 |
| Eric, Mary and Baby Ezekiel |
Recently, Salem had a continuity patient that she really connected with
named, Mary. This couple really touched Salem's heart, and their story
is truly inspiring. When the husband, Eric, was a teenager, he was in
an accident that left him disabled. Mary chose to marry him anyway,
and God recently blessed them with their first child, whom Salem
delivered. Salem was also asked to be the godmother (ninang) to this
sweet baby boy. Below is a story that was given to us from Mary to post
on this blog
From Mary:
My mother gave birth to me January 30, 1992, and named me Mary Raid Donaire
as a combination of my parents name (Raidiso L. Donaire-father) (Mary
Ann-mother). I started working here in Davao when I was just 13 years old as an Ice cream
vendor. I worked and studied as well until college but I didn’t finish my course.
In 2008, I lost my father and all my dreams had been gone as well. At the time
that I lost everything, I found Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. I
started going to church where Eric - my husband - is a member. He’s a Sunday
school teacher, and he’s serving the Lord even though he has a disability. We married, even
though our families disagreed with our relationship, but we exchanged our vows
together before God. It wasn’t legal, so we decided to legalize it in the
court. I feel it is my purpose to be with Eric until my last breath.
Though it’s hard, I’m willing to take the risk. In hard times, God always reminds me to cheer, because He is the
one that controls everything.
I got pregnant in February
2012, but I didn’t know it early because my
menstruation is irregular. The last week of January 2012 to February I
got sick,
had fever, coughed, my eyes were blurred, and I was dizzy and couldn’t
sleep. I took medicine to help me sleep and help with the fever and
cough. At the end of
February, I had a suspicion that I might be pregnant, so I stopped
taking those
things. When my pregnancy test result was positive, I was really crying
for
happiness and sadness. I was planning to continue studying this year but
since
I’m pregnant, it’s sounds impossible. I felt guilty for what I had taken
before
(referring those medicines above), but I really didn’t know it or even
think
about being pregnant yet. I heard about Mercy Maternity Clinic (MMC)
from my brother’s wife since she gave
birth there. So, I went there and had my first prenatal on April 2012.
It
was very exciting, I don’t know that they are also Christians. I love
the
way they treat and care for us, not only physically but also
spiritually. I cried
quietly when I first heard my baby’s heartbeat knowing that he is alive.
I met
ma’am Salem in my second appointment. She was kind and enthusiastic. I
was touched
by God’s plan for me when ma’am Salem asked me to be her continuity
patient, and
I was very thankful that she was my midwife. She told me a lot of good
information; a good diet, lots of water intake, rest, exercise, taking
vitamins
and always told me not to be afraid in delivering a child for she is not
afraid. I really did my best to follow all the things she told me. She
did
orient me also about labor and delivery, breastfeeding, birth control
and
others. There was one time that I was afraid to deliver my child,
because one of
my friends died this June 2012 after she had delivered her baby, because
she bled
a lot and end up hemorrhaging. In telling her this, she told me a lot of
ways to avoid
it. She sent me also to get my hemoglobin checked. When I found out
that I’m anemic, she helped me to improve my
hemoglobin, and I followed her in the best way.
I began
having contractions on October 27 in the morning, but I was not yet in
active
labor. I tried to eat, exercise, drink a lot of water, and sleep at
night. At midnight I had already felt a painful contraction that bothers
me. I
checked it every interval and informed ma’am Salem about it. I was
afraid to
deliver my baby at home, so we came early to Mercy. I was just in early
labor, so we decided to stay at home and come back when I was 5cm.
Contractions were very painful, and made me feel very tired. Praise God,
even
with all the hardship, we really did it. I had my baby boy Ezekiel
Raideric
Donaire Papas.
 |
| Salem at the Baby Dedication Service with Ezekiel |
I thought my hard days were over, but it was just the beginning of everything. I
found it hard to move because of my big suture after I delivered my baby.
Breastfeeding was one of the hardest things, and I remember crying because it was painful. I was depressed, and I wanted to stop
breastfeeding him because of the pain. However, I didn’t have any choice. My
baby really loved crying in the night, and I couldn’t sleep, so I just cried and
cried. In our home, there were many hard days and I felt like
nobody wanted to help me. Eric was also having a hard time
understanding me and helping me. He was worried for me and my baby. Every time I
saw strange things I was nervous. I worried for my health and my baby a lot.
God
helped me through this season. Today, everything is going good. My
depressed days are gone. I never stopped
breastfeeding Ezekiel, and I am used to not sleeping at night because of
his crying. When he sleeps, I watch him breathing and always check
his temperature. I have a lot of things to do, but everything is worth
it. God
never leaves us nor forsakes us. Thank you for all the help ma’am Salem.
I
will never forget how good you are to me and my family. Thanks for Mercy
Maternity Center.
 |
| Mary and Salem |
 |
| Dedication of Ezekiel |
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call
on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me
and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer.29:11-13
