@Robnyle21

Waiting for the New School Year. New challenges awaits to my... College freshman Senior High Two Grade Schoolers Kindergarten This COVID19 changed how schooling was, hope this pandemic soon come to its end so that kids may again enjoy the life in school, and the wonderful memories it will bring.

The Different Side of Me I grew up like every normal girls a little boyish though, I do some household chores, fight with my siblings :) play a lot and of course study. Things were seemed to be normal until a new neighbor came. I. Sleep over My neighbor's eldest daughter is always home-alone, her parents buys and sells fish. One summer afternoon her parents ask my mom if one of us can accompany their daughter for the night,they're going to Bicol and be back the next day. My elder sister refused so I volunteered. I was so excited. Grace (the girls name) bought some midnight snacks for us , she said she had hard time falling asleep and afraid being left at home as if she wasn't alone. She told me stories about her family until we're both sleepy. On the mid of my sleep I was awaken by the sound of splashing water. I changed my position to face the wall. Just before I close my eyes I saw a small black image forming in the wall. It looked like an elf or something doing a laundry. I felt my body stiffen as I try to shake myself I saw the image started to turn its head creepily towards me. It was looking at me with its red bright eyes and started to stand slowly, I tried to scream but nothing comes out of my mouth. I was trembling because it was smiling at me devilishly , Grace shook me, she asked if I had a bad dream. I thanked her for waking me up but she insisted I am already awake because my eyes are widely open. II. Special Friend I have a playmate with an Aunt so thin that she might break if she moves. I always go to their place to play also, her aunt asked me too. She loves to comb my hair, she said I will look beautiful if I kept it long. One day, I noticed she was not on her favorite spot, I asked my friend why, she said her aunt was on a vacation and she will too. It's been a week that I haven't seen my playmate and her aunt and Im a little sleepless too. One cold morning, I heard a soft knock and calls out my name. I rushed to open the door but only gust of wind passed me. My mom asked me what's the matter, I told her someone knocked but when I came to see it no one's there. She looked at me sternly and told me never again to open the door on a very early time in the morning while pointing to our clock, someone or something might take me. It was just 4am, it make me shiver and decided to go back to bed. Afternoon of the same day, my playmate's father was at the house to fix our door, he said he need to finish his work for he'll be away for a few days because her sister died. III. The Old Tree When my eldest sister and I were shifted to afternoon class, I go to her school so that we come home together. Her class being a junior high ends at 7:15pm while mine, like every elementary schedule, ends at 6pm. From my school to hers was a 15minute walk for me. Every night I passed by an establishment with an old tree near its gate. I usually have some schoolmates running passed by the tree, I ask them why but they only nudge. Even my sister chose the long way around, asked her why but just answered me with a question, "Isn't the old tree seems odd to you?" and that left me more disturbed. The first time I passed the tree alone, i heard birds chirping I stood in front of it and said, " You're so pretty, dunno why they are afraid of you." suddenly a cold wind embraced me, goosebumps was all over me, I bid goodbye to the tree and walked fast. After that, there was this moment that my friend and I heard a soft whistle coming from the tree. Then one day, I was left out to clean, so I'll be walking alone, I decided to go the other way to avoid the tree but I was probably thinking too much that I found myself standing in front of it. I heard mumbling and footsteps coming from nowhere. I tried to move but I'm stuck where I stand. Footsteps are getting closer and voice became more clear... It was calling my name... I can feel my body trembling, luckily a loud noise from a honking car pulled me back to reality. Even though my knees are shaking I gathered myself and managed to run away from the old tree. Since then I avoided walking to where the tree was.

Academic in Pandemic Corona Virus Disease 2019 also known as CoViD19 is one of the pandemic in human history that put humans unity into a test. This disease hit us so hard that until now everyone are still struggling to survive, moreover, it becomes burden on every aspect of our lives specially on education. While the Medical team are doing their part on prolonging life and finding solutions for this disease, the Academic team tries to sustain education ,the domino effect of this CoViD19 changes how learning be delivered . Here in the Philippines , when no face-to-face teaching was implemented, #AcademicFreeze was raised into suggestion but not considered as an option. The implementation for the curriculum was questioned. Issues are racing and rising still the school year started. Even with an intermittent and sometimes slow internet signal connection, Online Class got its part on the New Normal of Learning. Then, how about those who can't afford to have gadgets and additional budget for data allowance? Modular Learning is the option, wherein, modules are either be delivered or picked up then, retrieval will be set after a week or two. There are two more ways, the Blended Learning, its online class with modules, (this one was used more on Senior High and College students). Also, there's Distant Learning which uses television and radio station but this is more likely as supplemental teaching. As the New Normal of Learning started, most learners struggled to understand. Questions from anxious parents are seemed to be unlimited. When parents are more frustrated on how to teach their kids, specially those who have different grade level to guide and worst for those could not explain a topic that they themselves couldn't understand, teachers are ever patient to explain and find ways to help. However and despite the hard beginning learners, parents and teachers are adapting. This pandemic didn't stop most parents dream, those who believe that education is important. A lot of student chose to continue than to be left out, this only means that even the young generation believe that this pandemic should not be considered as obstacle for their goal. As our understanding broadened and adaptability improves we are still waiting for this CoViD19 spread to end. Even though vaccine are already on its way this New Normal will stay a little bit more and eventually our hopes to the Real Normal will be back.

Hush Is it the end? Apocalypse of humanity? Or is it just me? Nature is already giving her prize. The prize to humans irresponsibility. My mind is stirring, my hands sweating. My health is crippling,depression is waving COVID19 is knocking... Did I saw Mother Nature smiling? Or it's just me? My family loves me... Should I talk? If I ask for some advise, will they give me a walk? Yes, I am overthinking, stirred up for nothing. Why do I keep on hallucinating? Why must I hold back? I have friends ... I have relatives... I have my love ones, what am I afraid of? The Government is there, giving out all the care, Then why am I so scared? I must pray. Faith should stay. I must follow the rules.Prevention is the cure. I need to communicate, this is the moment of listen, follow and share. My mind needs to be happy to keep myself healthy. Soon everything will be clear. I know it's her voice that I hear... " Nothing to fret my dear, all of us are fighting here. You must help someone else then help will come to you too. Soon this pandemic will be over and we all stand happily together ."

Nephrotic Syndrome Awareness (Lyon's battle) Even I is not aware of this, until my youngest son was diagnosed last October 2019. I asked myself "what did I do wrong?" but, somehow there are things we really can't answer and needed to seek help for understanding. How did it started? I needed to track every single day that I noticed something is wrong. Luckily, I make some notes every time my kids get sick, temperature, weight, over-the-counter meds I gave, dosages, etc. and so on. It all started with an eczema on his neck, his throat swells then both would subsides then again comes back. I thought it was just fine treating him with home remedies because it goes off until he started coughing and sneezing. His eyes swell and got a fever. I brought him to a private clinic and was diagnosed with "Mild Pneumonia ". We managed to get passed with it and even the swelling faded after a week of antibiotics and antihistamines. On our follow up check up the doctor gave me an advise to seek for a pediatric nephrologist opinion , she said my son might have a Nephrotic syndrome but only a nephrologist can tell. I did a little research about this "Nephrotic Syndrome". It says it is a condition where in the kidneys are not doing it's job,it spills out protein and keeps the water in the body. The immune system is attacking healthy cells of the kidney making it not to function well. Worst of it , the person might need to have a dialysis and may end up with Chronic Kidney Disease if not treated soon. I was struck by the information, I am crying inside, asking myself what must I do I have few money left enough to feed my kids. How can I afford to have my son checked. My husband told me to wait until his next payday and put it on the priority list but somehow things really can't wait, my son swells up again this time worst than I could ever thought of. The night I was planning to borrow money from my sibling his feet were swelling and his tummy is enlarged, I really cant sleep. On the next day, he went to do his morning pee, he came back to bed and whispered to me " Mine my eggs are so big I think it going to break ."( Mine, ang laki ng iklok ko parang puputok) My heart leaped out in my hands. I asked him to show me, looking at his testes swelling like a jumbo sized egg I was frantically trembling because I have to control my tears. I told him to lay down put his feet up and make sure his head is raised with pillows. I called my elder sister sobbing as I explain what's going on , my son peeked he said "Dont cry. I'll be fine" (Wag ka na iyak, gagaling na ako). It made me cry more. I told my eldest child not to go to school and to look after his siblings for his youngest brother is in a very urgent condition. I have to divide the my money so they could get some food and what left on me is enough to pay the fare where my sister will meet us. I was dumbfounded, and lost but I need to keep myself strong. We don't have enough money so my sister told me to go to a City Hospital (don't want to mention the name) there on the Triage a foul-mouthed nurse with a voice echoing in the Emergency room said "I am sorry to tell you this but you are a worthless and careless mother, you let your son look like this before bringing here"(Pasensya na pero napakawalang kwenta at pabaya mong ina. Inantay mo muna magkaganyan anak mo bago mo dinala dito) My sister was fuming but I told her to let it pass we need my son to get admitted but sadly when the doctor saw my son she said I need to bring him to a bigger hospital and that they don't have available bed on the Pediatric Ward. I need to think fast and make options. I decided to try Philippine General Hospital, it's my only hope for a big public hospital. Getting there, Im holding my tears looking at the patients waiting for triaging, hoping for admission, my mind keeps on praying seeking God's strength. He answered my prayer. I can see how tired the nurse in duty at the Pediatric Triage but his compassion with patients is high. Then,and there after getting all the details he told me to wait for my son's admission. How the IV line (heplock) was set was really heartbreaking the nurses need to do and redo the insertion because the nerve breaks due to edema. His heart rate is raising and his oxygen is depleting, I was praying hard that he just have to be oxygenated and need not to be intubated. Staying at the Trauma ward for 3nights and 3days my son received his IV infusion of Human Albumin and Furosimide , was oxygenated for a day. He also have oral antibiotic to fight infection and rounds of laboratory test was done. The Nephrologist wants to send us home for she doesn't want my son to get sick aside from what he had. She said his immunity will get low as soon as we put him on Prednisone. We've been released without paying anything (Thanks to Malasakit Center and PhilHealth) it was a relief , soon I'll be seeing my kids at home after getting the KUB utz (Kidney Urinary Bladder Ultrasound) the doctor asked. On the day of our ultrasound schedule we're forcing him to pee ( we are told to monitor his liquid intakes and output) he keeps on refusing so I brought him to the CR to urinate there I found out that his penis is swollen though his testes are much smaller. He said he don't want to see me cry that's why he tries to hide it . I told him that he have tell me everything so I wont cry. My sister and I decided to bring him to the Emergency Room, we dont want him to swell up again. For the second time around we got admitted. A doctor tried but failed to put a urine catheter because it was swollen so they endorsed us to a urologist. Upon checking the Urologist said he don't have urinary blockage but he have to have infusions and diuretics to make the water retention subsides. Staying there again but with less worries knowing he'll be fine. I'd rather worry about our debts rather than his health. Upon getting home I told my kids all the changes we need to go through. We will be monitoring Lyon's liquid intake and output (urine). No more junkfoods, processed food,instant noodles and canned goods, candies, powdered juices and softdrinks. We will be having less salt on food. We have to monitor his soduim intake. We'll be eating more vegetables and fish. We must practice eating fruits and drink plenty of water. I am happy and relieved that they are willing to sacrifice and participate. I thank God for giving me a very understanding and loving children. Up to now my youngest son, Lyon, is on maintenance. He have meds for lowering his blood pressure and still on steroids (Prednisone) but in a much lower dose. We still monitor his intakes of liquid and urine , his blood pressure too. We do daily protein checking by using urine dipstick. There are kids and adults around the globe suffers from Nephrotic Syndrome. It's a lifetime battle for those who have it, they may get remission from their maintenance but are still qualified for relapses. Many of us are still not aware nor understand it. It has no cure, it's an underlying condition waiting to be triggered. Other's have no choice but to let themselves worsen and hopes for an end. Nephrotic Syndrome Warriors are needed to be heard and their condition be known specially, not all of them had the access to their medicine or the capacity to maintain the daily intakes for some meds prescribed are quite pricey. There are few organizations that are already reaching out and hoping more to follow. I really hope this does not end here and that Nephrotic Syndrome awareness be known and shared.

A letter to myself Dear Rob, You've been through a lot of things lately but you were able to make it through and it make you stronger and braver. Still, I know, there is something you're afraid of... its not the thought of getting old or dying but afraid of kids growing up so fast and that what lies ahead of them. Don't fret, you've been a great mom. Yes, you are! Life won't be easy so keep on teaching them. Never be strict nor too kind to them both won't help them grow. Be protective enough to let them know to be responsible. Make their faith strong. There are lot of things they will learn, taught by you and by their experience. Be your teen's friend and your young's playmate, however, keep in their mind that you are still their teacher and specially their mom so that respect would not be forgotten. Again time is flying fast worry less so you could enjoy much. There are lot of things to do that soon be cherished. Enjoy your day every smile, laughter and tears are important. Make everyday memorable . Hugs and kisses, Rob 😊 P.S. Be strong. Keep your faith high . Everything you hope for will come true in God's time.