This is the case of Consolacion Puyaoan Pugat, 92 years old, female, single, from Brgy. 16 Quiling Sur, Batac City Ilocos Norte. She was admitted at the ICU of MMMH Batac hospital last Oct 17, 2019 with the admitting diagnosis of Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus Insulin Requiring, “COPD” Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in acute exacerbation. As of this writing, sheʼs still intubated at the ICU, connected to a mechanical ventilator but fairing well with Godʼs grace and healing intervention.
We fondly call her Lola Cion or Auntie Cion. Sheʼs my mother in laws sister, Rudy Barengʼs and Rebecca Rangcapanʼs aunt. She is timid but friendly at times, very simple, frugal and hard working especially in her prime years. She loves fish and vegetables. She used to baby sit my kids during infancy to toddler years. Although I have an extra house helper at that time, I am not worried when I leave home for work because sheʼs there and I am assured that all is well in the household and that of my boys. Sheʼs been diabetic and hypertensive for the last 15 years or so. Sheʼs under the care of an endocrinologist and cardiologist and condition has been controlled with quite expensive maintenance medications. Four years ago, she became asthmatic, this time complicated with COPD , coupled with severe difficulty of breathing and easy fatigability. Although sheʼs a non smoker, her condition worsened when she contracted Pneumonia. This respiratory infection could be due to her old age, depressed immune system and probably inhalation of toxic fumes from the environment. She loves to burn dried leaves and other trash from surroundings at her front yard.
Sheʼs maybe a health buff when it comes to her eating habits and no vices for that matter, but still she had all the above illnesses. This just goes to show that diseases could strike oneʼs body even if there are no risk factors present. Partly, it could also be genetic and lifestyle factors. Just because you donʼt see the effects of what youʼre doing and of what youʼre eating doesnʼt mean that it doesnʼt have any effect on your body. But as time passes and we grow older, they would come into the picture, thus we suffer the ill effects of such.
Always keep in mind that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as caretakers of that temple, we must do what we can to make sure our bodies remain healthy. Never, ever take your health for granted.