Kirin: a time for celebration

The night before our mother was laid to rest, a mass was held and the priest's homily that a death is not a time to be sad but to celebrate because the dead had already joined her Creator and that in our mother's case, all her pain had finally ceased. He may be right but still, it is sometimes hard losing a loved one.

Today, we finally brought her to her final resting place right beside our father who died a few years earlier. After the burial, we went to the Bonifacio High Street to have our lunch, where my sister-in-law had reserved a private room for us. 

Together with the immediate family, we had some close relatives and household help who had in one way or another helped our mother ease the pain she suffered.

Unfortunately, as I am have a kidney problem and undergoing dialysis, I had to refrain from eating all the food that was served. Just seeing my family in one room is enough for me although I must admit that I had cheated by tasting each dish a spoonful each.

A small private room had been reserved where there were three tables each good for 10.

Batangala no more?

2013 doesn't seem to be my year. I had been hospitalized twice since the start of the new year.

The first time was due to acute pancreatitis where I was confined for more than a week starting January 2. Even with a health insurance, we still had to shell out quite a substantial amount as the Philhealth gave only a measly P11T and the health insurance covered less than half of the total bill.

My diet had been limited to boiled, steamed or grilled fish and vegetables. No oil nor dairy products for me. I was devastated since one of my few vices is food.

On February 15, I had to go back to the emergency room as I was not really feeling well, bloated and shortness of breath. I was diagnosed with a kidney problem as my creatinine level was very high and i was unable to urinate. A dialysis catheter was inserted in my neck a few days after my confinement as it was recommended that I undergo hemodialysis (HD). Of my nine days in confinement, I had to undergo HD five times.