"Be grateful for the little things - the ability to chew, taste, swallow - the way your kids enjoy Jollibee chicken or McDonald's french fries. Be aware of your child's deep breathing when they sleep, and the smell of their hair when they snuggle up to you. When they ask you for a new Playstation - remember Joaqui, who could not even hold a spoon, let alone a video game controller."
Joaqui Imperial was born 1 year, 11 months ago with a congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot. It was a stressful birth for him, and the doctors immediately informed us that he had to have a major heart operation to survive. He was rushed to the Phil. Heart Center - in the ambulance, his oxygen saturation was hitting the mid-30s (normal is 99). Aside from his heart defect, he had Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy or to put it simply, brain damage from lack of oxygen. He underwent a stop-gap procedure that let him live in spite of his heart defects.
He was a fighter, and was eventually discharged from the hospital after more than 3 weeks. During our stay, I witnessed 6 other children who did not make it - Joaqui was one of the lucky ones.
At home, Joaqui was fed through a tube in his mouth. We discovered that the damage to his brain manifested itself in ways that denied him the ability to eat, talk, swallow, sit, grasp and move normally. He could not lie down because he had reflux (vomiting episodes) that might result in his milk going into his lungs. He also suffered from sensory and neurological issues that required constant occupational and physical therapy.
Joaqui had 3 yayas taking care of him 24x7, with another one on standbye for hospital visits. His room looked like a drugstore - with tubes, syringes, medication, therapy equipment and an oxygen tank on standbye. He was in and out of hospitals for different reasons - apparently, his weak immune system made him susceptible to infections. The common cold, which is relatively harmless for us, had a high chance of developing into bronchitis or pneumonia for him. He must have visited the emergency room more than 15 times over the past 2 years, in addition to the countless doctors visits and therapy sessions. Life for him was his room, the terrace and the hospitals.
Last year, he was losing so much weight that the doctors suggested his tube be moved to his stomach. That helped a lot and enabled him to gain pounds and be stronger. Around October, he underwent an angiogram and the doctors said it was almost time for his second heart operation. His disease required him to undergo a total of 3 major procedures to 'fix' his heart - and he was already due for the 2nd procedure. In late January of 2006, he was operated on and it was a success. He lost his grayish-blue color, became chubby and pinkish. He still could not lie down normally, since the procedure on his heart required him to be constantly upright. His 'modified' heart used gravity instead of a normal pumping action - i.e. blood from his head and upper body 'flowed' into the lungs instead of being pumped.
He had a healthy glow and was more physically active. He started smiling a lot and his eyes were always curious and alert. We became more aggressive with his therapy, and we were optimistic about his chances. We were also getting ready to measure him for leg splints, to help him stand up and hopefully, to walk.
Around 1am Monday, May 1, he vomited blood and we rushed him to the E.R. of Manila Doctors Hospital. He had very high fever (40.6) and he had 3-4 seizures early Tuesday morning. He was sedated and at 8am, his heart started failing. His doctors tried to revive him and give life support using a variety of drugs and machines. Joaqui passed away 10:20am last Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Ironically, after we were being so protective of his heart during his whole life, he was downed by an infection that resulted into sepsis.
While he was being buried yesterday, I gave a short talk about Joaqui's purpose - because when you really think about it, what could a sick 23-month old child be capable of achieving? He had global developmental delay, could probably never have gone to school, or even had the chance to ride a bike.
I personally feel that he was here to bring family and friends together. There were a lot of visitors - including a high school batchmate who I havent seen in 20 years, and a college buddy who I last talked to 16 years ago. His other purpose, which is equally important, was to remind all of us to be thankful.
If Joaqui could talk, he would probably say - "....to the daddies and mommies, celebrate each day that your child is with you". Be tolerant when your baby boy or girl spills food on the floor - or when he runs around the house all day. Cherish your child's laughter (Joaqui's laugh had no sound) - and even the times when they wet the bed. There are a lot of sick children who cannot even sleep normally, let alone sit or lie down.
I remember this little phrase: 'I felt bad when I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.'
Be grateful for the little things - the ability to chew, taste, swallow - the way your kids enjoy Jollibee chicken or McDonald's french fries. Be aware of your child's deep breathing when they sleep, and the smell of their hair when they snuggle up to you. When they ask you for a new Playstation - remember Joaqui, who could not even hold a spoon, let alone a video game controller.
Our little angel Joaqui was not a normal child - but he was definitely a special one. We are saddened he left so suddenly, but we are heartened by the fact he will now be at peace.
Goodbye Joaquin, we'll say hello to you again someday.
He was a fighter, and was eventually discharged from the hospital after more than 3 weeks. During our stay, I witnessed 6 other children who did not make it - Joaqui was one of the lucky ones.
At home, Joaqui was fed through a tube in his mouth. We discovered that the damage to his brain manifested itself in ways that denied him the ability to eat, talk, swallow, sit, grasp and move normally. He could not lie down because he had reflux (vomiting episodes) that might result in his milk going into his lungs. He also suffered from sensory and neurological issues that required constant occupational and physical therapy.
Joaqui had 3 yayas taking care of him 24x7, with another one on standbye for hospital visits. His room looked like a drugstore - with tubes, syringes, medication, therapy equipment and an oxygen tank on standbye. He was in and out of hospitals for different reasons - apparently, his weak immune system made him susceptible to infections. The common cold, which is relatively harmless for us, had a high chance of developing into bronchitis or pneumonia for him. He must have visited the emergency room more than 15 times over the past 2 years, in addition to the countless doctors visits and therapy sessions. Life for him was his room, the terrace and the hospitals.
Last year, he was losing so much weight that the doctors suggested his tube be moved to his stomach. That helped a lot and enabled him to gain pounds and be stronger. Around October, he underwent an angiogram and the doctors said it was almost time for his second heart operation. His disease required him to undergo a total of 3 major procedures to 'fix' his heart - and he was already due for the 2nd procedure. In late January of 2006, he was operated on and it was a success. He lost his grayish-blue color, became chubby and pinkish. He still could not lie down normally, since the procedure on his heart required him to be constantly upright. His 'modified' heart used gravity instead of a normal pumping action - i.e. blood from his head and upper body 'flowed' into the lungs instead of being pumped.
He had a healthy glow and was more physically active. He started smiling a lot and his eyes were always curious and alert. We became more aggressive with his therapy, and we were optimistic about his chances. We were also getting ready to measure him for leg splints, to help him stand up and hopefully, to walk.
Around 1am Monday, May 1, he vomited blood and we rushed him to the E.R. of Manila Doctors Hospital. He had very high fever (40.6) and he had 3-4 seizures early Tuesday morning. He was sedated and at 8am, his heart started failing. His doctors tried to revive him and give life support using a variety of drugs and machines. Joaqui passed away 10:20am last Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Ironically, after we were being so protective of his heart during his whole life, he was downed by an infection that resulted into sepsis.
While he was being buried yesterday, I gave a short talk about Joaqui's purpose - because when you really think about it, what could a sick 23-month old child be capable of achieving? He had global developmental delay, could probably never have gone to school, or even had the chance to ride a bike.
I personally feel that he was here to bring family and friends together. There were a lot of visitors - including a high school batchmate who I havent seen in 20 years, and a college buddy who I last talked to 16 years ago. His other purpose, which is equally important, was to remind all of us to be thankful.
If Joaqui could talk, he would probably say - "....to the daddies and mommies, celebrate each day that your child is with you". Be tolerant when your baby boy or girl spills food on the floor - or when he runs around the house all day. Cherish your child's laughter (Joaqui's laugh had no sound) - and even the times when they wet the bed. There are a lot of sick children who cannot even sleep normally, let alone sit or lie down.
I remember this little phrase: 'I felt bad when I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.'
Be grateful for the little things - the ability to chew, taste, swallow - the way your kids enjoy Jollibee chicken or McDonald's french fries. Be aware of your child's deep breathing when they sleep, and the smell of their hair when they snuggle up to you. When they ask you for a new Playstation - remember Joaqui, who could not even hold a spoon, let alone a video game controller.
Our little angel Joaqui was not a normal child - but he was definitely a special one. We are saddened he left so suddenly, but we are heartened by the fact he will now be at peace.
Goodbye Joaquin, we'll say hello to you again someday.
2006 email sent by Ernie Imperial, father of Joaqui
1 comment:
Joaqui went to heaven on May 2.
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