A Mother's Homecoming

This Mother’s Day is special for this 18-year-old because her frontliner mom is coming home after battling with COVID-19

- Jane Kingsu Cheng

We haven’t had our mom in our house for over a month now, but she’s finally coming home to us. You see, I almost lost her to Covid-19, and it’s something I hope you all don’t have to go through.

Meet my mom

My mother, Dr. Fredezminda Soriano Dela Torre, chose to fulfill her responsibilities as a medical doctor. A physician for 32 years, she practices Internal Medicine in six different hospitals in Cabanatuan City. She’s also a medical consultant and a frontliner stationed in the emergency room, going through 24-hour duties at the government hospital.

At 58 years old, she still works very hard—juggling hospital duties and still finding time to help me and my older brother Kuya Nico with our school assignments. She also sees to it that our weekends are reserved for family bonding with my father Aldrick, a retired military officer. She is very caring and thoughtful. She’s my mother and my best friend.

A doctor’s duty

When the news of Covid-19 started to spread, we couldn’t help but worry about her getting sick. We expressed our concerns, but she told us that she needed to honor her duty as a doctor. Thus our new normal at home began. Even at home, we wear face masks, wash our hands, and practice social distancing.