AVE MARIA! (Mary Mediatrix Y. Llagas)

“St. Pio is one of the most powerful intercessor who made speedy recovery for Mary Medriatrix and her complete healing is truly God’s miracle… We give back the Glory and Honor to the Lord God and through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

AVE MARIA!

Mary Medriatrix Yambao Llagas, a 2-year old child who was stricken by a Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever stage 3 (DHF-III). Mary Medriatrix who is our youngest child is a jolly little girl. She is so sweet and loves to play, until one day she became sad and weak.

March 1, 2007 around 10:40 am she had a high fever (40˚ C +) accompanied by frequent vomiting. I was at work at that time. I knew nothing of what’s happening in our home, but I had a strange feeling which I couldn’t explain. My eldest daughter, Mary Precious (15 years old) is the one taking care of her little sister. When I came home she told me what was happening to her little sister, I did not waste time. I brought her in the nearby clinic (Jacinto Medical Clinic) for check-up. After examining, the doctor prescribed her an anti-bacterial (Co-trimoxazole) and Paracetamol drugs, because she has tonsillitis in his findings. I asked the doctor, “is it not possible that she has dengue fever doctor?” and he answered me “no it’s not, we have to focus on tonsillitis.” Co-trimoxazole decreases platelet count if the patient is suspected of DHF. But I still gave the medicine for three days confidently. In spite of these, there was no improvement, her fever continued. So I decided to seek another medical opinion.

On March 3, 2007 around 5 pm, she was admitted at the Asuncion Medical Clinic, where Dr. Tulayba and his wife, who is also a doctor, are her attending physicians. She was alreadt dehydrated then. In the morning of March 4, she was diagnosed to have DHA-III. Her platelet counts went down to 30 thousand. The normal platelet count is 200-400 thousand. Due to her condition, we needed to transfer her to St. Jude Hospital, where here attending physicians are affiliated. My babe had undergone blood (plasma) transfusion. I thought everything will be fine after the blood transfusion. Six hours later, they examined her bloos. I was shocked when I learned that her platelet went down to 27 thousand, I felt so much fear.

On March 5, 2:00 am another blood plasma was transfused to her but still her platelet went down again. That time it was already 24 thousand. That moment, my body was trembling. We were praying all night, begging for God’s mercy. A continuous prayer warrior was done by us and other relatives and friends in different organizations in the church and also by our co-workers. We were begging for God’s Divine Mercy – to our Lord Jesus that He will pour out to Mary Medriatrix the blood and water that comes from his heart. We also asked for the intercession of Mama Mary and all the angels and saints, for her survival.

At around 9:00 am on the same day, Dr. Tulayba advised us to transfer Mary Medriatrix to the Pedriatic Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of UST Hospital because she had already complications on different internal organs (lungs, liver, kidneys). Her stomach got bigger, her blood pressure was only 80/50, and she was already gasping for air. Her blood vessels were almost shocked.

Upon arriving at the Emergency Room of the UST Hospital, the doctors and staff immediately assisted us. The doctor-in-charge at the PICU talked to me and said, “We’re going to transfuse another blood plasma to your baby. I cannot say that she is OK because as soon as her fever subsides, that will also be the time that we are entering the “Danger Zone”, the more her platelet count will decrease. It will be better if she will not bleed, because if it happens, I don’t know if she will survive. Let’s wait within 72 hours. We will do our best to save your baby but with her condition now, do not expect too much. We are just instruments of God. Prepare yourself. Pray it works.” I felt that my heart broke into pieces. I wanted to shout as if I was losing my mind. But the Lord sent me His message saying, “Be still, the Lord never comes late nor in advance.” With that I had peace.

At 12:00 noon on that same day, my children and my siblings went to the hospital’s chapel to hear Holy Mass. After the mass, my husband and I decided to have confession. I believe that the sacrament of confession has power, it gives healing. While I was confessing, I noticed the people rushing towards the altar, kissing the picture whom I did not know. I did not mind them because the man in the photo was a stranger to me. So continued my confession. When I was done, I saw three remaining people in line to kiss the picture and glove. I was wondering what the glove was for and the man in the picture was. Out of my curiosity I went to the altar to kiss the picture. While I was doing so, I made a sincere prayer. I said, “Señor, I don’t know you, but please interced for the healing of my baby.” I was crying when I went back to my seat. Then my youngest sister approached me and explained that the man in the picture was Padre Pio, and the glove I saw was his glove. She briefly told me his story. We were lucky anough when Sister Cora permitted us to bring the picture and glove of Padre Pio in the PICU inspite the strict visit to touch my baby. Together we prayed inside the PICU with the intercession of Padre Pio.

At around 1:30, and after the group and relic glove of Padre Pio left, my co-teachers came. They brought with them the Efficacious Novena Prayer of St. Pio. Our conversation then was all about the miracles of Padre Pio. I realized it was not a coincidence and that God had a purpose through His faithful servant, St. Pio.

At around 4:00 pm, Mary Medriatrix’s temperature was down to 36-37˚ C). The moment has come, and she is now in the “danger zone” and the 72-hour countdown. They started to count the first 24 hours. Blood transfusion was again hooked, while her platelet count continued to decrease and was already 20 thousand, with multiple complications that only a miracle from God could make her survive. And so we did a non-stop prayer brigade of the rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Healing Prayer of St. Pio.

March 6, at around 2:00 am, and still within bracket of 24hours, she urinated but with the presence of blood in the catheter bag. I felt hopeless and was very frightened. Despite the multiple plasma transfusion, her platelet counts continued to decline. The more we call on God. Our only strength is prayer. And so God with His grace and mercy, a miracle happened.

While Mary Medriatrix is on her first 24 hours, she seemed to gain energy despite the fact that she bled. On her 48th hour, her platelet count remained 20 thousand. Prayer warriors, intercessions and mass offerings continued. March 7, on her 72nd hour, her platelet count went up to 40 thousand. We praised God. It was already a good sign. On that same day we were told by the doctors to transfer Mary Medriatrix to the recovery room because according to them, she already surpassed the crucial period.

On March 8, her platelet went up to 60 thousand, and on March 9, it went up tremendously to 200 thousand. Truly God never came late. Praise the Lord for she was completely healed. God gave Mary Medriatrix another life and He gave us another chance to be with her.

St. Pio is one of the most powerful intercessor who made speedy recovery for Mary Medriatrix and her complete healing is truly God’s miracle.

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to all the people who prayed for Mary Medriatrix’s healing. To Sr. Cora Timoteo, Bro. Ramon Rodriguez and the rest of the group who prayed and offered Holy Masses for the second life of our daughter. You are our spiritual benefactors in that time of difficulties. Through you we experienced the powerful healing prayer of St. Pio. Thank you and God bless you. We will continue to pray for you.

We give back the Glory and Honor to the Lord God and through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In Christ,

Edna Y. Llagas