our christmas gift

Joe D’ Mango’s LOVENOTES



Our whole life crumbled when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I’m only 30 years old; how could this happen?

Dear Joe,

It was my husband who prodded me to write you our “Christmas story.”

Jon and I were college sweethearts. We were quite a pair. We got married middle of last year after eight years of going steady. There were rough times during those years but not enough to cause even a cool-off period. A few months before the wedding, though, I had second thoughts. The pre-wedding jitters got to me. I felt scared to face a new family life.

A month after our wedding, I went to see an ob-gynecologist to have an ordinary check up. Examination revealed that I had an endometrial cyst that would mean a difficult pregnancy. I was stunned since I’d never felt anything except the pre-menstrual pain common among many women. Another ob-gynecologist confirmed the result and added that I also have a myoma. She suggested that I undergo a three-month hormone therapy to decrease the size of the cyst and to schedule surgery for the first week of December. I had already gone through painful tests to assess my chances of getting pregnant, but the doctor said nothing was final until the operation, although he insinuated that I had a slim chance at motherhood.

Joe, I prayed to God to give us the chance to have a baby – that was my Christmas wish. The day of the operation came. The doctor told us that we had a great chance of having a baby since half of my left ovary was still functioning well, even if the other half had been removed.

When we went back after a week, the doctor said, “Okay na sana kaya lang may problema.” Joe, our whole life crumbled when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We were shocked. I suddenly felt numb and couldn’t speak a word. I’m only 30 years old, Joe, how could this happen? I asked the doctor about my chances of pregnancy. She said I could get pregnant but then my life would be at risk. I told her I’d willingly sacrifice my life as long as she can assure me my baby would survive. Those words stunned her and Jon. She said things are not that easy and when my health deteriorates, even in the fifth month of pregnancy, they would have to abort my baby to save me. She consulted a cancer specialist who suggested that I be brought back to the hospital for completion surgery. Joe, cancer is a very aggressive disease; they wanted to prevent it from spreading to my vital organs.

Three days before Christmas I had my second operation. We spent our first Christmas in the hospital. I had my first chemotherapy treatment after the new year. Soon, my hair started to fall off. I couldn’t help but cry. During those times it was emotionally, physically and financially draining.

I had no one to turn to but God. I begged him for my life. I wanted to survive this ordeal for Jon. God knows I love him so much, Joe, and that I am not ready to leave him just yet. The whole course of treatment was finished last June. Several tests were done after that and up to now I’m being closely monitored.

Joe, God has been so kind. He gave me another opportunity to live. It’s been a year now since my first operation and we were looking forward to our second Christmas, but before it even filled the air, I received the greatest gift anyone could ask for – the gift of a second life. To your readers who may have sorrows of their own, count your blessings instead, have faith in God and believe that miracles happen to those who believe in them.

Thank you, Joe, for letting me share this with you.

Always,
Marge


Dear Marge,

This holiday season is the time of year when most of us seem to get carried away y the frenzy and bustle of Yuletide preparations.

But, if we stop for a while and think, the story shared with us today is all about putting Christ back in Christmas; Jesus is the reason for the season. It’s the time to ask forgiveness and to forgive those who have wronged us. It’s about reconciling with those whom we have bitterly broken ties with. It’s all about taking hatred away for our hearts and replacing it with love and compassion. It’s all about sacrificing to give others what they need. It is about giving without asking something in return. Most of all, it is about thanking God for giving us His only Son Jesus so that there could be Christ in Christmas as we all know it.

Many of us may be lingering in sorrow right now. But whether it’s a matter of money, concern about a relationship, worry about sickness, or grief over the loss of a loved one, there would always be a reason to be thankful this Christmas. God gave us His immeasurable love. He gave us His greatest blessing, the blessing of life. The fact that we are able to breathe, to listen and to understand this message should give us more than enough purpose to live. Let us never forget to count our simple blessings because if we do, we’ll be surprised to realize that life isn’t that bad at all. That there is a reason to be happy because there is a Christmas and He is the one who will make the big difference.

Joe

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