Hello guys, how are you doing? I just want to apologize for a mistake I made in my last blog post. Instead of April 10, 2024, I wrote April 10, 2015, which was clearly an error on my part. I'm sorry for this oversight. Moving on, today's discussion focuses on the steps and procedures for Sean's surgery. I understand that this topic might not interest everyone. However, if you know someone in a similar situation to Sean, you could share these ideas on how they might be able to get the surgery they need. Now let's proceed.
On April 12, 2024, Sean was scheduled for a Barium Enema. The doctor told us to be at Chung Hua Hospital for her x-ray by 8 am. However, we didn't make it to the hospital until nearly 10 am due to heavy traffic. The journey from Naga to Chung Hua took us two hours. Since I'm not used to taking the bus, the crowded vehicle and the stalled traffic made me feel uneasy. But, it's okay. I was willing to endure anything for Sean's sake, even if it meant diving into a sea of needles.
We arrived at the hospital five minutes before 10 am. As soon as we got off the jeep, Sean and I started running because we were already late. I received a call from Chung Hua Hospital asking for our whereabouts. As soon as we arrived at the hospital, I inquired at the OPD desk about Sean's Barium Enema. Fortunately, we weren't reprimanded for being late. Dr. Cabahug came out to assist Sean with her Barium Enema. Since outsiders are not allowed in restricted areas, I waited in the waiting area.
While waiting for Sean, the nurse called me because she said Sean was looking for me. The nurse also mentioned that Sean seemed nervous, so I needed to be there to help calm her down. I quickly went to the room and searched for Sean.
Inside the laboratory
While searching for Sean, I eventually found him , and couldn't help but laugh because is this the face of a nervous? His joyful smile was so evident on his face; it even reached his ears. Maybe when I entered the room, he had already seen me. Instead of fear, he greeted me with a smile, not wanting me to worry about him. Even though he may be crying inside, he doesn't show it. That's why I am truly amazed by his courage.
Source
A barium enema is an X-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon). The procedure is also called a colon X-ray. An enema is the injection of a liquid into your rectum through a small tube.
Sean's Barrium Enema Result
It was already 12 pm, but Sean had not yet come out of the laboratory room. I was getting nervous because I didn't know what was happening inside. I prayed fervently while waiting for Sean to come out, hoping that everything was fine and that nothing went wrong. Exactly at 1 pm, the results of Sean's Barium Enema were handed to me by Dr. Cabahug. I was given the film to pass on to Dr. Astrologo. Soon after, Sean emerged from the laboratory room, wearing a smile on his face once again. I asked Sean how he was doing, and he replied with a joyful expression, "I'm okay, mom! The doctors and nurses who assisted me were kind and friendly, so I felt very comfortable with them. You don't have to worry." Dr. Cabahug also mentioned that we should come back after 24 hours or at 8 am in the morning for them to check if the medicine they inserted was melting properly.
Since it was already 1 pm and we hadn't eaten lunch yet, Sean started complaining that he was starving. So, we went straight to a place beside Chung Hua Hospital to order food. We chose Ngohiong Express because it offered affordable dishes, allowing us to save some money. I ordered 3 pieces of Ngohiong with hot sauce, 2 servings of rice, and a Pepsi. Sean, on the other hand, ordered 1 piece of large chicken (his favorite), 2 servings of rice, and a Pepsi as well.
Sean's Reaction HAHAHA
After having lunch, Sean complained once again that he was still hungry. So, he decided to order a dessert to satisfy his growling stomach. He ordered a burger that cost 150 pesos, but it turned out to be disappointing. It looked far from the tantalizing image they displayed with melted cheese and a large patty. But the reality was quite different, HAHAHA. The burger was not worth the price. You could probably enjoy a tastier burger from Angels Burger for the same 150 pesos. It's hard to justify spending your money on this burger.
But the Avocado Mango Shake made up for it, costing 120 pesos for an extra-large cup. As you can see, they didn't skimp on the avocado and mango. From top to bottom, you'll find chunks of fruit with every sip through the straw. The shake is made with ice cream, which surprised me as I initially thought it was just a shaved ice. It melts in your mouth and is incredibly satisfying. The level of sweetness is just right for my taste. Overall, I would rate it 1000/10 🤤. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to share this with Sean, as we would struggle not to finish it all ourselves.
After finishing our lunch, we proceeded to Cebu Medical Arts to visit Sean's surgeon, Dr. Astrologo. It was already 2 pm, but the doctor was not yet there. Her secretary informed us that he was still at Uc med attending to another patient. So, we waited patiently. Finally, at 3 pm, Dr. Astrologo arrived and went straight to his clinic. The secretary immediately called Sean's name, signaling her to enter the room.
While we were in the room, I delivered to Dr. Astrologo the film showing the results of Sean's Barium Enema. The doctor informed me that the part indicated by an arrow needed to be excised as that portion of the intestine was already dead. I asked why a specific section was significantly larger. Dr. Astrologo explained that since Sean had undergone surgery as a baby, this area had grown disproportionately. The healthy sections of his intestine were the normal-sized areas located in the upper part of the scan.
Dr. Astrologo also informed me that Sean's surgery would be a bloody procedure and, as a precaution, we would need to have type AB blood available in case Sean required a transfusion. Unlike other cases where two or three operations are performed, Sean's case was different; he would only undergo one operation which would result in an extended hospital stay. As Dr. Astrologo explained this to me, I burst into tears as I felt fear for young Sean who had to undergo such an ordeal. However, I knew I had to summon my bravery for Sean's sake.
CCMC HOSPITAL Sean will be admitted
Dr. Astrologo then inquired about our budget for the operation. I pleaded with the doctor to have the surgery performed at a public hospital, as our savings surely wouldn't be enough. Dr. Astrologo then asked Sean if he was ready for the operation. Sean replied, "YES," his eyes filled with tears. I conveyed to Dr. Astrologo that one of the reasons we wanted Sean to have the surgery was due to him being consistently bullied at school by his classmates. It saddened me, especially because Sean was consistently achieving honors. We didn't want him to lose his self-confidence because of this.
Suddenly, Dr. Astrologo said, "Since you're an honor student in your class, I will perform your operation for FREE to deter any bullying from your classmates. But promise me that you will maintain your grades." Sean's sad face turned into a happy one after hearing Dr. Astrologo's words. The third week of May 2024 was scheduled for Sean's operation, and I am hoping that everything will proceed smoothly with no complications.
Guys, please include Sean in your prayers for his upcoming operation next month. Your prayers will indeed be a significant help to us, especially for our little warrior. We're currently saving funds for Sean's medications. In my next blog, God willing, I shall share updates on Sean's condition post-surgery ❤️. For now, I'll end this blog, and thank you for reading. See you for Sean's recovery update. Thank you, and may God bless you.