The_Grimwitch_Chronicles

Uriel was rushing to work while I was basking in the afterglow of our early morning delight that Monday morning when my brother Barnabas barged into our room. He complained of cramping back pain which woke him up. Since I have felt that sensation regularly after I have had my kidney lithotripsy, I advised him to pee because it may be due to urine accumulation in his bladder. He peed but then came back again complaining that the pain had radiated to his stomach. I dismissed him by saying that it may best to eat breakfast first because it might've been hunger pangs. He ate a light breakfast of coffee and toast. After some time, he came back to my room and was sweating profusely. He lay beside me and tugged my arm. He was cold and very much in pain. He crouched in a fetal position and with his eyes, pleaded for my help. It scared the hell out of me because my mum's brother died of pancreatic disease, crouched the same way. I shuddered at the thought. My mind was running with possible diagnoses. I suspected pancreatitis.

We took a taxi to a nearby suburban hospital in the outskirts of Marikina. He was attended to in the emergency room where he was given Ranitidine intravenous and a pain killer (which he suspected to be Meperidine) which alleviated the pain a little. He was to be confined but the only room available was the hospital's suite. Since we had 48 hours leeway to transfer to a cheaper room, we agreed. All sorts of tests were immediately administered - blood counts, skin tests, x-rays and of course, ultrasound imaging. Initial inspection of all the tests showed a swollen gallbladder because of a gallbladder stone dislodged in its opening. He was too stunned to speak because he had to go under the surgeon's knife again. Surgery was scheduled for the next day.

That was the problem because at the beginning of the coming month, his company changed HMO's and that hospital was not accredited by the new HMO. The old HMO advised us to remain in the small hospital and pay for the remaining days not covered by the HMO. My brother's company had assured us that it will be reimbursed in the new HMO. Since we could not confirm that with the new HMO, we don't want to take the risk aftr assessing our funds. Besides, many of our families do not even know that small hospital existed. We decided to transfer to a big hospital more familiar, covered by both old and new HMO but definitely more expensive than the previous. I had to rush everybody in the small hospital into processing the discharge papers fast because we need to get in the big hospital before dark.

We got to the big hospital after numerous taxi transfers. Since the old HMO is effective till midnight, we paid for the room the next day since the new HMO is still incommunicado. When they were finally reached (think about the callous formed on my fingers dialing their friggin' numbers). They issued an LOA (letter of agreement) for my brother. He was given a new set of doctors and of course, same tests given in the small hospital. He was to be transferred to a semi-private room as indicated in the LOA. We were given 48 hours (again!) to transfer or pay the overhead cost of that room. I asked the big hospital's billing if there's any difference on the cost of diagnostic tests, medication and procedure rates per room. And you know what? There IS a BIG difference!

Before Barnabas went under the knife, his white blood cells rose in the recent blood test. There was infection but they don't know where. Upon further interview, they suspected that my brother might have had ear infection again (the bane of his previous surgery). They sent in another specialist and they wanted a CT scan. I refused to have that test done because I wanted the pain removed from my brother's abdomen. After all, that was why we're here for. They gave him antibiotics (loads of them!) for that and had him on surgery the next day.

He had a laparoscopy. It was a real high tech surgical procedure where there are 4 incisions: 1 for the camera, 2 for the prongs and 1 for the gall bladder's exit. The doctor saved his gall stones and took pictures of it. It was real cute: it's as small as green peas but made up of yellowish aggregates. Beau Boi and I gave up eating chicharon on that moment. They put it in a small vial with rubber cover and my brother kept it.

After his catheter and drain was removed, he was good to go. The nurse gave him his last dose of intravenous fluids and it was time for us to settle the bill. I already informed Jubei that we're going to borrow a little cash from her because I was sure that we had exceeded the new HMO's limit.

I was advised to go to the billing section. I got the initial assessment. My sister rejoiced when she found out it was within her credit limit (17K). The big hospital had already discounted it because of the Philhealth and of course, the HMO coverage. Jubei withdrew cash from a nearby ATM machine and I was asked to go to the credit section which was a bit odd.

When I got inside the credit section office, the woman (I assume that was their supervisor) told me that the doctor's fees were not included in the bill and that thy weren't mentioned in the LOA. In summary, we would have to pay for their professional fees in addition to the excess. It was quite alright until I saw how much. It was more than 65K! She added that we would have to settle that before midnight or pay the penalty of 5K plus the room rate for the whole day because the account was already closed.

I was crestfallen. How on earth am I going to wriggle ourselves out of this predicament? I told my sister who was very angry at the new HMO (55%) and of course, the big hospital(25%) and my brother's company (10%). We had only one hope that day: my brother-in-law Armand Oleander, who is Josette's husband. If he agrees to cash out 65K for Barnabas, that would be the end of our problems but how in the world can Barnabas pay it back? We know that Armand will pay for the monthly amortization of his SUV. We had to find another way. Josette and I called people who might lend us money now and eventually Barnabas will pay it back.. but no success.

Armand arrived and had a private conference with Josette. I know that since she's a housewife (meaning, no income), she has no choice but agree to whatever Armand's condition may be. After the conference, I saw Josette smiling and of course, handing the cashier the money. Barnabas was thanking the blushing Armand profusely and a teary-eyed me assured him that I will help Body pay for the said credit.

We went home, where my husband waited with a piping hot dinner. Josette and Armand would have joined us but Claudius, my nephew, kept checking on where they are. While we ate in silence, I could tell that Barnabas was humbled and embarrassed by what had transpired. I could sense Uriel was worried how Barnabas was going to pay the Oleanders back. I couldn't think of anything else but retribution for us. I urged Barnabas to get back at the new HMO when he returns to work after a fortnight.

He didn't reply. With the glint in his eyes, I think he might do more than that.