The roller coaster ride

By Dr. Glenn Grecia Jr

“Let’s do the roller coaster now!” my mother exclaimed as we entered the park grounds of the amusement park we have dreamt of visiting since the pandemic started.

“Are you sure we’ll do that first?” I replied, chuckling as I was pretty sure she would regret choosing the roller coaster first. My sister giggled on the side.

Almost three years into the pandemic, the bug still silently spreads, undetected. Yet, people have yearned to bring back the past, where they could be carefree to enjoy life’s pleasures without having any fear of getting infected—or dying.

And there we were, in the amusement park. I gave in to my mother’s desire to get wrecked early as we approached the humongous rocket ship: the roller coaster. I felt nauseous. I could feel the blood on my face drain, my heart beating fast, my palms sweaty. I was belching with reflux and fear.

What came to my mind at that instant was the first time I handled a dyspneic patient who consulted me in my poorly-ventilated clinic when the pandemic had begun. He had severe COVID-19 infection.  I checked his oxygen saturation: 77%. It screamed at me. My heart raced. That was the last time my heart beat that quickly.

In a few minutes, it would be my turn to ride the roller coaster. I would need to confront my fear of heights. Would I open my eyes and face the world as it spun, or would I close my eyes and wait for the end?

Some prefer to close their eyes, while others keep their eyes wide open. In the end, all roller coaster rides eventually come to an end. People emerge shaken, petrified, and just happy to have survived it. Still others could not contain themselves: they would scream with adrenaline, feel victorious, and, perhaps would want to repeat the experience.

As for my mother, she regretted going on the roller coaster early.

“So, did you enjoy it?” we asked her.

She gave us a thumbs up and smiled. “At least we survived,” she said.

She has learned her lesson: keep the most thrilling rides last.

Glenn L. Grecia Jr., MD

The author is a general internist and lecturer in Medicine and Dentistry courses in Iloilo City. He loves to teach his students and patients alike with an ounce of humor and a ton of empathy.

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