Papa's health

The New Year does not augur well for Papa's health.

A couple of weeks ago, on my way back to Papa's car from a shopping mall with Ah Hui, we saw him slumped in his seat, his eyes dazed and his jaw seemed lolling off its hinge. Ah Hui opened the door and asked if he was feeling all right.  Papa nodded his head but I could see some yellowish hue under his pallor.

"Do you have a temperature?" I asked, extending my hand to touch his forehead.  
"Ya, a little." Papa warded off my hand weakly, his hand cold against mine.

Ah Hui took over driving and that night, a sharp pain shot up from under Papa's chest, waking him up and reducing him to a moaning heap. Ah Hui rushed him to hospital immediately and left me a message. However, I was sound asleep in my house and my cellphone was only switched on when I woke up at seven the next day. Being immobile, I could not do anything, but I felt bad for letting Ah Hui handle everything.

Papa was diagnosed with gallstones, and the doctor would decide on the day of his operation on 17 February. I wonder why Papa has to wait for so long.  For the time being, he depends on a steady dose of painkillers to stabilize his condition, but what if the pain occurs again? 

Papa has been careful with his eating all these years and I cannot for the life of me figure out why he has gallstones.  Parkinson's Disease has already aged him drastically, and why should one more suffering be added up to him? Every day, I am filled with the fear that he will leave me one day.

One night, I dreamt that I was taking part in a competition. I was leading the pack from start to finish, receiving a congratulatory rain of confetti amid applause on the podium. When the guest of honor presented my prize, I was shocked to learn that it was a fat old man.

"Why are you giving me an old man?" I remonstrated. "I don't understand."
"He is your new Papa," explained the MC, "a healthy and wealthy father."
"I don't want him," I shouted in disbelief. "I want my Papa, my real Papa!"

I hurried down and searched for Papa in the sea of audience, but I could not find him. I then rushed out of the stadium, calling for Papa at the top of my lungs as I elbowed my way through the crowds.

I woke up in cold sweat, and the first thing I did was to cross myself and pray for Papa's safety. Heavenly Father, be merciful to my Papa. Alleviate his pain and let him enjoy the fruit of health again.

Papa, I need you, and promise me that you'll be okay.

Comments

suituapui said…
Oh dear!!! Why such a long wait? God bless him - hope all goes well, may he have a speedy recovery, take care all.
February 9, 2016 at 1:23 PM
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