Pinoy Parenting Blog Carnival – My First Taste of Fatherhood

Photo by Guardian Angel

I would like to reserve this post as my first entry to Pinoy Parenting Blog Carnival. I am a father of 2 wonderful children and I am here to share my first taste of fatherhood.

The year was 1996 and the place is Quezon City, Philippines. My wife gave birth to our eldest child, a cute and lovable tiny baby girl in a private, but cheap hospital. She was all white and I thought she had a skin problem. The nurse calmed me down and told me it is normal because she is a mestiza. My wife has an American blood, lucky me!

But unfortunately, I lost my job 2 weeks before that very special day, but I had some money because of the separation pay. Yes, the company closed literally and in front of my face.

After 2 days, we decided to rest at my cousin’s house since we are living in Laguna then. But the day was not yet over when my cousin noticed that my baby turned yellowish and as a mother and a former nursing student, she knew my daughter is in deep trouble. We immediately rushed her to a well-known hospital to make sure proper attention will be given to my poor little angel.

During the 4-day stay in the hospital, nurses kept on doing numerous laboratory tests and frequently getting blood from my daughter’s arm. Imagine the size of a needle compared to her arms! Four hot fluorescent lamps were also placed on top of her bed. My wife and I wish that we will wake up from this nightmare!

According to the doctors, my first baby had an infection on her navel possibly due to contaminated surroundings when she was born. My wife somehow agreed because she observed that the delivery room was not really clean that time. She even noticed that there was rust on her bed.

But because only a few hundred bucks were left from my separation pay, we did not bother to file a complaint. In addition, I have to prioritize finding a new job and we were just so lucky because our landlady was kind enough not to get our apartment rent, which is 4 months after when I was finally hired again.

After almost 12 years, that little baby who almost died instantly is now blooming into a young lady. Yes, my daughter is now the most charming and talented girl I ever saw. She is even helping her mother in watching over her brother.

Sometimes, we must learn the hard way.

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Article Source: Happy Family Matters