It’s been a while since my last post sharing to everyone about Biboy’s condition. And to be honest, I received so many overwhelming support from those who have read his story especially mommies whom I share the same emotions towards their children. One even asks me to start raising funds for Biboy’s operation and medical needs. I was hesitant at first but, it also made me realize, we need all the help we can get, may it be morally, spiritually or financially.
We’ve been very blessed that we were able to have his surgery done last June 25, 2018 at Philippine Children’s Medical Center. The operation started at 6:00 in the morning and lasted for 3 hours. I could still remember how nervous I was talking to his surgeon relaying to us how the operation went. It was a successful operation. We were so happy of course. Seeing him alive, (maybe not so well at that time) was a relief. He was brought straight to ICU for monitoring. We went back to our room and prayed. Nagpasalamat kami sa Ama sapagkat hindi Niya kami pinabayaan at naging matagumpay ang operasyon ni Biboy.
While Biboy was in the ICU, we were only allowed to see him during visiting hours. 10:00-11:00am and 4:00-5:00pm. Every time we visit him he was crying. I know he’s in pain. Pero dahil baby pa sya, all he can do is cry. He is really a fighter. A brave one. So I have to be as brave as him. I fought my tears back every time we would see him. Trying to comfort him singing twinkle twinkle little stars even if he did not respond a smile. He was allowed to be transferred to our room a day after. The doctors told us that everything’s ok with Biboy, and to stay at the hospital for a few more days to complete his antibiotics before they can send us home.
We were so happy. It felt like we have accomplished so much. But, on the day before we were about to be discharged, we noticed something wrong on his head. There are soft parts of his head na kapag hinawakan parang may tubig sa loob. We asked his surgeon about it kasi ok naman daw ung cranial ultrasound nya right after operation. She told us na ineexpect nya talaga na magkaron ng buildup of fluid in his head since she remove a reservoir of fluid on his back (kasi ang laman ng bukol is mostly fluid) and she fixed his open spine. She then, advised as that we need to monitor his head circumference every 2 weeks to check if there is an accumulation of fluid. She is considering the possibility of Hydrocephalus since most cases of spina bifida are associated to hydrocephalus.
Again, we were devastated by the turn of events. Just as we thought we were only just worrying about the huge amount of hospital bill, here we are facing another serious health issue. Akala namin tapos na kami. Hindi pa pala. I was beginning to reflect on what and why this was all happening. Pinaparusahan ba kami? But I’d like to take it as a test of faith. I always hold on to that line in one of our awit. “Di dahil sa ikaw’y pinabayaan na, Kundi tinuturuan pang magtiwala pa.” This is His way of making us firm to hold on to our faith.
Two weeks after Biboy’s surgery, the result of his cranial ultrasound was distressi
ng. His surgeon confirmed he already have mild hydrocephalus. Insertion of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is needed. VP shunt is a medical device that relieves pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation. In short, he needs to undergo another head surgery. We agreed to have another cranial ultrasound after three weeks to measure the build up of fluid before we discuss the schedule of his surgery. According to his surgeon, the operation will be low risk, but very meticulous. Kasi lifetime na ung shunt na yun sa katawan ni Biboy. The risk would be infection, since foreign object un in his body and it will depend on how his body will react to that. Another is kung magmalfunction ung shunt. So if those scenarios happened, then she will need to perform another surgery.
Yes, nakakalungkot. I know a lot of parents can relate, na mabigat sa kalooban ang magkasakit ang anak. Si Biboy, ang baby baby pa nya para pagdaanan lahat ng ito. Pero despite of all these troubles and difficulty in life, I would still like to thank Him sa pagbibigay samin ng ganitong problema. Because we were lucky na nahihirapan kami sa buhay. Why? It’s because, this made us cling to Him more. This made us closer to Him. Believe on the things that He can do. That nothing is impossible with Him.
Isa lang naman talaga ang panalangin namin simula noon, na ipagkaloob kung ano ang pinakamabuti para sa amin. It’s true. Because we really don’t know what the future holds. We don’t know even know kung ibibigay pa rin ba sa amin si Biboy. But we have to accept everything, because He knows what’s best for us.
***Fundraising for Biboy’s operation and medical needs:
Bank: BDO
Acc. #: 008150012414
Acc. Name: Rochelle Paz
Bank: BPI
Acc name : Genomer Paz
Acc #: 9729 0967 81
Geno Raphael ; Grant Dustin 