One of the things Tatay would have wanted

When the hospital advised us to take our father home to be “home cared”, one of the things that we need to have is a suction machine. My dad had already undergone Tracheotomy  so he is breathing through a tube inserted in his throat. Therefore he can no longer speak or open his mouth. We have no idea how much a suction machine costs (with the hospital bills shooting up the charts),  but through prayers and generous kind hearted friends, we were able to purchase one for Tatay. 

I did not have formal training how to suction. My Dad had a lot of phlegm that needs to be vacuumed. Only the nurses can do it properly until my mom and sister were the first brave ones to learn how to insert a suction catheter inside the throat of my Dad so he can breathe. One night, I was left alone with my ate Helen when he needs to be suctioned. When the situation called for it, Meredith Grey took over me and the next thing I knew I was already doing the suctioning.

A suction machine, though it’s pricey, is necessary for a stroke patient. Without it, my dad’s breathing would be blocked. It is not a nice view to see phlegm literally getting sucked out of your father’s throat but you become braver and braver each day when you get immune to the idea that it needs to be done for him to survive. 

While our house was undergoing some changes, literally, in preparation for Tatay's arrival after being hospitalized ( borrow hospital bed, clean house, get oxygen, etc.), UPLB's University Health Service was kind enough to let us stay there for a week while we fix the house. 

Our Tatay was only able to use his suction machine for less than a month and a half and we still have brand new suction catheters, so our family decided to donate it to the University Health Service (Infirmary) because ...

... it is just exactly what our Tatay  would have wanted.