It has been almost seven years since our youngest son Jan Ciryl came into our life. It has also been almost seven years when Jan Ciryl was able to open his eyes and experience the fairyland of exquisite beauty of the world we all live in. It has been almost seven years when we came to know that our precious youngest son was afflicted with a dreadful disease that eventually might lead to his death anytime. It has also been almost seven years when we learned that we could have lost our dear youngest child. Jan Ciryl was born on the 23rd of September, 2003 with a disease called biliary atresia, a disease that is characterized by the absence of bile ducts in his liver in which liver transplant is the only cure. It was very difficult for our family to accept the fact that our precious youngest child will soon die. We went on with our lives...just depending on what will happen in the future will happen. Six years of being in and out of the hospital. He had asthma attacks for almost every month. We also came to a point of telling ourselves that we can not reach our dream...our dream to save JC from dying. We met a lot of difficulties for the past six years, Jan's medical needs, my in-laws business went bankrupt twice, job problems, losing our house...a number of difficulties that made us give up to raise funds for JC's liver transplant.
But God worked in mysterious ways. He has given us a chance to save our son JC from dying. He has helped us to meet people who were very willing to help us in different ways. We were able to raise funds for his liver transplant operation. Though JC has been almost in and out of the hospital due to different complications during our preparation before the liver transplant, we did our best to continue the fund raising with the help of a lot of people from all walks of life. JC had cholangitis, asthma, and pneumonia which we thought might lead to the deterioration of his condition. He also had several blood transfusion and was given albumin several ltimes. We were totally afraid that the transplant would not push through because of these hosptalizations. BUT GOD IS REALLY REALLY GREAT AND MERCIFUL. We have completed the necessary requirements before the operation. We arrived at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on December 3, 2009. With us is the strongest faith and the belief that JC will have a successful operation. Though the operation was a complicated one for JC's spleen was too much enlarged and thus, he had to stay at the Liver ICU for two months. We were only given a chance to see him through a monitor at a room near the Liver ICU for three times 11am, 2pm and 8pm. We saw JC cried in pain, complained that he was having difficulty with a lot of machines and tubes connected to him. That was the longest time of our (Ronnie and I) lives. December 15 (the date of the liver transplant) up to February 18, 2010. JC has spent his Christmas and New Year inside the Liver ICU. He also had chylous leakage then, a condition wherein the two vacuum balls attached to his body for leaks showed that proteins from his body was coming out at the same time. The fluid that was coming out of the vacuum ball measured more than two liters per day which was not good. There was also problem on his nutrition so he had to have a no oil -no fat diet in which doctors had to change his milk to a special one. He also had TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition). Those times were the most difficult part. But because God has helped and touched our family. JC was finally healed and was transferred to the general ward on February 19. A dream that we thought would never ever happen. A dream that we thought was impossible. But our dream really came true...when we first saw JC smiled at us...a real smile of a boy without pain anymore. Truly dreams really do come true. Because with God...nothing is really impossible! And Jan Ciryl was then finally discharged on March 13 from the hospital. All our prayers have been answered...after 7 weeks of weekly check-up, we were told that Jan was okay and ready to go back to the Philippines. Though we had problems with a very huge hospital bill, and we really did not know then what to do...we prayed and prayed and GOD STILL PROVIDED. A lot of people came for help. And thus...Jan is now recovering fast and having check-up now and blood tests every three weeks here in the Philippines.
And because Jan is going to be seven years old on September 23...we would like to give thanks to our Almighty for giving all these infinite blessings...all the blessings beyond measure. We would not be able to save Jan from dying without the help, the guidance, the love, the mercy, and the greatness of our one and only God. And thus...I would like to offer Him this very short poem...
Dear God
Thank you very very much...
Forthe healing and wonderful touch. We are truly happy for your amazing grace,
We lift our hands, Oh God we praise!
Let Your miracle powers be present today,
JC's continuous healing is what we pray.
No words can express our deepest gratitude,
For every miracle You do is always enormous.
Thank you God for the mercy,
Thank you God for the guidance and protection,
Thank you God for the love and healing...
THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING!
And also for those people used by God as instruments into helping us cope with this difficulty and supporting us with this struggle in different ways... I just would like to share an inspirational message to you my dear friends (old and especially the new ones)...from Mr. Albert Schweitzer
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!
GOD IS TRULY GREAT...GOD GAVE JAN CIRYL THE GIFT OF LIFE WITH YOU AS INSTRUMENTS.
MAY OUR GOOD LORD CONTINUE TO GIVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MORE BLESSINGS IN LIFE FOR YOU TRULY DESERVE THEM!
MABUHAY PO KAYO!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY PRECIOUS JAN CIRYL!
MAY GOD'S GIFT TO YOU...HIS GIFT OF LIFE...BE AN INSPIRATION TO YOU FOREVER!
MAY YOU USE THIS GIFT OF LIFE PROPERLY NOW AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GROW UP!
Our deepest gratitude and thanks to all those people who have been part of our amazing experience. Our feelings are overwhelming with joy and no words really can express how happy we are right now. We really really want to thank each one of you personally and hopefully we could be given a chance to do so. But in any case we would not be able to, I am really sure that our Lord will definitely shower all of you including your family with His grace, miracles and blessings in return.You are indeed our God's gifts to us...part of the blessings that we received from Him.
We arrived home in the afternoon of May 25 after almost six months of our stay in Taiwan. Thank you again to Mr. Benny Antiporda for sending some people to assist us at the airport. Thank you also to our relatives, friends, neighbors and co-teachers who have welcomed us back and visited us. We really felt relieved and happy because the support is still there. And we are truly confident that God will continue to guide us every step of the way. Our words of thanks also go to all friends who have sent us messages of welcome and encouragement. Also to our newly-gained friends from Taiwan and KaohsiungLiving who keep on sending us emails and asking us to send updates of JC's condition, thank you very much. To my friends and classmates who have sent us financial assistance for JC's medicines. We will never forget you and we will always pray that God will always give you the happiness and the strength and capacity into helping more people who are in need.
JC had his first check-up at Philippine Children's Medical Center last May 31. His doctor, Dr. Randy Urtula informed us that JC's condition is very good. He was given laboratory request for blood tests to examine and observe his condition. Weekly check-ups and blood tests are part of the routinary measures for post-transplant patients. These are done to keep an eye on the condition of his new liver and his enlarged spleen. But eventually the weekly schedule will become bimonthly, then monthly and then probably quarterly. JC also had his blood test at the National Kidney Institute last Friday and Saturday (June 4 and 5). He had his second check-up this afternoon. The results of his recent blood tests showed improvement almost to all compared to his previous test except for two. Generally, JC's condition is very much okay. Thank you to our Great God for the continuous guidance.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. YOUR PRAYERS, HELP AND SUPPORT WILL FOREVER BE TREASURED. GOD BLESS YOU MORE!
I had a very difficult time writing this blog. I also had the most inconvenient feeling putting a title. I hope that I chose a good one, a Chinese Proverb.
For more than six years of knowing that our dearest youngest son JC was very ill and needed a liver transplant operation in order to live, we were truly devastated. And also learning the fact that we needed to raise about 3 to 4 million pesos in order for him to undergo liver transplant operation broke our hearts into pieces. But we had to find ways and means to save JC from dying though we've given up the battle at first. But thanks to our dear Lord, He has led the way. JC has been transplanted now and doing very very great. We've raised more than 3 million pesos through the guidance of our Great God and through His provision of using different people. We raised funds in the Philippines and even in Taiwan. Some part of the fund was used during JC and his donor (his Uncle Jasper) pre-laboratory work-up in the Philippines, JC's several confinement, at Philippine hospitals , completion of needed documents and most of the part was intended for hospital payment at ChangGungMemorialHospital for the liver transplant operation.
During the time of our fund raising campaign, we met a mountain of difficulties, trials and hardships. Rejections, denials, laughter, indifference and a lot more.
We were affected by all of those comments and messages but we still continued to fight for JC's life." Kinapalan namin ang mukha namin, bakit hindi buhay ng anak namin angnakataya". We will do everything or anything to save Jan Ciryl. Everything that is good and not against the law of mankind and the law of God. Racing against time is the most difficult battle. We received all those things unmindful of the hurt and the pain because we're the ones begging for help and assistance. BEGGARS CAN NOT BE CHOOSERS. And
if I may add...BEGGARS SHOULD NEVER DEMAND ANYTHING OR COMPLAIN FOR ANY HELP THEY RECEIVED. We have to respect everyone of course. Not everybody can help a person in need.In that sense, of course we continued in fighting the battle, looking for compassionate and charitable people. We were given a chance to meet good and great people. We were able to realize that there are still kindhearted individuals and organizations that will help anyone who is in need. "Salamat sa Panginoon sa walang sawang pagbibigay sa amin ng mababait at matutulunging tao". There are still many in number. As a matter of fact I lost count already at this point. But still a few don't show concern as well. Sometimes they would mock you, they won't believe you and most of them would throw ill words against you. Of course, life is hard. People sometime have reasons why they can't help the needy. They may have a lot of reasons so hard that they do not have to explain. And we deeply understand the situation.We just have to try and try and try...
But Ronnie and I had this different kind of experience last Monday. As most of you know, we arrived here in KaohsiungTaiwan with more than 2 million pesos only as transplant fund in which this is inclusive of dormitory rental budget and cost of our living allowance here. We know that the fund would not be that enough to cover the whole medical fee and everything. But due to some circumstances, unavoidable ones...we really had to bring JC here for the transplant operation hoping against hope that God will shower miracles and the fund would be enough. Unfortunately,
the transplant fund then was not enough because JC had a complicated case/operation. Of course, we needed to do something about it, as one Filipino here had been bugging us to call and write letters of request for assistance to anyone that we know. And thus, we did. And even he did not tell it to us, my husband and I were really looking for solutions on our situation. "Nakakahiya naman siyempre sa ospital, hanggat magagawan namin ng paraan gagawin namin, kahit mamalimos sa daan".We wrote tons of letters and used our NT Dollars to send them through DHL and take note, we spent much. We never stopped sending emails to friends, relatives, colleagues even to strangers as well. for we really acknowledge our hospital debt. Unfortunately few responded because most of them have helped us in the past. Then came this Filipino telling us again to do something about it. Of course, we have to find means because we owe the hospital around 600 thousand NT$ then. We totally acknowledge our responsibility as patient...we never denied our incapacity to pay though we're trying our best to solve the problem on the hospital bill because it's our responsibility.We have squeezed all efforts and we were running out of money when we thought of calling someone for help here in Kaohsiung, the name was given to us by a former patient and we prayed that he would help us here. I called Brother Deo Laranang and he said to post my call for help at the KaohsiungLiving. The rest was history...people came for help in different ways. We raised more than a hundred thousand NT but still not enough. Thanks again Brother Deo. And because God is truly merciful and kind. A letter that was sent to a Philippine organization in February was approved. We were given additional assistance. We were truly excited because Jan was given an order of discharge already and we can now go back home. Then suddenly an experience worth remembering came. We were visited by the same Filipino I was telling you about...fuming really really mad. Saying things that are very unacceptable. He said that Filipinos should not raise funds here in Taiwan. He is ashamed of us doing the fund raising here though in any way he has not helped us. He was frequently mentioning about kahihiyan and everything. We were shocked but we dealt with him politely. I may have heard a lot of distasteful words that came from his mouth and some lies that he uttered about us that may be unacceptable and I kept explaining but his mind was not open for explanation. Ronnie and I both cried during the conversation and explained to him the truth but then again, he was basically blinded by his belief. During the conversation, he said this phrase,
" BAKA SARCASTIC NAMAN ANG SINASABI MONG BEGGING KASI IBA YON, MINSAN ANG BEGGING PARANG UMAARTE KA LANG." I can't really comprehend everything that he was saying then. A lot of words came out mentioning other people's name and what they did in the past and he was stressing we did the same. I almost lost my control. And before he left...he uttered this words, "Tama na, nagawa ninyo na mag-raise ng funds, ayoko ng makarinig pa ng comment mula sa inyo. Ayoko na makarinig ng comment pagkatapos nito."
I was upset, stressed, and tensed the whole night which made me awake until the next morning of Tuesday. But because I needed an outlet to state what I felt and I had to release my tension...
I posted this status on facebook.
Ako ay labis na nagtataka kung dapat bang ikahiya ang paghingi ng tulong sa ibang tao kung kinakailangan, at labis na nababahala kung krimen ang paghingi ng tulong sa hindi mo kapwa Pinoy, at kung dapat ka bang ikahiya ng kalahi mo kung ikaw ay humingi ng tulong sa ibang bansa...HINDI KO NA SANA ITO DAPAT SABIHIN ULIT AT KAHIT ULITIN PA, GAGAWIN KO PA RING MAMALIMOS PARA SA ANAK KO KAHIT SAAN MANG LUGAR KUNG KINAKAILANGAN. Sana maramdaman mo ang nararamdaman ng ina na may malubhang sakit ang anak at nais na sagipin ang buhay niya...kung may iba lang na paraan bakit hindi...kaysa naman gumawa kami ng masama...dumudugo ang puso ko hanggang ngayon...hindi madaling hanapin ang halos 3 milyong piso sa mga taong hindi mayaman katulad namin...kung krimen ang iligtas mo ang buhay ng anak mo sa panghihingi ng tulong sa kapwa mo...GUILTY AKO!
And I thank all those friends who sent me inspiring messages afterwards:
shhhhh, eloisa some people don't understand, but a LOT of people DO. Don't think/mind about the SOME that don't understand but THANK those that who DO. Ingat palagi. Jan is your priority OK, there will come a time that they will come to understand, if not then it is their LOSS not yours. God bless! Mira Guevarra Huang
d msmang humingi ng 2l0ng lal0ng la0 n s kkbyan zn02 pba ang mag 22lungan kundi tau2 lng @ s isang ina wlang hindi ggwin madugtungan lang ang buhay ng kanyang anak kung pwede lng n ibigay ntin ang buhay ntin gnwa n ntin girl kya myan dm0man aq pers0naly n kilala ipag pra pray q ang pag gling ng iy0ng anak tc... Madeline de Borja
totoo d po masmang humingi ng2long s ibang tao.you are just sharing your burden and it's up to them if they are willing to help or not. Lilibeth Wabe
Hi, I know how you feel. Bayaan mo na lang, ganun talaga meron at meron silang masasabi sayo. You cannot please everybody.
Johanna Tejada Medalla
Keep it up Eloisa...you will never reach the stage you are right now if you didn't call or asked for help di ba? ika nga try and try until you try and try again lol Juan Delfin A. Garcia
eloisa, i would do the same for my kids if i have to...so, don't worry about it...sino ba nang aaway sa yo? awayin natin...ngek! jole lang..:) Ederlyne De Dios
ikaw ba nirespect niya? o siguro the better question is tinulungan ba niya yung anak mo? if not, tell him to just zip it...and don't let him affect you like that.. .. Ederlyne De Dios
Tama si Ai. Nobody has a right to question what you do for your children. They are an extension of you & as a parent, would move mountains for them to be safe & well. Hanga ako sa dedication at strenght mo for jc. Edelyn Pineda Carlos
eloisa, gaya ng nasabi ko dati...marami tayong sakit na mararanasan, maraming maghuhusga pero huwag tayong matakot dahil Diyos ang nakakaalam kung ano ang ating tunay na hangarin...ipagdasal mo nalang kung sino man siya!!! ay naku mas marami pang ganyan sa akin nuon!!! especially yung friends and relatives!!! Lyden Caraga Mendoza
You did what you have to do.... and more. You're a hero to your son's eyes and to mine too. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Jette Albano -Naval
Hindi mo dpat ikahiya yan Eloisa. Sa totoo lang, I admire you for your courage dahil ginawa mo ang lahat para sa anak mo. As mothers we are responsible for the welfare of our children. Kung kinakailangang magpakumbaba at humingi ng tulong sa iba para lang mabuhay ang anak ko eh gagawin ko din kung yun na lang ang paraan para mabuhay siya. Kaya kung... ano man ang nag-trigger for you to write this status message, wag mo ito/silang pansinin. All that matters is you have your son with you, alive and well. That is something to thank God for. I pray for the continuous healing of Jan Ciryl. God bless you and your family.
Ivy Anne Ranola-Cortez
ate ghie tma lang yan ginawa mo dahil kahit cno nasa kalagayan mo ginawa rin yun.bakit mo cla iintindihin di namn cla ang nasa kalagayan mo...and i know your son will be very proud....thats all that matter di ba .......ang anak mo ...the hell with them....smile ka lang basta ikaw makakatulog na sa gabi ng mahimbing kac ok na c bunso di ba Angelica Ando
whats the prob ghie? how may i help? i would like to guess that some-- out there must have hurt your feelings. just dont mind them. nakaraos kana sa pinakamalaking pagsubok ng buhay mo ng wala sila. maybe... those are just words of people who just refuse to help dahil gusto lang nila ipasa sa iba ang burden at akala nila they are already spared of guilt. remember: the harder the battle the sweeter the victory. Elaine S. Benicarlo
god is the best friend youll ever have en he will walk wth u evry step of the way..i may not be there 4 u but he is awys take care of you en ur loving fmily..ingat lgi tol
thts y hes the only one who can help to anyone 2nd nlng tyo t ang mga taong kinatukan ang puso to help jc n mksurvive
korek cla dun hndi reason n dhil hndi ntin cla klahi db there are human n gnwa or knasngkapan ng pnginoon pra mlutas lhat ng kng anu man ang pngddaanan ntin mga taoArthur Buenaventura
Bismillah Christopher Maning
relax...... musta na jc Lilibeth Gozo
Gie I prayed for you last nite na sana God will continue to give strenght..mahirap tlaga pero kahit ako gagawin ko lahat para sa anak ko..knya nga bilib ako syo kasi kung pano mp hinaharap ito pero dito pinakita ng Panginoon na nandito sya especially sa lowest ng buhay m..God is watching you alam nya tama ang ginagawa m..kakanta ako sa church this sunday dedicated yun syo..the one I posted on mothers day..Jesus loves you..and I will continue to pray for u nasa bigyan kapa ng lakas ng loob at gud health for ur family..yan ang purpose natin dito sa mundo hindi para sa sarili kundi sa iba.. Sana one day we can sit down and talk about our lives..and yung mga testimonies natin..takecare. Di ka pala makakaattend ng reunion? Rowena Santos
mommy eloisa wala nkakahiya mamalimos . bilang ina lahat gagawin mo kung kailangan magpaka baba gagawin mo mabuhay lang ang pinaka mamahal mo. minsan ko rin ginawa yan nang time na buhay pa si dandan pero god knows everything siya lang ang nkakaalam kung hanggang saan lang ang buhay niya lahat ng bagay ay hiram lang ntin . at sa mga tao di nkakaintindi sa atin sana kung ayaw nila 2mulong wag nalang sana sila magsalita pa. bsta eloisa tke care and god bless Daisy Adriano
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORDS OF CONCERN, INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
WE ALREADY HAVE FORGIVEN HIM, THOUGH FORGETTING MAY TAKE A LITTLE WHILE.
LORD PLEASE TAKE AWAY THE HATRED AND THE PAIN!
LORD PLEASE HELP US FORGET!
LORD WE REALLY ADMIT THAT WE ARE DEEPLY HURT BUT AS CHILDREN OF A GREAT GOD WHO HAS HELPED US THE WHOLE TIME OF OUR STRUGGLE, WE FEEL VERY SORRY FOR NOT FORGIVING THE PERSON WHO OFFENDED US IMMEDIATELY. THE JOY, THE PAIN AND THE VICTORY OF THIS BATTLE ARE TO BE LIFTED UP AND OFFERED UNTO YOU. THE ONLY THING THAT WE SHOULD DO NOW IS TO REMEMBER YOUR GREATNESS AND ALL THE PEOPLE YOU USED INTO HELPING US AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN US SORROW AND PAIN
ALONG THE WAY.
He may have whispered bad words, and echoed a hundred miles...
but we are praying that he may realize everything...
