Philippines Adventures - The Second Part

A few months ago, I started to recount my time in the Philippines - that was Part 1. Let's now conclude the story with Part 2.

By Thursday, W had been released from the hospital and was cleared to fly. Yay! This was an answer to prayer, because I had already discussed with the planning team an extension to my time there just in case W needed to remain longer. But that wasn't necessary.

We had sessions and a field visit from Mon to Thurs, and on Friday, we prepared to go home. Our flight was in the night so we had to day to ourselves. One of the Jamaicans - AH (not among the original team as he got days before) was my company for the day. We went exploring on foot, chilling and chatting. It was a good little impromptu tour. When it was time to head back to the hotel, it rained but we managed. We did get to eat different types of food and pretend to play the piano though.

Keto cake

Final meal in Manila

Pretending to play the piano at one of the fanciest malls I've even been to

Selfie with parts of the city behind me

The taxi took all of us to the airport even though AH had an earlier flight (about an hour) than the rest of us. No biggie. It was good that we all could be together because some could carry bags while others wheeled W in the wheelchair. It took a while, with long lines, some confusion, baggage checks, etc, but we eventually made it through to the wait area. AH went his way, the rest of us waited to board which we eventually did. My seat was next to W just in case...

The flight took off without issue, and this time, they had screens by each seat. I was relieved! I could unwind, put my seat back, and watch the movies I didn't get to see in the theatres. Except about an hour (or less) into the flight, things took a turn.

It started with the seat belt sign. Turbulence ahead. And it was turbulent! (Did I mention I HATE turbulence?!) Then a tap on the hand...W was having difficulty breathing. Not again!! So in the middle of turbulence, I am staggering towards the back of the plane to get an attendant. I say stagger because the turbulence was that bad...I had to be holding onto seat backs as I walked. The first thing the attendant said is "please go back and sit" as she grabbed on to the side of her seat with a dip in the plane. I explained what was happening and she got up and summoned her team to help. While they asked questions, the mask was being set up. So here I was, sitting in the aisle seat, holding the tank and praying. Understandably, W was very anxious which did NOT help...in fact, it made things worse. During this, they also asked if there was a doctor on-board, and fortunately, one came over to render assistance. We were able to show all the meds that were prescribed at the hospital. The doc also had something to help. Fortunately, my aunt (a nurse) had given me tips on taking notes, so I started to do that with W and her meds.

Eventually, things calmed. Until they weren't again. After the first round of oxygen, the issues started again. So she ended up having to go back on the oxygen. I spoke with the Doc who said that W's anxiety is what's contributing to the issues since the meds should be working, so I needed to do what I can to keep her calm. I followed instructions. Truth be told I suspected from before that, so I had tried to get her to take deep breaths, holding her hand the whole time. I continued this, and she calmed. Then she didn't need the oxygen anymore. And for the rest of the flight - about 10 hours of it - things were relatively calm. It calmed enough for me to watch Black Panther and some other things, all the while holding W's hand to keep her calm.

When we were close to landing, we moved a little closer to the exit so that we could have medics attend to W once we landed. Good idea. We land safely (Thank God!), and then we wait for the announcement for people to remain in their seats. Nothing. We get to the gate, and everyone gets up to leave...and no announcement. I make my way to the middle to ask the attendant what's the hold-up. I was told that the medics are the one to make it when they get on-board. I was not amused, because now the aisles are crowded with people and bags, and making our way through all that would be difficult. This was even more evident when I couldn't go back to the seat because there was no space to walk. Eventually, the medics came on and asked that everyone return to their seat. People sauntered as though it was no big deal. A very tired and annoyed me helped them - I spoke in deliberate, semi-polite and agitated tones to ask that they move out of the way and this worked. We got our things and made our exit.

Just outside the bridge was an examination area. We got there, they did their exam, and gave the option to find out way to a hospital or to go via ambulance. Immigration officers also met us to process us there.We were aware that W could be prevented from boarding the next flight given the medical issues that she had, so the hospital was really the only option. It was, for me, a no-brainer that she couldn't be alone, so both of us were processed there and then we went through some doors, down an elevator and out to the tarmac to board the ambulance. We were escorted to a special gate, and then a few short minutes later, we arrived at the hospital. W went in through the emergency door, I went to the front to wait...and contact home to let them know. Eventually got to see her and after examination, they admitted her and sent her up to a room. They also helped me to get something hot to drink as by this time I was famished, and they also got pillows and a sheet so I could use on the couch in her room.

Dinner in the wee hours of the morning courtesy of the hospital staff

This was the longest day ever! We left Philippines on Fri, arrived in San Francisco on Friday in the evening after a 12.5 hour flight. I didn't really sleep...just over 3 hours with just 19 min of deep sleep (if my watch tracked it correctly). This is added to the zero hours on the flight and zero hours sleep during the full day I spent touring Manila.

Based on the results of tests done in the night, further tests were done. We also were told that based on the results, follow-up tests were needed for the Dr to determine if she could be released. In the morning, I called the airline to see what was required for us to rebook our flights. They told me that W's change fees would be waived, but mine wouldn't be. That meant paying US$200 plus a $50 fee since they didn't issue the original ticket. So it is. I didn't make any decisions since we still needed to wait for the Dr's word on W's release.

A few hours later, we got the good news! The real issue was diagnosed, and meds would help her to not experience the same issues until she got home and could get it sorted. Yay! Suffice it to say that based on the diagnosis, things could have gone WAY worse! But God! So I called back the airline to rebook us on the evening flight home. This time, however, I spent a much longer time with them but it was so worth it! The lady that I got told me about the charges, but went further to request a waiver on my behalf. Thankfully, it was approved! I only had to pay US$50 and there was also no fare difference so that need not be paid either. I got a prescription and walked across to the pharmacy to get it. It was about a 15 min walk, but it was a crisp, clean air and it did me well. A few hours later, we got a cab and made our way to the airport.

We checked in and checked on our luggage. Of course, given that we left the way we did, our checked luggage went ahead of us. We were told that mine would be sent straight home, while W's would need to be checked on in Miami for it to be sent home as well. Our flight was late in the night, and we would be flying in the wee hours of the morning to arrive at sunrise in Miami. I can honestly say I can't recall ever being that tired. The flight was a daze except for a moment of sunrise I caught. Nonetheless, we arrived in Miami safely. And apparently when you want to take precaution and ask for a blood pressure machine (which isn't kept on-board), they alert medics who meet you just outside the door after disembarking. We got the all-clear and made our way to the gate.

Sunrise from the skies

I used the time to check once again on our bags. I was told that W's bag was actually removed and we would need to go back outside to collect it. NOT HAPPENING! I was tired, she's in a wheelchair and also tired. I was told about another option - filling out a form to have it delivered to her home. Naturally, option B won out. We eventually boarded our final flight and that itself was fine.

W decided to walk off that flight to immigration. Then baggage area. Bad idea. I go to check on our bags (gut feeling prompted me to), and it was a good thing. My bag was also left in Miami. So we needed to fill out forms to have it sent to us. When I get back over to W, she's struggling to breathe once again. I rush to get a nurse, who then proceeds to examine her. She seemed to get worse and therefore wanted to go straight to a hospital. By this time, I'm now on the phone with her family and alerting them to what happening. And also running back and forth between W and the airline agent and also the custom's agent to sign all the forms for our bags. And finally, we leave. W's family opted to take me home. And while heading home, W felt better, to the point where she felt they could take me home first before going to a Dr or even home. The nurse was right - the walk from the plane mimicked her previous symptoms, and she should have used the wheelchair and not exerted herself so soon.

When I got home, I was all too thrilled and excited about being able to shower and wash my hair. I had one of the longest few days of my life and felt more fatigued than I can remember, but in the end, I have a great testimony. I truly believed that there was a Divine force that kept things from getting worse and even opening doors to make things smoother than would have otherwise been. While I was not the one who was ill (or deported), I was there to see healing and to be a support when needed the most. It also taught me a lesson - when I truly trust God, I can have peace and strength in difficult and trying situations. I was stronger mentally and emotionally than I had thought I could be, especially since it was bolstered by a higher power.

W is doing well from what I can see. LJ survived to tell the tale of his adventures. We all got home safely and can tell the tale. For that, I am grateful. But if I could say a quick prayer, it's that none of us would have to go through anything like that ever again. But if, per chance we do, may we experience in even greater measure whatever we need to enjoy success in the end.

Just outside the hospital - beautiful

Just outside the hospital