Goodbye Dayeanne

Dayeanne was my cousin from my father side and I can tell you right now that she is my "pinakamabait" cousin and nobody on our family will object.  Until the very end, she thought of her family and said "Sorry" to her mom (Auntie Day) because of the hospital expense.

I remembered that I talked to Auntie Day last Monday to follow up on a mail that I sent her.  She then told me she's in Manila (at Dayeanne's dorm) because my cousin has a fever. Since it was already declared that Wednesday will be a holiday because of Pres. Cory's burial, she decided to bring Dayeanne home in the province (Nueva Ecija) so she can take care of her.

I learned that they brought her in the hospital on Thursday (also in Nueva Ecija) and she was given 6 bags of blood already because her platelets were really low.  She was then transferred here in Manila (at Hospital of the Infant Jesus) last Friday and even though it was after visitting hours already, my dad went to the hospital to check on Dayeanne.

After the gown measurement of my entourage last Saturday, Tim and I went to the hospital to visit Dayeanne.  She was confined in the ICU because she was having a hard time breathing - she had pneumonia.  My parents also arrived and we can all feel the tension in the air because Auntie Day cried every now and then.  I got the chance to go inside the ICU but was not able to talk to Dayeanne because of the tube on her.  We left the hospital and all Auntie Day told us was to continue praying for Dayeanne's recovery.  Since her platelets were already improving, all we have to worry right now is the pneumonia.

Sunday morning, around 6:30 am, we were all up (my dad, mom, me and Kai) because Kai has an early class (review).  Her phone rang and I heard her say "Auntie Min (my dad's sister) and then.. "Ha? (in a loud, surprised voice) and from lying on her bed, she sat up immediately.  I can see her shocked reaction that is why I asked her "Baket?".  She did not answer.  I had a bad feelin about it that is why I grabbed her phone and gave it to my dad.  She then told me "Wala na si Dayeanne...".  I can hear my dad talking on the phone, confirming the news.  Without wasting any minute, I saw him changing clothes, I did not say a word but I immediately changed clothes as well.  I knew at that point that he was going to the hospital and I was going with him.  My mom said they will just follow because it would take us longer if we wait for all of us to changed clothes.  I called Ate Abi to asked her what happened and she told me she just talked with Tio Caloy (Dayeanne's dad) around 5:30am and he told her that she was critical.  I then asked her "Hindi mo ba alam?" and she answered "Ang alin?".   I told her the bad news.  Like me, she couldn't believed it and she said we can just meet at the hospital when she learned we were leaving already.

When we arrived at the hospital, I saw Auntie Day and I immediately hugged her.  I can still remember what she told me... "Wala na si Dayeanne.. wala na ang pinsan nyo.." I started crying especially when I saw my dad hugged her, it was then I saw her break down on my dad's arms.  My dad didn't cry but I can see his eyes with tears - I knew he felt he needed to be strong for his sister.

When Ate Abi arrived, we went inside the ICU - Dayeanne was still there - and as I looked at her, she looked like she was only sleeping.  A priest gave her the final blessing and we waited until it was time to bring her home to Nueva Ecija.

We will lay her to rest on Sunday and we will only have one week to grieve our loss. Please pray for her soul. Please pray for her family.  18 years was all that was given to us.  It was unexpected and until now I can't believe that she's already gone.  I know that I should not ask "Why?" because God has a reason for everything.  As my Dad told me "Thy will be done..".

I know you're at peace and happy right now - together with Lolo Papang, Lola Mamang and Auntie Yolly.  Be our guardian angel and continue to look after us.

Goodbye Dayeanne.