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Granny

My 65-year old aunt, we call Granny, came to the Philippines October of last year, after having been diagnosed with emphysema in Guam. She started undergoing medication here upon her arrival under the supervision of a specialist in the Medical City.

At the onset of her medication, she has to have six round-the-clock sessions with the nebulizer in 24 hours. By this time, though, the sessions were reduced to two. Her progress is really in strides. The only daunting fact about patients with emphysema is that they tend to gasp for air after 10 strides. And then they have to rest until normal breathing is achieved.

She stays in the province where there is natural air and lots of fresh food are available. She only comes to the city for her monthly check-ups.

Last Tuesday she called and asked if she could stay with us for three nights, a short leave from her too provincial environment, I surmised. I instantly said ‘yes’. She’s one of my fave aunts and so when she asked if I could even take her around for shopping, I keenly agreed.

She had been shopping around with my cousins, who also live in the city, whenever there was enough time after her monthly check-ups. This time, though, she just really wanted to shop. Check-up schedule is still days away.