December 30, 2008

Spoke to the doctor and he said, "they will drain fluid on Wednesday next week." I guess they don't feel this is really critical and Anicia doesn't seem to be in pain or anything. It's just that when she feels her head, she'll give you this look once she feels the huge lump on her head! She was more relaxed and just enjoying some TV when I got there. Of course, I turned it off. Doctor said, she has to rest every 15 minutes and the nurse said, she has watched a lot of movies, oh my!

I got her a small radio. I showed Anicia how to use the earphones, how to turn the radio on and off. When she finally put the earphones, she closed her eyes and listened to the music. I tried to show her how to change the station, hmmm, I guess it's something we have to work on.

Thank you for your prayers everyone... keep on praying!!!

December 27, 2008

Results according to the doctor states that there is fluid leak and this is what's causing the swelling. That is something they expected. Now, waiting on the surgeon to decide if they will drain the fluid... But she was still all smiles and giggling mode specially when she saw George... We haven't seen her giggle so much before.

Will keep you posted. Please keep on praying... Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

December 26, 2008

Catscan done this morning but no results yet. OMG, blood pressure has been lower than it has been 128 over 84... almost normal!

Prayers, prayers, prayers...

December 25, 2008

Anicia responses very well when she's normal and awake. She was very happy to see Mark and Jojo. She gave them a big smile, held their hand tight and was almost in tears! She giggled with the siblings and some friends until the nurse gave her medication, then it was down hill from there. She was just staring and mostly closing her eyes. Some swelling again, catscan today and hoping everything goes well.

Thank you for your prayers but please keep on praying.... We know it will be a long journey but we will be patient because we know, it will happen. Not sometime soon but it will!!!

December 22, 2008

The meeting we had with the social worker and therapists on Dec. 16 was not very positive. They didn't sound like there was not very much hope because she was not responding at all to the therapists. But the following day Dec. 17, to their surprise, she started giggling, singing though we can't understand what she was saying and smiling! Her neighbor said, she was from no sound to very loud! Her personality is starting to come back... Last Thursday, Dec. 18, she tried to fold Roger's sleeves and making faces to find out, she was trying to tell them she was feeling hot. When they removed her pajama, she was happy. Dec. 19, she felt Roger's head and put his hood on. How exciting! Friday Dec. 19, when I spoke to the social worker, her tone of voice was very different and placement might just be a different story. We are hoping to be able to place her in a facility that we want vs a facility that is just available.
Please pray, pray, pray for her feeding tube to be removed by Christmas. Please pray for full and complete recovery for Anicia... Keep it up, it's working!

Dec. 18, 2008

Well, we met with the social worker and glad to let you know, Anicia is ready to move on. The challenge now is to find a facility that has skilled nurses. I called 10 places and only 3 has long term female beds available. Please help us pray everything works out so she can be moved to a more permanent place.

Please keep on praying. She is improving everyday!

December 14, 2008

It was a long wait for Megan and finally she sees Mom. Roger arrived first after not seeing Anicia for almost a week. Anicia was in tears... And after a few minutes, Megan arrives. Anicia cried! She even tried to lift her head. That is really good sign. She was transferred to a different unit. She is not in Unit 4D.

Please continue on praying, it's working!!!

December 7, 2008

Our visit today is very exciting. Anicia was up the whole time we were there. When we told her we were going dancing once she got out of the hospital, she moved her left leg. When we told her she was the prettiest and the sexiest amongst all the 6 (girl) siblings, she would close her eyes and raise her eyebrows. When we told her we were going to eat and eat once she gets better, she would squeeze our hand hard numerous times...

Thank you so much to everyone who has been keeping Anicia in their prayers. Please keep on praying. It's working, working wonders!

Out of ICU

Yappie... Anicia is out of ICU. She was transferred to a semi private room yesterday around 1 p.m. She is with Grandma who has also a big family like ours. Thank goodness she understand the traffic once family arrives! When you catch Anicia at the right moment she will respond to you. Thank you Lord!

Brace is Off

Everyday our prayers are slowly but surely being heard. Connie who is with Ate Anicette today reports that her neck brace is off and Anicette is looking good. She also seem to respond to Connie....more updates to come.

December 3, 2008

Anicia was awake the whole time we were at the hospital, at least 4 hours. She was actively moving her left arm and leg. Unfortunately, it looked like she didn't like the oxygen mask. She kept trying to remove it. She was making a lot of facial expressions. No smiley faces though. The drain in her brain was removed yesterday afternoon. No more fever...

Thank you so much for all your prayers. Please keep it up!

December 2, 2008

It's hard to believe, Anicia is off the breathing tube. Brain monitor is off as well. The next 2 days will determine if Anicia will be out of ICU. Carla and Mom says she looks really good! Getting better and better. She continues to move her left arm and left leg. Doctor says, there is sensation on her right side. They feel she will be able to recover with the help of therapy... Keep praying... It's working... Someone up there is listening...

December 1, 2008

Anicia is breathing on her own. Getting better... left hand on restraint because she keeps trying to pull out her tubes. I don't blame her, too many of them! She is stable. Like yesterday, her eyes were open most of the time until pain reliever was given to her. Then, she sleeps.

November 30, 2008

Oh my, oh my! Another day, more improvements. She was moving her left leg and left arm more. She made a fist. Held our hand with a tight grip, opened her eyes more. Pressure monitor is out, but still running a fever. ICP reading was between 7 -9. Overall, she is stable. Thank you so much to everyone who has been keeping her in your prayers. Keep praying... it's working!!!

November 29, 2008

Anicia is stable. Still running a fever.

Nov. 28, 2008, Mom, Jimvi, Sharon, Buddha, Connie, Jay and Rodge visits Anicia. She looked good, so much better! She seemed more relaxed and comfortable. I guess I wouldn't either if I had an ice blanket. Still running a temperature but not so bad. Jimvi and Sharon were in the room with Anicia for about 2 1/2 hours. ICP reading was 9 - 13 pretty much the whole time. No more medication to keep the blood pressure low, and she was not as sedated as the past few days. Her face is not swollen anymore. She opened her eyes, blinked a few times and moved her left arm up and wiggled her left hand. It is very exciting to see every little improvement.

Thank you to all of you who has been keeping Anicia in your prayers. Keep it up... it's working!

Due to the nature of Anicia's condition, we are requesting visitors please let a family member know if you plan to visit so we can monitor the traffic. Instructions were given to the hospital that visitation is only accepted if a family member is with them. Thank you for you cooperation and understanding.

Thanksgiving

After having a Thanksgiving brunch attended by Anicia's brothers and sisters (jimvi, sharon, carla, buddha, jay, connie and sixto) and their respective family members, Anicia's mom and auntie Millete, Anicia's daughters Rachel & Megan, Roger & son Kalanz, cousin Terry and a number of their friends the entire group headed to the hospital to visit Anicia around 1:00 pm.



The entire family met and were updated by the attending doctor on her condition:



1. They are still unsure what caused her condition. They say it is not a brain aneurysm and could not say for certain if it's due to hypertension. It is not their priority right now, what is most important is to get her well as best they can. They can deal with the cause at a later date.



2. She is better than she was two days ago but the situation is always in flux.



3. She is heavily sedated to help with the healing and swelling. That is the reason why she is still not conscious or have "waken" up.



4. She has early stages of pneumonia but they say this type of infection is expected as with other secondary infection that may occur due to her condition. They are not too concerned.



5. The doctor said that Anicia has suffered a massive bleeding on the left side of the brain (as to the cause they do not know - See note 1). They are unsure of the extent any damage would be but her age is a big plus in her recovery though she will eventually need rehab. Every individual is different but she is young and strong willed. We are all hopeful.



Please keep up with your prayers for Anicia's "full and speedy recovery".



Last of the family members went home at 5:30 pm - Thanksgiving day.

Bishop Alvaro Prayer

Before I forget, thank you Joel (Barrios) for getting this blog site started. Joel also posted a prayer for Anicia and it asks for the intercession of Bishop Alvaro on her behalf. Jimvi wanted me to post an explanation on why....

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo was elected the first successor of St. Josemaria on Sept 15, 1975. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II to be the Prelate of Opus Dei and on Jan 6, 1991 was ordained a bishop.

When he joined Opus Dei in 1935, he lived his vocation to Opus Dei with complete fidelity, through the sanctification of professional work and the fulfillment of everyday duties, and carried out a far reaching apostolate among his fellow students and colleagues at work. Bishop Alvaro del Portillo had a deep sense of divine filiation, a tender devotion to our Lady. His ardent zeal to win souls for Christ was reflected in his episcopal motto: Regnare Christum volumus! We want Christ to reign!

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo died on March 23, 1994. The day of his death, Pope John Paul II went to pray before his mortal remains, which now rest in the crypt of the church of the Prelature, Our Lady of Peace.

On a personal note, Jimvi and I are a witness to his intercession. A good friend of our family was stricken with the same illness as Anicia on April 2008. We just had dinner with him and his wife a month ago and there are no signs that anything ever happened to him just a few months earlier. It is truly a miracle!

Though there is no guaranty that a similar result will come to Anicia, we can only hope and pray. We are to trust in God that His will be done.

That we believe at this moment in Anicia's life, when she can only see one set of footprint in the sand, that Christ is carrying her.

Nov 26, 2008
12:30 pm

As the days go by we should be prepared that Ate Anicia's condition will fluctuate between good and bad news. We should always temper our emotions as we go through this journey.
The latest is that Anicia has a fever brought about by what the Dr's think is early stages of pneumonia. They have done a culture to see what is going on - as of this time the result of that culture has not come back.
Her ICP is a bit elavated but the Dr's feel this may have something to do with her current condition. Otherwise, all things are stable.
Buddha is scheduled to visit the hospital today. We will try to keep you informed as information passes.

Prayer for Anicia

Oh God, Merciful Father, your granted your servant Alvaro, Bishop, the grace of being an exemplary pastor in the service of the Church, and a most faithful son and
successor Saint Josemaria, the founder of Opus Dei. Grant that I too may respond to the demands of the Christian vocation, turning all the circumstances and events of my life into opportunities to love you and serve the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Deign to glorify your servant, Alvaro and through his intercession grant me the favor I request, the speedy and FULL recovery for Anicia. Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father...

In conformity with the decrees of Pope Urban VIII, we declare that there is no intention of anticipating in any way the judgement of the Church, and that this prayer is not intended for public use.