Photo Contest: Gift's of the Holy Spirit realized

God saved my brother from death

First of, thank you @escuetapamela for this contest. Congrats!

I have been wanting to write about this incident that suddenly happened to us and after things settled down I have a clearer disposition.

In this contest by @escuetapamela you have to share one photo that depicts the Gifts of the Holy Spirit which are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Check this contest for more details.

12:00 a.m. April 1, 2018.

My brother was on his way home to work. According to the best of his recollection, he miscalculated the distance of the curve that he is ahead him and he swerved too early such that he hit the ditch instead. At what speed he was running is not known. However, he was thrown out of his motorbike and hit one of the barriers. The impact was enough to crush his left cheekbone and other bones surrounding the eye. The supporting structure of his eye were damaged as well.

3:00 a.m.

It was until around 3:00 a.m. that the police were able to contact his wife. His wife was not alarmed why he was not yet home by that time because it usually happens that his work calls for overtime. His wife assumed it was for that reason. She was surprised then when she was called that morning being informed that her husband was in the hospital.

As good hearted citizen in a taxi saw my brother's bike in a such a position and asked the driver of the taxi to check it out only to realize of the mishap. They then called for medical assistance who came and picked up my brother. He was then rushed to the public hospital. The reputation of this hospital is on the bad light such that suffice it to say that they neglect their patients and could let them die. Too harsh? There are many reports about that hospital that points to that. Enough said.

The hospital staff and police informed his wife that they cannot unlock my brother's phone to see who they can contact. They were hoping that it was not protected with password so they can start contacting whoever is on his phonebook. For hours they did not bother to check for an identification. It was only around the time the police called the wife that they had the bright idea to check for an ID. The contact info for emergency was written at the back of his employee ID. Good thing someone was smart enough to contact the wife.

10:00 a.m.

When we were informed, we rushed to the hospital. Only one person was allowed. The first person that the wife was able to contact was one of their friends who immediately head to the hospital to check on my brother. He said that they had to perform a minor surgery on him in his bed to reduce the pressure and swelling on his face. We had to wait until 10:00 when visiting hour is allowed. His is still swollen and every now and then bloody teardrop would come out from his right eye so we have to constantly wipe it. There was sensation on his right side of his face. He cannot even feel if a tear would fall.

Now, this is the interesting part.

7:00 p.m.

According to the CT scan, my brother only suffered a minor crack and the swelling can be reduced by medicines. Hopefully. No one doctor came that day. We waited until 7:00 p.m. and asked a resident about the status of my brother. My sister kindly asked but was met with a harsh reply and in a raised voice that the doctor is done with his rounds implying that the doctor have already visited my brother. When they treat you like you don't know anything, push back! My sister stood up and faced the resident and looked her in the eye and said that we were there until 7:00 p.m. No doctor came. She further stated that she was asking kindly and that the resident was rude to reply that way. The resident apologized and said she will look into it.

She did not.

We then informed the hospital to transfer my brother the next day because obviously no one is assisting us. We had to wait until 5:00 p.m. the next day to be released from the hospital. We had to wait for the doctor who will release him and the process is painstakingly slow.

The statement that they can allow their patients to die is not far from the truth. Talk about incompetence!

More interesting part.

April 3, 2018

Doctors at the hospital that my brother was transferred told us that his right cheek was crushed. Crushed! As compared from the previous hospital who said just a crack. It was concluded that he needs an operation and they will replace and probably restore the bone structure of his damaged face if they can.

Side story.

My sister had an emergent operation for appendicitis and coincidentally removal of an ovarian cyst last January 2018. Imaging our surprise that she stopped paying Philhealth. She has no insurance and no stable job. We had to spend at least PHP100,000++ for everything. This set us back financially and we started at 0.

Now this. Where to begin?

The doctor's estimation of my brother's implant to be used is PHP80,000++. We have to raise that kind of money before they will start the operation. There were issues that they went ahead with the operation but then had a hard time collecting from patients. It is understandable that they have to implant such rule.

Again, my brother stopped paying his Philhealth contribution and the company he works for did not provide insurance. His wife on the other hand has Maxicare and that will only cover hospital bills and doctors' fees. My brother needed four doctors to take care of him.

The moment my brother met an accident, the goodness of God is realized.

Much to our consternation, he has no license yet and has no plate number. We are thankful then that he did not hit another vehicle or any property. If that happens, we would have to deal with bigger financial situation.

When we learned of the initial amount needed, I had to loan from the bank. Usually, it takes two days before the money can be transferred to my account. However, it was transferred the next day. Financial help started pouring in a few days after he was transferred and by Saturday, April 7, 2018, the fund is available. He would have to be scheduled for Monday, April 9, 2018, for surgery.

Thank God the surgery was a success and he is now in recovery without complications.

My brother had an accident but thank God it happened to him. If it happened to others, I don't know. It could be worse. Help is constantly pouring in and that is how God's goodness, kindness, love, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is realized.

I am just thankful for this experience. We cannot control everything but God is always there for us. Have faith and he will provide for us. Before we asked, he answered. I am thankful that my brother is spared. We may have to spend a lot but God's grace will see us through.

I still Praise God for all his blessings flow.