Lifestyle
Seven Ways to Sustain Family Unity During a Critical Medical Crisis
By: Charlotte Tan-Mabilog
Let me begin by saying this plainly: there is no easy way to deal with a medical emergency involving a loved one. Nothing can fully prepare us for the shock, fear, and helplessness of watching someone we love suffer.
And yet, even in the midst of uncertainty and dread, families can choose to stay united. We can walk through the crisis together without losing sight of our shared hopeโthat our loved one will survive, recover, and emerge stronger.
In the span of just three weeks, our family moved between three hospitals. On November 10, we admitted my father for a stroke at The Medical City. He showed remarkable improvement and was discharged after five days, needing only continued rehabilitation. Two days later, however, he suffered a seizure. A CT scan revealed another stroke.
We transported him by ambulance from Passi City, bracing ourselves for the worst. That night, many of us feared he would not survive. But God had other plans. My husband and I had barely recovered from the exhaustion of hospital errands and sleepless nights when we found ourselves starting all over again.
We returned to The Medical City, where the care and service were topnotch. Having already exhausted significant funds during my fatherโs first confinement, we processed his transfer to WVSU Medical Center (Don Benito), which was closer to home. On the third day, the transfer was completed. He stayed there for another week until he was deemed ready for discharge.
Just six days later, I was admitted to St. Paulโs Hospital for severe asthma. This came on top of my husbandโs bout with the flu during Papaโs first hospitalization, followed by my sonโs fever and cough.
Through it all, I remain deeply grateful to the Lord, who held our family in the palm of His hands. As overwhelming as the experience was, it taught us invaluable lessons about unity, faith, and resilience.
While I would never wish such an ordeal on another family, I would like to share these seven ways to help sustain family unity should you ever find yourselves in a similar situation.
1. Appoint the โFamily Anchorโ (The Contact Person)
Designate one person to handle medical updates, coordinate needs, make inquiries, and keep track of important documents and receipts. This minimizes confusion and ensures that accurate information comes from a single, reliable source.
2. Create the Family Huddle (The Update System)
Decide how the family will communicate collectively. Choose a platform that is accessible to everyone, such as Facebook Messenger or Viber, to share updates, prayer requests, and words of encouragement.
3. Rotate the Bedside Watch (Preventing Burnout)
Avoid exhaustion by taking turns during long hospital shifts, especially overnight. If all family members work full-time, consider hiring a caregiver or asking extended family for support.
4. Maintain the โHome Frontโ (Protecting Normalcy)
In the midst of crisis, routine matters. My 12-year-old son had to adjust to having only one parent at home most nights. He continued attending school; I made time for my students; and I still anchored the newscast on days when the situation was not critical. These small anchors of normalcy helped us cope.
5. Seekโand AcceptโExternal Support
Do not hesitate to ask for help. Those who love your family will reach out, offer assistance, and ask for updates. Allow them to walk alongside you.
6. Move Forward Together
Hold on to the promise of better days ahead. The present may feel overwhelming and draining, but rest and relief await. This hope will sustain you through each exhausting day.
7. Trust God All the Way
When medical bills begin to pile up, a different kind of stress sets inโone that steals sleep and peace if left unchecked. Throughout our month-long ordeal, we learned to trust God more deeply for provision and favor. True to His faithful nature, He provided. My brother once said, โGod is working behind the scenes.โ hose words brought me peace, and from then on, I stopped worrying about the bills.
If you are facing a similar situation today, my prayer is that Godโs grace will be sufficient for you. He sustains, provides, comforts, and rescues us from the miry pit. My fatherโs recovery stands as a testament to how God can turn even the darkest circumstances into something good.
Stay strongโand trust God all the way.
