Panic Attacks

Phillie's SMS was justified one night when we were watching television in the living room.

Feeling tired and wanting to retired to bed at 8:00pm, one hour earlier than usual, Angie got up and walked to the stair case. Suddenly, Mother's upper body was shaking and head turning left and right. Her face ashened and both hands raised and flapping. She got up and mumbled unintelligibly, and followed Angie toward the stair case. It was some sort of panic attacks!

We were alarmed. Angie turned around to comfort her. I approached Mother and hugged her sideways. I gesture Angie to sit down and asked softly if Mother wanted to go to bed. She nodded meekly.

So, the three of us gone upstairs. Mother insisted to sleep in Angie's room.

Mother was restless when Angie visited the bath room at midnight. I went inside the room to keep her company. That seemed to calm her down. So, I slept on the mattress on the floor between Mother's and Angie's bed. It was a fine arrangement as Mother didn't get up when Angie's did her round at 3:00am.

It was a difficult moment for me as I lay eyes wide open till morning.

Thus, I anxiously looked forward to Mother's first appointment with Dr Chew, a local psychiatrist recommended by my brother-in-law.