One of the reasons I wanted to have sometime here in the Philippines is to check on my parents. They are both old (I sure hope they won’t read this! haha) and having some health problems already, especially my dad. He is almost 80 and has survived prostate cancer and still trying to hold diabetes at bay.
From late 2009 till the first quarter of 2010 we were worried for him coz his PSE levels were higher than normal, an indication that his prostate cancer might be returning. Another worry was added when his blood sugar was running up and his diabetes was getting worse. From then on, it was a routine of constant doctor visits, tests, meds and vitamins.
What’s more difficult, my mom says is that since he reasons he’s old already, there are times that he feels wearisome, that he doesn’t want to go through medications and doctors and well just live it out. He could also get really stubborn and refuse to take meds with reasons ranging from, he forgot, to medicines are expensive or simply because he doesn’t want to.
Thankfully, he seems to have weathered the bit of storm and when we arrived he’s looking well. The most recent lab results for his prostate and diabetes are also good. Right now, we are insisting on him taking regularly his health supplements and eating healthy. But sometimes, there really is no reasoning with someone so stubborn and at times I can’t fault him for being like that.
He tells us he is old already. If he goes, he doesn’t have any regrets except that he’d like to see a few more grandchildren, my daughter Chinkee being the only one…Hmm, I envy him I think. Someday, when I’m old, I want to feel the same contentment, the same courage to face what will come..
