Staying Positive When You’re Positive

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

At this time, numbers have been surging here in Illinois, 31.000 new Covid 19 cases after the holidays of 2021. January’s Omicron virus is coming in strong, infecting populations faster both vaxxed and un-vaxxed, the latter ending up in the hospital with more severe symptoms than those who have been inoculated.

My whole family, except for three-year-old Kenzo, have received both doses and the booster, but after our very last party of the year with 25-family members and close friends in attendance, at least 8 people, including my son and grandson, tested positive for Covid 19’s Omicron strain. I was more worried for the little guy because my son was totally asymptomatic. Kristoffer had no fever, sore throat, no body aches, and was fully vaccinated.

On the other hand, poor Kenzo threw up, had a slight fever, his nose was running, and the emergency-room physician told us to keep him medicated with Children’s Tylenol, cough and cold syrup, and to keep him hydrated round-the-clock. Although I tested negative, I donned “easy to wash” clothing, put on a face mask and gloves, slept with him so I can give him medicine every four hours and watched him like a hawk. I made sure his nose was wiped when it was running, changed his clothes often and fed him chicken soup with rice, scrambled eggs and toast, along with some of his favorite Oreos and gummies to keep his spirits up. Thankfully, his fever broke in a couple of days and his temperature came down to normal levels on the third day.

Through it all, I prayed for his well being, the poor guy having endured a three-hour wait in the emergency room with his Grandpa, and the doctor warning us to keep watch on his temperature so as not to bring him back to Urgent Care, if he had gotten worse.

Singing, making him laugh, reading to him, even just hugging him close with my mask and gloves on, made all the difference to my grandson Kenzo. Since losing his mommy Svienna a year ago to cancer, this unfortunate reality made me fiercely protective of him especially when we received the jarring news that he had tested positive for Covid 19. Thank God for his resilience, as we were treating his symptoms and giving him his medication on a timely basis, Kenzo was back to being a feisty, funny toddler, unaware of the worry we had gone through with him being sick. All’s well that ends well, I always say, and Kristoffer went back to work after 10 days, taking another PCR test before he did.

We thank the Lord that all of us has passed muster with this plague but will continue to mask up, wash our hands, and social distance just like the first time we learned about this virus in 2020. We have lost family and friends in these tough two years, mostly the unvaccinated, so when they finally approve the vaccine for Kenzo for the under 5-year-olds, yes, he will be getting it, as we all should.

Don Antonio Garcia hosts a Christmas gathering in Barrington with Manila friends and family

Bently Pascual, Doc Morris center and Elbert Regacho left side get into the groove

Entertainers Nar Cubico and Lou Cabalona performed with Elbert and Doc Morris at the Garcia event in Barrington

Baron Cabalona joins and performs for the crowd

Nothing like a great party to bring everyone together

My family from Manila (L-R) Noemi, Annika, Docboy, Bently and Kenneth Pascual, my son Kristoffer and friend Phil Roldan in the back

Don Antonio joins Nar Cubico and sings to his guests

My BFF Dan Gawat

Don Antonio and guests enjoy a holiday feast

The ladies join Nar to the delight of their hubbies and guests

New Chicago residents Vince and Rhoda Campos-Aldanese enjoying the cold weather of Illinois, a big change from Makati

Happy holidays indeed with (L-R) Lou Cabalona, Susan, Rose Cordero, hubby of Susan, Irene, Nar the guest artist, Elbert and Elizabeth Regacho,
Dan Gawat, DaddyO Antonio Garcia our host, me and JP FERRER