thanks to all those who prayed for my mother, she was finally discharged from the hospital last saturday. we had spent nearly a month in that awful place and now...now she is to continue the long healing process at home.

she is unable to walk, nor speak properly. her right hand is at best weak, but is slightly paralyzed. she could not even hold a pen or a spoon.

she will undergo physical therapy for many months and will have to take a cocktail of drugs seven times a day to keep her blood pressure and whatever else in check. the doctor tells us that if she loses 10 pounds in a year she will feel better.

she cannot work anymore. i am left to shoulder the bills and other small expenses for the house. the hospital bill came to P126,000.00. all in all, the four doctors are asking for P64,000.00 as their professional fees.

and to add to the chaos that is my life, my younger sister is acting up. and up until yesterday, i did not understand why. but now i know and i cannot help but feel despair for my family. there had been so much hurt and anger going on underneath the calm surface that i am left speechless.

i feel as if i am unravelling, a ball of yarn so painstakingly wound now unwinding to a desperate heap on the ground.

people tell me to be strong. how?