three days passed and still no electricity.  It only came a few minutes ago, and it is already Friday.  We went to your doctor today to get your shot against flu, etc.  The vaccine is called Pentaxin.  It was so expensive at 2500.  We were supposed to get another one for gastroenteritis for 2500 more but we ran out of money so we'll get that next month.  You were so brave, you only cried a little.  We gave you Paracetamol right away just in case you will have fever due to the vaccine.

After the shot, we went to Solano so that dad could give the power adaptors that Lola Anne West needed for her team member.  

At half past 6PM, your kuya Ysler, ate Ashlee and Tito Lee came to visit you.  They came from Nansiakan.  Kuya Yslel wanted to play with you/  We gave them some of your toycars too.  You were smiling a lot today even if you are so feverish.  That is my Big Boy Xami! :)

Your First Road Trip beyond Solano

We went to Bagabag today.  Papa and Mama had to go to the Dome to meet with Dr. Macalinao and other people.  Tita Sharon came with us to babysit you.  So many people there who has been praying for you saw you at last and they were all delighted even Dr. Macalinao. You slept like the good baby that you are from 3PM until Tita Sharon had to wake you up at 7pm because our meeting was over and it was time to go.

You look so guwapo now.  All your baby acnes are gone.

Yesterday, papa went to Lagawe and there was only us.  Lola and I bathe you but from the moment I took you out from the tub, you howled like  you were in pain.  I was so afraid I hurt you somewhere that I cried with you.  But I just embraced you and you stopped crying and went to sleep straight away after you fed.  You are so adorable!

alone again

Yup, it's just you and me again for three days and four nights. Your dad has a Paratext training in Manila and classes at MFI so naiwan na naman tayo. The first night, nagising ka ng 1AM and pinatabi na lang kita sa waterbed at ingkipil taka, hiy anaogip kan inggaton 5AM.  Ooni ay nabangon ka pero nakakatulog ka rin ulit when I give you your pacifier so Sunday night was a good night for both of us.

Monday night was another story.  For some reason I could not get you to settle on the bed like the previous night.  So lagi kang nagagalaw kaya hindi ka masyadong nakaktulog so I put you in your crib na lang at least nakatulog ka ng set of 2 hours from 10PM to 5AM with an hour of wakefulness in between.  You are so cute pag nakahiga kang mag-isa sa waterbed at nakatagilid. :)

Today, we went to lola's very early in the morning to break our fast.  I cooked or tried to cook french toast kase umiiyak ka.  I guessed you were still sleepy.  Now, it's 8:50AM and you are asleep in your crib with the aban still binding you. :)

CUTE NA IKAW

Kagabi, di mo ako pinatulog mula 1AM hanggang 5AM :)  Yes, mana ka sakin, baliktad ang araw nati. :) So ipinasa kita kay Tita Sharon mo nung 5am na at natulog ako ng hanggang alas dies although syempre may interlude doon ng pagpapadede sa'yo.. Wala kase ang papa mo, pumunta da Manila kahapon ng gabi kaya tayo lang dalawa sa kuwarto.

Today, ayan ka na naman sa crib mo, flailing your arms and raising your two feet.  Nakaidlip ka na kaninang pinadede kita pero medyo gumalaw ako ng konti at may langgam sa crib mo, ayun, nagising ka tuloy.  We played a little today. I tickled your cheeks and you keep giving me your wide cute smile.  Now mejo umiiyak ka na kase tinatype ko ito... lol.. but you are such a good baby.  Di ka gaano mareklamo.. okay, anjan na ang mama...

CRY BABY

You and I were alone last night and for some reason, you won't go to sleep until I let you cry yourself to exhaustion.  I started putting you to sleep at 3 quarter past 5 but you did not fall asleep until almost 10PM.  All you wanted to do was nurse and nurse but you were becoming gassy and was regurgitating a lot that I feared it would do you a lot of harm.  I tried to dance, rock, and sing you to sleep but you won't have any of it.  At At almost 4AM, your dad came.

It was a difficult time looking at you crying and crying. I do not know what to do.


Today, you, your dad and I and tita Sharon went to Solano.  That was your fist pasyal in that place.  We went to eat at Greenwich.  You started squirming while I was eating lasagna cuz you probably were hungry.  Hayyy, Xami, you made life complicated for me but you are so worth it. I adore you and love you so much!