I Got My Qatar Visa In Just Four Days

On September 30, 2016, at exactly 6:00AM,  4 days after Glenn's heart attack, I was standing in front of the Qatar Embassy (in the Philippines) holding 4 things: my passport, Glenn's medical certificate from Hamad Heart Hospital, a few pictures, employment contract, and a plane ticket scheduled to fly off on the same day before midnight.

I did not have a visa yet. I was only given two names of people who would help me talk to the Consul to allow me to have a visa in Qatar.

I did not know that Qatar Visa in the Philippines can only be applied either online or via mail and that when approved, it will only be sent via DHL in a span of 14 days. I only learned about this when I tried to talk to the guard.

I took a breather, prayed harder, and look for another way to enter the building. 

This time, they were two guards.

I talked to the first guard and he said, "Ma'am, wala pong ganyang empleyado dito." I gave him the second name but still, it was unfamiliar.

Then the second guard came to us and asked me, "Ma'am, ikaw ba ung may appointment kay Ma'am Jill?"

I said yes, even if I didn't know her. The first guard looked at me and let me in.

Inside the embassy, I was scolded by Ma'am Jill. She asked why am I inside, who allowed me to get in, how did I know her name, and finally why am I there. I did not answer any of her questions. I only begged her to let me talk to the Consul because I needed a visa. 

She was surprised that I wanted to talk to the Consul. 

"Sigurado ka, sinabi sa iyong kakausapin mo ung Consul? Hindi pwedeng kausapin basta basta and Consul. Kami ngang staff di basta pinapapasok." sabi nya habang binabalik sa akin and employment contract.

"Sige na po Ma'am, kasi po naatake po ung asawa ko, kailangan ko pong makapunta ng Qatar." sabi ko sabay pakita ng medical certificate at ng picture nya sa hospital habang nagdadasal.

Binasa naman niya ung medical certificate at tinignan ung picture. Tapos tinawag nya ung kasamahan nya at sinabi sa masmababang tono, "May sakit pala asawa nito. Sige na nga payagan na natin."

Tumingin ulit sya sa akin at itinanong kung may flight schedule na ko. Pagkakita nya ng plane ticket tumango sya at muling nagtanong kung may 700.00php ba ko para sa tatak ng bisa. Ipinaliwanag nyang i-a-advance nya ang date ng resibo para mag match sa bilang ng araw ng tamang pag proseso. Kinuha nya ang passport ko at pinabalik nya ko ng 4:00PM. Biyernes noon, at may ritwal pa daw ng dasal ang Consul mamaya. Ipinayo nya din na dalin ko na ang gamit ko pagbalik para diretso na kami sa airport at makaabot ako sa check in time na alas syete. 

Lubos akong nagpasalamat sa kanya at tahimik na umusal ng dasal ng pasasalamat sa Panginoon dahil sa compassion na binigay nya sa babaeng iyon upang mapagbigyan ang dasal ko.

May visa na ko papuntang Qatar. Apat na araw lang. You are amazing Lord.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

-Hebrews 11:1

 

Notes:

-all documents, medical cert, plane ticket, company contract, and pictures at the hospital, were provided by Glenn's company, AMTC

-I intentionally changed "Ma'am Jill's" name 

-I was accompanied by my sister, her husband, and my college best friend in going to the embassy

-during this time, our kids were in Bataan with my youngest sister, mother, father, and mother-in-law 

-my short post about this experience in 2016 can be viewed here

https://honeymom101.blogspot.com/2016/10/angels-without-wings.html 

A Lost Battle

We have lost Glenn last September 24, 2020. That was two days short for our 5th church wedding anniversary and the fourth year of his heart attack.

 https://www.facebook.com/honeylette.inietobagtas/posts/3909644379049841

Please pray for the eternal repose of his soul and the healing of our family.

https://www.facebook.com/honeylette.inietobagtas/posts/3926757537338525

Jesus says, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

                                                                                                                          Mark 6:31

I've Got You

Two days ago, I was able to finally access my icloud, which has been locked for more than two years due to forgotten passwords and codes and failed verification procedures.

Reading through my notes, I was transported back to Qatar in 2016-2017, only this time as a third person reading through "Honeylette's" mind.

While the pain is still the same and so real, what amazes me is her hope, surrender, and faith in God's plan.

Truly, as Ate MeAnn put it, "We'll never know that is God is all we need until God is all we've got."

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/450922981416985103/?lp=true

"Thank You, Father, for saying, "Do not worry my child, I've got you."

"Thank You, Lord God, for reminding me that having faith in You will indeed make all things bearable and possible. Please hold us closer to Your heart during our down times, and do not let us go no matter how hard we struggle. Help us surrender to Your will and continue to live within it and not against it. Because surrendering in Your will means accepting all of Your provisions and putting You in charge in our life's battle, in Jesus name I pray. Amen."

Hope and Surrender

Last night, I dreamt about you 

Wearing exactly the same clothes; off to fetch our kids

And while everyone around you was awed to see 

You moved freely with no sign of disability

I miss you

I wish we can all just wake up from this 

But I know that the Lord's plans are greater

I'll hold on as I surrender 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

 Jeremiah 29:11

How to Prevent Financial Loss That Goes with Death

More than a week ago, a former co-teacher and a friend died at the age of 35 due to complications of high blood pressure shoot up and stroke. She left her husband and three sons; 7 years old, 5 years old, and 7 months old. 

Please do not take this as an insensitive post but rather respond to this with urgency. While we can never prepare for an emotional loss, one can lessen the impacts of death by preventing the sudden financial loss that goes with it.

My husband was totally disabled at the age of 33 due to a brain injury secondary to cardiac arrest in 2016. At the age of 33, I was a struggling mother of 2 and 5-year-old daughters and a hurting wife.

The following year, we've lost a friend and a former classmate, age 33, due to complications of ectopic pregnancy and a friend's husband died due to a vehicular accident at the age of 34. The list goes back to our batchmate who was disabled the age of 32, a classmate who died in his late 20s due to an aggressive disease, and the one that our batch lost when we were still in college due to a vehicular accident. All of them have left a hurting family. 

These are real stories of real people who are close to me and for sure, you know a number of the same cases, too: sudden death or disability at a very young age.

Questions:

 If you suddenly get sick and need a long-term medication, who will pay for the bills and medication?

 If you meet an accident, who will pay for your treatment?

 If you suddenly die for whatever possible reason, who will provide for your family? 

Who will pay for the bills, for the food on the table, and for the kids' education?

 Can your spouse provide for these alone?

 Is your current savings enough for all of these needs?

Would you rather sell your hard earned house and car in the future rather than start saving now? Would you rather risk the possibility of your children dropping out of their classes because no one will pay for their expenses anymore?

In our case, when my husband was disabled, we were able to claim a critical illness benefit from his life insurance with Manulife enough for me to have time in setting up the rhythm of our new normal before I started working again (I will have a separate post on this.). 

Life insurance is NOT an additional expense. Life insurance is a form of savings that will save you and your family in the future when you will be needing money the most. It will protect your family from the financial loss that goes with sickness, disability, and death.

My friend,  my job is to help you prepare in protecting your family's future while you can. What I can do for you is to make sure that your spouse and children will have enough to keep them afloat when you're gone. Because when your time comes, sympathy and moral support alone will not be enough. What they will need more, other than prayer, is the financial stability as if you are still there. Financial stability that only you can provide. Now.

Let me help you.


HONEYLETTE I. BAGTAS
Financial Advisor
Manulife Philippines

When The Skype Haunts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsUyjzRIU9w

I heard the Skype ringing

I searched for my laptop, it was off

The Skype kept on ringing

I reached for the plug, it was tangled

I needed to turn on the laptop

The Skype call might end

I must answer it

I started crying

I slammed the laptop on the floor

"Why wouldn't you turn on?!"

The call ended 

I listened hard

No more ringing -- only sobs

I was awakened by my sobs

It was just a dream 

A nightmare

My heart wanted to make that Skype call

But no one will answer

Glenn is not on the other line.

Huwag Kang Mapagod Kaibigan

"Napapagod akong mamalengke mag isa.. 

.. nakakapagod magbuhat ng para sa isang linggo supply na kailangan ng walong matanda at     

   dalawang bata

.. nakakapgod isipin ang pakiramdam ng may kasama mamalengke na magbubuhat ng higit   

   sampung kilo mong pinamili

.. nakakasawang makakita ng mga mag-asawang magkasama.."

Sa kabila nito.. alam kong MAPALAD AKO

wag kang mapagod mamalengke kahit mag-isa, dahil mapalad ka na meron kang perang pambili habang ang iba ay wala...

wag kang mapagod sa mga gawaing bahay, mapalad ka dahil ang iba ay walang tahanan..

wag kang mapagod kung may sakit ang iyong asawa, dahil mapalad ka na sya ay kapiling mo pa  habang sa iba ay pumanaw na...

wag kang mapagod kung nawalan ka ng asawa..

mapalad ka dahil ang iba ay nawalan din ng anak..

wag kang mapagod kung nawalan ka ng asawa at anak..

mapalad ka sa iyong mga magulang, kapatid, kamag-anak at kaibigan

habang ang iba ay lumaki na sa ampunan, iniwan na sa home for the aged, o di kaya'y napilitang mag pakupkop sa gobyerno dahil sa naranasang pang-aabuso..

wag kang mapagod kung isa ka man sa kanila, dahil mapalad ka na may kumukupkop sa iyong institusyon habang ang iba ay namamatay ng mag- isa sa kalsada na walang nakakapuna..

wag tayong manatili sa pagkapagod, bagkus bilangin natin at ipagpasalamat ang mga biyaya na bigay ng Dakilang Lumikha

To Our Youngest

04172018

I'm sorry 

    if most of the time I scream at you

    to go away, to stay out of the room or simply not to step on my things.

I love you.
It's just that Mommy is having a hard time dealing with her emotions.

At night when I come home, usually, nothing is left but tiredness and irritation.

I am sorry if most of the time I let the steam out on you.

I love you, Bulilit.

I am praying for your young heart and mind

  to understand my situation --

  our life.

I am sorry if I am asking too much from your little heart.

But really, you are stronger than Mommy.

I am learning to deal with life the way you do.

I love you.

The Happiest and Proudest Father in the Universe

Last Thursday, my mother’s officemate gave our daughter Cassey two fifty peso bills. When we arrived home, she smiled, handed me one of the fifty peso bills and told me she’s going to pay for Daddy’s nurse. I smiled at her, thank her and told her that it is not enough. 

She then asked me how much does she need and said, “Huh? I need four hundred more?” 

As a father, Glenn did everything he can to provide for our needs. He did everything so that he could give, as much as possible, all that our children asked for. And it is overwhelming to know that what our six-year-old daughter first thought of doing with her money was to pay for her Daddy's nurse; not to buy anything for herself but for her dad. For sure, Glenn is very proud of his princess.

This reminds me how God as Our Father also has done so much for us. How much He loves us.

"We love because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19

He provides us everything we can think of.

"Our God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

And He grants as much prayer requests as possible, according to His will.

"For this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." - 1 John 5:14-15

And if like our child, we first think of giving back our time, treasure and talent to Our Father, for sure He will be very pleased with us. He will be the happiest and proudest Father in the universe.

Father God, Thank You for Your provisions. Thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for our families and friends. Thank You for our children. We thank you for Glenn's continuous healing. Continue to bless us so we can share more of Your goodness with others. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Last night after checking her bag, she was beaming as she showed me a five hundred peso bill and said,

“Mommy, I can now pay the nurse.”

I smiled at her and said, “Ok, go to Daddy’s room and give that to his nurse. Tell Daddy you love him and that you paid for this shift.”

HOW'S YOUR WEEK?

"As the week ends, I thank You Lord for your daily mercies and grace."

Last Saturday, October 14, 2017, as I prepared for Glenn's birthday, Mama's blood pressure shoot up at 2:00 AM to 168/90. She was vertiginous and nauseous. Before lunch,  she told Papa  that she wanted to go to the hospital where she was confined due to hypertension. After several tests, her CT -Scan confirmed that she had a very mild stroke. Thank You Lord that there were no serious effect on her physical abilities. Thank You for keeping her safe. She needs to take a rest but generally she is fine. Thank You.

Nanay Gloria (Glenn's mother) on the other  hand, had flu and though she was not able to attend the actual celebration, she still cooked the assigned meals to her and we managed to push Glenn’s birthday celebration in the afternoon. She literally could not get up that night and had to take a rest for the week but now she's good. Thank You.

By Monday, Glenn is scheduled for his check up. It was only by noon that I learned that Cyrene was feverish as I dressed them to get ready to go to the hospital to Mama and Papa. She and her Ate Cassey would stay there because no one would be with them when we bring Glenn to another hospital for his checkup. At night, she was down with fever at 39.7 °C and was throwing up. It was a good thing that throwing up lasted only until Tuesday. Her pediatrician assured that she was not dehydrated and that it was not Kawasaki. She was given medicines and her temperature was more stable. She was not able to go to school until Thursday but she was was very eager by Friday. Thank You.

As for Glenn, thank You will never be enough. Every day is a miracle from You.

And though I missed some appointments, I thank You for the suspended classes last Monday and Tuesday — school preparation for Ate Cassey had been ticked off my list. We hardly had time to review for her exams but what’s more important is the life lesson that we learned this week. Because of the circumstances, I couldn’t bring her lunch so we agreed that she’ll have packed lunch last Wednesday. She was teary-eyed as I said goodbye that morning, but she agreed that it’s time for me and Cyrene to go home. I had to take Cyrene with me -- even she has a fever-- in dropping Ate Cassey to school because no one would look after her at home. By Thursday and Friday, Ate Cassey is used to eating lunch at school by herself. Also yesterday (Friday), she had to wait for me at the school clinic for more than an hour because I was the last parent to pick up her child. Apparently, there was a change in their schedule and it was only after an hour when someone was finally able to reach me and told me that Cassey was waiting. I thought she was already crying by then but she was playing with the school nurse's daughter when I arrived. I learned to let her go (a little), and she managed to be independent. Thank You.

Today, Mama, Nanay and Cyrene are better. And although Papa’s BP was high at 2:00 this morning, he is now OK at 110/70. 

We all have our own stories. Your week is probably busier than mine, but the week is almost over. Congratulations, we survived!

"Lord, this week is a very hectic week. I thank You for sustaining us all with your love and mercies to get through." 

                                                           

Remembering QATAR

It's been a year since I set foot on that foreign land.

To those who welcomed me in their houses for free,

                   who fed me for free,

                   who dropped me to and picked me up from 

                           the hospital for free,

                   who silently cried and prayed with me, 

                   who treated me as a member of their family,

             I hope you know how thankful I am for ALL of you.

            Thank you for showing me God's kindness and generosity.

GOD IS FAITHFULL

https://www.christianquotes.info/images/deuteronomy-316-strength-courage/#axzz4lzQ6IN00

Today is Glenn's 19th day at home since his last hospital confinement dated June 10-19, 2017 -- the longest since we arrived (Philippines) last April 21st. 

After three hospitalizations, 52 days in two different hospitals, 3 days at the ICU, PEG insertion, trache replacement, bronchitis, two pneumonia, BP and heart rate fluctuations and some bleeding, truly nothing is impossible with the Lord. 

To give you an idea on how things were going these past few weeks, here's a copy of the culture sensitivity of Stenotrophomonas-maltophilia, the causative agent of his last pneumonia. It showed that the microorganism was multiple resistant and that it was highly susceptible to only three antibiotics and intermediately susceptible to six -- three of which has already been used in his previous infection which means they could not be reused to treat him that time.

With the remaining options, his pulmonologist opted for Sulperazone 1.5g (Cefoperazone sodium + sulbactam sodium) and gentamycin. We were downgrading his antibiotics because the strong and most recent ones were already been used to him in his previous infections. Repetition may lead to antibiotic resistance which no one wanted to happen. 

However, the Sulperazone 1.5 g that was prescribed to him happened to be the last production batch of the manufacturer as it is being phased out in the market and replaced by the strong and recent antibiotics. Needless to say, it was hard to find the medicine enough for 14 days. There was one hospital in our province that stored 10 bottles and we were able to use it for three days. On the third day, he seemed ok but on the fourth day, his pulmonologist had to increase the dose because there was a slight change in his secretions so I had to search hospitals and pharmacies that have a stock of Sulperazone. Thanks to our friends who helped me in researching and calling and finally listing a pool of institutions where I can buy the antibiotic. We had to go to Manila every other day to buy the medicine because we could not buy it in bulk for several reasons: (1) his response to the antibiotic was being monitored on a daily basis -- if his reaction was positive the medication would continue but if he was not reacting to it then it would be replaced with another antibiotic; (2) since I was buying from a different hospital as an outpatient, there was a limit to the number of vials that they can dispense; (3) the pharmacies that we were able to locate had only 8 and 9 vials on stock which we picked up on two different days. 

It was hard, it was tiring, but it's all worth it.

Every single day is a battle with fear but the Bible says,

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

And every minute of survival is a battle won.  

When I surrendered our future with the Lord, I vowed to tell all of the marvelous things He's been doing for us. 

“I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done.” -Psalm 9.1

Hear this:

God is faithful.

Nothing is multiple resistant with the Lord.

Our family is still asking for your prayers for Glenn's continuous healing and recovery.

Thank you so much and God bless.

Please click the links below to follow our Facebook page and website.

Help Our Daddy Get Better 
Laban Glenn

An Open Letter to My Five Year Old Daughter

Dear Ate Cassey,

I know things are hard now.

For more almost seven months, you and your younger sister had to get by your days without Mommy and Daddy. The radical change in our life -- Daddy’s sudden critical health condition and Mommy leaving to take care of Daddy -- almost consumed your happy heart.

For the first few months, you and your sister have cried yourselves to sleep. Mommy cried many sleepless nights too.

 On our first Christmas away from each other, you got sick. You were vomiting and throwing up all that you took in-- even water. We thought you had another infection but thank God your lab results were normal. You got better after Mama and Titaw talked to you. You did not know what you were feeling. We did not know either. It was only after counseling that we realized that you were so sad. And that was your body’s reaction to sadness.

Your younger sister is sad, too. She is just two and could not understand her feelings. Our sweet baby started whining and shouting. She started throwing tantrums if she can’t get what she wants or if someone did not understand what she wants. If only Mommy was there, a hug would have made everything better.

Things are hard but you are born fighters.

I thank God that you and your younger sister are blessed with resilient hearts. That even if you cry at night, you were able to survive every day with grace and a smile. At a very young age, you are fighters of your own battle.

I am proud that despite Mommy and Daddy’s absence, you still went to school and performed well. You could have made excuses or just cried but you knew that you must get up every day and read and write even if Mommy is not there to drop you to school and Daddy’s not there to fetch you. This experience has taught you a very important lesson. You learned how to compartmentalize your feelings and how to get things done even if you are hurting—even if a great part of your heart is missing.  

Mommy is so happy that even though you fight sometimes, your love for your sister and sense of responsibility as big sister deepened.

Whatever happens in the future, know that you and your sister are one of the reasons why Daddy keeps on fighting… why Mommy is not giving in. Next to God, you are our strength.

Remember that Daddy loves you. That he did everything he can for you.

Remember your happy times together. How you grew up with him through Skype. How he watched every milestone away from you because he wanted to provide the best for you. How he tried to teach you how to ride a bike and how to swim.  How he taught you to respect and obey Mommy while keeping you beside him whenever I am mad. He never wanted you to get hurt but he made sure that you understand why some things upset Mommy and why should you avoid doing those things again.

Remember how you ate with daddy. How he fed you when you didn’t want to eat on your own.  How you would always give a bite to him of whatever you were eating. Remember how he would always let you buy ice cream when he fetched you from school. Remember how you felt the first time you entered an ice cream house and how we always ate there during daddy’s vacation since then. 

Always remember that you are Daddy’s princesses. You will still have your tea party when Daddy gets better. Remember how he read you stories before we go to sleep. Soon it will be your turn to read stories for Daddy.

Do not forget daddy’s last vacation when you were four. We went to Subic where you swam and you watched Godzilla with Daddy. He was so happy. He told me he likes Godzilla because you were squeezing yourself to him and hiding in his arms every time Godzilla attacked in the movie. It is the very same reason why you like watching such movies and dinosaurs. It’s the reason why you have an inclination for these creatures.

Do not forget the details, Anak.  Always share your stories with your younger sister so that she will know Daddy like you do. Do not forget your memories together, because what Daddy cannot remember, we will retell.

We are coming home.

Daddy will be a little different. We will take care of him. What he cannot reach, we will get for him. What he cannot see, we will describe and illustrate to him. What he cannot do by himself, we will help him. Where he cannot go, we will try to take him. We will teach him of things he has forgotten. We will reintroduce ourselves to him. Mommy believes that what the mind forgets the heart remembers. For sure Daddy’s heart will recognize you—both of you. After all, you are his princesses. Mommy is certain that he recognizes your voice every time you call. You are his strength. He is fighting because he wants to come back to both of you.

Do not worry. 

By God’s grace and with His guidance, Mommy will always be here for all of you. Mommy will guide you and love you. Mommy will be here for Daddy, too. Mommy will teach and show you and your younger sister how to love and take care of Daddy unconditionally. Whenever you are uncertain, Mommy will be here to hug you and to comfort you. To tell you that it will be ok… that we will all be fine.

We are still in the toughest battle of our lifetime.

It is hard but the LORD OUR GOD will sustain us. He has been sustaining us. He will guide all of us as we get through this journey together. We will be patient and wait until GOD leads Daddy back to us.  Until then, Daddy will be our baby.  We will love him, take care of him, and protect him like he did to you and to your sister… like he did to us.

“Let us all be confident that we will see God’s goodness while we are in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

Love,

Mommy

PS.

I thank God for you and your sister, for Daddy’s life, for the people who are taking care of you, for Mommy’s strength, and for the people who are helping us. To God be the glory.

Missing Piece

Yesterday, Baba Tera Miah, the patient on Bed 2 transferred to another unit. He is Bangladeshi and just started his speech therapy. He is still on trial for the speech valve.

When I arrived in our room from the Social Worker's office, they were already preparing him for transfer. He called me,"Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk," and asked his nurse to tell me that he is transferring to another unit. He was smiling but his eyes were sad.

I smiled at him too. But when I asked the nurse to tell him that we are going home to the Philippines soon, I was crying. I was crying because maybe that's our goodbye.

For a few months, Glenn and Baba Taramiah shared the same room.

I've called the nurses for him if he wanted or needed something.

He showed me how to be brave. How to face whatever life gives you. And how not to stop trying.

When he first arrived in our room,  he was conscious, ventilated, paralyzed from waist down, and his hands were barely moving. On the first few days he would point me to the door (by facial gestures and head turn) when he catches me looking at him. He does not want staring. No one does.

The first time his son visited, I saw him crying while talking on the phone to, probably, his wife.

He had seen me cried a lot, too.

Through the days he started waving. He started smiling.

I was surprised the first time he smiled at me. It was like, "Wow! Seriously, that's for me?"

And from that day, I would always greet him good morning when I arrive and wave or salute before I go at night.

And yesterday... that was one sad wave of goodbye.