Friday, April 20, 2012

AN UNPLANNED MEDICAL VACATION THIS LENT LEADS TO A MORE BALANCED LIFE AND DIET

THE METAMORPHOSIS By Ernie D. Delfin AN UNPLANNED MEDICAL VACATION THIS LENT LEADS TO A MORE BALANCE LIFE AND DIET In a person’s lifetime, there will be a few major events that will cause some significant life-style adjustments or profound metaphysical changes in his life. Those events are often planned or patiently worked for its fulfillment, such as one’s college graduation, wedding or even a divorce. Some occurrences, however, like a major accident or illness, come along like a thief in the night and the person must deal with it as best as he can. March 7, 2012 was one of those days that I will never forget as I underwent a Da Vinci Robotic Laparoscopic surgery where I was put to sleep for over three hours at the Torrance Memorial Hospital. That hospital stay was just the second time I ever slept in a hospital bed; the first time was in a Dagupan City (Philippines) hospital due to serious car accident 35 years ago. This surgery hopefully has prolonged my life but also changed it dramatically altered my life-style, including my diet! After I was asked to sign a document giving the doctors full authority to do anything to save my life in the event of any unexpected occurrences that may happen during the surgery, I felt completely vulnerable and have accepted my own mortality. And yes, the feeling of complete surrender to my God was all I could do in silent prayer, to achieve some degree of peace and tranquility within myself. With the wonders of science and technology, I really did not know nor feel anything from the time I was given a laxative drug prior to the anesthesia injection in the surgery room. When I woke up, several hours later, I was already in the recovery room, and noticed for the first time those intravenous tubes and computer screens beside my bed that were obviously monitoring my vital signs to the nurse’s station. With a grateful heart, I thanked God that the surgery was successful and that I was alive! Due to the wonders of modern medicine and technology, I was discharged the following day, which started my forced vacation at home for several weeks, but with a tube attached to my body for a week! Although with some degree of pains and discomfort, the mind and the spirit appeared to become sharper and fortified as if to compensate the weakening of the physical body. The three weeks since the surgery (so far) have given me a lot of hours thinking, pondering, reminiscing, reading and writing. It was a rare luxury of time, that I never had before in my six decades of earthly existence. It’s a grand vacation without much expense in the confines of my own home with very light physical activity in my farmyard during this unusually cold springtime. Surprisingly, I also felt happy and contented with my newfound life status as a semi-retired businessman with reduced commitments and the absence of my normal activities, as per doctor’s orders for about month or two. -------- My forced vacation during this Holy Week had me contemplating what truly matters in my own life. This medical leave is causing my mind, spirit and body to live in harmony, a much needed equilibrium in my life. A real metamorphosis is happening for me this Springtime, including my food intake. The doctor advised me to abstain from meat as it is the best food to attract the cancer cells to come back. Now, those inviting juicy advertisements for steak and lobsters or rich-in-cholesterol foods that are quite prevalent in our society are gradually becoming unattractive for me. For about three weeks now, my palate’s craving for a medium rare prime rib steak with sautéed mushrooms and baked potatoes with gravy with red wine is almost gone! If the doctor is right, getting rid of my prostate that was afflicted with aggressive cancer cells at that early stage has given me another l5-25 years of life will be a great bonus. With God’s blessing and mercy, I have resolved to make each day, each week worth living for by doing something positive every day, not only for myself and family’s welfare but also for others. I hope that I can continue to make a difference to somebody and leave this world a better place for my children and their children. What is truly important in one’s life? Nobody can answer that philosophical question for us, but when we are alone, divorced from the busyness and noise of the world, in the deep recesses of our soul, there lies a silent voice that whispers an honest answer that breathes life unto our spirit to become more vibrant and joyful. The past few weeks that I have been physically down, I felt quite blessed and fortunate that I am again in deep communion with my mind and spirit, that somehow were neglected and not been adequately nourished as they should have been in the past. The Lenten Season biblical stories have given me fresh perspectives and renewed my faith more profoundly this time. For instance, last Sunday’s gospel tells of a story how Christ was moved by so much compassion for Lazarus’ relatives’ mourning over the former’s death, that He brought Lazarus back to life. Likewise, I have that inexplicable belief that Christ also loves me that much despite my sinfulness that He is making me recover very well to live fully to do His will. Next week, Christian churches will celebrate Christ’s passion that will lead to His death on the cross but He will come back to life during His Resurrection on the third day. Man’s sufferings, like my recent ailment, can never be compared to Christ’s suffering and sacrifice for our redemption. The timing of my surgery during Lent has given me priceless lessons and fortified me in my own share of human sufferings and struggles during my lifetime. Now, I realize that being sick and forced into an unplanned vacation is a part and parcel of our human condition; imperfect as we human beings are, we probably need these warning signals to remind us of our mortality and to purify us from the many toxins that we accumulate in our topsy-turvy world. The interdependence of all human beings was made more profound this time of my life. The virtue of trust (to my doctors, nurses and all who ministered my needs) and the virtue of gratitude (to all who expressed love and concern, especially my family and friends, including those scientists and inventors of this expensive Da Vinci Robot and the powerful medicines) touched the core of my being profusely especially the times when I felt very down and vulnerable. As that popular song of yesteryears declares “People need people”. Yes, indeed, we are just one world, and a very small world after all! This Holy Week and every week for the rest of my life, as I continue to receive the countless gifts of life-giving love from others, I pray that I am also able to give the same to others. Then, and only then that my life is worth living for, in complete gratitude to HIM who gives us life. HAVE A BLESSED HOLY WEEK, EVERY ONE! - 3 0 --- Email writer: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

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