Since we came home from the doctor's clinic I realized that I have already made a roll call of saints and names of dead relatives and friends. Silently in my mind I have been praying to all the saints I can remember. I have been asking all the dead to also help me in praying. For the first time in my life I felt like those 5 days of praying and hoping went by so quick.

   During the 5 day medication period, I lost count of how many times I have kept on asking Brandon if he felt any better. My asking of how he feels is with the hope that the medicine will be enough to cure whatever sickness he has that time. I know it's like a wishful thinking that with the medicine he will be cured in 5 days. It was like me asking for an immediate miracle.

   The day for us to see the doctor again came. I wasn't really able to sleep from the night before. I can't remember how many times I have gone from praying to requesting, and even begging God. I even came to a point that I started to bargain with Him. I felt like all the prayers and requests I could have in my lifetime, I did it all in that one night.

   I can't forget that day, we left our daughter Francesca to the care of visiting relatives. With the idea that it will just be another doctor visit. We left with a hopeful and positive heart. On our way, I kept on assuring Brandon that everything is going to be fine. But deep inside I felt like my heart beat is on a race. I even have to hide my hands in my pockets because I felt like its moving uncontrollably due to my nervousness. I want to make him feel that I am calm. That I am really confident that everything is going to be fine.

   It was just our second meeting, but I felt like we found a savior in Doctor Concepcion. As we approach him it came to my mind that God is sending his healing hands through this doctor. Nothing was on my mind except the hope that he will say a miracle happened in 5 days. But as he started looking through his apparatus again, I started changing my mind. I decided to change my prayer to God. I told myself that maybe asking for a miracle is too much. I started conditioning myself that any miracle still has a time frame. Five days is too fast! I have to be realistic I told myself.

   After all the checking and questions, Doctor Concepcion told us that he doesn't want to wait. We found ourselves walking towards the room where nasal endoscopy is being done. It was like as if I was watching a movie. I was trying to find the best words I can say to Brandon to make him feel assured. He was silent. I can see by the look in his eyes that he was in deep thought. I started telling him that we were lucky the lab is still open. When I saw Doc Concepcion coming, I told Brandon we were lucky the doctor is young and a fast thinker. When we were called inside for the procedure, we were introduced to two other doctors. Doc Concepcion introduced another male doctor as his collegue batchmate, and the lady doctor as his teacher. I immediately faced Brandon while saying we already have doctors for the 2nd and 3rd opinion. But I know that my statement is more an assuring statement for me than for anyone else inside the room.

   After the nasal endoscopy was done I was called in front of the monitor. I can say when it rained positivity, Doc Concepcion received it all. I have never imagined any other way a diagnosis can be given where it was like a good news than a bad news.
I can still remember how cool the way he told us about it.
"We found a lump as big as a pingpong ball at the back of the left side of the nose. It protruded to the other side because of its size. That causes the inability to breathe normally. But nothing to worry, we just need to remove it, find out what it is and cure it after."
And it was seconded by his colleague/batchmate and confirmed by his teacher. The doctor/teacher even added a bonus motivation. She asked how old Brandon is, we said he is turning 41yo that year. Just like Doc Concepcion, his teacher was also cool in saying that surgery should be done while he is young. Without discussing it first between ourselves I immediately told Doc Concepcion that Brandon is going to have the surgery. I realized then that when someone you love and care for is in a health situation you grab anything that is offered as a cure.

A surgery to take that ping pong ball like lump is what is needed to be done. I did not think of any other thing back then. But I thought since it will be a major surgery that we will be given time to schedule and take care of other stuff before we will be asked to get admitted. But just like in the movies, every scene seemed like a flash to me. After we confirmed that we are agreeing to the surgery we were told that we just have to get some of Brandon's personal stuff from home and come back asap. Everything was fast. We went home and got his clothes etc. He got admitted just few hours after. All the preparatory tests were done night time. We were told that the surgery will be done the next day. As we stay together inside his hospital room I kept on assuring him that everything will be alright.

That night I can only think of one thing, God knows what is in my heart and mind. And that we only have to trust Him.
***
Miracles come in different forms. We got a miracle.
- it may not be the 5 day cure that I initially asked, but having 3 doctors at the same time to give their professional opinions was a miracle.

God prepared everything for us.
- he made sure that we have relatives to take care of our daughter during the surgery period.
- we found a doctor who is one of the best in his field.
- the 2nd hospital was the best for Brandon's situation
- financially we have something to spend for the surgery during that time.
                                           ~•~