The Gift of Gab

ABIGAIL BUENVIAJE – MAGPAYO

On February 24, 2010, a little warrior named Gabriel was born against tremendous odds. His parents were given less than a 10% chance of carrying the pregnancy to term because of a condition. It was a battle for survival. But Gabriel (“strength of God”) seemed ready from the beginning.

I struggled through a difficult pregnancy. I stayed in bed through its entirety; suffered injections and non-stress tests daily. I cried not from my pain but from worrying that my baby was in pain, too. He, however, made known his fighting state by moving and kicking! My doctors could not “prolong” the pregnancy to at least 35 weeks. On the 33rd week, Gab had to be delivered. He was born with complications arising from a premature delivery. He had pneumonia, an unclosed duct connecting the aorta and the left pulmonary artery, a small hole in his heart, jaundice, a cleft lip.

Right after delivery, he has whisked away, saddled with different tubes and contraptions. He had an oxygen mask, breathed erratically, suffered blood drawing every hour. The litany of scheduled tests seemed endless.

The emotional roller coaster that the doctors warned about had begun. An intense HOPE was laced with anger, panic, shock, depression, stress, confusion. It was heartbreaking not to be able to cuddle our baby. I was furious at myself for being unable to keep the pregnancy longer due to my condition.

But through all the heartache, Baby Gabriel, tubes and all, gave us his signature kicks, waved, and showed us his first smile. He washed away our fears, our doubts, and sadness. True to his name, he seemed to say: “Trust in the Lord, He is our strength.”

We started our daily vigils with Gabriel, saying hello through the small portholes of his isolette, touching him, praying together. Each day, he would give us a sign – a kick, a smile, a wave – that gave us hope and encouragement. He looked at us with intense eyes as we prayed the rosary.

Watching those vigils, the medical staff marveled at our dedication and stamina. The support of our family and friends were undoubtedly immeasurable. But it was our mighty little warrior Gabriel who gave us strength, especially when we drooped from physical exhaustion. We left the hospital with our healthy baby a month earlier than expected, surprising all his doctors.

Gab is now eight years old, a third-grader at PAREF- Southridge School, and a consistent academic awardee.

We thank God for our miracle child. We thank you, dear Gab, for showing us God’s strength. May it accompany you for the rest of your life.

( Editor’s Note: In 2010, Kerygma magazine first published the story of  Gabriel. This post gives an update on Gabriel’s remarkable journey.)

*Written with the assistance of Alice E. Gonzaga