It was a hot summer day when my daughter Nathalie broke the news that she was pregnant. But that time of joy was interrupted when the obstetrics team at the hospital strongly advised her to terminate the pregnancy as there was something wrong with the baby she was carrying.
The baby had congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a birth defect of the diaphragm and a life-threatening condition since babies born with it cannot effectively breathe on their own due to underdeveloped lungs.
Without hesitation and holding onto her strong faith and family support, Nathalie decided to continue with the pregnancy. Arrangements were made in the hospital to have an ECMO machine ready to circulate blood through an artificial lung back into the bloodstream to sustain life.
Alexis came into our lives barrel chested and barely breathing. A team of specialists assembled to greet her at birth as she was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit. The next time I saw her, she was in a coma-induced state, bloated, and attached to the ECMO and countless other contraptions. My heart ached watching the pain and hurt in my daughter’s eyes as she sang while caressing Alexis’ head.
After Day 2, complications set in. On several occasions, doctors told us Alexis may not make it and encouraged us to say our final goodbyes.
The baby girl proved them wrong. She bounced back each time.
As a family, we are bonded with our strong Catholic faith. We know in our hearts that we have a loving God who answers our prayers. A friend of mine gave me a novena prayer to St. Therese, the Little Flower, who said a rose is a sign of answered prayers. True enough, on three different occasions, roses were a welcomed sight. I knew then that Alexis would survive.
Alexis had surgery on Holy Saturday. The surgeon advised us Alexis had a 50-50 chance of survival. Our community at St. Bernadette’s Parish in Surrey as well as family and friends from all over were praying for her that day.
As we waited for news outside the operating room, a surgeon came out and talked to us. I cannot forget his words: “Continue doing what you’re doing. It must be something good. Something happened in there that I cannot explain. Her left lung just grew!”
Alexis had virtually little to no diaphragm at all. The surgical team had to place a vortex patch to serve as her diaphragm. With continued prayers and family and church community support, she continued to thrive amidst all odds and stayed in the hospital for the first few months of her life.
Now 15 years old, Alexis is a student at Holy Cross Regional Secondary . She still has medical challenges and pills to take, but a bright future to look forward to. The Catholic school system has been supportive of her life’s journey as she tackles her learning challenges. Alexis is full of life, kind, happy, and has great aspirations for the future.
Thank you, Lord, for being there for Alexis. Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers.
Lydia Soberano is a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Surrey.
