Mom And Dad We Are Home!

I heard about dad’s condition just the weekend before I traveled back to Alor Star. And it was not the first time he hurt his legs until the stage that the legs got infected and wounded. But stubborn headed dad just refused to see doctor for the past two months, without my knowledge and insisted to drink Chinese medicine produced by my uncle. Once I went back home and took a nap due to the unpleasant bus ride, I rushed to shop to see my dad. I was shocked and angry at the same time. How could he just leave it like that?? It was in a very terrible stage and he couldn’t walk properly at all! He can’t see clearly on the wounds, at least he should listen to others’ advices and what we saw on his legs!

Few hours ago, he was exhausted and lack of breath. 3rd Bro and I wanted to send him to hospital but we just failed to persuade him to listen to us. I scolded him many times but he shut down his ears from any noise I supposed. I know him well, my dear old dad, he will never listen until he’s really critical! I just prayed that it would not get worse, heal faster please. Big bro said, “in order to make him to see doctor is to knock him down, else he will never ever go.” True… true….

Dad went up to bed earlier than he used to be and the rest of us gathered in the living room to watch American Idol at 9.30pm. Suddenly, dad came down and sat there speechless and breathless.

“Pa, what’s wrong with you?”
“Take the table fan and blow on me.”
“Why are you sweating so bad?” while watching him forcing himself to breathe harder.
“Are you really ok?”
“Nothing wrong, stomach got excess gas only. Get me a glass of the Chinese herbs drink.”
“Stomach got problem or your heart and lungs got problem huh??!!?”

30 minutes later, his face turned really pale and he looked really like dead corpse! I took all his clothes that I packed that afternoon from the previous attempt. This time is for real! He can’t fight with us anymore. We dragged him to the car and off we drove to the private hospital. The nurses rushed him to ICU and 20 minutes after that the doctor entered. Big, 3rd bro and me were waiting outside anxiously while I answered 2nd bro’s call and questions.

Doctor came out looking worried and sympathized.

“How long has your dad been like this?”
“You mean his legs? It’s been few weeks from now.”
“I mean overall, everything. Do you know that he’s in a very critical and serious condition now? He’s very weak.”
“We didn’t know. I just got back this morning and just knew that he got such problem now. Before this he always insisted not to go to see doctor.”
“His lungs got fluid and his heart is weak that’s why he got difficulty in breathing. I have yet to check his kidneys, just hope that it won’t be like what I predicted. If it’s weak then it’s really critical. I’ll try my best ok? You all should stick on for a little while.”

I saw my used-to-be-rebellious big brother’s eyes went redish and he stood at the corner there alone. I was just numb and emotionless. I had no idea what I should do neither do I know how to feel. What if this is the last journey for him?? Can’t be…. No can’t be….. fortune teller said he will live till 80’s, please don’t lie to me… no…..no….

Finally, doctor announced to us that his condition was stabilized and 24 hours observation and treatment were needed. He will be in ICU for few days. It’s all because of the infected legs, all the virus and bacteria entered his blood stream for long time and attacked his body, in long run, resulted lungs and heart problem like that.

We took our turn to enter the ICU, “Pa, doctor said it’s better now. Don’t worry ok? You stay here, we got to go back now”
With his weak voice, he asked “How much is it going to cost?”
I felt very sad that all he could think of was money than his own life. Old memories flash back 20 years ago, back then we were living frugally. Dad was conned and cheated a huge amount of money and due to that all of us were suffered. My parents worked harder to support the family of 5 siblings. Time was hard for my family.