| We couldn't believe it but it's happening and it's a
miracle. Angel is going to America for her surgeries!!! On the 2nd
or 3rd week of October 2006 we were applying for a Visa. Margaret
from the Apert Listserv solicited from her friends and gave us money
so that we could apply for the Visa in Manila, Philippines. It was
my first time to ride an airplane. We were very happy that we get
the Visa and nothing can stop us now. We are going to America!!!
Meanwhile, Steffi Inocentes, a filipina we met from Cappskids who
has a beautiful daughter named Sofia who also had CVR solicited
money from her friends. It was really overwhelming because it was a
large amount of money that we can use with our stay in America.
We departed for the United States last October 28 sponsored by
Philippine Airlines Foundation. We arrive in Los Angeles and it was
very cold. Glad that we found out a day before the flight that i
have a distant cousin who is 1 hour away from Los Angeles. He fetch
us at the LAX Airport and drive us to Marriott Hotel in El Segundo
which was sponsored by World Craniofacail Foundation. At the hotel
Angel was finding herself in a new environment. When Angel can't see
me she cries. The next morning we took a flight to Dallas sponsored
by American Airlines Miles for Kids in Need Program.
We arrived in DFW airport at 1 pm there we met Margaret and
Elizabeth. I can't believe it!!! This is real!!! I only see them in
pictures and they are real people!!! I was like dreaming!!! We
proceeded to meet our Filipino Host Family the Bardeloza's in
Carrollton, Texas 20 minutes away from Dallas. There Church Praise
Christian Fellowship sponsored our stay. The first 2 days in Dallas
was very hard for me because Angel had a high fever and she won't go
to anybody. I also missed my family, my wife Eva and my baby Ashley
in the Philippines. It's the first time I traveled outside the
Philippines and away from my loved ones.
On Novemeber 1, 2006 we had appointments at Medical City Dallas
Hospital.Glad that Margaret, Elizabeth and Pastor Joff from the
Church was there to accompany us. And then we met Dr. Fearon at The
Craniofacial Center. When I first saw him I was amazed. I can't
believe that I am seing him. I only see his picture at The
Craniofacial Center website. I was speechless. As Dr. Fearon was
explaining about what has to be done to Angel he saw me so silent.
Dr. Fearon asked me what I was thinking and I can't say anything I
broke in tears of joy. I was so happy to see Him and I know that
they were the ones who made a major contribution in our apllication
at Medical City Dallas Hospital for charity care. Then we went to
World Craniofacial Foundation and met Sue and Marna. They are the
sponsors for Angel's food, milk and diapers. We also met Tracy
Romano who is the Patient Coordinator at Medical City handling
Angel's case. I was so happy meeting these people because I only
knew them in the internet.
On November 2 Angel had her first surgery the first release of
her fingers and toes. Angel also had her ear tubes. When I saw Angel
after the surgery I was so sad to look at her asking why this has to
happen to her. i was so sad and all alone. It was a long long wait
for Angel to recover I missed my family very much and the
Bardeloza's are too busy with their business so I am always alone in
the Host Family's house. After a few weeks I was very happy to know
from a friend in Hawaii that our neighboor Elmer Tejano from the
Philippines 10 years ago is here in Mckinney that is 30 minutes away
from Carrollton. I called him and they visited and invited us to
their house. There we met Elmer's mom TJ who immediately loved Angel
like a Granddaughter of her own. There Angel found her old self and
that was when I was taking all those youtube videos.lol
On December 2 I was so so so excited to wake up because Eva is
arriving!!! Pastor Joff, Angel and I fetched Eva at DFW airport. I
was so happy to see her!!! Thank you to all who donated to
www.helpbabyangel.blogspot.com made by Allisson Rowland and Margaret
from Austin, Texas because that took care of Eva's ticket and to
Apert International who donated too.
On December 8 Angel had her Cranial Vault Remodeling. Eva and I
were so worried to what might happen to Angel because Dr. Fearon
told us that there might be a possibility that Angel might not wake
up but he said it never happened to him. Eva was crying inside the
holding area where nurses will get her for the surgery. And so the
surgery went on and it was so hard waiting for hours wondering what
might happen to Angel. At last the surgery is over and it was a
success. We were so very happy. We were also very happy to meet
filipina nurses at Medical City Vikki Luna and Emma Ortiz who shared
their blessings to Angel.
On December 9 CCA Kids had their Christmas Party and I was so
happy that we were able to meet our Apert Listserv friends Ashley,
Olivia, Kristina, Brisa, Elizabeth and Seth. I also met previousy
Dustin who send Angel lots of toys. I only knew them in our Apert
listserv in the internet and it's like a family.
Angel had a swollen head and it was kind of hard to see how she
is doing but that is normal after skull surgery so we have to deal
with it. As Angel was recovering from the first and second surgery
Elmer and his mom TJ, Sister Lai Mendoza from the Church, Raquel
Duterte from the Philippines and Yu Hong from the Listserv gave us a
good time in Dallas. We celebrated Christmas with the Bardelozas and
New Year with Elmer. I also called Amy of Capps who was the main
person responsible for all these to happen. We were so very happy
for all these kind people. Angel really can touch their hearts.
Angel is really an Angel.
On January 16, 2007 Angel had her surgery final release of her
fingers and toes. We were so very happy to meet another friend from
the the Apert Listserv Jack Smith at Medical City.
Last February 7 Angel's cast are off. Angel now has 10 fingers
and 10 toes. We are so very happy and it's so cute. We can't belive
that we made it through all this. It's a miracle and we are
overwhelmed with happiness. Thank you for all those who helped.
On February 24 we will be going home and we are very excited to
see baby Ashley. We will be going home happily and will share Angel
to the rest of the community. Upon arriving I would like to inquire
about Angel's development and what to be done I hope we could
afford. As for Ashley we would like to teach her to love and respect
her sister very much. Like Dr. Fearon told us we will be enjoying
Angel like a normal child until she's 5 to 8 years when she needs
more surgeries.
The memories here in America will last forever and to those who
helped thank you very much for being an Angel to my Angel. I know
someday you will be touched and blessed by an Angel.
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