Week 2 (1 Sep - 7 Sep)

01 Sep Saturday

Went to the bathroom using his walker, brushed his teeth and then trimmed his mustache and beard with a little help from John-C who also shaved his head. Very good spirits and talkative, very good appetite. Vic and Maree arrived with Virgie and Baby who flew in from San Diego. They brought some Filipino delicacies which Cesar was able to sample and enjoy. Recited the rosary with them, sang religious songs and then switched to the oldies with Cesar joining in once in a while.

02 Sep Sunday

The Bay Area group (Telang, Otoy, Tita and Gail) came for a visit and were later joined by Vic, Maree, Virgie and Baby after attending Sunday mass. Again, lots of food which Cesar was able to partake, Kuya Otoy telling stories about the good old days in Botolan and then reciting the rosary and praying over Cesar. He was in a joyous mood all day but had to just lay back in bed as he was tired with all the excitement.

03 Sep Monday

An off day for Cesar due to the week-end activities; just stayed in bed and rested and watched the US Open. Received calls from Kuya Al and Mila.

04 Sep Tuesday

Woke up with lots of energy and did all the morning routine with minimum`assistance. Had a brief scare around noon when Leonor called me just when I was driving back from Minden after picking up a letter from the hospice. She said that Cesar was gasping for breath and that the hospice had advised her to administer morphine right away. I told her to wait for me and when I got to the house, Cesar was already breathing fine. He said he did what the hospice's chaplain said to do when he needs help: to pray to his guardian angel. He said he just finished saying 'Guardian Angel' when all of a sudden he just sneezed and then he started breathing normally. They were both crying as he was telling the story. He`just rested for the rest of the day since his energy was drained by the experience.

05 Sep Wednesday

Did not have a good night's sleep so just stayed in bed all day and rested. The hospice nurse came by for his bath and he felt better afterwards. Maureen, his acupuncturist also came by around 12:30 for a house call, massaged his head and neck and prescribed herbal supplements. Stayed awake in the afternoon and talked about childhood days.

06 Sep Thursday

Another off day feeling weak and tired, getting up only to go to the bathroom using the walker. Listened in to the phone interview/screening between John-C, myself and Dr. Hernandez from the Oasis of Hope. Had a temperature of 100 about 8 pm; wiped him down with a wet washcloth and ice and was able to bring it down to normal.

07 Sep Friday

A very good day; woke up up with lots of energy and got up early for his bathroom routine; very talkative; had breakfast while watching PI news at TFC. Susan, his bath-giver came by and also Marla, the care giver manager and we discussed assistance for our trip to Las Vegas for the healing service next week. Leanne arrived from San Diego bringing hopia, pandesal and bibingka for Cesar.