Baby Hera’s Journey:When the Storm Is Strong, But God Is Stronger

By mommy LJ

Hera is our answered prayer — our long-awaited firstborn and a living reminder that God listens to the quietest desires of the heart. From the day she arrived, our home overflowed with joy, dreams, and the warmth of new beginnings.

But when Hera reached two months old, our world shifted.

A simple cough wouldn’t go away after 10 days of treatment. One night, while scrolling on Facebook, I saw a post listing the red flags of congenital heart disease — and Hera had almost every single one. Fear washed over me.

I immediately spoke to her pediatrician, who recommended a 2D echo. When the results came, our hearts broke:

Congenital Heart Disease — Subpulmonic Ventricular Septal Defect with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Her cardio said she might need open-heart surgery at one or two years old — a procedure nearly ₱1,000,000 in a private hospital. We were crushed emotionally, spiritually, financially. But we held on to what we had left: faith.

Then October arrived… and everything escalated.

On October 2, 2025, Hera was rushed to the hospital due to pneumonia. That admission revealed two heartbreaking things: her heart had enlarged, and the hole had grown bigger.

Then the words every parent prays they’ll never hear:

Hera needs urgent open-heart surgery.

Her operation was first set for October 28 — but ten days before, pneumonia struck again. She was hospitalized, and her surgery was canceled. Time felt like our enemy. We felt helpless, exhausted, and terrified.

Her surgery was rescheduled to November 6, 2025, giving her lungs time to rest. On November 1, we flew to Manila to prepare for the operation. But while we clung to hope for Hera’s life, a different storm hit home.

Typhoon Tino devastated Cebu.

Our home was flooded.

Our belongings were drenched and destroyed.

Communication with our family was cut off.

It felt like storms — physical, emotional, spiritual — were attacking us all at once. But even in the darkest moments, God was already working.

We saw His hand through the people He sent.

Because the surgery was in a private hospital, the costs were overwhelming, far beyond what our family could ever afford. But God made the impossible possible:

✨ We were able to raise funds through DOH-approved Guarantee Letters — financial pledges provided by government offices and agencies that help cover a portion of medical procedures.

✨ A significant amount was also covered by the Rotary Club of Cebu in coordination with Let It Echo Inc., whose support became a lifeline when we were drowning in fear and financial hopelessness.

These were not just blessings — these were answered prayers. Without this help, we could never have afforded Hera’s operation at a private hospital.

Finally, November 6 arrived — the day of Hera’s open-heart surgery at De Los Santos Medical Center, a testament to the capability and dedication of Filipino hospitals and medical professionals.

It was the longest day of our lives. A day of silent prayers, tears, and complete surrender.

But God was faithful.

And so were the skilled hands that operated on her.

The surgery was successful.

Our little warrior survived.

Today, Hera is recovering beautifully. Every scar on her tiny chest is not a sign of pain — it is a symbol of victory. A reminder that miracles still happen, and that here in the Philippines, we have compassionate, world-class doctors, nurses, and medical facilities capable of saving the lives of our Heart Warriors.

To everyone who helped — who prayed, supported, donated, and stood with us — thank you. You became instruments of God’s love in our greatest time of need.

Hera’s life proves that even when storms rage, God remains stronger.

Hope always finds a way.

And miracles still happen.

To God be all the glory. 💚