July 3

 

For many of you, 

July 3 marks 

the Feast Day of St. Thomas, 

a day of reverence and celebration. 

For some, it is just another day. 

For me, it is a day etched in my memory for an entirely different reason. 

Yes, it was a day that brought me to my knees by a mishap in my family! 

Two years ago, on a July 3rd, my six month pregnant sister with her pregnancy scan reports visited a gynaecologist in our hometown. She came all the way from Bellary, Karnataka (her workplace) to be with us so that my mom can take care of her and the baby after the delivery. My mom found out the best doctor in and around our locality and took appointment for her. 

The doctor went through the medical records my sister had brought along from her previous hospital. She, in despair, looked at my sister immediately and pronounced that the possibility for Down Syndrome is very much high in the fetus. Furthermore, she was wondering how the previous doctor failed to explain the complications at an earlier stage.   

It was a heart wrenching moment for my sister; and mom who had accompanied her to the hospital. 

The so called doctor gave away so many options to my sister so that she can go over to those ‘medical institutes’ to terminate the pregnancy and ‘be free.’ 

My sister and mom felt shattered. They felt the world had turned against them. 

Tears flowed freely! 

In those moments of anguish, they didn’t know what could be done apart from reaching out to God. They went straight away to our parish (St. Thomas Major Archiepiscopal Shrine, Palayoor, Kerala) and prayed hard to unveil a path of redemption. Also, my mom vowed at the church that if the child born was found to be healthy; he/she would take after the names of Saint Thomas and Saint Mary respectively. 

Although a blurr of uncertainties engulfed them, they came back home mustering courage; and shared us the concern in detail.     

I grappled and lost myself in anguish. I felt I was lost in a sea of unknowns! 

 I was also worried about what the future might hold for the child.

None of us slept on that night. 

It was a time filled with confusions and questions.           

It wasn’t easy to navigate the storm! 

Silence engulfed our home! 

The next day morning all of us sat in different corners ruminating over fate.  

On the contrary, my sister seemed to be very lively but we could see her concealing pain. 

I was afraid how my sister and her husband would surpass that wretched stage of their lives..!

I was wondering how they could let go their sorrows without tears. 

However, it is often in our darkest hours, we look forward to the light of divine intervention. As the days unfolded, we witnessed a series of events that renewed and reshaped our faith in Lord Jesus and Mother Mary. We realized that the presence of God is palpable. 

All of us braced ourselves. 

We decided to take advice from another senior doctor in town. 

What if there is ray of light at the end of a dark tunnel? We comforted each other! 

Soon enough, mom managed to get an appointment with Dr. Betsy, a Senior gynaecologist of Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala. 

Before going to consult the doctor, my sister and her husband made a bold decision that they would not harm the baby no matter how serious the situation turns out. They both prepared their hearts to welcome their baby, no matter the circumstances. 

The very next day, my sister and mom departed to the hospital. They entered Dr. Betsy’s room, showed her the previous medical records; and hinted our crisis. 

Doctor did not have much to say than substantiating the figures indicating possibility of Down syndrome. 

She looked at my sister tenderly and handed over the records to the junior doctor (an MD resident). 

Dr. Betsy discussed the procedures to be carried out for the further treatment pre and post delivery at their hospital. 

As the discussion progressed, my feeble mom and desperate sister heard someone crying out in awe, “There is an error in the lab diagnosis. The observed values shown here in the Double Marker Test do not match with the actual scan report. Please have a look at the report again, Ma’am.”  

The voice was too shrieking that it penetrated through the four walls of the room. 

The junior doctor moved closer towards Dr. Betsy and pointed out the correction. 

Dr. Betsy could not believe her eyes. 

She applauded the junior doctor for her findings and smiled at my mom and sister. 

Sigh of relief!

The insurmountable obstacle that had loomed before the entire family began to crumble.

Like a gentle breeze blowing away the darkest clouds, the miracle we had anticipated for unfolded in a fraction of a second. 

All worries faded away!

Yes! Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it?   

On 28th of September, 2021 we got to meet our little princess; a very healthy and beautiful baby.

 Most obviously, a gift from above! 

We named her ‘Marisol’ (Mary of Solitude).

She is a testament to the Power of God.  

As we watch her grow, it is quite evident that she observes and absorbs information in a trice: obviously, a fast learner! Her smile is contagious that fills our room with warmth. 

Now, when I reflect upon the challenging time we came across, I truly understand that suffering is inevitable for resurrection. 

Wishing you all a blessed Feast Day of St. Thomas, filled with renewed faith and rejuvenated hope! 

Stay Blessed!