Happy birthday, Chino!

Today is a good day. For today, we are grateful. Today, Chino turned one.

Miracles happen everyday, whether we recognize them or not. But today's particular miracle did not go unheralded. Weeks after his surgery, Chino is with his family celebrating his first birthday.

On October 4, my godson went in for his first open-heart surgery. Prayers and well-wishes flooded in from all over the globe as relatives and friends of the Nebrao and Adalla families joined in vigil for a successful operation and quick recovery.

There was good news after the operation. His mitral valve was repaired. Even better, a tube in his heart that was thought to be missing was there all along, just fused with another. The tubes were separated and were functioning well.

On to the ICU he went, where, for days, he battled a persistent fever. The risk of infection is always high after such an operation, and only a few people were allowed to visit Chino to limit those risks. Even so, he was stable and on the mend.

Then, this message via Facebook on October 12:

"CHINO'S POST SURGERY UPDATE: We were told that Chino's heart is not contracting well despite 3 blood transfusions & maximum med supervision. He will need to undergo the valve replacement a year from now (means 1 more open heart surgery!) since the said valve is not functioning back to normal. Intensive prayers... Ever faithful to the end."

Nonetheless, Clarke and Cynch were finally able to take their baby home on October 15.

At home, Chino continued his recovery, fighting off fevers, getting stronger everyday as his wound healed. On October 24, the family reported that he could sit up, though still with assistance, and was back to eating his favorite pasta dishes.

On October 26, they posted this picture on Facebook, bringing smiles to the faces of all those who have joined them in this journey.

Today (yesterday, Philippine time), they posted this message:

"As you turn one today, we praise God for the gift of you in our life. Thank you for teaching us so many valuable lessons in living and loving... Thank you for constantly reminding us to face our life's battles with full faith and trust in our God. We thank God as well for the overwhelming support ...and love from our family, friends and complete strangers who have generously shared their blessings and prayers to you during your first open heart surgery a few weeks back.

We pray that Papa God will continue give you healing and fix your broken heart, we pray that He will take away all the pain and "yayay" that you feel as you recover from your surgery and most of all, that He will always put that cutie smile in your little face everyday.

We love you Chino. We'll face your next fight holding hands and with our full trust in God. Happy 1st bday baby boy! We look forward to more wonderful celebrations of your life.

From Papa Clarke, Mommy Cynch, Ate Ikang & Ate Cacay"

Happy birthday, dear Chino, and thank you for the gift you have given us all. Ninang Abbie, Tito Vance and Mateo can't wait to meet you in person.

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Their fight is not over. You can still help. You have until November 15 to vote for Chino here so he can win Php 100,000 to help pay for his medical expenses. Please take the time to vote now. Thanks!