Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): Jillian Inson – Journey to a Happy Heart ♥️❤️

building memories as a family

as written by mom Jocelyn Inson

When Jillian was just 6 years old, she was diagnosed with a heart condition.

In January 2025, her pediatrician noticed a heart murmur during a check-up and advised us to have a 2D Echo done. On January 15, 2025, our world completely shattered—the test confirmed that our little Jillian had a heart problem and needed surgery.

At that moment, I knew we couldn’t handle everything on our own. My husband and I were both breadwinners supporting our families, and though we had savings, it wasn’t enough. While we waited and prayed, Jillian was given medicines to help ease the stress on her heart.

In February 2025, we sought a second opinion, still hoping the first results might be wrong. Jillian never showed obvious signs of heart problems—she never fainted, never turned blue—just a cough that kept coming back. But the results confirmed the same diagnosis. We had no choice but to accept the painful truth.

Yet, God turned our tears into hope. That second opinion became the bridge to something we never knew existed—charity programs that help children with heart conditions. We were given the biggest gift that day: hope.

We immediately complied with all the requirements, and Jillian continued with her check-ups while waiting for her surgery schedule.

During this time, I had to stop working, leaving only my husband to earn for us. The cost of Jillian’s tests and medicines already felt like an entire paycheck gone. On top of that, we were also supporting our extended families and sending a relative to school. It was exhausting and overwhelming. We tried reaching out for help, but doors closed on us. Still, we had no choice but to keep going—with prayers and faith in God as our strength.

Then, in May 2025, we finally received the news we had been waiting for—Jillian’s surgery was scheduled. We traveled from Bohol to Manila with nothing but faith and determination, holding on to the hope that Jillian would finally have a chance to live with a healthy, happy heart.

Today, our Jillian has that Happy Heart ♥️.

We are endlessly grateful to Let It Echo, the Rotary Club of Cebu, all the generous sponsors, the dedicated doctors who became instruments of healing, and the compassionate staff who cared for us with so much kindness. Because of them, our daughter now has a second chance at life.

To our family and friends who stood by us in our lowest moments—we will never forget your love and support.

Above all, we thank God. Yes, there were nights I questioned Him, asking why it had to be my child. But through my tears, I surrendered everything to Him—my fears, my anger, my doubts. Slowly, I realized God never gives us a burden we cannot carry. Every trial is His way of whispering: “I love you. Don’t worry, I will never abandon you.”

This journey made our marriage stronger, our faith deeper, and our hope unshakable.

To parents who may be walking the same path we did—fight, pray, and trust God’s plan. He put us in this world because He knows we can overcome the storms that come our way.

Our family now lives by these words:

“Pray. Trust. Hope.”