My World… In My Own Words

   I do. Lots. That’s why I never thought twice about sharing it.

   December 30, 2005. I received a call from my son’s pediatrician, Dr. Buendia. She asked if I would be willing to donate some breastmilk to a baby who was born premature. Baby Salvo was born the night before at 34 weeks. The doctor didn’t want to introduce baby formula for fear of complications, thus the need for breastmilk. The mother was not lactating yet, hence the need for donors. Without batting an eyelash, I said yes. How could I not? A quick look back at my difficult pregnancy, it hit me that that baby needing milk could have been my son. And so, I expressed some milk that afternoon and off my husband went to deliver it to the hospital.

   The next day, I received a text message from Dr. Buendia, thanking me. I texted back: “No problem. I’ve got lots of milk to go around, and my baby doesn’t mind. Just let me know if the baby needs more in the next few days =)”

   The next day, I received another message from Dr. Buendia. “May we ask for more breastmilk? This time for baby Salvo and baby Guiao.” 

   Again, I expressed milk which my husband delivered to the hospital nursery. No questions asked, no second thoughts. This small act of kindness was our little way of saying thanks to the Lord for seeing me and my son through a difficult pregnancy.

   Today, three weeks after I received those calls from Dr. Buendia, I am chatting with Ann, mother of baby Ezekiel who was born at 32 weeks on December 31. We spend a couple of minutes talking about my baby and her baby and how they would become playmates when they’re older. Then we hug and wave our good-byes as she leaves for the hospital.  Ezekiel is still confined in the nursery, becoming stronger after winning the battle against one infection after the other. He has had several blood transfusions and had to be placed on antibiotics. Ann hardly has any milk despite the supplements she has taken to stimulate lactation. Ezekiel has fed everyday on my milk, which Ann has been picking up from my home daily. Though cured of infection already, he needs to stay longer in the hospital until he has gained adequate weight.

   My husband and I receive a shower of “thank you’s” from Ann and her family every time we meet. And each time, we reply that it is not an imposition at all. We have shared with them the story of the rough ride that was my pregnancy and why we are very thankful to the Lord for all His graces. We tell them that as long as Ezekiel needed breastmilk, and as long as I had enough milk, we would never tire of sharing.

   God has given me a chance to share His blessings through an unusual set-up. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be sharing my milk for a stranger’s baby. It gave me goose-bumps that day when my husband and I visited Ezekiel at the nursery for the first time. He became more than just a name. And it touched my heart when Ann’s mother said: “Halika, tingnan mo yung pangalawang anak mo.” * To them, I had become more than just a donor. To us, they are now more than just donees. We have become family.

*”Come, take a look at your other son.”

Note: Baby Salvo is still in the hospital battling an infection in his blood. I was only able to donate for him some breastmilk for 2 days. After that, he was placed on intravenous feeding. To date, he still relies on his IV for nutrients.  He has had many blood transfusions and is under medication. I have not yet met his parents, but I have seen him in the nursery ICU. Please include him in your prayers.

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