A plane lifts off of a runway from Mongmong, Guam to San Diego, California. The trip is very anxious as a man seeks help from American doctors while a baby boy has been living with a terminal disease since birth. A little girl is present for the trip.
Phylicia G. Hisel was only four years - old at the time. “I didn’t fully understand the situation, but I knew what was happening. I was too young,” she stated. Hisel’s father, Troy, was sick and Guamanian medical doctors could not figure out what was wrong. They told him to go to the United States.
In the year 1996, Troy went to the United States and his family followed. Opening their wallets, they noticed they had no money for this trip. Being in despair, the co-workers of Hisel’s parent’s paid for the trip so that Hisel, her mother, Donna, her baby brother, Gary, and her baby sister, Brenda could be with their father.
Taking their first steps off of the plane gave the Hisel family a sign of hope. The family went to the hospital and Troy was seen. After many tests, the family awaited the results. A period of time passed by and a bundle of feelings flew in the air. As Troy was in his hospital bed, Hisel, Donna, Gary and Brenda beside him, the test results finally came back.
American doctors caught a growing tumor either next to Troy’s kidney or liver, Hisel does not remember. Doctors diagnosed Troy with testicular cancer. They say if he had waited just two weeks longer to come to America, he would potentially be dead. The cancer was caught before it hit metastasis.
Hisel’s father was in the hospital for almost a year. During this time, her mother Donna had a large amount of stress on her shoulders. Her family came over from Guam and had nothing. It was time she provided the necessities for them. Donna applied for welfare and financial aid from the government - she got turned down. The hope that had stepped off the plane with the Hisel family was slowly diminishing. Donna and her kids then moved in with their father’s sister.
During a hospital visit one day, Hisel, Donna, Gary and Brenda sat with their father. He lied in his hospital bed with IV pumps, various tubes and needles sticking out from his body. Hisel’s mother had taken her daughters to the cafeteria. Gary stayed with his father. Troy held his two year-old toddler in his arms. Gary was born with mucolipidosis type two, a bone disease, and his family knew he wasn’t going to live much longer. At this time, Gary took his last breath. Troy screamed for nurses but they couldn’t do anything.
Hisel, Donna and Brenda came back and were distraught. They didn’t know what to do, but they did know this day was coming. Troy was finally discharged from the hospital. He strived for survival.
Although Hisel was only four years - old at the time, she still remembers bits and pieces. “It’s sad on the anniversary day of my brother’s passing, but we get through it.”
From the plane that left Guam to the plane that Hisel’s brother flew on into Heaven, Hisel will always be strong.
- Juanita Pha
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