A Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Clinic opened inside our subdivision a long time ago. It was located on the lower ground floor of the clubhouse. I inquired once and earnestly thought of going for some fresh oxygen boosts, but that never happened. I went twice, but they were always booked, primarily for young children with some health challenges. The fee for a one-hour session was P1,200, which I considered stiff during those days. I remember seeing a steel chamber for one person lying down. It has a clear fiberglass cover so the patient can still somehow see the outside world. Imagine being placed in a fully opaque chamber, masahol pa sa inilagay ka sa loob ng kabaong. Nay ko po.
I thought I would lie down, close my eyes, and inhale the freshest air like the late Michael Jackson. There were reports before that he had an oxygen chamber in his residence for more private therapy sessions.
I had mentioned several times to my daughter about oxygen therapy so this probably encouraged her to get her parents this gift sessions.
On September 5, we all went together for our first session, Edmund, Yen, and me. I was full of excitement. I’ve been feeling tired and sluggish lately. Baka jetlag pa rin. I need energy boosts and this hyperbaric thing could be a health booster.
Imagine the long list of health benefits? Good sleep, fast healing of wounds,
After filling out the information sheet, their young resident doctor interviewed me about my health history. Then followed by Edmund and Oyen but their interview was shorter.
Our personal belongings such as handbags and cellphones were placed in individual lockers located against the wall near the giant chambers that looked like a submarine.
I thought it was as easy as ABC. Again, my impression was we would just seat there, relax, enjoy, while they blasted us with pure oxygen. Cool, relaxing, and exciting.
WRONG. I WAS VERY, VERY WRONG.
What happened?
1. Before the anticipated pure oxygen blast, they decompressed the chamber to 30 meters below sea level, hayan parang nagda-diving sa dagat. Eh ni hindi nga ako lumulubog sa aming swimming pool. Sa tabo lang para na akong malulunod.
Nasa 10 meters pa lang kami, I felt like my brain was being squeezed. Instead of feeling fresh, cool, sarap, parang they were sucking the oxygen from my brain. Baligtad.
My ears were hurting, worst than on the plane. Ang tagal. It took some 20 minutes before we reached the desired depth of 30 meters. By this time, I knew already that I didn’t want this kind of feeling. This would not make me feel good. I felt sick.
I went along, trying to psyche myself that at some point, I will begin to get the hang of it.
Here came the oxygen mask. Para kaming aliens na nasa space ship, ang laki, ang bigat. I could hear my heavy beathing. The nurse said “breath normally”. How can I breathe normally eh para nga akong hindi makahinga. I was catching my breath. So instead of feeling relaxed, nahahapo ako. Pagud na pagod na ako eh 5 minutes pa lang. Then I started feeling faint, and nauseated.
There was a 10 minute break after 20 minutes. That didn’t help. The more I felt I was going to throw up and faint. That’s it for me. I am going to die if I continue.
So I opted out. But the process of getting out was as annoying as getting in. The nurse and I went to a smaller chamber, still adjacent to the bigger chamber. Going up to the surface also took time, merong bilang. Hindi basta na lang bubukas ang pinto, Ganun din, I had to take deep breaths and wore the heavy mask. Para akong hihimatayin but I hang on with the thought that my ordeal would soon be over.
Finally, after some 10 minutes, I was out. They took my pulse and blood pressure. Tumaas ng konti, konti lang. From pre-session of 110/70, after session it went up to 120/80 which was still normal.
After about 15 minutes, Sherwin, the brother-in-law of Oyen, and his personal nurse/physical therapist arrived. Sherwin pala has been having weekly hyperbaric treatments there and according to his brother who is my son-in-law, there are evident physical improvements.
Bilib ako sa asawa ko and Oyen, ang galing nila, kayang-kaya nila yung session. Nagpunta pa sa Startbucks yung mag-ama para magdonate na naman. Me? hilo pa rin. I still felt nauseated, gusto ko ng umuwi at humiga.
I felt sick for the next two days. I had migraine, and felt unstable when walking or standing. I knew that to go back there believing that I would get the hang of it would be too risky on my part.
I went to feel better but instead I felt worst.
My husband and Oyen continue their weekly sessions. Oyen claims her skin has improved which I think was because of her hormonal cycle and not from the hyperbaric therapy. She said she sleeps better. That was good, right? But I think she’s been lacking in sleep kaya talagang paghiga nya makakatulog na agad sya. Tired and lack of sleep kasi gabi na nagta trabaho pa.
My husband naman, for him the sessions are opportunities for him to bond with his daughter. Kayang-kaya ng katawan nya. I hope the oxygen therapy would really help their bodies in a good way.
Ako lang ang talagang give-up na after one-half session pa lang.
E—-“Tart, sama ka sa amin bukas?”
A—-“Saan?”
E—–“Sa hyperbaric”
A—–“Matagal ko ng alam na galit ka sa akin. Gusto mo na talga akong mawala sa mundong ito.”
He giggles. See? Giggles means yes.
The husband and daughter team enjoy their sessions. The movies keep them entertained and not notice the time. They eat the free Skyflakes crackers during the 10 minute breaks. They now look forward to their every session. I am happy for them but I do not envy then. Ako? Hay naku, I have to look for other means of rejuvenation. Saan kaya and paano?
