On Strength and Scars

So Kelly had a minor accident the night of Mitor's birthday, which is the reason why this post was late. Long story short, she bumped her head on the bathroom tiles, had a deep cut above her left eyebrow, which had me and Mitor running around the house like a headless chicken.

Kabbie: Oh f*ck we need to stop the bleeding! We need to cover it up now! 

Mitor: No, we need to clean it first!

Kabbie: Wait I don't think we have Betadine!

Mitor: Okay I'll run now to Mercury!

Kabbie: No, no I think we need to go to the ER. Call Dra. Tiongson!

Mitor: Okay will start the car!

Kabbie: Teka nakahubad pa yung bata!

Kelly: Waaaah, waaaaah, MOMMY!!!

So we ended up covering her wound with a cotton pad secured by a strip of washi tape, and off we went to the ER. Way to go, girl scout me. #slowclap

Good thing Mitor's cousins were at home right when the accident happened to keep us from going crazy. It's weird how panic can really shut off your brain cells. At that time, the only thing that was going through my head was a prayer: "Please Lord, no stitches, no brain damage. Please, please, please."

Thank heavens my prayers were answered! We went home after an hour, no need for X-rays or CitiScan since Kelly did not show any sign of head trauma. All they did was clean the wound and cover it up. I think more than anything, I was the traumatized one.

Right outside Cardinal Santos Medical Center

Tuloy ang ligaya!

The Tita Squad

Now that the would has completely healed, I can't help but stare at her scar every night; wondering, wishing, if it will ever fade away. Surprisingly, I sometimes ask myself if I really want it to vanish. Because to me, scars are solid reminders of strength, of faith, of love.

I have several battle scars of my own and looking at them empowers me. It's ironic how scars can be so ugly yet it reminds you of beautiful moments. My C-section scar brings me back to January 15 2015, the day when I gave birth to Kelly. Everything was so chill, the doctors were singing along with Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack and she came out right when O-O-H Child by the Five Stairsteps was playing.

Our first family photo

The four tiny stitches around my stomach reminds me of my lap chole surgery on April 20 2015. My procedure took 3 hours to finish (a regular gall bladder removal is only 20 minutes) because my doctor is a rock star and he did every thing he could so he wouldn't need to resort to open surgery. Yes, my gall bladder was that bad. It also brings me back to that crucial moment when I was in so much pain that I had to Uber myself to the ER on a rush hour Monday. There I was, crying in pain and the driver had his game face on and got me to the ER in 20 minutes. I have yet to thank him for being my hero.

Morning view on the day of my surgery

Laughter is the best medicine

Dr. Dino Vargas, aka the best surgeon in the world

Well, who knows? Kelly's just a year old anyway and maybe her scar will fade. But if it doesn't, that's fine too, because it will always be a beautiful reminder of God's saving grace and the power of prayer.

Lest we forget, she and Harry Potter now have something in common. Let the magic begin!