Baby Xandrah and Our Lady of Fatima

A miracle happened to us today.

More than eight months ago, we were over the moon after the birth of our daughter, Xandrah. She was perfect. She was everything we wished for. However, a week later during her first check up with her pediatrician, our world crumbled when we were told she may have a hole in her heart.

We were referred to a pedia-cardiologist who confirmed our nightmare through a 2D-Echo test and found a 0.35 to 0.39-cm hole in her heart. She has ventricular septal defect, a type of congenital heart disease and the hole rarely closes, her pedia said. And if it does, only a miracle can make it happen.

I left the heart station crying and asking God, did my daughter come into this world, only to be taken away maybe later if not sooner? But I didn’t lose hope.

Going home, I did some research on the disease. Most of the sites I read said that her heart has a slim chance of closing. My heart sank.

I only told a few of my friends about Xandrah’s heart condition because I don’t want people to feel sorry for her. I asked them for prayers — and for a miracle. Being a devotee of the Divine Mercy, I prayed night and day for that one miracle. Having a poster of the Our Lady of Fatima, which was given by my brother for our mother who was sick with lung cancer three years ago, I also offered prayers for my daughter.

Along with that, I exclusively breastfed my daughter after reading how powerful a mother’s breast milk is, fed her fish, rice and veggies, and just made sure she’s always a happy baby.

Then came the next 2D Echo which resulted to a slightly bigger hole of 0.41 cms. My heart sank deeper. At that point, my husband and I decided to accept if she has to live the rest of her life with a hole in her heart, but we kept our faith.

Last February 7, a friend of ours told us the original image of the Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal will visit the Immaculate Conception Church in Mintal, Davao City. It wasn’t our plan to pay a visit that time but my husband and I decided to see the image and pray for our daughter’s health and heart since she was scheduled for her third 2D Echo 11 days later.

Arriving home, I placed my hand over my daughter’s chest and prayed with all my heart. Earlier today was her third 2D Echo schedule. It has been 6 months since she was last seen by her pedia. Judging from her last two results, I expected another slightly bigger hole, but what happened next brought me and my husband to tears. During the test, the pedia was silently scanning over my daughter’s chest to see how her heart is doing. It took her about five minutes scanning and suddenly asked her staff: “What’s her case? She has a hole right? VSD? But I can’t seem to find any hole!” She grabbed her stethoscope and listened for a murmur, “There’s NONE. The hole has CLOSED.”

At the sound of those words, I burst into tears, thanking God over and over again. I just can’t believe it! I hugged my daughter tightly who also began to cry after seeing me cry. I kissed her like I haven’t kissed her since.

For the second time, I cried walking out of the heart station, but this time, I cried pure happy tears. We drove home with a renewed hope and a promise to spread how wonderful and amazing God’s love is.

Yes, miracles are true, and we believe we have one proof of it — Xandrah.

So to all who helped pray for our daughter, thank you for joining us through our journey. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! – Sarah Hilomen Velasco