Life After Dengue.

As I was watching the late news tonight, I learned that a number of areas in the country are now experiencing Dengue Outbreaks. This is when my Dengue experience all flashed back.

It was February of 2005, it was an ordinary work day. My shift starts at 5 in the morning so I had to leave early for work. Since our area have limited public transport options early in the morning, I had no other choice but to ride ordinary buses to get to work. So I went to work with my usual routine. Tricycle ride, ordinary bus ride to Ortigas, then walk the Poveda street and then work.

I was not feeling sick at all. Lunch time came and I was feeling a buzzing sound in my ear. I went to the office clinic and found out I have 39 degree fever. I was sent home.

Upon reaching home, I rested. I was chilling. Everything happened so fast, I ended up taking a cold bath to tame the fever down. Luckily, it went down. Later at night, chilling and fever came back. I was not worried though, perhaps, I said to myself, this is flu.

3 days passed, fever still on and off. I requested my husband to bring me to the hospital. I was scared then. I was rushed to the emergency room of the FEU Hospital in Fairview. I was admitted, with a platelet count of 156. Acceptable for Dengue fever. That time, stages for dengue were not 'invented' yet. I didn't know what stage or category that platelet count was at.

 Beware of this female mosquito

Days 1 and 2 in the hospital are the hardest. My little one, then less than a year old, needed to be brought together with us in the hospital room. We had no yaya, so he had to stay in the hospital with us and just head home once my mom comes home from work. Sad but we had no choice. It was still the normal on and off fever. Platelet count: 125.

Days 3 and 4, I started getting visitors. I was still feeling normal, despite the fevers. My husband stays at night with me, while our son sleeps at home with my parents. He comes home in the morning to look after the little one, then comes back for me to the hospital once mom gets home. At this stage, I was getting weak. I needed to get well. Platelet count: 64.

Days 5 and 6, my platelet count is now in critical level. They had to count the platelets every hour because it may drop and kill me anytime. I was scared then. Who would ever think that despite my weight, a tiny mosquito will bring me down. My arms are bruised from needle marks because of the blood extractions. They had to take the blood samples from my veins in the hands because that will be the ONLY way now to be able to get blood sample. All exposed points of blood extraction are all bruised. It was very difficult. I can't sleep or rest well anymore because every hour, I have to wake up and find another vein where blood can be taken out from. It was hard. I have to live.

Day 7, it was a weekend and it was my hospital-phobic mom's turn to stay with me at the hospital. I was calm and just wanted to rest to get well. Upon blood check, I asked the nurse what was the lowest platelet count ever recorded in the entire hospital. She answered 18. I said I was thankful mine counted 64 the last time. She wished me well and said that she will be back to tell me my platelet count asap. I felt better.

30 minutes later, the doctor came in. He tagged along another doctor and introduced him to us as a specialist for blood related diseases. I asked if there was something wrong, he said that the platelet count from 64 now DROPPED to 18. Record holder it is! He advised that I needed a platelet transfusion right away, but the supply may not be enough for me. One wrong move, and I'm out of platelets completely. My mom was very scared. I was too, but I had to be strong. I was advised not to brush my teeth, pick my nose and the like, any wrong move may cause bleeding and I do not have enough platelets for blood clot.

I was stubborn. My nose was as hard as hell because of the air-conditioned room. I had to touch it for me to be able to breathe better. And I did. It started to bleed, endlessly. Rolls and rolls of tissue were used but it won't stop. Nurses and doctors were called. After almost an hour, it stopped. Now I am not allowed to move anymore. Nurses came with bags and bags of platelets. They continuously explained to use that each bag of platelet was taken from 4 bags of fresh blood. They said they will do everything they can, for me to survive. After continuous transfusion,  a total of 16 bags of platelets were consumed. Each bag taken from 4 bags of fresh blood. I can't thank the Lord enough for all those 64 people who donated blood for people like me who needs it the most.

After a couple of days, platelet count went up. I was allowed to be sent home eventually. I survived.

It is not an easy struggle to fight something that you are not aware of. It is just like being in a battle unprepared. So we need to take Dengue seriously. I didn't and it took almost my life before I realized, it is serious. I could have lost all the wonderful things in my life because of negligence.

So let us be vigilant in fighting Dengue. Specially for our children, we need to be very careful. If I was a victim, it took all 180 lbs of me to overcome the disease. The little ones will not be able to take that.

Be very careful. Practice cleanliness. Clean the house and surroundings often. Make sure the house and rooms are well lit. Use insect repellents to make sure that your skin is free from mosquito bites. Eat well and maintain a healthy body.

I almost lost my life to Dengue. Learn as you read, and NEVER let this happen to you or your loved ones.

Ciao,
Joyce :)

S C H O O L S !

This school year, we decided to move our eldest son to another school. We are not sure yet if this is a good step to take, but cost-wise, we are sure it is.

I listed a few Pro's & Con's for the move, parents like us might want to consider these points in decision making regarding moving schools.

OLD SCHOOL PRO'S:

-Progressive, gives importance to self-confidence.

-Secured, children are safe within the premises.

-Small community, kids and parents know each other.

-Supportive, well trained and kind staff and faculty.

-Kuya (elder brother in Filipino), is already at home in this school. He had been attending Pre-school here for 3 School Years now.

OLD SCHOOL CON'S:

-Limited facilities, less books, less space. Not even a waiting area for parents and caregivers.

-Basic skills such as writing, reading and counting were taken for granted. Though school is progressive, it is still their duty to teach the basics.

-High tuition fee. Same facilities but we pay more.

-More misc payments almost each month.

-Unnecessary activities involving the children that are not part of the School's curriculum.

-Due to these unwanted activities, days of classes are lessened to give way for the said events. Yet, less time to study for the SY.

-None of the extra curricular activities were ever included either in the tuition or misc fees upon enrollment. So extra money should always be shelled out.

-The list can go on and on, but these are enough.

As for the new school, I cannot give a concrete comparison yet. But there are certain points that made us decide for the big move.

1. Cheaper. From 67k php it is now narrowed down to 25k php. We can now send 2 boys on the same school, less cost for both.

2. More accessible. Just a 10min drive or trike ride from home.

3. Traditional teaching approach. It is always best to explore new teaching approaches, but in a country with a very competitive educational environment, our kids need to know the basics in time.

4. School supplies included in the enrollment fees. Do I hear less stress come June? Happy mom!

5. Uniforms in the said new school is supplied by a family friend. Hassle free!

6. Children within the same community, children of past neighbors or grandchildren of our parents' friends, share the same school. Familiar faces, less anxiety.

We are still to find out what the new school offers. But we need to grow and explore better options for our children. We will forever be grateful to Kuya's old school. They brought my little shy boy out of his shell. He is now a well-rounded person and the old school is to praise for for this great improvement.

We are parents. We only seek what will be best for our children. May it be this school, the old one or perhaps a new one in the future, we, as parents, should work hand in hand not just with our children but with the school community. Together, we will shape our kids to be better and successful individuals.

Happy school hopping parents!

Ciao, 

Joyce