Today we discharged and sent off the very first COVID-19 patient we admitted at the Emerging Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) Unit of our hospital. This patient was a 53 year old flower vendor who lived a simple life with their family in the mountain barangays of Cebu City. Faced with a mild stroke, hypertension-related heart problems and diabetes mellitus, this patient inspires us with her determination to live and beat COVID-19. Her daughter's sacrifices waiting and "living" just outside her mother's isolation room for 37 days was equally awe-inspiring. The love of a daughter for her mother, epitomizing the saying "believing without seeing" and riding on faith.
The family reunion is poignant and beautiful. The family thought they would not be the patient again, knowing she was intubated and in critical condition. Today her requested song reflects how we feel:
"Now look at me
Yes, a different me
Back on my feet again
I'm not afraid to face the world again
Cause you taught me how to be strong
You made me live again"
During the FB LIVE on Mental Health Check: Resilience and Coping Strategies, we discussed witj our Finance and Management Officer Ms Maureen Bien all about the actual cost of getting sick of COVID19 and how the government and the donors and volunteers help patients tremendously during these catastrophic events, and how staying at home to prevent COVID-19 transmission can really save the government a lot of money!
