Family Health Scare

For 2 months now, my family has been dealing with two major scares, both of which involve the lifestyle disease diabetes.

My aunt and my sister have the dreaded disease for years now. My aunt, being the cautious that she’s always been, has followed doctor’s orders and we have religiously supplied her with all the meds she needs. My sister, on the other hand, the hard-headed that she’s always been, has been on insulin after her failure to maintain her blood sugar level.

My Ate was admitted to a hospital a week before Christmas. Two days after, she was taken to the ICU for the doctors told us she isn’t really doing well. One of her kidneys is already in bad shape and she might undergo dialysis anytime soon. Thankfully, she was released from the hospital 2 days before Christmas so we were able to celebrate the season as a family. She is now under lots of medication, with us uncertain if she really has to undergo dialysis.

My aunt had a hypoglycemia attack 2 weeks ago. It was her first time, and she was alone at our house that time. Good thing my niece came back to get something and saw her slumped on the sofa, almost lifeless. Thanks to my kind-hearted neighbors who helped us bring her to the nearest hospital in time to give her the treatment that she needed. But as expected, she now has a kidney problem, too. We were told that this is expected of a diabetes patient, especially with her age right now (she’s 72). Two days ago, my heart was figuratively pierced when the doctor told us that based on her ECG, it appears that what she had was actually a stroke, but not the one that affects the upper side (the brain). She had it from below (the stomach, I guess) and that she’ll be needing a 2D ECHO soon.

I’m running out of funds right now. I say I because I’m the only person supporting my aunt with her medicines and everything. My sister’s husband has also asked help from anyone he could ask financial support from. I’ve already drained my savings for both of them. Right now, I need to be strong and think of ways to help them both. I’m positive help will come. I just need to keep the faith.