THE DOCTOR, UNLIKE THE CUSTOMER, IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT
My mother was being treated then for a tumor when her doctor discovered that she was pregnant. Immediately, she was advised to take the baby out (“It’s not yet a baby, not yet a human being so it’s not bad to take it out,” the doctor argued.)
My mother’s pregnancy must be stopped because it was highly likely that it would aggravate her condition and kill her and the baby or she'd give birth to a disfigured or abnormal baby or worse, she would give birth to a dead baby.
My mom asked for a second, third opinion and the verdict was that she should abort the pregnancy at once. It was as if she was carrying Rosemary’s baby. There’s nothing to be guilty of, the doctors assured her. Anyway, you already have three kids and you have to be safe to take care of them. My parents (bless their souls) were then ready to throw in the towel and heed the advice of the doctors when my grandmother stepped into the picture. “You will carry on with your pregnancy, they (the doctors) are not God, we will talk to the real God. We’ll pray and beg the Sto. Niño to take care of you and your baby,” she told my mom.
Don’t entrust your life to people who ask for money after giving you advice, my grandma said.
My grandmother was our family’s version of Don Vito Corleone (meaning what she says regarding the family stays) so off we all knelt and prayed to the Sto. Niño. My mom’s doctors were aghast with her decision to go on with the pregnancy. They were certain that it would be disastrous.
Then came the D-day.
My mom gave birth to a healthy baby girl. And not only that, the pesky tumor that’s been pestering her miraculously disappeared right after our bunso was born. She probably brought the tumor out with her. Suddenly, our mother was well. The doctors were dumbfounded but were very happy to see the baby.
Our bunso was christened Maria Theresa but we all call her Niña. She grew up to be a smart, polite, pretty and healthy girl. She topped her nursery and kindergarten classes. She graduated salutatorian in elementary, finished high school in just three years and at nineteen, was already working in one of the biggest banks in the country.
She married her first boyfriend (a college professor) and they now have a seven year old precocious son.
She continues to be a source of light and happiness for our family and we all dearly love her.
And she is celebrating her birthday today.
My mother’s pregnancy must be stopped because it was highly likely that it would aggravate her condition and kill her and the baby or she'd give birth to a disfigured or abnormal baby or worse, she would give birth to a dead baby.
My mom asked for a second, third opinion and the verdict was that she should abort the pregnancy at once. It was as if she was carrying Rosemary’s baby. There’s nothing to be guilty of, the doctors assured her. Anyway, you already have three kids and you have to be safe to take care of them. My parents (bless their souls) were then ready to throw in the towel and heed the advice of the doctors when my grandmother stepped into the picture. “You will carry on with your pregnancy, they (the doctors) are not God, we will talk to the real God. We’ll pray and beg the Sto. Niño to take care of you and your baby,” she told my mom.
Don’t entrust your life to people who ask for money after giving you advice, my grandma said.
My grandmother was our family’s version of Don Vito Corleone (meaning what she says regarding the family stays) so off we all knelt and prayed to the Sto. Niño. My mom’s doctors were aghast with her decision to go on with the pregnancy. They were certain that it would be disastrous.
Then came the D-day.
My mom gave birth to a healthy baby girl. And not only that, the pesky tumor that’s been pestering her miraculously disappeared right after our bunso was born. She probably brought the tumor out with her. Suddenly, our mother was well. The doctors were dumbfounded but were very happy to see the baby.
Our bunso was christened Maria Theresa but we all call her Niña. She grew up to be a smart, polite, pretty and healthy girl. She topped her nursery and kindergarten classes. She graduated salutatorian in elementary, finished high school in just three years and at nineteen, was already working in one of the biggest banks in the country.
She married her first boyfriend (a college professor) and they now have a seven year old precocious son.
She continues to be a source of light and happiness for our family and we all dearly love her.
And she is celebrating her birthday today.
Comments