Astig II (The Promise)

Chapter 39 - The Aftershock

Makalipas ang isang oras nagising si Jaybee sa loob ng isang private room sa hospital.  Nandoon ang kanyang mga magulang.

Jaybee:  Ma, Pa, what happened?

Baste:  Hinimatay ka anak, sabi ng Doctor probably because of too much emotions. Nashock ka daw eh sabi ni Alex.  She tried to do something sinampal ka niya and it seems that you were awake isinigaw mo lang ang pangalan ni Mandie tapos hinimatay ka na.

Kusang tumulo ang mga luha sa kanyang pisngi ng marinig niya ang pangalan ni Mandie. Bumalik sa ala-ala niya ang mga putok na narinig niya at ang  ni Mandie sa sahig. Umuukilkil sa utak niya ang duguan at halos walang buhay na katawan ni Mandie. Hindi niya kaya ang mga naglalaro a kanyang isip.  Mariin siyang pumikit ayaw na niyang malala, ayaw na niyang isipin pa.

Janine: Hijo, please calm down. We need you to calm down or baka mapapano ka na naman eh.

Ipinilig niya ang ulo niya. Pinilit niyang itinukod sa kama ang kamay pinipilit niyang galawin ang kanyang mga binti at hita para nakaupo pero nagulat siyang hindi niya ito maigalaw at wala siyang nararamdaman ng hawakan niya at pisilin ang mga hita.

Jaybee:  Papa, Mama... I cannot feel anything on my leg and thigh. Papa!  Bakit hindi ko maigalaw ang mga binti ko!  PAPA!!! 

Natarantang napatayo ang magasawa at pinisil ni Janine at Baste ang  mga binti at hita nito pero walang nararamdaman si Jaybee at nagwala na naman ito. 

Jaybee:  THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!!! NO!!!

Lumabas si Baste at tinawag ang doctor. Wala silang nagawa kung hindi turukan ito ng pampakalma at pampatulog.  Tsaka dinala sa kanilang lab para sa mga examination.

Ilang oras pa ang dumaan at kalmado na si Jaybee ay kinausap sila ng Doctor.  Tahimik lang itong nakatingin a kawalan. Tumutulo ang luha pero hindi nagsasalita basta nakikinig lang sa sinasabi ng kanyang Doctor.

Janine:  Doc, what is happening to my son?

Doctor Ariaga:  Your son is suffering from  Paralysis - it  is the loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel nothing) in part or most part of the body.  In his case it is paralysis of his lower extremity or lower limbs.  While some types of paralysis, such as paralysis caused by a complete spinal cord injury, are irreparable, other types of paralysis like this are only temporary and can be cured.

Baste:  So, it's Temporary Paralysis... papanong nangyari yon?

Doctor Ariaga:  Temporary paralysis often results from a genetic condition.  If I am mistaken may nararamdaman na siyang pangangalay and numbness before lalo na kapag stress siya.  That leaves an individual susceptible to periods of paralysis after exposure to certain triggers. These triggers may include temperature fluctuations, extreme temperatures, stress, hunger, excitement, or in your case Jaybee - a traumatic experience that your mind and body cannot accept or contain.

Baste:   What can we do to treat this? How long do you think this will take.

Doctor Arciaga:  There are several therapies and treatments available for temporary paralysis.  Treatments  may involve lifestyle changes, exercise and physical activity regimens, oral potassium chloride supplements etc.   As to how long this will take? I don't know but it depends on how well and good Jaybee will deal with it and how he take that traumatic experience.

Jaybee:  Can you just send me home and do all the treatment and therapy there?

Doctor Arciaga:  Of course I can, we will just have to run all the necessary test for a day or two and we'll  find you all the therapist and nurse that you need. Then I will send you home.