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Does Prayer Really Work?

Monument Unseen

I haven't been able to update this blog for a couple of weeks and I thought I owed you all some explanation. Some of my blogging friends know by now that my dad has been in ICU for the last couple of weeks. At times, his health seems to be improving but at other times we get terrified.

This is how it all started. One day out of the blue he started having severe headache that wouldn't go away for a few days. He's never had headaches all his life so that was alarming but he is of the type who never asks anyone for any help. He wouldn't let our mom tell any of us siblings saying he didn't want to bother any of us. But then one day, he had a vomit and was taken to emergency. You would think the doctors would have done the cat-scan of the head right away but they took two full days to review his symptoms – which included lower back pain, intense weakness and pain in the thighs. They kept thinking it was some kind of weird virus. But when the cat-scan was done, it was discovered that he had bled at multiple spots in the brain. The bleeding had stopped but then other complications started happening – lung infection which according to the doctors, was picked up in the hospital itself.

My dad has always been very self sufficient, always going out of his way to help just about everyone and asking for help for himself is the last thing in his dictionary. Not always a positive I know. So this morning, he talked to my mom on the phone that he was feeling a lot better and should be home by the weekend. Only around noon we found out that he had tried to get out of the bed to go to the washroom but as soon as he got up, he fell because of weakness and passed out. We don't know when the nurses got to him but he did get bruised and started bleeding on the forehead – externally.

Thank God, he didn't have any internal bleeding. But he is extremely weak and is hardly talking. He said a few words to me this evening and they were "don't worry about me my child, I will be fine, take care of yourself". Apparently he knows I have been sick with high fever from the stress. And hearing these words, I couldn't stop crying. That's my dad. Always bringing attention away from himself, always thinking about others.

All these days I've been helplessly praying that he gets better. And at times while praying, I've found myself making deals and promises with the supreme being, in exchange for making my dad better.

As I write this, my childhood images float in front of my eyes. Our parents try to provide us with everything that is within their power. They will themselves go through difficulties but not let their children suffer. So why does God make us see them suffer so much?

Sometimes parents will use, loving though weird, names to refer to their children. My dad calls me his little tigress. It's his way of giving me strength and tell me I can achieve just about anything in life. But today, with him lying helplessly in the hospital, struggling for his life, I feel completely shattered and lonely.

A lot of questions go through my head these days.

Why are we all running after making money?

What is it that I should make my priority to do, while I am able bodied?

What is it that makes us walk, talk and smile? makes us feel pain and happiness?

A7W84YI was chatting with a friend a few days ago, whose family went through some similarly tough situation. I asked him, does a person create a journey or the journey molds a person? We both didn't know the answer to this. Do you?

Today I request you all to keep my dad in your prayers. I can't continue as I cannot see the words on the screen anymore.

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33 comments
betshopboy

I’m sorry to hear about your father’s condition, please get well yourself so that you can be there for him, be strong.

My thoughts are with you and your family and prayers for your father’s speedy recovery.

betshopboy’s last blog post..Play The Fame Game

Scott

I believe that “prayer” of this nature can be beneficial. It is a way to visualize a positive outcome and to share an optimistic attitude. It is a selfless act and just puts good thoughts out into the world where they can help those who need them.

Over the last year or so of reading your blog you have given me much inspiration. I hope that I am able to return some of that good karma back to you.

You and your family are in our thoughts during this difficult time.

SB

Scott’s last blog post..Build Your Own Best Of – Chicago

MorganLighter

Pearl,
I have nothing to add to the above.
I wish your father and the rest of your family the peace and calmness that you need to go through this ordeal.
Yes, you all will be in our prayers.
Peace.

MorganLighter’s last blog post..The Welfare System in The United States -Part 3

Shazza

Pearl, I just found your blog this moment, and am so moved by your caring for your father. I will keep him and your family in my prayers…for strength and healing, and will be back to check on both you and him. Thanks for blogging.

Ken Xu

Hi pearl, I hope everything would be alright. I’m really surprised by your news after coming back from long term leave. I will pray for your father too. Hope he could maintain his desires on this world instead of giving up! GBU all…

Ken Xu’s last blog post..Schedule Posts – Good or Bad?

April

I found your blog through a friend who reads your blogs. He lead me here to learn about the art of writing and blogging. I lost my dad last April after a long battle with several illnesses combined. I would love to pray for you and talk with you if you would like to do that. My online door is always open for a friend.

In His Love, April
http://www.dreamingofsilverroses.com

Mike Scott

I was one of the people that you emailed to let know what was going on. I’ve been keeping this post in my reader, marking it as unread every time I look at it, since the day you posted it.

You see, I was hoping to have something motivating and uplifting to say, something profound.

I don’t.

Those are all some really good questions, and I think everyone has to answer it for themselves. Anytime we lose friends, or have those close to us fall sick or come under unfortunate circumstances, those questions come to mind.

I hope you can find the answers, and I hope that you find comfort in your prayers. I hope your father recovers, and quickly.

You and your father are in my prayers Pearl.

Mike Scott’s last blog post..The Pownce Conundrum

pearl

thanks to all of you who are praying for us and my dad. I’ve been really broken hearted to update you all that my dad’s condition has worsened over the last few days. Apparently he has developed a condition called pulmonary toxicity, as a side affect of a drug he was prescribed for arterial fibrillation. The drug is called Amiodarone and we were just not aware that it is such a fatal drug.

My dad had repeatedly mentioned to his cardiologist that he was having dry cough (one of the classic symptoms of this condition) ever since he had started taking this medication and that his diabetes doctor had told him that he did not need to be on Amiodarone, but the cardiologist dismissed his concerns saying that the dry cough could be a result of dry air in the home or an allergy from something.

The damage to the lungs is irreversible and needless to say that our family is feeling helpless and shattered at the moment. This morning he was put on ventilator. I cannot describe how difficult it’s been to see my dad going through the pain and frustration since he knows what is going on exactly.

This is a perfect example of the doomed medical system in this country. The doctors were very careless and irresponsible in not monitoring my dad’s lungs and did not care to listen to his complaints.

it was the same cardiologist who had also given him the blood thinners and failed to monitor his INR levels (supposed to be between 2 and 3, whereas my dad’s INR level was 5.6) causing the cerebral bleed which started this whole mess. If you or anyone who you know is taking this drug, I’d strongly suggest you do everything in your power to stop them from taking Amiodarone.

I am too exhausted, physically and mentally, to update this blog anymore. I hope you will find something useful in the archives. Once again, thank you all.

pearl’s last blog post..Does Prayer Really Work?

RennyBA

I’m not a religious person, but I believe there is a meaning in everything – although its hard to find sometimes. Some people tells me it is important to follow the flow – but what if it is a streaming waterfall? (like I feel you are into right now!).
Reading your last update makes it even more difficult of course, and I do wish I could say something to comfort, but words can’t express. I do think of you and your father and at least you can see there is a lot of us wishing you good luck – with good vibrations and the best hope!

RennyBA’s last blog post..From Russia with Love

Kelly@SHE-POWER

I believe prayer does work because it eases us through all the experiences life brings us which we can’t control.

I hope your dad gets better soon, and yes, my prayers are with you.

Kelly

Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..SHE-POWER Fiction: Dinner Time Blues