(RONNIE CARRASCO III)

BIBIHIRA  naming mati­yempuhang online ang talent manager na si Ogie Diaz, our close friend and kumpare as well.

Sinamantala na namin ang gabing active siya kamakailan, to ask about his ward Liza Soberano’s latest medical bulletin.

For days, or even weeks now, ay nasa US pa rin ang aktres who had to undergo a finger surgery. Tinanong namin si Ogie kung kelan ang nakatakdang pagbabalik dito ni Liza. The last thing we heard ay ikinakasa na ng ABS-CBN ang bagong teleseryeng magtatampok kay Liza and a Star Cinema project na kapalit ng Darna movie.

Ani Ogie, under monitoring pa rin daw ang kanyang alaga as a new antibiotic has been administered through her PICC line.

Ano ‘yun? Agad iminesendyer ni Ogie ang ilang litrato showing the procedure. Mala-tube lang ng dextrose na nakakabit sa mid-arm, securely fastened with medical/surgical tape lang ang peg.

PICC stands for “peripherally inserted central catheter,” a long, soft and flexible tube na maaaring manatili sa braso ng pasyente nang ilang linggo o buwan. Ginagamit ang PICC line “to give fluids, medications, nutrients and/or take blood samples for testing.”

Naka-insert ito through a peripheral vein (hence the term) to a larger vein in a patient’s body.

Medyo nabahala lang kami sa maaaring itagal ng PICC line sa braso ni Liza which may last for “several weeks or months.” Kung ganun kasi, she will have to extend her stay in the US lalo pa’t ang nagmo-monitor sa kanyang kondisyon ay ang mismong surgeon niya.

But if there’s a beacon of hope, ayon kay Ogie ay baka matagal na ang July para abangan ang muling pagbabalik ni Liza. Pero depende pa rin daw ‘yon sa doctor’s advice.

Vis a Vis can just imagine kung paanong ang bawat araw na lumilipas is one of boredom for Liza. A self-confessed breadwinner, kailangan nga naman niyang magtrabaho. Gustuhin mang sumabak ni Liza sa trabaho, her body wouldn’t simply permit it.

But Liza owes it to herself to rest.

Bigla tuloy nag-flashback ang isang English poem which we studied in our fourth grade. Penned by William Ernest Henley, isinulat niya ang Invictus while at the hospital for treatment of his bone tuberculosis.

Maybe this will inspire Liza who—so ends the poem—is the “master of my fate, the captain of my soul.” Hamon ‘yon sa anumang pagsubok sa buhay na maaari nating mapagtagumpayan.