RETURNING HOME…

I just wanted to share one of the scribbles I wrote in my notebook aboard Negros Navigation’s Mary Queen of Peace, dated January 8, 2005. It was my hubby, Robin Faith and me coming home from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City.

We came from the Philippine Heart Center with an awful news, confirming that Robin had cardiomyopathy. I will scan this page one of these days, but for now, I will be typing it. I inserted small caps as my side comments while typing this here. 🙂

JANUARY 8, 2005
ON BOARD: MARY QUEEN OF PEACE – NEGROS NAVIGATION

ROBIN FAITH IS OUR SPECIAL DAUGHTER WHO HAVE TAUGHT US SO MANY THINGS IN LIFE. SHE WAS BORN WITH A CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE. MAIA FRANCES, HER SISTER IS BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH. IT WAS DUE TO MY SLE THAT ROBIN’S DEVELOPMENT ON MY TUMMY DIDN’T GO WELL.

UPON DISCOVERING OF HER CONDITION, UP TO THE TIME SHE WAS BORN AND STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE, IN SPITE OF HER PACEMAKER IMPLANT IN NEW YORK THROUGH THE GIFT OF LIFE, SO MANY THINGS HAVE TRANSPIRED. IT CHANGED ME, DENNIS AND OUR FAMILY.

CHANGING WASN’T EASY. IT LED US TO GO THROUGH MANY TOUGH TIMES. NO ONE COULD IMAGINE HOW WE SURVIVED AND MANAGED TO MOVE ON. IT TOOK A LOT OF PRAYERS AND SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLE AROUND US AND EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE JUST HEARD OF OUR STORY.

DURING OUR STRUGGLE, THERE WAS A LOT OF ANGER, FEAR, FRUSTRATIONS, BLAME, REGRETS, AND A BUCKET FULL OF TEARS.

I JUST PRAYED TO THE LORD TO UNDERSTAND US SINCE WE HAVE REACHED TO A POINT OF QUESTIONING HIS LOVE FOR US. WHY – HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR WORD FOR EVERY TRIAL THAT WE ENCOUNTER. TRIALS WHICH SEEMED UNENDING.

IT LED US TO THINK THAT WE DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HAPPY IN THIS WORLD. WE REALLY DON’T KNOW HIS PLANS. WE DON’T EVEN KNOW WHY ALL THESE HAPPENS.

(i don’t know why i placed an open and close bracket)
[UNTIL NOW, WE ARE STILL STRUGGLING FOR MY LIFE, DENNIS’, AND ROBIN’S LIFE]

IT’S AS IF WE WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN, FLOATING UP TO GASP A LITTLE BREATHE OF AIR TO SPARE US FOR AWHILE THEN WE START TO SINK AGAIN, AND STRUGGLE TO MAKE IT UP AGAIN.

NOW I REALIZE THAT AFTER ALL THESE STRUGGLES AND GASPING FOR AIR, I WAS THINKING THAT ALL THE WHILE, WE WERE TOGETHER AND PLAINLY HAD EACH OTHER. THIS IS ENOUGH FOR ME.

I JUST HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL BLESS US TO PUSH THROUGH WITH WHAT WE PLAN TO ORGANIZE. (we have been talking about creating a heart foundation at this time as a way of paying it forward since we also wanted to help other kids because we have felt how it is, and also as a way of thanking everyone who helped us financially, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually.)

WE HAVE FELT WHAT OTHER HEART PATIENT’S PARENTS FELT. IF IT MAY NOT BE BAD ENOUGH TO HELP. IF THIS WILL BE REALIZED, GASPING FOR AIR WOULDN’T BE NECESSARY. FOR IT IS UNDER THE OCEAN THAT WE FIND THE GENUINE PARADISE.

Gift of Life!

ROBIN FAITH F. MEDRANO

Her name is Robin Faith F. Medrano.  She is my youngest daughter who had cardiomyopathy and went to heaven May 9, 2006. I don’t want to write the word “died” because for me, it has a negative connotation.  I think I still cannot accept the fact of her being gone.

But before this happened, let me tell you a triumphant story of her life…….

When I was pregnant with her, she was already found to have an enlarged heart.  I was confused and bothered during my pregnancy because I promised myself to become a better responsible pregnant mom for my baby.  It’s not that I was not a responsible pregnant mom with my first daughter Maia Frances, but I was 22 yrs. old and didn’t know what to do.

This is Maia Frances F. Medrano

My pregnancy with Maia was absolute spoiling – eating big mac, large coke, and large french fries.  Big mac meal (upgraded) was my favorite.  I seldom drank milk because in the first place, I wasn’t fond of drinking milk.  There were a lot of things that I realized that I should’ve done during my first pregnancy.

I had a normal delivery with Maia but I was oh so fat.  She was 6.9 lbs and everybody was so excited because she was the first grandchild.  It was the first time that really led me to feel that I was complete as a woman.

My second pregnancy with Robin, I ate healthy foods, drank milk, took my vitamins, and did the best that I can to make sure that she comes out in good and healthy condition.

In my 6th month of pregnancy with Robin, Dr. Sycelia Gue (my OB-GYNE) did an ultrasound and there, she discovered that my baby’s heart was enlarged.  She asked so many things about me taking pills, medications, and having measles during my first trimester.  None of these occurred and I never took any medications aside from paracetamol which was safe.

To make my story a little bit shorter (and I would post mine as another blog), during my pregnancy, I was diagnosed to have SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).  This is the reason why Robin had an enlarged heart.  Her development in my tummy wasn’t well because in the first place, I wasn’t well.  My system has gone crazy!

We were adviced by Dr. Lumicao (Robin’s pedia-cardiologist) that after I deliver Robin, we should provide her with a pacemaker.  Well, so much for that, we couldn’t afford a pacemaker for her since I was to deliver in cesarean section and we are to prepare P60,000.00 for my delivery.  A pacemaker would cost P300,000 – P500,000 and we cannot afford that amount.

Dr. Lumicao advised us to try and apply for a pacemaker in the GIFT OF LIFE foundation.  Nine days after my delivery, Dennis (my hubby) went to Bohol.  This is an island in Visayas and he had to take a boat to go there.

In Bohol, Dennis met Ms Fancy Baluyot who was the National Red Cross Chairperson.  She was an elderly woman whom you could par with Imelda Marcos because she was so elegant.  Most of them would say she was strict, but I think she just wants to get things done properly.  Dennis submitted all the requirements and came back home.

Before her pacemaker implant, Robin wasn’t so sickly but she was already maintaining her captopril, aspirin and lasix.  I made sure that she would go to her checkups and making sure for myself that she really took her medications.  She was chubby and drank lots of milk – I mean lots.

I was so happy because I didn’t see her to be sickly but was a happy and healthy looking child.

The news came when Dennis got a call from the GIFT OF LIFE in his office.  He was astounded and felt like he won a lottery upon hearing that Robin was chosen among all thousands of applicants around the world to be given a pacemaker and will be implanted in New York – just the best city in whole universe.

I cannot explain my feelings upon getting the news.  I was happy and I was sad because only Dennis can accompany Robin.  They would be traveling halfway around the globe with Me and Maia left behind.  But I can make sacrifices for Robin.  Just as long that she will be well and okay.

Three months without my baby terribly crushed my heart.  All I was thinking then was it’s all for her.  That I need to forget myself missing her.  This will be for her own good.

District 7230 Gift of Life, Inc. sponsored Robin’s pacemaker – Kappa 700 DR.  She was implanted on February 26, 2004 at the Westchester Children’s Hospital, New York.

I sincerely would like to thank Ms Fancy Baluyot for helping us facilitate our documents, Mr. Dan Nalven who was the Rotary president at that time, our host couple who welcomed Dennis and Robin in their home for three months, Mr. and Mrs. Luis Del Rosario.  They have been so sweet to Robin and we will treasure the love that they have given her.

To all the members of the District 7230 Gift of Life, Inc., we will never forget your unending help to those who are in need.

Follow the link below and you will find our dear sweet Robin.  The date November 27, 2003 was maybe mistaken in their records or maybe this was the date of their approval of the documents.

http://giftoflife7230.org/our_little_guests.htm

You can also try to even browse through this link if you know children out there with heart problems who might also need the help of the Gift of Life.

MISSION STATEMENT of the Rotary Gift of Life, Inc.

The Mission of Gift of Life, Inc. is to further the cause of world peace and understanding by facilitating free medical services to children suffering from heart disease and other similar or allied diseases, regardless of race, creed or national origin, and who would otherwise lack access to such services.

Our district’s Gift of Life project is provided on a totally volunteer basis by cardiologists, surgeons, nurses and other dedicated members of the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, and  Montefiore Children’s Hospital Bronx, NY.

For further information on the Rotary Gift of Life Inc. and how you can be part of it, e-mail us at: info@giftoflife7230.org or call/fax to: (941) 631-7764.