an open letter from my papa

i told my papa that i'll be sending his letter to all family and friends who prayed for him. he told me that he's making it his apostolate to inform everyone what happened to him as not everyone are lucky enough to tell their story.

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I have just undergone a heart attack and thank God, was able to recoverand share the event with you.

Thanks for all your prayers.

I attach the documents.

Love you all.

Rolly Alarcon

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INTRODUCTION

If you received a copy of this documentary, I owe you this explanation regarding my Heart Attack Experience.. I feel I was really blest that I was able to survive this traumatic bout. I know I might have created you undue anxiety and concern about this news.

I now feel obligated to relay to you what has happened.

Let me first thank you for the prayers and the concerns that I’m sure you did when you heard the news.

Most of you know that I have been an athletic person all my life and up to the present. I continue to play Badminton twice a week for two hours, have an active home life, with a very happy and supportive family, not to mention, enjoying riding my motorcycle with my group. I have at times been called “Mr. Cool”. I’m not really the type who “blows his top” easily.

Last Nov. 11, following a usual day in the office, at about 7 30 PM, we had just finished a regularly scheduled badminton fun game, and , I was late for the schedule, therefore had only 15 minutes to play before court’s time was up. I managed to squeeze a double’s game but that’s was it. Before I could make a good sweat, the game has timed out.

We had a rest and were contemplating on playing some more, when I started to feel that something was wrong with my breathing…

DETECTION

I felt something clogging my throat like phlegm or like having swallowed a big bite of food which tends to be uncomfortable in the chest . I was trying to cough it out intentionally, hoping to clear my throat to get some comfort..

Following that, I felt a strange cold sweat and had breathing difficulty. I had someone help me out of the badminton court, which is closed and covered, to get a breathe of outdoor fresh air, hoping that things will feel better.

It did not, rather got progressively (logarithmically) worst.

The difficulty in breathing got worst. Sweated profusely and I started to act incoherently. I could not even get a sip from the water bottle in my hand.

While all these are happening, I was trying to maintain a clear mind on what to do next. Go home or go direct to the nearest hospital ? From what was happening, I decided to go to the hospital. The time period from the first time I had difficulty in breathing to what I felt up till now , had taken only 10 minutes. Things were turning out from bad to worst. And at this point I was struggling for my breathe, blurring vision, sweaty chill and incoherent movement.

As all of these were happening, and I was with Mr. Rey Borja. He is a motorcycle riding buddy of mine, a good motorcycle mechanic, a registered male nurse and an office mate. (I now call him my guardian angel - Don’t worry, you will have your own particularly when you need one). He happened to be in the Badminton Court that time to watch and spy-in to our practice. (btw - he belongs to the other team). He too, started to worry as my pulse was getting weaker and weaker, again progressively deteriorating.

We decided to go to the nearest hospital, which was Medical City.

ON THE WAY

Rey drove like mad, with hazards on , tooting his horns to give us space to maneuver the big van. Apart from all the frightening feelings, I was being lulled into unconsciousness, which my mind was telling me I must not give into. I decided to open a window and look at the oncoming bright lights, hoping it would help me focus to stay alert and not let me slip into unconsciousness.

During this trip, I had a chance to talk to family members, advising them Im on the way to Medical City due to difficulty in breathing. Thanks to the last “ Last Called Feature of the Cellphones” I managed to call, if not, Im not sure if I can browse through the Contacts List at my condition.

At this point, I was really struggling for my breathe having to draw each and every breath of life. They say that its like placing a brick or stone in your chest. I will tell you, that is an understatement. [A steamroller (pison), is more appropriate, or for the divers out there, its like drawing air from your scuba tank at 200 ft.] I notice I was not breathing naturally and had to go back to deep full lung breathing.

ARRIVAL AT THE MEDICALCITY EMERGENCY ROOM

We arrived at the emergency room of Medical City, almost on the brink of loosing my consciousness. Chest pain got from worst to worster (if there is such), drawing air was much more difficult now and I was drenched with cold sweat.

I struggled through my sports bag for my wallet, Drivers License, Health card, and cell phone.

Emergency staff met us with a wheelchair and told the attending doctor I was having difficulty breathing and informed him that I might be having a heart attack..

I have been a hypertensive person since I was 26, and had to explain to him my medication, allergy issues and health card enrollment, and other personal information through my driver’s license.

MEDICAL ATTENTION

The attack was now at its worst. I could no longer breathe without struggling, sweating continuously, chest pains were severe, and my extremities were uncontrollably quivering.

I was in and out of consciousness.

Please note that all these happened within a span of 30 minutes.

In between these ON and OFF consciousness I saw people close to my life; my wife and daughter , close friends , and some of my relatives in the medical profession, all around my emergency room bed. I can just imagine now, how traumatic it was for them to see me quivering, uneasy and restless because of the severe chest pains and in the total experience I was going thru. My wife and daughter had to pin both my arms down on the bed because…through all the haze, I wanted to stand up, hoping to relieve my pain. Of course, that was already impossible since I was already being sedated which already included dosages of morphine for the pain.

While the doctors were rushing all over the place, I heard some statement of optimism, from the medical staff attending to me, that I am having an attack and well within the “Golden Six Hours”, and the new drug which melts any clog in the heart will work best within these Golden 6.

I found out later that the heart attack was happening while I was in the emergency bed. Everyone hopeful that the new drug works or else they will be forced to “open me up”. At this point, I felt the medical sedation taking effect, and at this time it started to become spiritual and had to tell HIM, “YOUR WILL BE DONE”.

After a while, I felt Peace, Serenity all over, with no pains and worries. ( This is part of a different saga all together) A PEEK AT THE LIFE AFTER

THE MORNING AFTER

I regained consciousness in the ICU room I was brought into, from the emergency room I was rushed into. It was room full of high tech medical equipment, with all those Intra Venous (IV) connected all over my body, all the monitors for the heart and breathing, laid across the top, the sides and bottom of my bed.I was brought in 8pm past of a Friday..and it was already 2 a.m. of Saturday. First thing I asked….”why am I here”?

I started to cry and not really not knowing what has happened and no idea what to do. After a few minutes, I collected myself and decided to do some of my own physiology tests. I first started to move my right feet and was so relieved to see it move, and did the rest for my left foot, right and left fingers, which at this time were swollen with the number needle marks and some still attached to it. At this time I was really talking to HIM, and asking if I am still in this earth.

I tried to recall everything that had happened and was able to trace everything back from the badminton court to the emergency room.

I can not explain to anyone how I felt at this point, both spiritually and physically

WHAT DID IT

My wife told me what had happened….and it seemed that I was back to my old self within 24 hours….The cardiologist assigned to me explained all that had happened and what was the next step to do. He said…”you are a very lucky guy…you were brought here right away..that’s why the doctors was able to do the right thing at the right time ….it seemed all the medications worked together to save me and give me back a new heart…and a new life…..but of course everything was done thru the will of our LORD..

The attack can not really be blamed on that single badminton game. Im sure it’s an accumulation of unhealthy practices throughout my 51 years and of course Genetics plays a whole lot.. Still, I just want to let you know….non-smokers have a big chance of surviving a heart attack.compared to smokers….people who tend to smoke will find it harder to bounce back to their old self…and if ever they have a procedure…it will be more complicated because the cardiologist will find more difficulty restoring the damage on the arteries. By the way, the finding on my heart attack showed an artery block to the oxygen supply of my heart, causing the excruciating pain and eventually causing something like a heart muscle cramps (ie stoppage), thus the heart attack..

WHAT SAVED IT

Having a clear and well focused mind, despite all these pains, anxiety you feel, and resist the urge to be naturally carried away into unconsciousness.

When you’ve done all humanly possible, struggling all throughout the challenges, and have done your best, endorse everything to HIM.

FOLLOW UP MEDICATION

There I was lying in bed for the next two days, in the ICU being observed by the best medical team that can be offered. Honestly I felt like “nagdadahilan lang” as they say. Everything I felt was pre-attack feeling (parang singlakas ng kalabaw), with the exception of the many IVs , monitoring instruments attached to me, and the regular (or should say irregular) visits of the medical staff coming for the regular vitals and medicine.

POST MONITORING ACTIVITY

After several days (actually two days), I had a discussion with a team of Cardiologist of different level of expertise (Fellows, Consultants, etc), on what to do next.

I was advised on how lucky I was that the medication given to me during the attack worked most effectively at the proper time. We all looked at the Monitors attached to me, and the most inspiring sight I saw when they all nod and agreed with a nice smile, that it really did.

From then on, it was all progressively uphill and every vitals improved.

Following this activity, How happy I was to see the loads of friends, in queue for the ICU visiting hours to open, which by the way opens for two hours a day only. I was given unlimited well wishes, some shared their touch of energy , prayed over me and some curious how can such happen to me. Close relatives and friends abroad kept on sending prayers and inspirations to the rest of my family.I understand some were not even able to enter, despite that were content enough to have a peek at my ICU room.

All these helped

Passing the several days of monitoring, and with serious discussion with the medical team, I decided to have an Coronary Angiogram Procedure and had to worked on one blocked artery using Angioplasty.

These were performed and had to clear one blocked artery through the Angioplasty, using balloon and stent in the coronary walls. It was one exciting experience too.

EPILOGUE

Personally, I believe this was a “Wake Up Call” not only for me but for my Networks of Friends. I was truly blessed to have gone through all these experience and come out alive and still in full control of all of my faculties, and still be alive able to tell you about it.

Thus, I am sharing these to all of you. Those who were part of the Prayer Brigade, those who have showed concern. And mostly to those…who had to go right away to see me and my family…to give support by your presence….my deepest gratitude! I hope that this will continue to inspire you to continue on with life….. take care of it… and when you have done your best….. be able to trust and leave the rest to HIM.

Following the old cliché, “Trust me I’ve been there”.

I do not claim any medical explanation for all that has happened but it has seemed I have been very lucky….. I’m sure from the events that transpired…. you will be able to pick up the most significant and critical events that could help you in the future.

Importance of the GIFT OF LIFE

One of the most important values, that I’ve learn to treasure, is the “Gift of LIFE”. This gift crosses politics, faith or creed, and social stature. Each Human Being is given the same and equal opportunity. It is up for the human being to develop and improve this gift of life, sharing its talent.

The most important challenge is how to make this “God given Lives” to us, provide LIFE to other human beings.

AGAIN, MY DEAR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS, CONCERNS AND CARE.

I LOVE YOU ALL.

Rolly C. Alarcon
email : ralarcon@tgm.com.ph
Tel. (632) 9250451

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A PEEK AT THE LIFE AFTER

There I was, lying in a place or a state which can not be explained except for peace, serenity and tranquility. It is like staring at a blank ceiling with soft and indirect lighting. No “Bright Light, No Sound”, No Distance and No Sense of Time.

It appears as if my senses was reset or perhaps non-working. No struggle for bright or dim lights, No sound, no bass or treble sound, like an equalizer set at flat, No sense of distance.

It was pure peace and serenity.

With a clear mind, I tried to recall any of my earthly problems and concerns. Nothing seem to come through. I couldn’t imagine such a place or state much peaceful than this.

Perhaps, He allowed me to have a peek on life beyond and this is the tranquility I felt.

If this is the state of life after death, I am no longer afraid of it , honestly I am looking forward to it.

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The GIFT of LIFE

Following my recent bout with Heart Attack, I began to realize the importance of LIFE.

The Gift of Life being the most important gift one could have.. This is one gift that surpasses Creed and Political Beliefs, Rich or Poor, Black or White. Everyone is given a fair chance of LIFE.

In Life , it is how we develop and share this gift. How we expand it, develop it , share it and most important how we enjoy life. It crosses social stature, rich or poor.

At the end of the day, it is how we use this life and become a “LIFE” to other people.

So let preserve life, develop life, share life and enjoy our lives.