IN QUIAPO, WE STARTED OUR NOVENA TO EL SENOR NAZARENO.
WE JOINED THEMANY DEVOTEES, AT MASS
WE CLIMBED THE STEPS DAILY TO TOUCH HIS GARMENTS.
DON'S DEVOTION TO THE NAZARENO STARTED WHEN HE WAS IN COLLEGE, AT THE MAPUA.
DAILY HE VISITED EL SENOR NAZARENO.
WHEN HE HAD AGREED TO UNDERGO SURGERY, HE ASKED THAT WE GO TO THE NAZARENO
WE STARTED THE NOVENA
WE SOUGHT THE NAZARENO'S HEALING MERCY
WE ASKED THAT HE SHOW US THE WAY TO OVEROCME THE MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS IN OUR HEARTS
I PRAYED THAT DON BE SPARED OF PAIN AND DISCOMFORT
I WENT TO CONFESSION THERE BEFOERE WE LEFT FOR LOS ANGELES
IT WAS THERE TOO WHERE WE OFFERED MASSES FOR THE POOR SOULS AS DIRECTED BY FR GEORGE
ALL OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES WERE REQUESTED BY DON TO VISIT QUIAPO ANDSAY A PRAYER FOR HIM
IN ALBAY HE ASKED ALL HIS SIBLINGS TO GO TO THE SENOR NAZARENO
WHEN WE ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES, ALICE AND TONY AND VILMA CAME TO SEE DON.
WHEN HE EARD OF THE DEVOTION TOT HE NAZARENO , ALICE TOLD US , THAT IT IS CLAIMED THAT WHOEVER PETITIONS EL SENOR NAZARENO HAS TO BE READY FOR A LONG WALK TO GOLGOTHA..A LONG WAIT FOR PRAYERS TO BE ANSWERED
AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, DOC JEAN CORTES ZALAMEA BEGAN HER DAILY CALLS.
JEAN IS A AFRIEND OF LONG AGO. WE BOTH HAVE A SPEACIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAITED.
SHE SUPPORTED US THROUGH EACH DAY OF UNCERTAINTY AND VERY KINDLY SENT THE NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
FROM FLORIDA ON TO THIS DAY, DON HAS NOT MISSED PRAYING THE ROSARY AND THE CHAPLET IN HONOR OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
AND YES...ON THE DAY WE WERE DEPARTING FROM FLORIDA FOR RHODE ISLAND ..GOD;S MYSTERIOUS WAYS STRUCK US ANEW.
WE HAD GONE TO THE AIRPORT EARLY ENOUGH
HANS DROVE US TO THE SOUTHWEST TERMINAL
ON A WHEEL CHAIR WE WERE ASSISTED TO GATE 3 C
A GENTLEMAN WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF US
BESIDE HIM WAS A BLANKETTED PERSON
LATER ON WE FOUND OUT SHE WAS DIANNE, HIS WIFE
SHE WAS TIRED AND HAD CHOSEN TO SLEEP ON THE AIRPORT BENCH.
HE STRUCK A CONVERSATION WITH DON WHEN HE SAW THE HEART PILLOW OF DON
THE CLEVELAND CLINIC RED HEART PILLOW IF OFTEN A SIGN THAT THE PERSON HAS UNDERGONE
SURGERY
AND AS DON WAS ON THE PHONE HE MOVED TO MY SIDE AND TOLD ME A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT SURGERY AND DEPRESSION .
AND ON AND ON AND ON HE SPOKE WITH ME ..
WITH MANY IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FORM ONE WHO HAS UNDERGONE A HEART SURGERY
I LISTENED ..TERRIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE FIRST HAND STORIES..SHARED FROM HIS QUADRUPLED HEART
HE ASKED US IF WE ARE CHRISTIANS
I ANSWERED YES...WE ARE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
AND ALL THE MORE THE EXCHANGE BECAME INTERESTING
HE WAS A DEACON
THEY DISTRIBUTE CRUCIFIXES FROM TALAHASSEE FLORIDA
AND AS THE CONVERSATION COVERED TOPICS OF FAITH ...
THERE WAS ONE REALITY THAT STRUCK US ..
HE WAS CONNECTED WITH THE PUBLISHER AND DISTRIBUTOR OF THE PRAYER MANUAL OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS
HE WAS A BAPTIST.
HE LEFT ME WITH TWO BOOKS AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CATHOLICS AND BAPTISTS.
AND IN THE LENGTHY AND EMOTION FILLED DIALOGUE ON FAITH AND FAITH EXPERIENCE ,
THIS I KNOW ...THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS WAS SHED FOR ALL OF US ..WAITING AT GATE 3 C OF THE JACKSONVILLE AIRPORT ON A DAY THAT SOUTHWEST FLT 860 WAS FLYING ON TOT TAMPA AND LATER IN THEDAY TO PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND.
OH GOD YOUR WAYS ARE TRULY MYSTERIOUS !!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
AND DON SLEPT..
Tito Tony and Tita Loly brougt us to Jacksonville. We stayed with Tita Ida for 2 nights.
Austin, JOshua and Jacob the 3 sons of Hans spent some time with us.
We visited Tita Ida's new apartment. Lovely place. Ideally located near the Parish church of the Resurrection
We feasted on her special dishes...lengua..nilaga...paksiw..apay...shrimps...baked ribs..broiled chicken..endless...
Well the boys truly enjoyed Tita Ida's food.
Austin says it so nicely. "Lola Ida is the best in the world. She cooks FOOD!!"
Their other grandma cooks spaghetti. Hahaha.
On March 25th, we spent time at the perpetual adoration chapel of the Parish of the HOly Trinity.
And by God's grace...Don finally had his GENUINE NIGHT SLEEP.
It was not disrupted...
It was truly a calm night.
He slept so well.
He did not hear our voices..IDA , GLO AND CLEO AND MINE.
.
Tita Ida and I were awake all night.
Preparing our luggage
Sharing dreams
It is always a grace to meet up with Ida.
It is always energizing.
Austin, JOshua and Jacob the 3 sons of Hans spent some time with us.
We visited Tita Ida's new apartment. Lovely place. Ideally located near the Parish church of the Resurrection
We feasted on her special dishes...lengua..nilaga...paksiw..apay...shrimps...baked ribs..broiled chicken..endless...
Well the boys truly enjoyed Tita Ida's food.
Austin says it so nicely. "Lola Ida is the best in the world. She cooks FOOD!!"
Their other grandma cooks spaghetti. Hahaha.
On March 25th, we spent time at the perpetual adoration chapel of the Parish of the HOly Trinity.
And by God's grace...Don finally had his GENUINE NIGHT SLEEP.
It was not disrupted...
It was truly a calm night.
He slept so well.
He did not hear our voices..IDA , GLO AND CLEO AND MINE.
.
Tita Ida and I were awake all night.
Preparing our luggage
Sharing dreams
It is always a grace to meet up with Ida.
It is always energizing.
HUMBLED BUT IN SOLIDARITY
A few days ago I received word from Shelmed that 2 of our flower makers passed away
One in the evening and the other, the morning after.
I felt a loneliness that I could not explain .
Our producers , come and go but our flower makers through the years have kept us company.
I thought of death
I thought of the pain of separation
I thought of our many producers who have gone ...one by one...and some I will never get to say goodbye..
They will never be replaced as no one in their family have interest in the business
I thought of the wake that I will miss and hoped that Shelmed officers will find it in their heart to visit with their families .and be in solidarity.
There is something about wakes that make be truly humble
In the casket is a friend who has responded to her mortality
In the casket is a friend who has accepted the end to the first phase of BEING..
HUMBLED.
YET ONE IN SOLIDARITY.
DEATH COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS
FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS
AT TIMES THAT WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND AND SOMETIMES CANNOT ACCEPT..
DEATH REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS A GIFT
WRAPPED WITH THE RIBBONS OF HELPLESSNESS
THE DEPARTURE REMINDS US THAT SOON WE WILL BE ALONE AND LONELINESS HAS STARTED WITH GRIEF..
LIKE JESUS IN GETHSEMANE...THERE IS GRIEF...
HE UNDERWENT HIS PASSION ...ALONE
THE APOSTLES SLEPT
THERE IS NO ONE TO KEEP JESUS COMPANY
MUSIC
PRAYERS
FLOWERS
PEOPLE AT THE WAKE...
AND YET IN OUR FAITH
THIS PASSION SUNDAY
WE ONLY NEED THE FRONDS ..
TO REMIND US OF PASSION AND DEATH
OF A MAN WHO LOVED US
IN OUR HEARTS THERE WILL BE MUSIC
IN OUR MEMORY THERE WILL BE FLOWERS
IN CHURCH PEOPLE HAVE COME TO RENEW IN FAITH
THAT JESUS HAS STARTED HIS PASSION AND WILL DIE TO RISE AGAIN
AND WE WILL REMEMBER HIS LOVE
WE WERE NOT AT HIS WAKE..
YET TODAY WE ARE HUMBLED AND WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY
One in the evening and the other, the morning after.
I felt a loneliness that I could not explain .
Our producers , come and go but our flower makers through the years have kept us company.
I thought of death
I thought of the pain of separation
I thought of our many producers who have gone ...one by one...and some I will never get to say goodbye..
They will never be replaced as no one in their family have interest in the business
I thought of the wake that I will miss and hoped that Shelmed officers will find it in their heart to visit with their families .and be in solidarity.
There is something about wakes that make be truly humble
In the casket is a friend who has responded to her mortality
In the casket is a friend who has accepted the end to the first phase of BEING..
HUMBLED.
YET ONE IN SOLIDARITY.
DEATH COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS
FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS
AT TIMES THAT WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND AND SOMETIMES CANNOT ACCEPT..
DEATH REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS A GIFT
WRAPPED WITH THE RIBBONS OF HELPLESSNESS
THE DEPARTURE REMINDS US THAT SOON WE WILL BE ALONE AND LONELINESS HAS STARTED WITH GRIEF..
LIKE JESUS IN GETHSEMANE...THERE IS GRIEF...
HE UNDERWENT HIS PASSION ...ALONE
THE APOSTLES SLEPT
THERE IS NO ONE TO KEEP JESUS COMPANY
MUSIC
PRAYERS
FLOWERS
PEOPLE AT THE WAKE...
AND YET IN OUR FAITH
THIS PASSION SUNDAY
WE ONLY NEED THE FRONDS ..
TO REMIND US OF PASSION AND DEATH
OF A MAN WHO LOVED US
IN OUR HEARTS THERE WILL BE MUSIC
IN OUR MEMORY THERE WILL BE FLOWERS
IN CHURCH PEOPLE HAVE COME TO RENEW IN FAITH
THAT JESUS HAS STARTED HIS PASSION AND WILL DIE TO RISE AGAIN
AND WE WILL REMEMBER HIS LOVE
WE WERE NOT AT HIS WAKE..
YET TODAY WE ARE HUMBLED AND WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY
Thursday, March 18, 2010
THOUGHTS ..ON A SOFA .
PALM COAST ..ON A QUIET AFTERNOON
AN AFTER THOUGHT
DON AND I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TIME TOGETHER
BUT LAST NIGHT WAS DIFFERENT
WE LAUGHED AND TALKED AND DREAMT
TITO TONY AND TITA LOLY HAD TO GO TO A DINNER AND DON DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT
GOING OUT . HE HAD JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH OF SLURS.
SO WE STAYED HOME AND COOKED OUR DINNER
..WE HAD SALAD AND STEAK FOR DINNER
THEN HE SAT DOWN AND I JOINED HIM..AFTER CLEANING THE KITCHEN ..
THERE WAS NO MUSIC AVAILABLE
BUT WE HAD LOTS OF LAUGHTER
AND TIME TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT TO DO AFTER GOING HOME
DON TOLD ME HE WANTS TO SERVE
HE WANTS TO ACTIVELY SERVE THROUGH DIOS MABALOS PO FOUNDATION
FOR YEARS NOW HE HAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED DMPF
PROVIDING ALL THE SALARIES AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSE OF DMPF
BUT NOW HE WANTS TO DO MORE
HANDS ON ..
THESE QUOTES ARE AFTER THOUGHTS ...
COME ON DON...LET'S MOVE ON ...LET'S CONTINUE TO SERVE..
GOD IS OUR EMPLOYER.
1. "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do
know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy will be those
who have sought and found how to serve."
--Albert Schweitzer
2. "A joy that's shared is a joy made double."
--John Ray
3. "If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal
circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it
has to give."
--Bertrand Russell
4. "The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the
little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a
heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of
pleasurable and genial feeling."
--Samuel Taylor Coleridge
5. "In the power to change yourself is the power to change the
world around you."
--Anwar Sadat
6. "I am old enough to know that victory is often a thing deferred,
and rarely at the summit of courage. What is at the summit of
courage, I think is freedom. The freedom that comes with the
knowledge that no earthly thing can break you."
--Paula Giddings
7. "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of
everything. They just make the best of everything."
--Sol Gordon
AN AFTER THOUGHT
DON AND I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TIME TOGETHER
BUT LAST NIGHT WAS DIFFERENT
WE LAUGHED AND TALKED AND DREAMT
TITO TONY AND TITA LOLY HAD TO GO TO A DINNER AND DON DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT
GOING OUT . HE HAD JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH OF SLURS.
SO WE STAYED HOME AND COOKED OUR DINNER
..WE HAD SALAD AND STEAK FOR DINNER
THEN HE SAT DOWN AND I JOINED HIM..AFTER CLEANING THE KITCHEN ..
THERE WAS NO MUSIC AVAILABLE
BUT WE HAD LOTS OF LAUGHTER
AND TIME TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT TO DO AFTER GOING HOME
DON TOLD ME HE WANTS TO SERVE
HE WANTS TO ACTIVELY SERVE THROUGH DIOS MABALOS PO FOUNDATION
FOR YEARS NOW HE HAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED DMPF
PROVIDING ALL THE SALARIES AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSE OF DMPF
BUT NOW HE WANTS TO DO MORE
HANDS ON ..
THESE QUOTES ARE AFTER THOUGHTS ...
COME ON DON...LET'S MOVE ON ...LET'S CONTINUE TO SERVE..
GOD IS OUR EMPLOYER.
1. "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do
know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy will be those
who have sought and found how to serve."
--Albert Schweitzer
2. "A joy that's shared is a joy made double."
--John Ray
3. "If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal
circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it
has to give."
--Bertrand Russell
4. "The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the
little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a
heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of
pleasurable and genial feeling."
--Samuel Taylor Coleridge
5. "In the power to change yourself is the power to change the
world around you."
--Anwar Sadat
6. "I am old enough to know that victory is often a thing deferred,
and rarely at the summit of courage. What is at the summit of
courage, I think is freedom. The freedom that comes with the
knowledge that no earthly thing can break you."
--Paula Giddings
7. "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of
everything. They just make the best of everything."
--Sol Gordon
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I LEAVE IT AT THE FOOT OF MARY
WE THANK GOD THAT HE ANSWERED OUR PRAYER FOR DON TO BE SPARED OF RADIATION
BUT THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT THE TUMOR WILL NOT GROW AGAIN.IN FOUR MONTHS TIME DON WILL HAVE TO UNDER A CT SCAN ...AND EVERY 4 MONTHS THEREAFTER
DEAR ALL
HEREUNDER IS THE LONG AWAITED REPORT OF DR CHRISTOPHER CHEN OF CLEVELAND CLINIC
WESTON CITY. HE IS THE RADIATION ONCOLOGIST THAT DR SAVAGE ASKED TO SPEAK WITH US
HE REFERRED PAPA TO MR THYMOMA IN INDIANA..DR PATRICK LOEHRER.
WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 12 1 PM INDIANAPOLIS
THE APPOINTMENT AGENDA IS WITH REGARDS TO THE MARGIN BETWEEN THYMOMA STAGE 2 AND THYMOMA STAGE 3 AND NEED FOR RADIATION AND THE CONSIDERATION OF A CLINICAL TRIAL
AS OF TONIGHT PAPA IS THINKING TWICE ABOUT GOING TO INDIANA
ONE STEP AT A TIME
TESS A OF ALBANY HAS OFFERED TO MEET US IN CHICAGO AND LIEZEL THE DAUGHTER OF MANOY HAS OFFERED TO DRIVE US TO INDIANA FROM CHICAGO
CHRIS IS LOOKING INTO JOINING US FOR THE DOCTORS VISIT
WEST VIRGINIA IS NOT FAR FROM INDIANA
TIYEN SORRA HAS PROPOSED THAT WE CONSIDER A NEURO ONCOLOGIST INSTEAD OF GOING TO INDIANA WE SHOULD GO TO BALTIMORE .
WE ALSO HAVE AN ORDER FOR THE PULMO FUNCTION TEST BY THE NEURO DR MICHEL PULLEY
DON SAYS HE WILL DO THIS IN MANILA
WE WISH TO FLY BACK ON APRIL 9TH WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 6 WEEKS POST SURGERY
IF SO THEN WE WILL NOT GO TO INDIANA
IF WE GO TO INDIANA WE MAY HAVE TO DEPART ABOUT APRIL 16TH
NO FINAL DECISION YET
FOR TONIGHT ...I LEAVE IT AT THE FOOT OF MARY
CHEERS
MAMA /TITA MED/MED
Hi Mr. and Mrs. Villanueva,
I have reviewed the pathology report, which shows early stage II disease.
I therefore do not recommend radiation therapy.
Instead, I recommend CT scans of the neck/upper chest every 4 months.
You should follow-up with a neurologist as well and have him order these tests.
Best wishes!
Christopher Chen
"FINAL DIAGNOSIS
CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA, WESTON, FL (S10-2320)
Thymus gland, excision
-Lymphocytic-rich thymoma (predominantly WHO type B1), focally
invasive (see comment)
COMMENT
The tumor is composed of multiple lobules of polygonal large
epithelial cells in a prominent background of lymphocytes. The
tumor focally extends into the pericapsular fibroadipose tissue
and is adherent to the visceral pleura of the lung tissue present
with the specimen. The peripheral margins are negative (less than
0.1cm) The pathologic stage is T2 (tumor invades pericapsular
connective tissue ) NX MX (stage ll). Immunohistochemical stains
for cytokeratins CAM 5.2 , AE1/AE3 and 5/6 were performed at the
Cleveland Clinic Ohio for the evaluation of this case. Dr. James
cook has also reviewed selected slides from this case and
concurs.
Electronically signed by A. Valeria Arrossi, MD
BUT THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT THE TUMOR WILL NOT GROW AGAIN.IN FOUR MONTHS TIME DON WILL HAVE TO UNDER A CT SCAN ...AND EVERY 4 MONTHS THEREAFTER
DEAR ALL
HEREUNDER IS THE LONG AWAITED REPORT OF DR CHRISTOPHER CHEN OF CLEVELAND CLINIC
WESTON CITY. HE IS THE RADIATION ONCOLOGIST THAT DR SAVAGE ASKED TO SPEAK WITH US
HE REFERRED PAPA TO MR THYMOMA IN INDIANA..DR PATRICK LOEHRER.
WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 12 1 PM INDIANAPOLIS
THE APPOINTMENT AGENDA IS WITH REGARDS TO THE MARGIN BETWEEN THYMOMA STAGE 2 AND THYMOMA STAGE 3 AND NEED FOR RADIATION AND THE CONSIDERATION OF A CLINICAL TRIAL
AS OF TONIGHT PAPA IS THINKING TWICE ABOUT GOING TO INDIANA
ONE STEP AT A TIME
TESS A OF ALBANY HAS OFFERED TO MEET US IN CHICAGO AND LIEZEL THE DAUGHTER OF MANOY HAS OFFERED TO DRIVE US TO INDIANA FROM CHICAGO
CHRIS IS LOOKING INTO JOINING US FOR THE DOCTORS VISIT
WEST VIRGINIA IS NOT FAR FROM INDIANA
TIYEN SORRA HAS PROPOSED THAT WE CONSIDER A NEURO ONCOLOGIST INSTEAD OF GOING TO INDIANA WE SHOULD GO TO BALTIMORE .
WE ALSO HAVE AN ORDER FOR THE PULMO FUNCTION TEST BY THE NEURO DR MICHEL PULLEY
DON SAYS HE WILL DO THIS IN MANILA
WE WISH TO FLY BACK ON APRIL 9TH WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 6 WEEKS POST SURGERY
IF SO THEN WE WILL NOT GO TO INDIANA
IF WE GO TO INDIANA WE MAY HAVE TO DEPART ABOUT APRIL 16TH
NO FINAL DECISION YET
FOR TONIGHT ...I LEAVE IT AT THE FOOT OF MARY
CHEERS
MAMA /TITA MED/MED
Hi Mr. and Mrs. Villanueva,
I have reviewed the pathology report, which shows early stage II disease.
I therefore do not recommend radiation therapy.
Instead, I recommend CT scans of the neck/upper chest every 4 months.
You should follow-up with a neurologist as well and have him order these tests.
Best wishes!
Christopher Chen
"FINAL DIAGNOSIS
CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA, WESTON, FL (S10-2320)
Thymus gland, excision
-Lymphocytic-rich thymoma (predominantly WHO type B1), focally
invasive (see comment)
COMMENT
The tumor is composed of multiple lobules of polygonal large
epithelial cells in a prominent background of lymphocytes. The
tumor focally extends into the pericapsular fibroadipose tissue
and is adherent to the visceral pleura of the lung tissue present
with the specimen. The peripheral margins are negative (less than
0.1cm) The pathologic stage is T2 (tumor invades pericapsular
connective tissue ) NX MX (stage ll). Immunohistochemical stains
for cytokeratins CAM 5.2 , AE1/AE3 and 5/6 were performed at the
Cleveland Clinic Ohio for the evaluation of this case. Dr. James
cook has also reviewed selected slides from this case and
concurs.
Electronically signed by A. Valeria Arrossi, MD
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
THERE WAS TOO MUCH ANTICIPATION
FOR THE
THICK AND JUICY
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
11 MILES OUT THERE
SOMEWHERE
WE DROVE
FOR A
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
IT WAS NICE AND COOL
OH NO JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO COOL
THE PAPER BAG WAS BROUGHT IN
AND FRIES WERE ON THE TOP
A BITE HERE
A BITE AGAIN
THEN OFF WE SPED BACK HOME
AHHH...FOR THE FIRST BITE
AHHH...FOR THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION
AHHH...FOR GUSTATORY DELIGHT
AHHH...FOR THE SADNESS
FLOUNDERS ...TASTELESS
HOW MANY TIMES OVER WILL WE FEEL THIS WAY
HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL FOOD BE TAKEN
INTO A TASTELESS PALATE
WAS FOOD MADE FOR THE TASTE ?
WAS TASTE MADE FOR THE FOOD ?
OR WAS FOOD MADE FOR YOU AND ME ?
FOR THAT WE GIVE THANKS.
AND WAS TASTE A BONUS FOR THE FOOD?
FOR THE
THICK AND JUICY
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
11 MILES OUT THERE
SOMEWHERE
WE DROVE
FOR A
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
IT WAS NICE AND COOL
OH NO JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO COOL
THE PAPER BAG WAS BROUGHT IN
AND FRIES WERE ON THE TOP
A BITE HERE
A BITE AGAIN
THEN OFF WE SPED BACK HOME
AHHH...FOR THE FIRST BITE
AHHH...FOR THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION
AHHH...FOR GUSTATORY DELIGHT
AHHH...FOR THE SADNESS
FLOUNDERS ...TASTELESS
HOW MANY TIMES OVER WILL WE FEEL THIS WAY
HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL FOOD BE TAKEN
INTO A TASTELESS PALATE
WAS FOOD MADE FOR THE TASTE ?
WAS TASTE MADE FOR THE FOOD ?
OR WAS FOOD MADE FOR YOU AND ME ?
FOR THAT WE GIVE THANKS.
AND WAS TASTE A BONUS FOR THE FOOD?
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
AT PALM COAST
SORRA RESIDENE
ANXIOUSLY WAITING
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
THE PATH AHEAD I DO NOT SEE
FOR THOUGH I KNOW NOT ALL
THIS I KNOW
HE KNOWS
THE PATH HE CHOOSES FOR DON
AND THIS I TRULY KNOW
IT IS THE BEST
IT IS THE MASTER'S PLAN
FIAT...
THERE ARE REASONS
THERE ARE SEASONS
I HAVE SURRENDERED
WHEN WILL THE PATHO RESULTS BE GIVEN
THE DAYS HAVE COME AND GONE
MORNINGS HAVE BROKEN AND NOW
THE NIGHTS ARE HERE
SOON
WILL I HAVE WEEEKS TO COUNT?
WILL THE WEEKS BE MONTHS TOO SOON?
I ASK NO MORE WHEN WILL WE HEAR FROM THEM
AND AS THERE MAY BE REASONS FOR THE DELAY
I CLOSE MY EYES
I HEAVE A SIGH
THOU ART MY GOD
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
.
SORRA RESIDENE
ANXIOUSLY WAITING
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
THE PATH AHEAD I DO NOT SEE
FOR THOUGH I KNOW NOT ALL
THIS I KNOW
HE KNOWS
THE PATH HE CHOOSES FOR DON
AND THIS I TRULY KNOW
IT IS THE BEST
IT IS THE MASTER'S PLAN
FIAT...
THERE ARE REASONS
THERE ARE SEASONS
I HAVE SURRENDERED
WHEN WILL THE PATHO RESULTS BE GIVEN
THE DAYS HAVE COME AND GONE
MORNINGS HAVE BROKEN AND NOW
THE NIGHTS ARE HERE
SOON
WILL I HAVE WEEEKS TO COUNT?
WILL THE WEEKS BE MONTHS TOO SOON?
I ASK NO MORE WHEN WILL WE HEAR FROM THEM
AND AS THERE MAY BE REASONS FOR THE DELAY
I CLOSE MY EYES
I HEAVE A SIGH
THOU ART MY GOD
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
.
WHAT'S IN A NAME ? CHRISTO-PHER
CHRISTO-PHER ..ONE WHO CARRIED CHRIST
HIS NAME HAS BEEN CONTESTED
BUT THIS TIME NO ONE CAN CONTEST
HE BROUGHT CHRIST
THE COMPASSION OF THE CHRIST
NOT FROM CHILLY, COLD , SNOWY WEST VIRGINIA
BUT FROM THE WARMTH OF HIS DISTANT PAST
ALONG SIDE
AS DON TRIED TO OVERCOME
THE RESTLESSNESS CAUSED BY MORPHINE
THE QUESTIONS UNASKED
THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
THE CONFUSION OF THE UNKNOWN
THE UNCERTAINTY
CHRIS WAS THERE
IN THE EARLY MORN OF FEBRUARY 19TH
HE DROVE FROM HIS HOME TO PITTSBURG
ON A HIGHWAY WITH SNOW BORDERS
IT TOOK HIM 3 HOURS
HE WAS AT THE AIRPORT AT 5 AM
SLEEPLESS
HE FLEW IN
STOPPED OVER IN NORTH CAROLINA
RENTED A CAR
DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL
AND ARRIVED AT HIGH NOON
JUST WHEN DON WAS READY TO BE LED OUT TO THE RECOVERY ROOM
HE WAS THERE FOR ALL OF US
A CHRIST0-PHER.
HIS NAME HAS BEEN CONTESTED
BUT THIS TIME NO ONE CAN CONTEST
HE BROUGHT CHRIST
THE COMPASSION OF THE CHRIST
NOT FROM CHILLY, COLD , SNOWY WEST VIRGINIA
BUT FROM THE WARMTH OF HIS DISTANT PAST
ALONG SIDE
AS DON TRIED TO OVERCOME
THE RESTLESSNESS CAUSED BY MORPHINE
THE QUESTIONS UNASKED
THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
THE CONFUSION OF THE UNKNOWN
THE UNCERTAINTY
CHRIS WAS THERE
IN THE EARLY MORN OF FEBRUARY 19TH
HE DROVE FROM HIS HOME TO PITTSBURG
ON A HIGHWAY WITH SNOW BORDERS
IT TOOK HIM 3 HOURS
HE WAS AT THE AIRPORT AT 5 AM
SLEEPLESS
HE FLEW IN
STOPPED OVER IN NORTH CAROLINA
RENTED A CAR
DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL
AND ARRIVED AT HIGH NOON
JUST WHEN DON WAS READY TO BE LED OUT TO THE RECOVERY ROOM
HE WAS THERE FOR ALL OF US
A CHRIST0-PHER.
PYJAMA FRIENDS
NOTES
POST OPERATION CLEVELAND CLINIC WESTON CITY
MAROON COLORED PYJAMAS
TWO SETS
VARIED PRINTS
GREY COLORED PYJAMAS
SUBTLE SHADE WITH PRINTS
SOLID BLUE PUJAMA
SKY BLUE
TO MANY IT IS JUST A SLEEP WEAR
TO MANY IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS...MEN'S WEAR
I RECALL MY PANIC
I HAD LEFT THE SLEEPWEARS IN TAMPA
FOR IT WAS NOT PLANNED THAT WE WOULD HAVE SURGERY OF DON IN CLEVELAND WESTON CITY
BUT FRIENDS
SOMETIMES
JUST KNOW
JUST FEEL
JUST THINK
AND SLEEPWEARS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
FOR HIM WHO WEARS THE PYJAMA
FOR HER WHO KNOWS
THEIR FRIENDS WHO BROUGHT THE PYJAMA
ARE GEMS
TRULY WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE FRIENDS
THANK GOD
THANK YOU
THE PYJAMA BEARERS
TITO TONY TITA LOLLY
PARENG TONY MARENG VILMA
POST OPERATION CLEVELAND CLINIC WESTON CITY
MAROON COLORED PYJAMAS
TWO SETS
VARIED PRINTS
GREY COLORED PYJAMAS
SUBTLE SHADE WITH PRINTS
SOLID BLUE PUJAMA
SKY BLUE
TO MANY IT IS JUST A SLEEP WEAR
TO MANY IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS...MEN'S WEAR
I RECALL MY PANIC
I HAD LEFT THE SLEEPWEARS IN TAMPA
FOR IT WAS NOT PLANNED THAT WE WOULD HAVE SURGERY OF DON IN CLEVELAND WESTON CITY
BUT FRIENDS
SOMETIMES
JUST KNOW
JUST FEEL
JUST THINK
AND SLEEPWEARS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
FOR HIM WHO WEARS THE PYJAMA
FOR HER WHO KNOWS
THEIR FRIENDS WHO BROUGHT THE PYJAMA
ARE GEMS
TRULY WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE FRIENDS
THANK GOD
THANK YOU
THE PYJAMA BEARERS
TITO TONY TITA LOLLY
PARENG TONY MARENG VILMA
STARDUST IN THE SKY
POST OPERATION NOTES: CLEVELAND CLINIC
He blew stardust on an empty sky
HE LOVED
HE GAVE
WE BELIEVE
WE LIVE
IN A QUIET ROOM
I HEAR THE MUSIC FROM MY PHONE
A NURSE WALKS IN
WHAT KIND OF PHONE IS THAT
REFERRING TO MY YELLOW PHONE
I SMILED
IT IS MY YELLOW PHONE
THE STARDUST IN THE SKY
HOW WOULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT CORY AND NINOY'S YELLOW PHONE
WITH PRAYERS OF CORY
AND HYMNS TOO
WITH POEMS OF NINOY
AND LOVE LETTERS TOO
WOULD ACCOMPANY ME IN THIS JOURNEY OF SOLITUDE?
REMINDING ME
HE LOVES
HE GIVES
I BELIEVE
I LIVE
I CANNOT APPROXIMATE HIS LOVE
NO ONE WILL EVER MATCH HIS LOVE
AND WHEN THE EVENING SHADOWS FALL
MY STARDUST MELODY
WILL BE A HYMN
A PRAYER
A POEM
A LOVE LETTER
TO JESUS AND MARY
TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS
AND TO A TRIUNE GOD
FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.
He blew stardust on an empty sky
HE LOVED
HE GAVE
WE BELIEVE
WE LIVE
IN A QUIET ROOM
I HEAR THE MUSIC FROM MY PHONE
A NURSE WALKS IN
WHAT KIND OF PHONE IS THAT
REFERRING TO MY YELLOW PHONE
I SMILED
IT IS MY YELLOW PHONE
THE STARDUST IN THE SKY
HOW WOULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT CORY AND NINOY'S YELLOW PHONE
WITH PRAYERS OF CORY
AND HYMNS TOO
WITH POEMS OF NINOY
AND LOVE LETTERS TOO
WOULD ACCOMPANY ME IN THIS JOURNEY OF SOLITUDE?
REMINDING ME
HE LOVES
HE GIVES
I BELIEVE
I LIVE
I CANNOT APPROXIMATE HIS LOVE
NO ONE WILL EVER MATCH HIS LOVE
AND WHEN THE EVENING SHADOWS FALL
MY STARDUST MELODY
WILL BE A HYMN
A PRAYER
A POEM
A LOVE LETTER
TO JESUS AND MARY
TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS
AND TO A TRIUNE GOD
FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.
We wait for the shadow..
Notes Post Op Cleveland Clinic
We wait for the shadows. We missed the sunset. Darkness will provide the cover we need..the cover we want. We wait for the safety of nightfall when we can sob as we try so very hard to sleep.
But sleep has ceased to come easily.
There is a quiet in the darkness that is broken.
But ears cannot hear it.
Our pillows have no ears.
Nurses come and go but their eyes do not see the tears
Our pillows have no tongue
They cannot betray the secret.
How the pillows were wet when darkness had fallen.
How do we count the days and the nights?
Prayer moments..extraordinary moments in time. Alone with God. Two hearts united.
But each pleading differently. One for understanding of God's plan. The other that a loved one be spared of pain. That healing comes fully. That the veil of uncertainties be lifted.
In Gods time, He will lift the shadows.
We will wait for dawn.
We wait for the shadows. We missed the sunset. Darkness will provide the cover we need..the cover we want. We wait for the safety of nightfall when we can sob as we try so very hard to sleep.
But sleep has ceased to come easily.
There is a quiet in the darkness that is broken.
But ears cannot hear it.
Our pillows have no ears.
Nurses come and go but their eyes do not see the tears
Our pillows have no tongue
They cannot betray the secret.
How the pillows were wet when darkness had fallen.
How do we count the days and the nights?
Prayer moments..extraordinary moments in time. Alone with God. Two hearts united.
But each pleading differently. One for understanding of God's plan. The other that a loved one be spared of pain. That healing comes fully. That the veil of uncertainties be lifted.
In Gods time, He will lift the shadows.
We will wait for dawn.
St Augustine, Florida.and Our Lady of la Leche
DON AND I WENT OUT YESTERDAY WITH TITO TONY AND TITA LALY.
WE SPENT SOMETIME IN ST AUGUSTINE.
THERE WE PRAYED TO OUR LADY OF LA LECHE..THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF THE CHILD.
Jesus caring for His tender Body and nursing Him through the long months of His human helplessness has inspired mothers and mothers to be ever since the miracle of Bethlehem.
Rome's second century catacombs show the Blessed Mother nursing the Child Jesus.
Europe has great art paintings showing Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto. Our Nursing Mother of Happy Delivery. These are eloquent evidences of the devotion of women during every century to the Nursing Mother of the infant Jesus.
The story of the devotion starts in Madrid in 1598 .
The early Spanish settlers circa 1620 established the first Shrine in the very spot where the first parish Mass had been offered 55 years before at the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St Augustine, Florida.
This Shrine dedicated to Mama Mary's Divine Motherhood, is visited by thousands of mothers
asking for the blessings of Motherhood...beseeching her intercession that God will grant them a safe and happy delivery and healthy holy children.
Yes , we prayed for all the members of Familia Villanueva and Familia Shelmed and all the other women who we know have been praying for a child.
We think that St Augustine is a lovely place. We plan to return someday.
We mentioned the names of Angel and Jun, Rica and John, Kristine and Sheldon .
SEPTEMBER 8TH , THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY, IS ALSO THE OFFICIAL DATE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MISSION OF NOMBRE DE DIOS AND THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE, THE NATION'S OLDEST.
WE SPENT SOMETIME IN ST AUGUSTINE.
THERE WE PRAYED TO OUR LADY OF LA LECHE..THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF THE CHILD.
Jesus caring for His tender Body and nursing Him through the long months of His human helplessness has inspired mothers and mothers to be ever since the miracle of Bethlehem.
Rome's second century catacombs show the Blessed Mother nursing the Child Jesus.
Europe has great art paintings showing Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto. Our Nursing Mother of Happy Delivery. These are eloquent evidences of the devotion of women during every century to the Nursing Mother of the infant Jesus.
The story of the devotion starts in Madrid in 1598 .
The early Spanish settlers circa 1620 established the first Shrine in the very spot where the first parish Mass had been offered 55 years before at the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St Augustine, Florida.
This Shrine dedicated to Mama Mary's Divine Motherhood, is visited by thousands of mothers
asking for the blessings of Motherhood...beseeching her intercession that God will grant them a safe and happy delivery and healthy holy children.
Yes , we prayed for all the members of Familia Villanueva and Familia Shelmed and all the other women who we know have been praying for a child.
We think that St Augustine is a lovely place. We plan to return someday.
We mentioned the names of Angel and Jun, Rica and John, Kristine and Sheldon .
SEPTEMBER 8TH , THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY, IS ALSO THE OFFICIAL DATE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MISSION OF NOMBRE DE DIOS AND THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE, THE NATION'S OLDEST.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
GOD SMILES
LITTLE CHILDREN
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
LOOK AROUN D
SWING AROUND
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
BUT WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE GROWN
WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO BE
FOR THEY ARE CALLED TO BECOME
A MATURE ADULT
WITH A RESPONSIBILITY
TO OTHERS
THE CHILDREN OF YEARS AGO
NOW CEASE TO HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
THEY KISS YOU GOODBYE
AND YOU SAY A BLESSING AS THEY WALK OUT OF THE DOOR
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE TIME THEY SPENT WITH YOU
THE GENEROSITY OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO ALLOWED THEM TO BE WITH YOU
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE GIFT OF MEMORIES
THANK YOU WENG AND JENG
FOR THE TIME YOU SPENT WITH US
GO AND DO WHAT YOU MUST
GOD SMILES ON YOU
PAPA AND MAMA
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
LOOK AROUN D
SWING AROUND
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
BUT WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE GROWN
WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO BE
FOR THEY ARE CALLED TO BECOME
A MATURE ADULT
WITH A RESPONSIBILITY
TO OTHERS
THE CHILDREN OF YEARS AGO
NOW CEASE TO HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
THEY KISS YOU GOODBYE
AND YOU SAY A BLESSING AS THEY WALK OUT OF THE DOOR
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE TIME THEY SPENT WITH YOU
THE GENEROSITY OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO ALLOWED THEM TO BE WITH YOU
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE GIFT OF MEMORIES
THANK YOU WENG AND JENG
FOR THE TIME YOU SPENT WITH US
GO AND DO WHAT YOU MUST
GOD SMILES ON YOU
PAPA AND MAMA
VESSELS OF STEEL VS FRAGILE VASES
on the day i wore a crown
on my 61st birthday
don had to remind me i am not yet 62years old
i received fragile vases
of glass and porcelain
they had beautiful tulips
fresh colorful tulips
the first time i held them
i imagined the gardens of amsterdam
from dear tess of albany new york
thoughtfulness beyond measure.
lovely red roses from tony and vilma
who flew in from san francisco
but took off and hid away from me for some hours in the afternoon
to prepare for this delicious delight of lovely blood red roses
what soothing friendship
and more red roses brought in on valentines day
by elaine for papa
i look at the vases
so fragile
so easy to break
i know that my God
even as I offered the flowers in praise petition and thanksgiving
accepted them while reminding me
that He was taking all the flowers and the vases
the fragile vases
we grew up knowing we are vessels
Our God has chosen a vessel
that may not be broken
He has chosen that in these times
that we be made of steel that He can twist
that we may not be broken
He has willed that in these times
we may have courage
the strength that comes when pressed by uncertainty
the singleminded trust that this will pass
for Don AND I and all our family and friends
are held by God's hand .
NOthing will break us ....even if we are twisted and pressed by uncertainty
WE ARE NO FRAGILE VASES
WE ARE VESSELS OF STEEL
on my 61st birthday
don had to remind me i am not yet 62years old
i received fragile vases
of glass and porcelain
they had beautiful tulips
fresh colorful tulips
the first time i held them
i imagined the gardens of amsterdam
from dear tess of albany new york
thoughtfulness beyond measure.
lovely red roses from tony and vilma
who flew in from san francisco
but took off and hid away from me for some hours in the afternoon
to prepare for this delicious delight of lovely blood red roses
what soothing friendship
and more red roses brought in on valentines day
by elaine for papa
i look at the vases
so fragile
so easy to break
i know that my God
even as I offered the flowers in praise petition and thanksgiving
accepted them while reminding me
that He was taking all the flowers and the vases
the fragile vases
we grew up knowing we are vessels
Our God has chosen a vessel
that may not be broken
He has chosen that in these times
that we be made of steel that He can twist
that we may not be broken
He has willed that in these times
we may have courage
the strength that comes when pressed by uncertainty
the singleminded trust that this will pass
for Don AND I and all our family and friends
are held by God's hand .
NOthing will break us ....even if we are twisted and pressed by uncertainty
WE ARE NO FRAGILE VASES
WE ARE VESSELS OF STEEL
THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
I STAND
I MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
I GENUFLECT
I REFLECT
I PRAY
I SING
REPEATEDLY
SO MANY TIMES OVER
WITH VOICES OF MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN
OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME
FROM CONDEMNATION TO RESURRECTION
ONE STEP AT A TIME
WITH TEARS ON EYES
I HOLD ON TO THE CROSS
I FIX MY EYES ON HIM
MY JESUS
I KNOW THAT THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
OVER ALL THE MESTINON SIDE EFFECTS
OVER ALL THE PREDNISONE STEROID THREATS
OVER ALL THE RADIATION UNCERTAINTY
I CLAIM THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
EVEN AS THE NEUROLOGIST SURGEON RADIATION ONCOLOGIST AND PATHOLOGIST SHARE THEIR PROPOSALS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND PROCEDURES
I READ REPEATEDLY THE PATHOLOGIST REPORT , BIT BY BIT
ON SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE INVASIVE TUMOR
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
FIRMLY SAYING NO TO ANY QUESTION OF WHY?
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT APPEARS TO BENIGN BUT THREATENS TO BE LESS BENIGN
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TUMOR HAD ATTACHED ITSELF TO THE PLEURA AND PERICARDIUM AND AVERY VITAL CARDIAC VEIN
AND THEN WITH TIRED SPIRIT, I SURRENDER
I DO NOT NEED TO UNDERSTAND MORE TODAY
I SURRENDER
I HOLD ON TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
AND SO I REST ..MY TIRED AND WEARY BODY...
I CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER STEP RIGHT NOW
TOMORROW WILL BE ANOTHER DAY
AND YES TOMORROW ONCE MORE
IT WILL BE
ONE STEP AT A TIME
I CLAIM THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS.
ALAS THIS HAS BEEN MY SIMPLE JOURNEY OF FAITH
PROCLAIMING GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE
I MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
I GENUFLECT
I REFLECT
I PRAY
I SING
REPEATEDLY
SO MANY TIMES OVER
WITH VOICES OF MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN
OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME
FROM CONDEMNATION TO RESURRECTION
ONE STEP AT A TIME
WITH TEARS ON EYES
I HOLD ON TO THE CROSS
I FIX MY EYES ON HIM
MY JESUS
I KNOW THAT THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
OVER ALL THE MESTINON SIDE EFFECTS
OVER ALL THE PREDNISONE STEROID THREATS
OVER ALL THE RADIATION UNCERTAINTY
I CLAIM THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
EVEN AS THE NEUROLOGIST SURGEON RADIATION ONCOLOGIST AND PATHOLOGIST SHARE THEIR PROPOSALS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND PROCEDURES
I READ REPEATEDLY THE PATHOLOGIST REPORT , BIT BY BIT
ON SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE INVASIVE TUMOR
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
FIRMLY SAYING NO TO ANY QUESTION OF WHY?
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT APPEARS TO BENIGN BUT THREATENS TO BE LESS BENIGN
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TUMOR HAD ATTACHED ITSELF TO THE PLEURA AND PERICARDIUM AND AVERY VITAL CARDIAC VEIN
AND THEN WITH TIRED SPIRIT, I SURRENDER
I DO NOT NEED TO UNDERSTAND MORE TODAY
I SURRENDER
I HOLD ON TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
AND SO I REST ..MY TIRED AND WEARY BODY...
I CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER STEP RIGHT NOW
TOMORROW WILL BE ANOTHER DAY
AND YES TOMORROW ONCE MORE
IT WILL BE
ONE STEP AT A TIME
I CLAIM THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS.
ALAS THIS HAS BEEN MY SIMPLE JOURNEY OF FAITH
PROCLAIMING GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE
The TORNADO
"Though winds are wild and the gale unleashed
My trusting heart still sings
I know that they mean no harm to me
HE rides upon their wings "
Don sat in the living room of the summer home of Tito Tony and Tita Lolly in Palm Coast Florida
(brother and sister in law of Mamo Ping Sorra)
Don was glued to the television
I was busy helping the kitchen
Don called me and whispered .. the tornado is coming close to Palm Coast
Look at the red marks on the map of Florida.
I looked without feelings
I looked blankly
What is a tornado?
Then Don whispered, the only safe place in the house is the toilet and the concrete walk in closet according to Tito TOny.
I looked out of the glass door to the canal, where the boat of Tito Tony was docked . I saw the water had somehow risen. I could sense the blowing wind , an angry howling wind outside.
I quietly asked for a match to lit a candle on the altar of the Sorra residence.
In like manner I sought the quiet of solitude as I spoke in prayer to GOD
So much has happened in our lives (DON AND MINE) from October to February.
A tornado simply meant another prayer session of full surrender
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of needs difficulty and trials
it is faith in God Who is love that will tide us over and see us through.
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of uncertainty and threats and when the situation appears to be impossible ...it is hope in God Who assures us that because of His unconditional love, solutions will come to quiet my restless soul ..in HIS TIME IN HIS WAY .
TORNADO
tear not
blow not
take not
the fabric of my faith humbly and lovingly wrapped around my Jesus
I hang my anxiety on his cross
I leave them all with Jesus
I put my soul on the boat outside
I know that Jesus will walk on the waters
I trust that Jesus will rest on my boat
I believe that Jesus and will awaken to still the waters , to quiet the wind
to hush the tornado..
I BELIEVE
I HOPE..
.
I
My trusting heart still sings
I know that they mean no harm to me
HE rides upon their wings "
Don sat in the living room of the summer home of Tito Tony and Tita Lolly in Palm Coast Florida
(brother and sister in law of Mamo Ping Sorra)
Don was glued to the television
I was busy helping the kitchen
Don called me and whispered .. the tornado is coming close to Palm Coast
Look at the red marks on the map of Florida.
I looked without feelings
I looked blankly
What is a tornado?
Then Don whispered, the only safe place in the house is the toilet and the concrete walk in closet according to Tito TOny.
I looked out of the glass door to the canal, where the boat of Tito Tony was docked . I saw the water had somehow risen. I could sense the blowing wind , an angry howling wind outside.
I quietly asked for a match to lit a candle on the altar of the Sorra residence.
In like manner I sought the quiet of solitude as I spoke in prayer to GOD
So much has happened in our lives (DON AND MINE) from October to February.
A tornado simply meant another prayer session of full surrender
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of needs difficulty and trials
it is faith in God Who is love that will tide us over and see us through.
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of uncertainty and threats and when the situation appears to be impossible ...it is hope in God Who assures us that because of His unconditional love, solutions will come to quiet my restless soul ..in HIS TIME IN HIS WAY .
TORNADO
tear not
blow not
take not
the fabric of my faith humbly and lovingly wrapped around my Jesus
I hang my anxiety on his cross
I leave them all with Jesus
I put my soul on the boat outside
I know that Jesus will walk on the waters
I trust that Jesus will rest on my boat
I believe that Jesus and will awaken to still the waters , to quiet the wind
to hush the tornado..
I BELIEVE
I HOPE..
.
I
Monday, March 1, 2010
i wore a crown
It was the night before the surgery and everyone was busy
Tito Tony Sorra and his wife Tita Laly (a doctor ) were in room A of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Tito Tony Jacob and Tita Vilma ( a nurse) were in room B of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Weng was in room 232 sofa bed princess
Papa and I were in suite 237
Angel was in room 247 sofa bed princess
The Sorra couple came from Palm Coast Florida. It took them about 5 hours by car.
The Jacob couple flew in from San Francisco . It took them about 7 hours because of a layover in Utah.
Both couples had food and fruits galore.
Lutong bahay asado came in from Alice of San Francisco and bakery products ensaymada empanada bicol express laing etc etc
From Palm Coast we had pomelo and cheese cheese the best cheese in the world and honey dew clementines popcorn etc.etc.
The girls ( Wend and Jeng) asked to leave to do more grocery. Our suites havekitchenettes
We feasted on what we had on the table .
I was wondering why it took forever for them to return. Papa and I were in another room so we did not know the comings and goings. I was trying to listen to the many quiverings of my heart. I was preparing the suitcase for the journey to the hospital.
At dinner time, they called us over. Lo and behold! There were balloons and buntings and happy birthday wishes all over the room and tulips tulips tulips from Tita Tess of Albany and more roses red long stem roses and more roses and card cards and cards and gifts and gifts andgifts
wowowowowowoowoweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
what a real surprise
I even had a cake ..an ice cream cake YUM YUM YUMMY
Everyone claimed to have cooked the food ...so all the praises went to them but the high light of the cooking experience was that we had no rice cooker and yet we had rice. The men promised to cook . They claimed to be familiar with finger measurement.
Well guess who cooked the rice?
Of course non of the presentados.
Of course it was Angel!!!
When the surprise had settled down it was time to feast ...and feast we did.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SURPRISE . AND REMEMBERING IT WAS GOING TO BE MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 19TH ...I HAD ACTUALLY FORGOTTEN MANY TIMES OVER.
THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
DIOS MABALOS PO . OH YES ,,,THEY HAD A CROWN FOR ME, THE CELEBRANT. SO I WORE THE CROWN ON MY 16TH BIRTHDAY ...OOPS MY 61ST BIRTHDAY
SADLY DON COULD NOT SING..ALL MY PAST BIRTHDAYS WERE COMPLETED ONLY AFTER DON SINGS. WELL NOT THIS YEAR ...BUT THE SALVE REGINA WAS CLEARLY IN OUR HEARTS AND I RENDERED IT SOLO AY DI PALA ..SUMABAY MAN SI TITA VILMA
Tito Tony Sorra and his wife Tita Laly (a doctor ) were in room A of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Tito Tony Jacob and Tita Vilma ( a nurse) were in room B of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Weng was in room 232 sofa bed princess
Papa and I were in suite 237
Angel was in room 247 sofa bed princess
The Sorra couple came from Palm Coast Florida. It took them about 5 hours by car.
The Jacob couple flew in from San Francisco . It took them about 7 hours because of a layover in Utah.
Both couples had food and fruits galore.
Lutong bahay asado came in from Alice of San Francisco and bakery products ensaymada empanada bicol express laing etc etc
From Palm Coast we had pomelo and cheese cheese the best cheese in the world and honey dew clementines popcorn etc.etc.
The girls ( Wend and Jeng) asked to leave to do more grocery. Our suites havekitchenettes
We feasted on what we had on the table .
I was wondering why it took forever for them to return. Papa and I were in another room so we did not know the comings and goings. I was trying to listen to the many quiverings of my heart. I was preparing the suitcase for the journey to the hospital.
At dinner time, they called us over. Lo and behold! There were balloons and buntings and happy birthday wishes all over the room and tulips tulips tulips from Tita Tess of Albany and more roses red long stem roses and more roses and card cards and cards and gifts and gifts andgifts
wowowowowowoowoweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
what a real surprise
I even had a cake ..an ice cream cake YUM YUM YUMMY
Everyone claimed to have cooked the food ...so all the praises went to them but the high light of the cooking experience was that we had no rice cooker and yet we had rice. The men promised to cook . They claimed to be familiar with finger measurement.
Well guess who cooked the rice?
Of course non of the presentados.
Of course it was Angel!!!
When the surprise had settled down it was time to feast ...and feast we did.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SURPRISE . AND REMEMBERING IT WAS GOING TO BE MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 19TH ...I HAD ACTUALLY FORGOTTEN MANY TIMES OVER.
THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
DIOS MABALOS PO . OH YES ,,,THEY HAD A CROWN FOR ME, THE CELEBRANT. SO I WORE THE CROWN ON MY 16TH BIRTHDAY ...OOPS MY 61ST BIRTHDAY
SADLY DON COULD NOT SING..ALL MY PAST BIRTHDAYS WERE COMPLETED ONLY AFTER DON SINGS. WELL NOT THIS YEAR ...BUT THE SALVE REGINA WAS CLEARLY IN OUR HEARTS AND I RENDERED IT SOLO AY DI PALA ..SUMABAY MAN SI TITA VILMA
OUR LADY MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE
"Active faith will praise in darkest nights"
I knew that my tears were falling
I felt they just kept falling
I was sure I did not want to cry
Vilma put her hand on my shoulder
She started to sing a hymn
Slowly and quietly we all walked in
My tears had dried
There was Don , waiting ready to be wheeled in.
He only saw eyes that spoke of faith and hope and love.
I held his hand to kiss him
and then
I heard a prayer
I saw Vilma
How she panicked
The prayer of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace
was being recited from her cell phone
from the yellow pone of Cory that we brought from Manila
"Hush" I said "let it be".
I felt this was an answer to our request
For Don to pray before he was wheeled in
Vilma was looking all over
Tumbling through the many contents in her bag .
There we all were praying, the Memorare with Don
Unashamed, we were praying before people who Doctor Salanga says are not keen to talk about religion or politics..
Then..
Each took turns to hold Don and assure him all will be well
I left Don for a while to speak with Raphael the Doctor Anaesthesiologist
I requested him to please remember that Don is not a good pain receptor. He assured me the anaesthesia will knock him out better than Manny Pacquiao.
I told him we have been praying for the entire team from the surgeon to the anaesthesiologist and the entire medical/nursing staff.
He assured me I can see Don by about 1 pm as I had promised Don I will be there when he wakes up from his anaesthesia.
We left the room carrying with us the peace on Don's face as we blessed him with holy water just before Marie , the nurse, they took him for a journey of faith in the hands of Doctor Edward Savage, the cardio thoracic surgeon.
more to follow
FOR US THE YELLOW PHONE ..THE MEMORARE.. AT THE PRE OPERATING ROOM ...
WAS A CONTINUING THREAD IN THE SERIES OF GODS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS..
IN OUR LIVES AS FAMILIA VILLANUEVA
I knew that my tears were falling
I felt they just kept falling
I was sure I did not want to cry
Vilma put her hand on my shoulder
She started to sing a hymn
Slowly and quietly we all walked in
My tears had dried
There was Don , waiting ready to be wheeled in.
He only saw eyes that spoke of faith and hope and love.
I held his hand to kiss him
and then
I heard a prayer
I saw Vilma
How she panicked
The prayer of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace
was being recited from her cell phone
from the yellow pone of Cory that we brought from Manila
"Hush" I said "let it be".
I felt this was an answer to our request
For Don to pray before he was wheeled in
Vilma was looking all over
Tumbling through the many contents in her bag .
There we all were praying, the Memorare with Don
Unashamed, we were praying before people who Doctor Salanga says are not keen to talk about religion or politics..
Then..
Each took turns to hold Don and assure him all will be well
I left Don for a while to speak with Raphael the Doctor Anaesthesiologist
I requested him to please remember that Don is not a good pain receptor. He assured me the anaesthesia will knock him out better than Manny Pacquiao.
I told him we have been praying for the entire team from the surgeon to the anaesthesiologist and the entire medical/nursing staff.
He assured me I can see Don by about 1 pm as I had promised Don I will be there when he wakes up from his anaesthesia.
We left the room carrying with us the peace on Don's face as we blessed him with holy water just before Marie , the nurse, they took him for a journey of faith in the hands of Doctor Edward Savage, the cardio thoracic surgeon.
more to follow
FOR US THE YELLOW PHONE ..THE MEMORARE.. AT THE PRE OPERATING ROOM ...
WAS A CONTINUING THREAD IN THE SERIES OF GODS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS..
IN OUR LIVES AS FAMILIA VILLANUEVA
Sunday, February 28, 2010
CALMLY WAIT FOR GOD
"WHEN OBSTACLES AND TRIALS SEEM LIKE PRISON WALLS
I DO THE LITTLE I CAN DO
AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD
AND WHEN THERE SEEMS NO CHANCE
NO CHANGE CAN SET ME FREE FROM GRIEF AND UNCERTAINTY
I CALMLY WAIT FOR GOD".
Since December 6th I have had this agonizing uncertainty of how a loved one
will manage pain .
In anticipation of surgery , we went to confession before leaving for
California.
One day, on the Tampa highway on our way to the hospital in Weston, we
stopped to assist at Mass
Thereafter we walked to the priest , introduced ourselves and asked for
anointing of the sick .
Fr Patrick of St Martha's Parish was sort of surprised. We indeed have come
from afar. In front of the altar where the Eucharist, a sacrifice and a
sacrament was made present,, he blessed don with holy oil. We will forever
be grateful.
Oh, for the many memories of being reminded in our youth , that this was
EXTREME UNCTION and to grow up and believe this is THE ANOINTING OF THE
SICK NOT OF THE DYING!
Prior to surgery , I requested the neurologist, a Filipino, if he could
pray with my loved one.
I was advised that in the USA, people don't talk politics and religion.
The neurologist promised to keep him in his heart and m ind and will say a
prayer for him but not with him.
Hmm, this is secularization . That's the practical approach to freedom of
religion ...to living one 's faith. No discussion . Live your faith on
your own .
Tolerance?. Or is it indifference? I reminded him, we chose him because he
is a graduate of a catholic university in the Philippines. and we felt that
he could be the last praying partner before Don is led to surgery. He
smiled. My heart knew better.
Nothing stops one's search for living faith. Experiential faith of decades
will not surrender to a society that upholds freedom in a manner that faith
is to be manifested in the sanctuary. No one will stop me from clinging to
and witnessing that God is our Divine Physician.'
I called the International Services unit of the hospital and requested for a
catholic priest to be with Don before surgery. They passed me on to another
unit and after a long while I was assured they will try to get someone to
pray with him
In the midst of this journey I have learned that there are many twists and
bends.
I got an urgent call advising us that the surgery was upped to 7:30am . We
had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am. My heart knew I was going to see no
priest at the hospital but I entrusted the concern to Jesus of Nazareth and
Mother Mary.
February 19th ..morning dawned.
Don tossed and turned all night. We must have had 2 hours of sleep. Tito
Tony and Tita Laly Sorra, tony and Vilma Jacob, Weng and Jeng .
Don and I walked into the emergency unit of Cleveland Clinic. There was
stillness in our hearts..each beating to different rhythms of faith and hope
and love.
We were led to the admission unit where Don had to submit the living will.
It actually contains medical directions of what to do in case he no longer
is in a position to make decisions about a life lent to him by God.
Thereafter he was led away ..and I knew we had started our union with the
Nazarene. His Via Crucis has started..It was His, because He loves
Don, much more than I can ever love him..much more than all of us can ever
love Don.
Then..another faith experience...a miracle happened...
--
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and
give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are
passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to
those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)
I DO THE LITTLE I CAN DO
AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD
AND WHEN THERE SEEMS NO CHANCE
NO CHANGE CAN SET ME FREE FROM GRIEF AND UNCERTAINTY
I CALMLY WAIT FOR GOD".
Since December 6th I have had this agonizing uncertainty of how a loved one
will manage pain .
In anticipation of surgery , we went to confession before leaving for
California.
One day, on the Tampa highway on our way to the hospital in Weston, we
stopped to assist at Mass
Thereafter we walked to the priest , introduced ourselves and asked for
anointing of the sick .
Fr Patrick of St Martha's Parish was sort of surprised. We indeed have come
from afar. In front of the altar where the Eucharist, a sacrifice and a
sacrament was made present,, he blessed don with holy oil. We will forever
be grateful.
Oh, for the many memories of being reminded in our youth , that this was
EXTREME UNCTION and to grow up and believe this is THE ANOINTING OF THE
SICK NOT OF THE DYING!
Prior to surgery , I requested the neurologist, a Filipino, if he could
pray with my loved one.
I was advised that in the USA, people don't talk politics and religion.
The neurologist promised to keep him in his heart and m ind and will say a
prayer for him but not with him.
Hmm, this is secularization . That's the practical approach to freedom of
religion ...to living one 's faith. No discussion . Live your faith on
your own .
Tolerance?. Or is it indifference? I reminded him, we chose him because he
is a graduate of a catholic university in the Philippines. and we felt that
he could be the last praying partner before Don is led to surgery. He
smiled. My heart knew better.
Nothing stops one's search for living faith. Experiential faith of decades
will not surrender to a society that upholds freedom in a manner that faith
is to be manifested in the sanctuary. No one will stop me from clinging to
and witnessing that God is our Divine Physician.'
I called the International Services unit of the hospital and requested for a
catholic priest to be with Don before surgery. They passed me on to another
unit and after a long while I was assured they will try to get someone to
pray with him
In the midst of this journey I have learned that there are many twists and
bends.
I got an urgent call advising us that the surgery was upped to 7:30am . We
had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am. My heart knew I was going to see no
priest at the hospital but I entrusted the concern to Jesus of Nazareth and
Mother Mary.
February 19th ..morning dawned.
Don tossed and turned all night. We must have had 2 hours of sleep. Tito
Tony and Tita Laly Sorra, tony and Vilma Jacob, Weng and Jeng .
Don and I walked into the emergency unit of Cleveland Clinic. There was
stillness in our hearts..each beating to different rhythms of faith and hope
and love.
We were led to the admission unit where Don had to submit the living will.
It actually contains medical directions of what to do in case he no longer
is in a position to make decisions about a life lent to him by God.
Thereafter he was led away ..and I knew we had started our union with the
Nazarene. His Via Crucis has started..It was His, because He loves
Don, much more than I can ever love him..much more than all of us can ever
love Don.
Then..another faith experience...a miracle happened...
--
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and
give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are
passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to
those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)
Monday, February 15, 2010
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
DEAR ALL,
THE GREAT MYSTERY OF RELATIONSHIPS IS THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE SOURCE OF LOVE...
GOD IS LOVE
.
TODAY AND IN THE MANY DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN THE PAST AND IN DAYS TO COME,
WE CELEBRATE THAT MYSTERY WITH THOSE WE LOVE AND THOSE WE KNOW LOVE US..
WE STAY CLOSE TO THE SOURCE OF LOVE ...
WE ARE CURRENTLY AT THE VACATION VILLAGE IN THE CITY OF WESTON , FLORIDA
ANGEL AND JUN PROVIDED US THEIR TIME SHARE PRIVILEGES IN THIS FACILITY. ELAINE CLAIMS THERE IS A WATERFALL, A FOUNTAIN, A LAKE, SOMEWHERE IN THE COMPLEX...WE HAVE SEEN ONLY OUR ROOM AND THE DRIVEWAY .
THE DAY CAME AND HAS COME TO AN END..
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL IN ITS SIMPLICITY
ELAINE WALKED IN WITH A BOUQUET OF RED ROSES
WE COULD NOT FIND A VASE. I FOUND A PITCHER. DON ARRANGED THE FLOWERS.
WE SPENT OUR WAKING HOURS QUIETLY , RESTING WHENEVER WE COULD AS MY BLOOD PRESSURE PLAYED TRICKS ON ME SINCE YESTERDAY..
WE WENT TO MASS AT THE PARISH OF ALL SAINTS..WILFULLY CHOSEN OF COURSE, BECAUSE DONS BIRTHDAY IS NOVEMBER 1
WE SPENT SOMETIME WATCHING TELEVISION.
WE WATCHED THE ALL STAR BASKETBALL GAME BETWEEN THE EAST AND THE WEST...WHICH WE DID NOT FINISH! WHO WON? LEBRON IS PAPA'S FAVORITE.
WE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY A COMPUTER GAME CALLED HEARTS.
ELAINE TAUGHT PAPA
PAPA TAUGHT ME.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WE ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO PRAY THE ROSARY AND VARIOUS DEVOTIONS THAT DON HAS CHOSEN.
THERE ARE TIMES HE FULLY PARTICIPATES. WHEN HIS MESTINON KEEPS HIM STRONG.
THERE ARE TIMES HE CAN EVEN SING THE SALVE REGINA
THERE ARE TIMES HE WHISPERS HE PRAYERS
OH THERE ARE TIMES HE SNORES WHILE I PRAY!!! IT HAS BEGAN TO SOUND LIKE A HYMN!!.
I HAVE LEARNED SO SOON TO LIVE WITH THE COLORFUL TIMES OF LIFE THAT GOD PROVIDES.
HE IS NOW ABLE TO LAUGH A LITTLE , SING A LITTLE, DANCE A LITTLE, EAT ENOUGH,
BUT BY SUNSET HE STARTS TO STUTTER OR GETS TIRED EASILY.
HE IS CAREFUL WHEN DRINKING WATER BECAUSE THE OTHER DAY, HE HAD SOME DIFFICULTY IN SWALLOWING.
HIS DIET IS HIGH PROTEIN..,MEAT
HE HAS BEEN ADVISED TO GET VITAMIN D ..WHICH SUNSHINE CAN WELL PROVIDE BUT WE NEVER GET TO WALK IN THE SUNSHINE...TA MALIPOTON..
HIS TAKES HIS MORNING CEREALS ALWAYS WITH WHOLE MILK...( I ASSURE YOU I AM GETTING FAT BECAUSE I EAT WHAT THE PATIENT EATS!).
THERE ARE MOMENTS I CATCH A DISTANT LOOK IN DON'S EYES AND AT THESE TIMES I FEEL THERE TOO ARE A SYMPHONY OF QUIVERINGS IN MY HEART AS I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FRIDAY, THE 19TH
I KEEP REMINDING DON AND MYSELF THAT GOD'S GIFT FOR MY BIRTHDAY WILL BE WHAT IS BEST FOR DON. THE DAY FOR HIS SURGICAL INTERVENTION IS MY BIRTHDAY AND A FRIDAY OF LENT. IT WILL BE A DAY WHEN WE WILL HAVE A SPLINTER OF THE CROSS IN OUR LIVES. BUT ALREADY I SEE BEYOND IT, I CLAIM HEALING AND THE JOY OF THE RESURRECTION .
I HEAR DON REPEATEDLY SAYING HIS CREDO BUT I KNOW IT IS NOT EASY TO JUST SURRENDER. HE HAS MANY UNWELCOMED THOUGHTS ...MANY WHAT IFS ..WHICH I KNOW IS NORMAL BUT CAUSES HIM TO FEAR THE UNKNOWN AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF IT ALL
TODAY, I KEPT REMINDING DON THAT GOD LOVES HIM MORE THAN I CAN EVER LOVE HIM
THERE ARE TIMES HE FINDS ALLTHE REASONS TO FOREGO THE SURGERY.
ELAINE REMINDED ME THAT EACH DAY IT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT.
I AM TAKING ALL THIS ONE STEP AT A TIME AWARE THAT PRAYERS ARE BEING SAID EVERYWHERE FOR THIS GOOD AND GENEROUS AND FAITHFUL HUSBAND OF MINE.
WHEN WE CAME TO THE FACILITY TODAY, ELAINE WAS CONCERNED THAT WE WERE HERE TOO EARLY. SHE WAS ALSO AWARE THAT WE MAY HAVE TO BE REDIRECTED TO A ANOTHER FACILITY. WHEN ADVISED OF WAITING TIME NEEDED BEFORE CHECK IN SHE ADVISED THE REGISTRATION THAT PAPA WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WELL. THE LADY SAID SHE WAS GOING TO TRY TO GET A UNIT FOR US. ELAINE SAYS SHE THANKED THE LADY AND SIMPLY PRAYED.
AND OF COURSE WE WERE GIVEN A UNIT IN THIS COMPOUND. AH THE GIFT OF PRAYER AND OF FAITH.
REPEATEDLY GOD HAS FAITHFULLY WATCHED OVER US PROVIDING SIMPLE JOYS AND GREAT DELIGHTS WITH SURPRISES.
SOMETIMES WHEN I RETURN TO READ WHAT I HAVE SENT THROUGH WEEYA FOR THE BLOGSPOT, I NOTE THE TYPO ERRORS ..AND I ALSO NOTICE HOW I MISS OUT ON SOME DETAILS..AY PASENSIYA NA LANG PO
OH, I WAS INFORMED THAT PAPA NEEDS PAJAMAS WITH SHORT SLEEVED BLOUSES SO I TOLD WENG TO SIMPLY BUY THE LONG SLEEVED ONES AND I WILL CUT THE SLEEVES AND SEW THEM BY HAND.
MY PROBLEM WAS THERE IS NO SARI SARI STORE WHERE I CAN BUY ONE NEEDLE. I FORGOT THAT I CAN ALWAYS ASK THE FRONT DESK.!!! BUROD!!!
BUT ONCE AGAIN ...I THINK I WILL GET LARGE PAJAMAS FOR PAPA WITH SHORT SLEEVES.
FROM SOME GOOD SOULS.
PAPA NEEDED EYE DROPS WITHOUT PRESERVATIVES. WHO ELSE WILL COME TO HELP BUT DEAR JEAN ..YES DR JEAN CORTES AND WITH HER BOX OF EYE DROPS THE PRAYER BOOKLET ON A DEVOTION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
SIGE ,,MATUROG NA NGUNA TABI AKO
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.
MAMA/ TITA/ NINANG/ ATE MED
A LITTLE BIRD WHISPERED BALAY CENA UNA OFFERED A VERY ROMANTIC MEAL
AND I ALSO WAS INFORMED THAT THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WAS A SUPERBLY PREPARED MEAL.
CONGRATS CHEF DICK AN CHEF CONNIE
WELL DONE DENDEN AND BADETH AND PAOLO AND ALL THOSE WHO WERE THERE TO SERVE AND FEED...
DONT FORGET YOUR PRAYERS AT BALAY CENA UNA
MESH ..AND AMMIE YOU MUST BE ENJOYING THE SNOW IN FRANKFURT. I SAW SOME PHOTOS MESH.. KEEP ON FORWARDING
LARS AN OWNER MADE PLANE LANDED ON ONE OF THE HIGHWAYS OF THE USA
NOTHNG HAPPEND TO THE PILOT OR THE PASSEMGERS OF THE VEHICLE THAT HE HIT--
DONDON AND KRISTINE AND TYLER , HOW WAS THE AIRBALLOON SHOW?
AB, HAVE YOU FORWARDED EMAILS TO TITA ANGIE
I SENT SOME TO YSON..NO REPLY
DEAR ALL,
I THINK ELAINE HAS SENT YOU THE CREDENTIALS OF THE DOCTORS.
PLS INCLUDE DR EDWARD SAVAGE THE SURGEON AND DR VIRGILIO SALANGA THE NEUROLOGIST IN YOUR PRAYERS . MAY THE SPIRIT GUIDE THEM ON THE 19TH.
I WILL SPECIFICALLY ASK THEM TO PRAY BEFORE THE SURGERY. LETS SEE WHAT THEY TELL ME.
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)
THE GREAT MYSTERY OF RELATIONSHIPS IS THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE SOURCE OF LOVE...
GOD IS LOVE
.
TODAY AND IN THE MANY DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN THE PAST AND IN DAYS TO COME,
WE CELEBRATE THAT MYSTERY WITH THOSE WE LOVE AND THOSE WE KNOW LOVE US..
WE STAY CLOSE TO THE SOURCE OF LOVE ...
WE ARE CURRENTLY AT THE VACATION VILLAGE IN THE CITY OF WESTON , FLORIDA
ANGEL AND JUN PROVIDED US THEIR TIME SHARE PRIVILEGES IN THIS FACILITY. ELAINE CLAIMS THERE IS A WATERFALL, A FOUNTAIN, A LAKE, SOMEWHERE IN THE COMPLEX...WE HAVE SEEN ONLY OUR ROOM AND THE DRIVEWAY .
THE DAY CAME AND HAS COME TO AN END..
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL IN ITS SIMPLICITY
ELAINE WALKED IN WITH A BOUQUET OF RED ROSES
WE COULD NOT FIND A VASE. I FOUND A PITCHER. DON ARRANGED THE FLOWERS.
WE SPENT OUR WAKING HOURS QUIETLY , RESTING WHENEVER WE COULD AS MY BLOOD PRESSURE PLAYED TRICKS ON ME SINCE YESTERDAY..
WE WENT TO MASS AT THE PARISH OF ALL SAINTS..WILFULLY CHOSEN OF COURSE, BECAUSE DONS BIRTHDAY IS NOVEMBER 1
WE SPENT SOMETIME WATCHING TELEVISION.
WE WATCHED THE ALL STAR BASKETBALL GAME BETWEEN THE EAST AND THE WEST...WHICH WE DID NOT FINISH! WHO WON? LEBRON IS PAPA'S FAVORITE.
WE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY A COMPUTER GAME CALLED HEARTS.
ELAINE TAUGHT PAPA
PAPA TAUGHT ME.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WE ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO PRAY THE ROSARY AND VARIOUS DEVOTIONS THAT DON HAS CHOSEN.
THERE ARE TIMES HE FULLY PARTICIPATES. WHEN HIS MESTINON KEEPS HIM STRONG.
THERE ARE TIMES HE CAN EVEN SING THE SALVE REGINA
THERE ARE TIMES HE WHISPERS HE PRAYERS
OH THERE ARE TIMES HE SNORES WHILE I PRAY!!! IT HAS BEGAN TO SOUND LIKE A HYMN!!.
I HAVE LEARNED SO SOON TO LIVE WITH THE COLORFUL TIMES OF LIFE THAT GOD PROVIDES.
HE IS NOW ABLE TO LAUGH A LITTLE , SING A LITTLE, DANCE A LITTLE, EAT ENOUGH,
BUT BY SUNSET HE STARTS TO STUTTER OR GETS TIRED EASILY.
HE IS CAREFUL WHEN DRINKING WATER BECAUSE THE OTHER DAY, HE HAD SOME DIFFICULTY IN SWALLOWING.
HIS DIET IS HIGH PROTEIN..,MEAT
HE HAS BEEN ADVISED TO GET VITAMIN D ..WHICH SUNSHINE CAN WELL PROVIDE BUT WE NEVER GET TO WALK IN THE SUNSHINE...TA MALIPOTON..
HIS TAKES HIS MORNING CEREALS ALWAYS WITH WHOLE MILK...( I ASSURE YOU I AM GETTING FAT BECAUSE I EAT WHAT THE PATIENT EATS!).
THERE ARE MOMENTS I CATCH A DISTANT LOOK IN DON'S EYES AND AT THESE TIMES I FEEL THERE TOO ARE A SYMPHONY OF QUIVERINGS IN MY HEART AS I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FRIDAY, THE 19TH
I KEEP REMINDING DON AND MYSELF THAT GOD'S GIFT FOR MY BIRTHDAY WILL BE WHAT IS BEST FOR DON. THE DAY FOR HIS SURGICAL INTERVENTION IS MY BIRTHDAY AND A FRIDAY OF LENT. IT WILL BE A DAY WHEN WE WILL HAVE A SPLINTER OF THE CROSS IN OUR LIVES. BUT ALREADY I SEE BEYOND IT, I CLAIM HEALING AND THE JOY OF THE RESURRECTION .
I HEAR DON REPEATEDLY SAYING HIS CREDO BUT I KNOW IT IS NOT EASY TO JUST SURRENDER. HE HAS MANY UNWELCOMED THOUGHTS ...MANY WHAT IFS ..WHICH I KNOW IS NORMAL BUT CAUSES HIM TO FEAR THE UNKNOWN AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF IT ALL
TODAY, I KEPT REMINDING DON THAT GOD LOVES HIM MORE THAN I CAN EVER LOVE HIM
THERE ARE TIMES HE FINDS ALLTHE REASONS TO FOREGO THE SURGERY.
ELAINE REMINDED ME THAT EACH DAY IT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT.
I AM TAKING ALL THIS ONE STEP AT A TIME AWARE THAT PRAYERS ARE BEING SAID EVERYWHERE FOR THIS GOOD AND GENEROUS AND FAITHFUL HUSBAND OF MINE.
WHEN WE CAME TO THE FACILITY TODAY, ELAINE WAS CONCERNED THAT WE WERE HERE TOO EARLY. SHE WAS ALSO AWARE THAT WE MAY HAVE TO BE REDIRECTED TO A ANOTHER FACILITY. WHEN ADVISED OF WAITING TIME NEEDED BEFORE CHECK IN SHE ADVISED THE REGISTRATION THAT PAPA WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WELL. THE LADY SAID SHE WAS GOING TO TRY TO GET A UNIT FOR US. ELAINE SAYS SHE THANKED THE LADY AND SIMPLY PRAYED.
AND OF COURSE WE WERE GIVEN A UNIT IN THIS COMPOUND. AH THE GIFT OF PRAYER AND OF FAITH.
REPEATEDLY GOD HAS FAITHFULLY WATCHED OVER US PROVIDING SIMPLE JOYS AND GREAT DELIGHTS WITH SURPRISES.
SOMETIMES WHEN I RETURN TO READ WHAT I HAVE SENT THROUGH WEEYA FOR THE BLOGSPOT, I NOTE THE TYPO ERRORS ..AND I ALSO NOTICE HOW I MISS OUT ON SOME DETAILS..AY PASENSIYA NA LANG PO
OH, I WAS INFORMED THAT PAPA NEEDS PAJAMAS WITH SHORT SLEEVED BLOUSES SO I TOLD WENG TO SIMPLY BUY THE LONG SLEEVED ONES AND I WILL CUT THE SLEEVES AND SEW THEM BY HAND.
MY PROBLEM WAS THERE IS NO SARI SARI STORE WHERE I CAN BUY ONE NEEDLE. I FORGOT THAT I CAN ALWAYS ASK THE FRONT DESK.!!! BUROD!!!
BUT ONCE AGAIN ...I THINK I WILL GET LARGE PAJAMAS FOR PAPA WITH SHORT SLEEVES.
FROM SOME GOOD SOULS.
PAPA NEEDED EYE DROPS WITHOUT PRESERVATIVES. WHO ELSE WILL COME TO HELP BUT DEAR JEAN ..YES DR JEAN CORTES AND WITH HER BOX OF EYE DROPS THE PRAYER BOOKLET ON A DEVOTION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
SIGE ,,MATUROG NA NGUNA TABI AKO
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.
MAMA/ TITA/ NINANG/ ATE MED
A LITTLE BIRD WHISPERED BALAY CENA UNA OFFERED A VERY ROMANTIC MEAL
AND I ALSO WAS INFORMED THAT THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WAS A SUPERBLY PREPARED MEAL.
CONGRATS CHEF DICK AN CHEF CONNIE
WELL DONE DENDEN AND BADETH AND PAOLO AND ALL THOSE WHO WERE THERE TO SERVE AND FEED...
DONT FORGET YOUR PRAYERS AT BALAY CENA UNA
MESH ..AND AMMIE YOU MUST BE ENJOYING THE SNOW IN FRANKFURT. I SAW SOME PHOTOS MESH.. KEEP ON FORWARDING
LARS AN OWNER MADE PLANE LANDED ON ONE OF THE HIGHWAYS OF THE USA
NOTHNG HAPPEND TO THE PILOT OR THE PASSEMGERS OF THE VEHICLE THAT HE HIT--
DONDON AND KRISTINE AND TYLER , HOW WAS THE AIRBALLOON SHOW?
AB, HAVE YOU FORWARDED EMAILS TO TITA ANGIE
I SENT SOME TO YSON..NO REPLY
DEAR ALL,
I THINK ELAINE HAS SENT YOU THE CREDENTIALS OF THE DOCTORS.
PLS INCLUDE DR EDWARD SAVAGE THE SURGEON AND DR VIRGILIO SALANGA THE NEUROLOGIST IN YOUR PRAYERS . MAY THE SPIRIT GUIDE THEM ON THE 19TH.
I WILL SPECIFICALLY ASK THEM TO PRAY BEFORE THE SURGERY. LETS SEE WHAT THEY TELL ME.
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
shebang shebang bang bang bang CON AMOR
THERE MUST BE FIREWORKS IN THE SKIES OF MANILA
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)
SHEBANG SHEBANG BANG BANG BANG
I TRANSLATE THAT INTO SSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBANG
THE WHISTLE IS SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHEEEE TO THE BEAUTY OF THE FIREWORKS THAT TITO HENRY, DONDON'S FATHER IN LAW MAKES POSSIBLE EVERY NEW YEAR.
IT HAS BEEN A WEEK THAT BROUGHT US ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
IN A DISNEY LAND THAT OFFERED NO THRILLS OR ADVENTURE!!
I OPTED NOT TO WRITE ..AS IT DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE MORE PASSENGERS ON THE ROLLER COASTER .
AS IT WAS, WE HAD CONFUSION, ANXIETY, UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND UNASKED QUESTIONS TOGETHER WITH FAITH AND HOPE AND PRAYERS RIDING WITH US.
WE WERE EXPOSED TO THE DOWNSIDE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONE DAY.
WE GOT ORDERS FOR BLOOD TESTS AND IN THE HOSPITAL THEY SIMPLY GO BY CODES ...LO AND BEHOLD THE ORDER FOR ACETYLCHOLIN APPEARED AS CHOLORIDE.
TITA ANNETTE GOT THIS CONFUSION STRAIGHTENED OUT
WE GOT A COPY OF A DOCUMENT THAT SAID THAT THE SURGERY WAS FOR
THYMECTOMY AND ADRENALECTOMY WITH TUMOR EXCISION.
SLEEP DID NOT COME EASY FOR US ..AS WE WAITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH MARIA FERNANDA WHO IS ASSIGNED AS OUR FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR
HAAY NAKU...COMPUTER CODES NA NAMAN WAS THE REASON
]
BUT ADRENALECTOMY WAS JUST WAY TOO FAR FROM THE STERNUM AND THE THYMUS ...WEIRD EXCUSES.
OF COURSE WE WERE BEGINNING TO BE CONCERNED
WE HAVE VERY GOOD DOCTORS BUT THE CLERKS IN THE HOSPITAL WERE HANDS WITHOUT BRAINS.
ON THE FIRST MESTINON TABLET THAT DON TOOK..HE HAD ABDOMINAL CRAMPS AND LBM AND WE ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM .
WELL, THE DOCTOR WHO PRESCRIBED THE MEDICINE WAS NOT AROUND SO WE HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM
SO WITH THE TRAIGE ..AND THE BLOOD TESTS DON WAS NOT PARTICULARLY
HAPPY.
AND OF COURSE THE HIGHLIGHT WAS DON'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE MEDTECH..AND THE ENDLESS SIGHT OF A LITTLE BIT MORE OF BLOOD IN HIS ARM THAN HIS SPIRIT WAS WILLING TO SEE. FORTUNATELY HE DID NOT COLLAPSE.
HE WAS IN HIGH SPIRITS SAYING THAT ALL HE NEEDED WAS SANTIGUAR...ONE OF THOSE TRADITIONAL APPROACHES IN CURING THE LOCALS OF ALBAY.
ELAINE HAD A LONG DAY..DRIVING TO TAMPA IN THE EARLY MORN AND RETURNING ON THE SAME DAY. SHE WAS SO TIRED SHE SLEPT ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE MANAGED TO REST HER TIRED EYES AND GOT SOME WEARINESS AWAY FROM HER BODY. THE TRIP WAS SUPPOSEDLY ABOUT 8 TO 9 HOURS . I THINK SHE MANAGED IT IN 11 HOURS.
HER BLOOD SUGAR WAS DOWN. SHE RESTED THE DAY THEREAFTER.
WE WERE INTRODUCED BY TITA ANNETTE WHO JOINED US IN WESTON FOR 2 DAYS, TO MEALS AT WHOLE FOOD, A FANTASTIC SPECIALTY STORE FOR HEALTHY FOOD
WE HAVE BEEN THERE 2 X FOR OUR MEALS THEY ALSO HAVE A GOOD SELECTION OF CHEESE AND WINE AND OLIVES ETC..
DON HAS LEARNED TO APPRECIATE FOOD WITH HERBS. HE MANAGES TO TASTE TUNA WITH CELERY BEST
HE IS INTO HIGH PROTEIN DIET WHICH HE NEEDS FOR HIS SURGERY.SO TUNA AND SALMON ARE GOOD DISHES FOR HIM
THIS WEEK WAS MARKED WITH DELIGHT WHEN HE SPOKE WITH CYNTH AND TIDE ..(SORRY CHERYL , WE STILL HAVE TO CATCH UP WITH YOU ..WE TRIED CALLING BUT YOU MUST HAVE BEEN SLEEPING.) JUN AND NING CALLED FROM HAWAII
EVERYONE IN THE AMARANTO FAMILY SPOKE WITH HIM TOO..I REFER TO THE
YOUR AUNTS AND UNCLES ..THE AMARANTOS OF HONOLULU AND ERNIE AND MARIAN FROM COLORADO.
LIFE IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ON WHILE WE ARE PLANNING SOMETHING ELSE.
AS DON HAS ALWAYS QUOTED.
TITO AUDIE BROUGHT IN THE GOOD NEWS OF THEIR FIRST GRANDCHILD A HEALTHY 7 POUNDER..
TITA MARIE WAS WITH MABEL ALL THROUGH THE LABOR AND DELIVERY
TITA ANNETTE ADVISED THAT THEY WERE GRANDPARENTS TITO MANUEL WAS WITH MARIE ALLTHROUGH LABOR AND SUBSEQUENT CAESAREAN SECTION
THEIR FIRST GRANDSON WAS ALMOST 10 POUBDA.
THE BROTHER OF TITA LALY SORRA ( SISTER IN LAW OF MAMO PING ) PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK
ELAINE RENTED A CAR FROM TAMPA AND SHE GOT AN UPGRADE SO SHE ARRIVED WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ
SHE RETURNED THE CAR THAT SHE RENTED FOR THE DAY AND GOT A MINI VAN..AY EWAN..PARANG KIA. THAT WE WILL USE FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS
ANGEL AND JUN CALL DAILY . THEY GAVE US 6 NIGHTS AT THE VACATION VILLAGE
THE REST OF THE DAYS UNTIL MARCH 8TH WE WILL MOST LIKELY BE AT RESIDENCE INN UNLESS WE FIND A HOUSE THAT WE CAN RENT
LET ME THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TEXTED AND CALLED.
WHEN DON FEELS GOOD ..ABOUT NOON TIME HERE..HE LIKES TO SPEAK WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT BY MID AFTERNOON HE GETS TIRED.
WITH MESTINON HE DOES NOT SLUR BUT TODAY HE DID NOT TAKE MESTINON.
WELL , I LIKE TO HEAR DON SNORE.. IT HAS BECOME MUSIC TO MY EARS.
THE DOCTOR SAYS HE SHOULD TAKE MESTINON AT NIGHT SO THAT HE CAN BE SURE THAT HE HAS NO DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING
SADLY HIS HYPERTENSION MEDICINES WERE LEFT WITH THE REST OF OUR THINGS IN THE HOUSE OF TITO MANUEL AND TITA ANNETTE SO TOMORROW WE NEED TO GET A PRESCRIPTION AND BUY.
TODAY WE HAD A LAUNDRY LADY COME IN TO WASH AND TO IRON. SO ALL OUR BAGS ARE PACKED FOR OUR VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL AT THE VACATION VILLAGE
TO ALL OF YOU , LOVED FAMILY AND FRIENDS....MAY THE DAY REMIND US OF THE CONSTANT LOVE OF GOD..HIS STEADFAST LOVE THAT NEVER CEASES ..HIS MERCIES THAT NEVER COME TO AN END.
DON SAYS ...HAPPY VALENTINE!!
HUGS FROM THE VILLANUEVAS IN ROOM 316 AT MARRIOTT COURTYARD
PLANTATION ,FLORIDA
PAPA DON MAMA MED AND ATE WEE
LARS I TUNES HAVE BROUGHT US MUSIC..THANKS
AB.SORRY TO WAKE YOU UP
I WONDER IF MESH DISCUSSED THE CONCERN WITH AMEXCO WITH YOU
DENDEN WE HAVE BEEN HOPING WE COULD CHAT
DONDON ..THANKS FOR THE CHAT TIME
TYLER , WILL WE SEE YOU AGAIN ? AND KRISTINE TOO? AND ELLIE AND HENRY?
--
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
I TRANSLATE THAT INTO SSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBANG
THE WHISTLE IS SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHEEEE TO THE BEAUTY OF THE FIREWORKS THAT TITO HENRY, DONDON'S FATHER IN LAW MAKES POSSIBLE EVERY NEW YEAR.
IT HAS BEEN A WEEK THAT BROUGHT US ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
IN A DISNEY LAND THAT OFFERED NO THRILLS OR ADVENTURE!!
I OPTED NOT TO WRITE ..AS IT DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE MORE PASSENGERS ON THE ROLLER COASTER .
AS IT WAS, WE HAD CONFUSION, ANXIETY, UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND UNASKED QUESTIONS TOGETHER WITH FAITH AND HOPE AND PRAYERS RIDING WITH US.
WE WERE EXPOSED TO THE DOWNSIDE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONE DAY.
WE GOT ORDERS FOR BLOOD TESTS AND IN THE HOSPITAL THEY SIMPLY GO BY CODES ...LO AND BEHOLD THE ORDER FOR ACETYLCHOLIN APPEARED AS CHOLORIDE.
TITA ANNETTE GOT THIS CONFUSION STRAIGHTENED OUT
WE GOT A COPY OF A DOCUMENT THAT SAID THAT THE SURGERY WAS FOR
THYMECTOMY AND ADRENALECTOMY WITH TUMOR EXCISION.
SLEEP DID NOT COME EASY FOR US ..AS WE WAITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH MARIA FERNANDA WHO IS ASSIGNED AS OUR FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR
HAAY NAKU...COMPUTER CODES NA NAMAN WAS THE REASON
]
BUT ADRENALECTOMY WAS JUST WAY TOO FAR FROM THE STERNUM AND THE THYMUS ...WEIRD EXCUSES.
OF COURSE WE WERE BEGINNING TO BE CONCERNED
WE HAVE VERY GOOD DOCTORS BUT THE CLERKS IN THE HOSPITAL WERE HANDS WITHOUT BRAINS.
ON THE FIRST MESTINON TABLET THAT DON TOOK..HE HAD ABDOMINAL CRAMPS AND LBM AND WE ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM .
WELL, THE DOCTOR WHO PRESCRIBED THE MEDICINE WAS NOT AROUND SO WE HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM
SO WITH THE TRAIGE ..AND THE BLOOD TESTS DON WAS NOT PARTICULARLY
HAPPY.
AND OF COURSE THE HIGHLIGHT WAS DON'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE MEDTECH..AND THE ENDLESS SIGHT OF A LITTLE BIT MORE OF BLOOD IN HIS ARM THAN HIS SPIRIT WAS WILLING TO SEE. FORTUNATELY HE DID NOT COLLAPSE.
HE WAS IN HIGH SPIRITS SAYING THAT ALL HE NEEDED WAS SANTIGUAR...ONE OF THOSE TRADITIONAL APPROACHES IN CURING THE LOCALS OF ALBAY.
ELAINE HAD A LONG DAY..DRIVING TO TAMPA IN THE EARLY MORN AND RETURNING ON THE SAME DAY. SHE WAS SO TIRED SHE SLEPT ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE MANAGED TO REST HER TIRED EYES AND GOT SOME WEARINESS AWAY FROM HER BODY. THE TRIP WAS SUPPOSEDLY ABOUT 8 TO 9 HOURS . I THINK SHE MANAGED IT IN 11 HOURS.
HER BLOOD SUGAR WAS DOWN. SHE RESTED THE DAY THEREAFTER.
WE WERE INTRODUCED BY TITA ANNETTE WHO JOINED US IN WESTON FOR 2 DAYS, TO MEALS AT WHOLE FOOD, A FANTASTIC SPECIALTY STORE FOR HEALTHY FOOD
WE HAVE BEEN THERE 2 X FOR OUR MEALS THEY ALSO HAVE A GOOD SELECTION OF CHEESE AND WINE AND OLIVES ETC..
DON HAS LEARNED TO APPRECIATE FOOD WITH HERBS. HE MANAGES TO TASTE TUNA WITH CELERY BEST
HE IS INTO HIGH PROTEIN DIET WHICH HE NEEDS FOR HIS SURGERY.SO TUNA AND SALMON ARE GOOD DISHES FOR HIM
THIS WEEK WAS MARKED WITH DELIGHT WHEN HE SPOKE WITH CYNTH AND TIDE ..(SORRY CHERYL , WE STILL HAVE TO CATCH UP WITH YOU ..WE TRIED CALLING BUT YOU MUST HAVE BEEN SLEEPING.) JUN AND NING CALLED FROM HAWAII
EVERYONE IN THE AMARANTO FAMILY SPOKE WITH HIM TOO..I REFER TO THE
YOUR AUNTS AND UNCLES ..THE AMARANTOS OF HONOLULU AND ERNIE AND MARIAN FROM COLORADO.
LIFE IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ON WHILE WE ARE PLANNING SOMETHING ELSE.
AS DON HAS ALWAYS QUOTED.
TITO AUDIE BROUGHT IN THE GOOD NEWS OF THEIR FIRST GRANDCHILD A HEALTHY 7 POUNDER..
TITA MARIE WAS WITH MABEL ALL THROUGH THE LABOR AND DELIVERY
TITA ANNETTE ADVISED THAT THEY WERE GRANDPARENTS TITO MANUEL WAS WITH MARIE ALLTHROUGH LABOR AND SUBSEQUENT CAESAREAN SECTION
THEIR FIRST GRANDSON WAS ALMOST 10 POUBDA.
THE BROTHER OF TITA LALY SORRA ( SISTER IN LAW OF MAMO PING ) PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK
ELAINE RENTED A CAR FROM TAMPA AND SHE GOT AN UPGRADE SO SHE ARRIVED WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ
SHE RETURNED THE CAR THAT SHE RENTED FOR THE DAY AND GOT A MINI VAN..AY EWAN..PARANG KIA. THAT WE WILL USE FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS
ANGEL AND JUN CALL DAILY . THEY GAVE US 6 NIGHTS AT THE VACATION VILLAGE
THE REST OF THE DAYS UNTIL MARCH 8TH WE WILL MOST LIKELY BE AT RESIDENCE INN UNLESS WE FIND A HOUSE THAT WE CAN RENT
LET ME THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TEXTED AND CALLED.
WHEN DON FEELS GOOD ..ABOUT NOON TIME HERE..HE LIKES TO SPEAK WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT BY MID AFTERNOON HE GETS TIRED.
WITH MESTINON HE DOES NOT SLUR BUT TODAY HE DID NOT TAKE MESTINON.
WELL , I LIKE TO HEAR DON SNORE.. IT HAS BECOME MUSIC TO MY EARS.
THE DOCTOR SAYS HE SHOULD TAKE MESTINON AT NIGHT SO THAT HE CAN BE SURE THAT HE HAS NO DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING
SADLY HIS HYPERTENSION MEDICINES WERE LEFT WITH THE REST OF OUR THINGS IN THE HOUSE OF TITO MANUEL AND TITA ANNETTE SO TOMORROW WE NEED TO GET A PRESCRIPTION AND BUY.
TODAY WE HAD A LAUNDRY LADY COME IN TO WASH AND TO IRON. SO ALL OUR BAGS ARE PACKED FOR OUR VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL AT THE VACATION VILLAGE
TO ALL OF YOU , LOVED FAMILY AND FRIENDS....MAY THE DAY REMIND US OF THE CONSTANT LOVE OF GOD..HIS STEADFAST LOVE THAT NEVER CEASES ..HIS MERCIES THAT NEVER COME TO AN END.
DON SAYS ...HAPPY VALENTINE!!
HUGS FROM THE VILLANUEVAS IN ROOM 316 AT MARRIOTT COURTYARD
PLANTATION ,FLORIDA
PAPA DON MAMA MED AND ATE WEE
LARS I TUNES HAVE BROUGHT US MUSIC..THANKS
AB.SORRY TO WAKE YOU UP
I WONDER IF MESH DISCUSSED THE CONCERN WITH AMEXCO WITH YOU
DENDEN WE HAVE BEEN HOPING WE COULD CHAT
DONDON ..THANKS FOR THE CHAT TIME
TYLER , WILL WE SEE YOU AGAIN ? AND KRISTINE TOO? AND ELLIE AND HENRY?
--
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
IN GOD'S TIME
PATIENCE
BE PATIENT
BE PATIENT WITH GOD
BE PATIENT WITH MYSELF
GODS TIMETABLE IS RARELY THE SAME AS MINE
I AM IN A HURRY
GOD IS NOT
GOD IS NEVER IN A HURRY
BUT HE IS ALWAYS ON TIME
40 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS WITH MOSES
14500 DAYS OF WAITING AND WONDERING
AND GOD SAID
NOT YET
STRUGGLES AND STORMS AND SEASONS OF SUFFERING
When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough,
God had this to say: "These things I plan won't happen right away.
SLOWLY
STEADILY
SURELY
A DELAY IS NOT A DENIAL FROM GOD
I REMEMBER HOW FAR I HAVE COME
I MUST FORGET
HOW FAR I HAVE TO GO
FOR GOD KNOWS THE DISTANCE
FROM MY HERE AND NOW
TO AND END
HE HAS CHOSEN
TO AN END
HE HAS DESIGNED
TO AN END
HE HAS PLANNED
FROM THEBEGINNING OF TIME
I MAY NOT BE PLEASED WHERE I AM NO
IN CONFUSION
IN UNCERTAINTY
IN BEWILDERMENT
BUT I NO LONGER AM
WHERE I USED TO BE
God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
EVEN THE SNAIL
REACHED NOAH'S ARK
PERSEVERE
PATIENCE
BE PATIENTWITH GOD
BE PATIENT WITH MYSELF
ONE STEP AT A TIME
AND AT GOD'S APPOINTED TIME
THE EGG
THE CATERPILLAR
THE CHRYSALIS
THE BUTTERFLY
WILL SPREAD ITS WINGS
AND FLY
AMAZING
MAGICAL MOMENTS
AWESOME
IS MY GOD!!
In search of a miracle
that is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away. (Hebrews 2:1 TEV)
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
COOPERATING WITH GOD
BELIEVING IN HIM
TRUSTING HIM ..
FULLY
GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES
ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME
EVERYTHING ON EARTH
HAS ITS OWN TIME
ITS OWN SEASON
"Everything on earth has its own time and its own season." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 CEV)
A SPRINGTIME ..
A SUMMER
A WINTER
A FALL
GOD ANSWERS EVERY PRAYER
EVERY PETITION
HE WIPES EACH TEAR
FROM THE EYES
OF EVERY ONE
WHO COMES TO HIM
IN PRAYER
SOMETIMES
EVER SO GRADUALLY
BUT THEN AGAIN
WITH EACH SIMPLE ASSURANCE
COMES HOPE
A SLOW STEADY STREAM OF WATER
WILL ERODE THE HARDEST ROCK
WILL QUENCH THE THIRST
OF A LONELY SOUL
INSIGHTS AND LESSONS
ABOUT LIFE
RELATIONSHIPS
THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM
OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
IN PRAYER
TO GOD WHO GIFTED
SOLOMON
HOW MANY LESSONS DO I NEED TO RELEARN
HOW MANY LESSONS HAVE I FORGOTTEN
WHEN WILLTHE PAIN CEASE
WILL THE HEARTACHES COME AGAIN .
AND AGAIN AND AGAIN ?
OR WILL THERE BE JOY
IN THE ANTICIPATION
IN THE SEARCH
OF A MIRACLE ?
A TEST OF FAITH
THE FAITH OF JOB?
I HOLD ON TO THE PROMISE
AND REALITY OF
GOD'S LOVE
GODS CONSTANT LOVE
AND FAITHFULNESS
Saturday, February 6, 2010
APPOINTMENT at cleveland clinic for more tests and treatment
Dear All
We got the appointment for Tuesday.
That is a grace. Thanks be to God.
Don has started the discomfort of double vision as of last night
He is resting all day as he wishes to rest his eyes
On Monday we have to leave for Cleveland Clinic in Weston Florida (ft lauderdale)
On Tuesday we meet with Dr Virgilio Salanga a Fiilipino, graduate of UST ( aha , he will pray before any procedure!!_)
We will ask how soon the thymectomy has to be planned
We will ask how soon the plasmapheresis has to be done.
A repeat of the emg is planned. MRI of the thymoma too.
Don now asks to be referred to a doctor in California for the surgery so that it will be easier for after surgery care and therapy.
Elaine recommends UCLA
WE don't know how this will come to pass. Another round of waiting for an appointment for a doctor? And who will be the doctor?
I have found a thoracic surgeon who graduated from Harvard and became the president of the American Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He also works in the Cleveland Clinic. But Papa's wishes have to be considered.
California will be closer for any subsequent visits that may be required in the future. It is practical. But...
We will be staying in a hotel recommended by the hospital and when admitted we can move to the guest house of the hospital
There is a thunderstorm today. Don't know what it is like . I do know the Lightning of God's love came through today as there was very little likelihood we could get an appointment, Standard wait is 10 days.!!
Well, we will keep on praying , won't we?
On Feb 7th is Papa Dick's 100th birthday. I believe he interceded for Don to get the appointment
We continue to pray to Father Triest.
We continue to pray to St Scholastica
We continue to do our novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.
We pray that there will be less of a progressive neuro muscular weakness.
Hereunder are the prayers for Fr Triest's Beatfication
and the prayer for his intercession.
Please join us in prayer.
Love
Mama/Medi Veronica/Med
We got the appointment for Tuesday.
That is a grace. Thanks be to God.
Don has started the discomfort of double vision as of last night
He is resting all day as he wishes to rest his eyes
On Monday we have to leave for Cleveland Clinic in Weston Florida (ft lauderdale)
On Tuesday we meet with Dr Virgilio Salanga a Fiilipino, graduate of UST ( aha , he will pray before any procedure!!_)
We will ask how soon the thymectomy has to be planned
We will ask how soon the plasmapheresis has to be done.
A repeat of the emg is planned. MRI of the thymoma too.
Don now asks to be referred to a doctor in California for the surgery so that it will be easier for after surgery care and therapy.
Elaine recommends UCLA
WE don't know how this will come to pass. Another round of waiting for an appointment for a doctor? And who will be the doctor?
I have found a thoracic surgeon who graduated from Harvard and became the president of the American Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He also works in the Cleveland Clinic. But Papa's wishes have to be considered.
California will be closer for any subsequent visits that may be required in the future. It is practical. But...
We will be staying in a hotel recommended by the hospital and when admitted we can move to the guest house of the hospital
There is a thunderstorm today. Don't know what it is like . I do know the Lightning of God's love came through today as there was very little likelihood we could get an appointment, Standard wait is 10 days.!!
Well, we will keep on praying , won't we?
On Feb 7th is Papa Dick's 100th birthday. I believe he interceded for Don to get the appointment
We continue to pray to Father Triest.
We continue to pray to St Scholastica
We continue to do our novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.
We pray that there will be less of a progressive neuro muscular weakness.
Hereunder are the prayers for Fr Triest's Beatfication
and the prayer for his intercession.
Please join us in prayer.
Love
Mama/Medi Veronica/Med
Friday, February 5, 2010
the thunderstorm was 1 thunder!!
Today is First Friday. We were at the Parish Church of St Mark for the early morning mass. There were more church goers today.
Tito Manuel left for Chapel Hill , Carolina . Marie their daughter is giving birth
Elaine drove him to the airport
Contrary to original plans I did not confirm Tito ManueLs appointment with a doctor from St Petersburg.
By God's grace we found the name of a doctor we wish to look after Papa.
Papa has now developed what is known as double vision. He was very much distrurbed . He rested most of the day
We had roasted duck again for lunch. And lechon kawali. Tita Annette is trying so hard to makehim eat. I am afraid I will have increased cholesterol. from all these
In the afternoon I called Cleveland Clinic. WE alll expected a thunderstorm but I know a lightning struck ..straight from heaven and I was able to get an appointment with Dr Virgilio Salanga formerly of UST
Papa enjoyed the crabs and the mongo and fish in coconut milk that we had for dinner. WE also had the company of Tita Annabel and tito NOel and the father of Annette and Annabel.
Tito Cesar JOvillar and his wife called. They are chiropractors from SAn Diefo who took care of me
It was Cesar who gave me a massage 29 years ago when I was disagnoses with Myasthenia.
Menchi wrote
Vilma called
Tito Tony and Tita Loly are coming tomorrow.
Elaine has a rental car ready and has negotiated for a room in Cleveland for at lest .
Svea did not call today. I hope she is feeling better
I heard that Denden has fever
I hope everyone gets healed soon
Bye for now
Mama
Tito Manuel left for Chapel Hill , Carolina . Marie their daughter is giving birth
Elaine drove him to the airport
Contrary to original plans I did not confirm Tito ManueLs appointment with a doctor from St Petersburg.
By God's grace we found the name of a doctor we wish to look after Papa.
Papa has now developed what is known as double vision. He was very much distrurbed . He rested most of the day
We had roasted duck again for lunch. And lechon kawali. Tita Annette is trying so hard to makehim eat. I am afraid I will have increased cholesterol. from all these
In the afternoon I called Cleveland Clinic. WE alll expected a thunderstorm but I know a lightning struck ..straight from heaven and I was able to get an appointment with Dr Virgilio Salanga formerly of UST
Papa enjoyed the crabs and the mongo and fish in coconut milk that we had for dinner. WE also had the company of Tita Annabel and tito NOel and the father of Annette and Annabel.
Tito Cesar JOvillar and his wife called. They are chiropractors from SAn Diefo who took care of me
It was Cesar who gave me a massage 29 years ago when I was disagnoses with Myasthenia.
Menchi wrote
Vilma called
Tito Tony and Tita Loly are coming tomorrow.
Elaine has a rental car ready and has negotiated for a room in Cleveland for at lest .
Svea did not call today. I hope she is feeling better
I heard that Denden has fever
I hope everyone gets healed soon
Bye for now
Mama
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Catching up -- journal delayed
Dear All
I have not gone back to journal writing since we left Burbank.'
We had an uneventful flight to Las Vegas and on to Tampa
We came in bymidnight.
Oh I forgot, we had some excitement in Las Vegas
There was a lock out .. We were not allowed to leave the plane.
Somebody entered the wrong door andsecurity sent an alarm..LOCKOUT , NOBODY MOVES
We had some food in Las Vegas and on to the next plane.
Yes Papa was wheeled in .
On arrival we had a hot meal. Don enjoyed the herbal dish..ala gumbo.prepared by Tita Annette, the psychiatrist aunt of Kristine
and wife of Tito Manuel who is a neonatal doctor.
and wife of Tito Manuel who is a neonatal doctor.
Themorning after we met Tito Noel, another neonatal doctor who is the brother in law of Annette His wife Annabelle is a Cancer survivor. We have not met her but have heard of her journey of faith and courage.
We rested the rest of the day.
FEB 2
The following day saw us at Mass again at ST Mark's Parish, a stewardship parish. Very modern church. May fountain /waterfall near as you enter the church.
We had blessed candles on the feast of the Presentation.
We met up with Dr Reddy, a neurologist.
He positively identified Papa's condition as myasthenia gravis.
He says a AChR blood test is not necessary
He advised that the EMG test of MMC was not that valid
Mali raw anf intensity at ang area kung saan tinusok ng needle.
He proposed that he should undergo muscle strengthening
He prescribed a medicine...same as that prescribed byDrPerez.
It costs about Usd 1.15 a piece
He also advised us to consider having the care of MG and possible surgery in Singapore. He says MG is a chronic disease and needs constant attention . He knows of people who go Singapore but he knows nothing about the facility or doctors ther .He also said that he knows the hospitals there are quite advanced. AB pls help me reseach on this when you have time and pls forward my email to Tita Angie.
Our surgeons are among the best . We told him that. But yes, we have not found a neurologist with a specialization or subspecialty in MG and we have a lot of blood tests or other procedures that are not available in Manila.
Dr Reddy proposed that we should consider plasmapheresis in preparation for surgery .
PLASMAPHERESIS,I UNDERSTAND IS LIKE DIALYSIS. IT MECHANICALLY REMOVES THE ANTIBODIES FROMTHE BLOOD STREAM.
SIYEMPRE PROBLEMANA NAMAN NATIN SI papa
MAY CATHETER KASI
It will take several hours.
The first one has to be done inthe hospital the rest can be at home.
A catheter is inserted in the arm and another one is place in the opposite hand or foot
Blood is taken from one tube, goes to a separator and then enters through the other tune back into Papa's bood stream.
The amount of blood outside thebody is not much. Less than what is ordinarily donated in a blood bank.
Necessarily, there are risks.
A drop in bood pressure or irregular heart beat,among others makes me uncomfortable.
.
Tito Manny advised to cancel our appointment at Moffitt because we patient is not ready,
He felt that they will be interested primarily in the thymoma.
There were a lot of exchanges int he meeting with Dr Reddy on ideas and treatments
FEB 3
We went to Mass with Tito Manuel and Tita Annette and Weng had the blessing of St Blaise ..Papa and I were truly grateful for the special grace of the candelaria
We spent the day at home. Elaine did the laundry. I was not well. I had a terrible headache. I also have a backache that does not go away . I rested . Then it turned out that I slept on my right arm and caused more muscle pain.
We spoke with Tita Ellie and Tito Henry on skype.
Tita Vilma and Tita Alice called in from San Francisco. They have been assuring us of prayers. They each have the cory's prayer phone. They enjoyed it.
Tita Pg emailed and advised that Tito Hector is waiting for information and will be happy to help at any time'
Tita Trini sent in an email too.
Jean Cortes and Chris V have also been supporting us with counsels and guiding us with questions to ask
Tita Melen has been helping us with research on what Stanford U Hospital can offer incase the weather does not improve in Baltimore.
Tiyen , the niece of MamoPing has had some difficulty in getting us into JohnHopkins Hospital.
TitoTony and Tita Loly, Tita Ida are waiting for my call.
I will try to write again later
We are going to Mass.
Mama
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Day 3 (flying out of Los Angeles)
Tony and Vilma and Alice arrived and spent the day with us
We had a meal at BJ
Don had Angel's hair pasta but did not eat much
A little bit of salad.
We went to the Mass at The Imamaculate Conception Parish.
For dinner he had a rice bowl.
For viand he had vegetable chips.
NOW THAT HE ENJOYED
GARDEN VEGETABLE CHIPS WITH SEA SALT AL NATURAL NO TRANS FAT NO PRESERVATIVES
PRODUCED BY WORLD GOURMET
CHECK OUT WWWGOURMET.COM
Sleep did not come easy
He was restless until early morning, ,
CAlls and emails..
Had a long chat and orientation on hospitals in the USA ...
Manay Melen, thanks
Tony and Vi and ALice..many thanks
Thanks for the emails
Krisitne .
Mamo Ping
Gotta go...
We had a meal at BJ
Don had Angel's hair pasta but did not eat much
A little bit of salad.
We went to the Mass at The Imamaculate Conception Parish.
For dinner he had a rice bowl.
For viand he had vegetable chips.
NOW THAT HE ENJOYED
GARDEN VEGETABLE CHIPS WITH SEA SALT AL NATURAL NO TRANS FAT NO PRESERVATIVES
PRODUCED BY WORLD GOURMET
CHECK OUT WWWGOURMET.COM
Sleep did not come easy
He was restless until early morning, ,
CAlls and emails..
Had a long chat and orientation on hospitals in the USA ...
Manay Melen, thanks
Tony and Vi and ALice..many thanks
Thanks for the emails
Krisitne .
Mamo Ping
Gotta go...
Day 2 (IN Los Angeles)
DEAR ALL
DAY TWO IN LOS ANGELES
It was a good day
A RIDE WITHOUT GPS...
We got to ride the Nissa Extera that Elaine rented
IT IS LIKE YOUR S TRAIL MESH
Of course, we got lost.
So we missed Loyola Marymount Mass schedule
We ended up at St Anastacia's Parish.
St Anastacia's feast day is celebrated ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!
I only know she was supposedly beheaded.
The only ones we know with that name is SR Anastacia of Sri Lanka.
AROUND AND AROUND WE WENT..
CHINESE FOOD
Lars, Papa would have wanted to share Orange Chicken with you. We entered this resto wher a whole wall was filled with food photos. Beautifully done.. Tempting. But as Don looked through the selection/collection galore , he thought of Denden and Lourdes, France where he always feasts on DUCK. AB ,is it called CANARD? Well that he had, ROASTED DUCK!
We actually watched a program on television re Peking Duck..poultry and kitchen preparation of the duck for Americans (headless!) and the ducks for the rest of the world ... and so that must have been a-la-continuum in Papa's mind.
He did not enjoy the taste of it. He ended up eating my scallops cum spinach.
ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND WE WENT ...
Driving through the golf courses and tree lined avenues ...
FRY'S
We dropped by to get his I TOUCH charger. Yes Tony and Vi, your birthday present of last year is in his bag..but he forgot the charger.
Oh, yes Kobe's water, cant recall what it is called but Angel and AB and Den, you must recall how that water of Kobe became his favorite mineral water..(ENERGY DRINK AND MEMORY DRINK!! DIDN'T WE ALL LAUGH SO HARD, LAST YEAR AS WE TRAVELLED EVERYWHERE AFTER THE WEDDING OF JUN AND ANGEL? Kobe water was the source of all goodness!!)
PAYLESS SHOES..
We had to get 2 pairs of CLOSED shoes for Elaine. The difficulty of getting a size 9 w in the Philippines!!
Papa did not want to come down. So as we hurried to finish the chore, I recalled he had been asking for a new belt.
Fortunately we saw a leather belt for him, just so he can let go of his favorite FOSSILS belt. He is now down to a 38 to 40
He announced he will have better pairs of pants when he gets better.
COSTCO
We stopped by to have pizza.
And we got a few things too. Fleece sweaters and pants for Elaine.
She did not have those in the convent !
No Mesh, no ROSS this time.
ST JOSEPH's PARISH
We went for Mass at St Joseph. Interestingly our Mass was bilingual Mass. A lovely lady sang Spanish songs. After mass, as we visited the Altar of the SAints, we happily saw the image of Our Lady of Charity. Aha, Mama Caring making her love and presence felt.
ATT
We tried to get a SIM CARD to replace my phone's sim.
HAAAY AMERICA, how difficult it is to buy a sim card. They keep sellingme a new phone and after I return to MANILA , and having failed to use the phone...GONE..GONE GONE .I can no longer use it.
VERIZON /T MOBILE/
Pare pareho..Same Same
CALLS..
OH TITO AUDIE HAD TONS OF FAMILY NEWS...AND SPECIAL NEWS RE GRANDCHILDREN COMING INTO THEIR LIVES..
AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO VANCOUVER FOR THE WINTER GAMES. TITO AUDIE AND TITA MARIE ARE COMING ON SUNDAY.
MANAY MELEN CALLED WITH AN OFFER OF HOMEMADE SOUP.!!!AND STORIES OF HOW THEIR SENIOR CITIZENS
MEETINGS GO...THIS TIME IT STARTED WITH EVERYONE TRYION TO GROWL LIKE A TIGER!!!
JUN AND ANGEL CALLED ..JUN,OUR DEAR SON IN LAW. GOT FRUSTRATED..TRYING TO REACH US BY CALLING THE HOTEL. HONEY WE WERE EITHER SLEEPING OR OUT
WE LEFT AT 11 AM AND RETURNED AT 10 PM.
TITA ANNETTE WITH A LOT OF GOOD NEWS AND SPECIAL NEWS RE GRANDCHILD COMING THIS FEB 14TH OR 19TH.
OF COURSE 19TH IS BEST PARA MAY KABIRTHDAY AKO! .
TONY AND VILMA JACOB CALLED ANNOUNCING THEIR VISIT SATURDAY NIGHT !
TITO TONY SORRA CALLED ...GOT THE PHONE NUMBERS TITO.
Well, I have been reading ..There is a movie called INVICTUS..THE LATEST FILM OF CLINT EASTWOOD. starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela the former president of South Africa and Francois Piennar , the captain of the national rugby team.
The review by a professor of theology of University of Notre Dame is enought for me to endorse it to our movie enthusiasts (FAMILIA DEE!! FAMILIA VILLANUEVA IN MANILA). He calls it a movie of STRATEGIC INSPIRATION. ENJOY!!
I wonder if its message of enlightened, unifying leadership can be of use in the Philppine setting.
Bye for now...the 3rd days rolls on
Love
Mama/Tita /Mare/Ninang/ Med
DAY TWO IN LOS ANGELES
It was a good day
A RIDE WITHOUT GPS...
We got to ride the Nissa Extera that Elaine rented
IT IS LIKE YOUR S TRAIL MESH
Of course, we got lost.
So we missed Loyola Marymount Mass schedule
We ended up at St Anastacia's Parish.
St Anastacia's feast day is celebrated ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!
I only know she was supposedly beheaded.
The only ones we know with that name is SR Anastacia of Sri Lanka.
AROUND AND AROUND WE WENT..
CHINESE FOOD
Lars, Papa would have wanted to share Orange Chicken with you. We entered this resto wher a whole wall was filled with food photos. Beautifully done.. Tempting. But as Don looked through the selection/collection galore , he thought of Denden and Lourdes, France where he always feasts on DUCK. AB ,is it called CANARD? Well that he had, ROASTED DUCK!
We actually watched a program on television re Peking Duck..poultry and kitchen preparation of the duck for Americans (headless!) and the ducks for the rest of the world ... and so that must have been a-la-continuum in Papa's mind.
He did not enjoy the taste of it. He ended up eating my scallops cum spinach.
ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND WE WENT ...
Driving through the golf courses and tree lined avenues ...
FRY'S
We dropped by to get his I TOUCH charger. Yes Tony and Vi, your birthday present of last year is in his bag..but he forgot the charger.
Oh, yes Kobe's water, cant recall what it is called but Angel and AB and Den, you must recall how that water of Kobe became his favorite mineral water..(ENERGY DRINK AND MEMORY DRINK!! DIDN'T WE ALL LAUGH SO HARD, LAST YEAR AS WE TRAVELLED EVERYWHERE AFTER THE WEDDING OF JUN AND ANGEL? Kobe water was the source of all goodness!!)
PAYLESS SHOES..
We had to get 2 pairs of CLOSED shoes for Elaine. The difficulty of getting a size 9 w in the Philippines!!
Papa did not want to come down. So as we hurried to finish the chore, I recalled he had been asking for a new belt.
Fortunately we saw a leather belt for him, just so he can let go of his favorite FOSSILS belt. He is now down to a 38 to 40
He announced he will have better pairs of pants when he gets better.
COSTCO
We stopped by to have pizza.
And we got a few things too. Fleece sweaters and pants for Elaine.
She did not have those in the convent !
No Mesh, no ROSS this time.
ST JOSEPH's PARISH
We went for Mass at St Joseph. Interestingly our Mass was bilingual Mass. A lovely lady sang Spanish songs. After mass, as we visited the Altar of the SAints, we happily saw the image of Our Lady of Charity. Aha, Mama Caring making her love and presence felt.
ATT
We tried to get a SIM CARD to replace my phone's sim.
HAAAY AMERICA, how difficult it is to buy a sim card. They keep sellingme a new phone and after I return to MANILA , and having failed to use the phone...GONE..GONE GONE .I can no longer use it.
VERIZON /T MOBILE/
Pare pareho..Same Same
CALLS..
OH TITO AUDIE HAD TONS OF FAMILY NEWS...AND SPECIAL NEWS RE GRANDCHILDREN COMING INTO THEIR LIVES..
AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO VANCOUVER FOR THE WINTER GAMES. TITO AUDIE AND TITA MARIE ARE COMING ON SUNDAY.
MANAY MELEN CALLED WITH AN OFFER OF HOMEMADE SOUP.!!!AND STORIES OF HOW THEIR SENIOR CITIZENS
MEETINGS GO...THIS TIME IT STARTED WITH EVERYONE TRYION TO GROWL LIKE A TIGER!!!
JUN AND ANGEL CALLED ..JUN,OUR DEAR SON IN LAW. GOT FRUSTRATED..TRYING TO REACH US BY CALLING THE HOTEL. HONEY WE WERE EITHER SLEEPING OR OUT
WE LEFT AT 11 AM AND RETURNED AT 10 PM.
TITA ANNETTE WITH A LOT OF GOOD NEWS AND SPECIAL NEWS RE GRANDCHILD COMING THIS FEB 14TH OR 19TH.
OF COURSE 19TH IS BEST PARA MAY KABIRTHDAY AKO! .
TONY AND VILMA JACOB CALLED ANNOUNCING THEIR VISIT SATURDAY NIGHT !
TITO TONY SORRA CALLED ...GOT THE PHONE NUMBERS TITO.
Well, I have been reading ..There is a movie called INVICTUS..THE LATEST FILM OF CLINT EASTWOOD. starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela the former president of South Africa and Francois Piennar , the captain of the national rugby team.
The review by a professor of theology of University of Notre Dame is enought for me to endorse it to our movie enthusiasts (FAMILIA DEE!! FAMILIA VILLANUEVA IN MANILA). He calls it a movie of STRATEGIC INSPIRATION. ENJOY!!
I wonder if its message of enlightened, unifying leadership can be of use in the Philppine setting.
Bye for now...the 3rd days rolls on
Love
Mama/Tita /Mare/Ninang/ Med
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Adventure begins --- DAY 1
dear all
I AM TRYING DON'S MAC, PURCHASED BY ANGEL. THANKS ANGEL.
NOW FOR THE FIRST page of our journal on this trip that I have titled GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE,
PR 102 landed in Los Angeles about 30 minutes ahead of schedule
(LARS MAGANDA ANG LANDING.!!_
AT THE CENTENNIAL AIRPORT:
PAPA REFUSED THE WHEEL CHAIR WHEN WE CHECKED IN
but as we walked towards the Mabuhay lounge he got tired
ELI I DEE i told me not to listen to him ...just to go on and request for a wheelchair for LAX cause it would be a long walk
Well I did not even wait for that . I requested for a wheelchair that led us to the plane while still in Manila .I also forwarded the request for LAX assist.
AT THE LAX AIRPORT THROUGH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS AND TO THE HOTEL
We were met by a wheelchair upon arrival in Los Angeles.
We were assisted in getting our baggage, in clearing through immigration and customs on to boarding the shuttle bus of Crowne Plaza where we are staying at USD 43.00 /NIGHT when it actually is US189.00++
The immigration officer asked how long we were going to stay. I replied we have a return ticket for March 14th..
(I did not tell him that Denden needs us to celebrate her birthday...and that AB will have spaghetti for his celebration Well he gaveus till July 27th)
Interestingly, after all the fingerprinting, he smiled and turned over a superlotto ticket. Aha!!The ticket that our class bought when we had our reunion at San Fernando Valley which I could not locate and never got to know if we won. Now Elaine has to look for the lucky numbers of November7,2009. Maybe we won!! Cora T and Chris bought the ticket. I don't know where the numbers came from! Imagine, (SAAClass 65 will have a share in the winnings of course!!)
There it was on the immigration officers desk. He smiled and wished us luck. He must have thought we came to claim our winnings
It was not a medical reason!! Hahaha. But certainly that would always be a welcome treat for all the needs that can be attended to.
His lasat name was Blanco, a Filipino. Ate Wee dreaded a Filipino Immigration Officer. Four days before the expiry of her residence card she thought the Immigration Officer could well cancel it and just provide her a tourist visa for staying too long out of the country.
He did nothing of that sort. Apparently, he presume she was taking care of Papa,
Large room ..great for our 6 pieces of baggage...Big beds!! Pillows Galore!!Don needs 4 for his sleeping comfort. Remember, he can't breathe when his head is not elevated.
I have repacked So soon? Of course!!
I packed the small suitcase that we brought for the short trips to the hospital if needed.
I packed the pasalubongs for Angel and The Dee family and The Delano Connection
Elaine has gotten a rent a car to bring us to mass tomorrow and to bring her to Bakersfield too.
She is also getting our bananas and our fruits and drinks.
Don says we will stay on until he is fully rested.
I DONT KNOW IF THAT MEANS 48 OR 72 HOURS!
After Mass tomorrow, we will decide to buy the ticket.
Considering that we have too much baggage.and airlines have limited travel to one suitcase we may have to fly Delta for our Medallion benefits.
We had a pleasent flight
QUIET.,,,meaning there were no passengers snoring.
There were no children rolling on the floor.
EVENTFUL..with us on the flight about 3 seats away was Vicky Belo.
Talking about providing a facial lift,,,ano yon?
Botox?
The entertainment channels were out of order
No movies
Papa rested. I played tetris and bejeweled for a short while
As usual I enjoyed my official travel drink..GINGER ALE!!
Dinner came too soon.
Don had sea bass for dinner.
He ate quite well.
He ate very slowly, for fear he would choke. He also took a lot of water.
HE ASKED FOR ARCE ICE CREAM.
OF COURSE, IT WAS NOT SWEET BUT HE TRIED..AND HE ATE A WHOLE CUPFUL..
For breakfast he requested for arroz caldo
He was delighted with the fish sauce.
He asked for muesli too.
He also had croissants and coffee.
He was not delighted with fruits
I TRIED and managed to catch up with some of the sleep i have missed
We will have our night prayers soon. We will include the prayers shared by Tita Ammie when she went to the CAthedral in Brugge, Belgium. We also have prayers shared by Lola Laly.
His back hurts. It must be the muscle issue. He felt the aircon in the plane was quite chilly .He actually slept with a blanket.
HERE IS A SONG THAT KEPT ME TEARY EYED.
GREAT FOR ADVOCACY FOR EVERY CHILD ..
DEAR STAFF OF DIOS MABALOS PO ...PLS TAPE THE SONG AND SHARE IT WITH OUR CHILDREN BENEFICIARIES
SANA MATAGALOG OR BICOL..
DEAR FRIENDS IN SIMON..LET US CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN TO ASK...WHY,... SO THAT WE CAN FIND THE COURAGE TO DO MORE FOR THEIR FUTURE.
LOVE
Mama/Ninang/Mare/Tita Med./med
I AM TRYING DON'S MAC, PURCHASED BY ANGEL. THANKS ANGEL.
NOW FOR THE FIRST page of our journal on this trip that I have titled GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE,
PR 102 landed in Los Angeles about 30 minutes ahead of schedule
(LARS MAGANDA ANG LANDING.!!_
AT THE CENTENNIAL AIRPORT:
PAPA REFUSED THE WHEEL CHAIR WHEN WE CHECKED IN
but as we walked towards the Mabuhay lounge he got tired
ELI I DEE i told me not to listen to him ...just to go on and request for a wheelchair for LAX cause it would be a long walk
Well I did not even wait for that . I requested for a wheelchair that led us to the plane while still in Manila .I also forwarded the request for LAX assist.
AT THE LAX AIRPORT THROUGH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS AND TO THE HOTEL
We were met by a wheelchair upon arrival in Los Angeles.
We were assisted in getting our baggage, in clearing through immigration and customs on to boarding the shuttle bus of Crowne Plaza where we are staying at USD 43.00 /NIGHT when it actually is US189.00++
The immigration officer asked how long we were going to stay. I replied we have a return ticket for March 14th..
(I did not tell him that Denden needs us to celebrate her birthday...and that AB will have spaghetti for his celebration Well he gaveus till July 27th)
Interestingly, after all the fingerprinting, he smiled and turned over a superlotto ticket. Aha!!The ticket that our class bought when we had our reunion at San Fernando Valley which I could not locate and never got to know if we won. Now Elaine has to look for the lucky numbers of November7,2009. Maybe we won!! Cora T and Chris bought the ticket. I don't know where the numbers came from! Imagine, (SAAClass 65 will have a share in the winnings of course!!)
There it was on the immigration officers desk. He smiled and wished us luck. He must have thought we came to claim our winnings
It was not a medical reason!! Hahaha. But certainly that would always be a welcome treat for all the needs that can be attended to.
His lasat name was Blanco, a Filipino. Ate Wee dreaded a Filipino Immigration Officer. Four days before the expiry of her residence card she thought the Immigration Officer could well cancel it and just provide her a tourist visa for staying too long out of the country.
He did nothing of that sort. Apparently, he presume she was taking care of Papa,
Large room ..great for our 6 pieces of baggage...Big beds!! Pillows Galore!!Don needs 4 for his sleeping comfort. Remember, he can't breathe when his head is not elevated.
I have repacked So soon? Of course!!
I packed the small suitcase that we brought for the short trips to the hospital if needed.
I packed the pasalubongs for Angel and The Dee family and The Delano Connection
Elaine has gotten a rent a car to bring us to mass tomorrow and to bring her to Bakersfield too.
She is also getting our bananas and our fruits and drinks.
Don says we will stay on until he is fully rested.
I DONT KNOW IF THAT MEANS 48 OR 72 HOURS!
After Mass tomorrow, we will decide to buy the ticket.
Considering that we have too much baggage.and airlines have limited travel to one suitcase we may have to fly Delta for our Medallion benefits.
We had a pleasent flight
QUIET.,,,meaning there were no passengers snoring.
There were no children rolling on the floor.
EVENTFUL..with us on the flight about 3 seats away was Vicky Belo.
Talking about providing a facial lift,,,ano yon?
Botox?
The entertainment channels were out of order
No movies
Papa rested. I played tetris and bejeweled for a short while
As usual I enjoyed my official travel drink..GINGER ALE!!
Dinner came too soon.
Don had sea bass for dinner.
He ate quite well.
He ate very slowly, for fear he would choke. He also took a lot of water.
HE ASKED FOR ARCE ICE CREAM.
OF COURSE, IT WAS NOT SWEET BUT HE TRIED..AND HE ATE A WHOLE CUPFUL..
For breakfast he requested for arroz caldo
He was delighted with the fish sauce.
He asked for muesli too.
He also had croissants and coffee.
He was not delighted with fruits
I TRIED and managed to catch up with some of the sleep i have missed
We will have our night prayers soon. We will include the prayers shared by Tita Ammie when she went to the CAthedral in Brugge, Belgium. We also have prayers shared by Lola Laly.
His back hurts. It must be the muscle issue. He felt the aircon in the plane was quite chilly .He actually slept with a blanket.
FOR THOSE WITH A MAGIC JACK
WE ARE AT 310 642 7500 ROOM 344
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL AT THE LAX AIRPORT.
O ayan , good night. na tabi
WE ARE AT 310 642 7500 ROOM 344
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL AT THE LAX AIRPORT.
O ayan , good night. na tabi
HERE IS A SONG THAT KEPT ME TEARY EYED.
GREAT FOR ADVOCACY FOR EVERY CHILD ..
DEAR STAFF OF DIOS MABALOS PO ...PLS TAPE THE SONG AND SHARE IT WITH OUR CHILDREN BENEFICIARIES
SANA MATAGALOG OR BICOL..
DEAR FRIENDS IN SIMON..LET US CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN TO ASK...WHY,... SO THAT WE CAN FIND THE COURAGE TO DO MORE FOR THEIR FUTURE.
LOVE
Mama/Ninang/Mare/Tita Med./med
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