Tears Of An Angel

Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Forever isn't long enough

My hands were as cold as Ice while waiting for the result of my tests. Mama probably had noticed it because she took my hand and squeezed it gently. I forced a smile and squeezed it back. I glanced at papa. He looked tense and worried like mama. 

"Papa," I called.

"Yes, anak?"

I gave him a smile. He smiled back at me but I could still see it in his eyes. He was worried and scared. I didn't wanna make them feel this way, but what could I do? How I wished Vince was with me. I needed and wanted him to be by my side to depend on. But I couldn't tell him. 

Ngayon din magaganap ang meeting niya kay Mr. Crawford. Kahit kailangan ko siya ay hindi ako pwedeng maging makasarili. I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. Napakislot pa ako ng pumasok na ang doktor. Ang kuya ni Jerome.

"Good morning," he said. 

We greeted him back. He sighed then looked at me. I felt like the world came crushing down on me. I knew right away what he was about to tell us. I had that feeling. 

"Doc, what is the result of my daughter's tests?" Papa asked. 

Doctor Chavez took a deep breath then dropped the bomb. "I'm sorry. But as suspected, she has Dilated Cardiomyopathy."

"W-what? My Chela has C-Cardiomyopathy? What is that?" tanong ni Mama na nangingilid na ang mga luha.

"Dilated cardiomyopathy develops when the ventricles enlarge and weaken," he said then explained what ventricles were. "Usually, nag-uumpisa po ito sa left ventricle. But over time it can also affect the right ventricle. Kapag po humina ang mga ito ay hindi na mag-pa-pump ng maayos. It will cause the heart muscle to work harder than usual."

"At ano ang pwedeng mangyari, doc?" tanong ni Papa.

"Over time, the heart will not pump blood effectively. This can lead to heart failure, heart valve disease, irregular heart rate, and blood clots in the heart. Most of the time, the cause of it is unknown. While one third of the people who have this inherited it from their parents. 

He explained more about the signs and symptoms. But I couldn't absorb it anymore. Si Mama ay iyak ng iyak habang yakap ako. While Papa was trying so hard to be strong for us, but I knew he was close to breaking down, as well. It was killing me, seeing them like this.

"What should we do, doc?" Papa asked.

"Well, people who have this but don't show any signs or symptoms may not need treatment. Pwede rin po kasing mawala iyon. But as for Chela, she needs to be treated."

"Gaano na po ba kalala ang kalagayan ng anak ko?" Mama asked, crying.

"I'll be honest with you, ma'am. She needs to undergo surgery. But I can't guarantee you that it will be a hundred percent successful. Of course, there are risks."

"I need to be operated on?" I asked, breaking my silence. 

Doctor Chavez looked at me. "Yes, Chela. A heart transplant. I will put you on the list right away."

"Pero dok, hindi ba mahirap makahanap ng donor para sa anak ko?"

"Don't lose hope, Ma'am. Sir."

Hindi na ako nagsalita o nagtanong. The doctor said that we shouldn't lose hope. But who were we kidding? I know the list of people who need a new heart is quite long. On our way home, Mama was just crying while hugging me. I tried to comfort her even if I was in pain, as well. Papa was just silent. But I could see the misery in his eyes. Pagdating sa bahay ay niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. He just kept on saying how much he loves me.