I started to feel the early signs of the "stroke" that was to hit me that Friday (Nov. 6) at 10:00 am.
Fast-forward, same day 7:00 pm.
As I stood by the 5th level window of Ward 15 of Changi General Hospital's Acute Stroke Unit, staring over the lush and green car park below, I imagined the drastic changes that my life might take as a result of this development. Will I be able to go back to teaching again? Should the family push through with plans of going back to the Philippines for holidays? Will I be able to come home on the 12th to celebrate my daughter's 10th birthday?
And then the thought struck me.
Casually, I looked around to see if anyone in the room happened to be looking my way. None. Throwing away my inhibitions off the th story window, I went..STOMP, STOMP, CLAP -----no reaction from other patients in the room apart from the Indian lady on the bed behind me who gave me a quizzical stare. I ignored her and went...STOMP, STOMP, CLAP...STOMP, STOMP, CLAP...STOMP, STOMP, CLAP...Surprisingly , my legs and hands kept up with the rhythm. Oh thank God, I still have the 22nd November to look forward to. Lights out. End of day.
November 7. 6:00AM
I woke up to what seems to be a normal day. To my right, the panoramic view of the city appears tranquil as the sun is just beginning to peep over the eastern horizon. A light mist hung by the glass window partially obstructing the empty parking lot. The scent of freshly brewed coffee floated through the air, as if tempting me to get up and indulge in a cupful. But wait, something's wrong...I can't seem to move my left arm. My legs are fine but the fingers on my left hand appear to be indifferent to the summons coming from my head.
Oh no.
"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Praise be to God" I guess I'll have to sit out this performance afterall...
(The ending of this narrative is in your hands, guys. I'll be by the sidelines, observing, listening, cheering you on and documenting the events as they unfold. Believe. You guys are good.
So, come on FVS, rock it to me...Sing it!
"We will....WE WILL....)
Words by Lorenzo Antonio C. Angel
Fast-forward, same day 7:00 pm.
As I stood by the 5th level window of Ward 15 of Changi General Hospital's Acute Stroke Unit, staring over the lush and green car park below, I imagined the drastic changes that my life might take as a result of this development. Will I be able to go back to teaching again? Should the family push through with plans of going back to the Philippines for holidays? Will I be able to come home on the 12th to celebrate my daughter's 10th birthday?
And then the thought struck me.
Casually, I looked around to see if anyone in the room happened to be looking my way. None. Throwing away my inhibitions off the th story window, I went..STOMP, STOMP, CLAP -----no reaction from other patients in the room apart from the Indian lady on the bed behind me who gave me a quizzical stare. I ignored her and went...STOMP, STOMP, CLAP...STOMP, STOMP, CLAP...STOMP, STOMP, CLAP...Surprisingly , my legs and hands kept up with the rhythm. Oh thank God, I still have the 22nd November to look forward to. Lights out. End of day.
November 7. 6:00AM
I woke up to what seems to be a normal day. To my right, the panoramic view of the city appears tranquil as the sun is just beginning to peep over the eastern horizon. A light mist hung by the glass window partially obstructing the empty parking lot. The scent of freshly brewed coffee floated through the air, as if tempting me to get up and indulge in a cupful. But wait, something's wrong...I can't seem to move my left arm. My legs are fine but the fingers on my left hand appear to be indifferent to the summons coming from my head.
Oh no.
"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Praise be to God" I guess I'll have to sit out this performance afterall...
(The ending of this narrative is in your hands, guys. I'll be by the sidelines, observing, listening, cheering you on and documenting the events as they unfold. Believe. You guys are good.
So, come on FVS, rock it to me...Sing it!
"We will....WE WILL....)
Words by Lorenzo Antonio C. Angel