Miami, Florida  (FL) - Full Trisomy 13
Monica Lugo, (speaks Spanish, some English)

My NAME is Monica, and am mother to Gabriel. He was born on May 18, 2005, at 41 weeks of pregnancy. My pregnancy was normal, there were no abnormalities detected, or anything to indicated that my little angel would have any problems. When Gabo (That’s what we call him at home) entered this world, the doctors noted certain abnormalities and due to respiratory distress and heart problems, he was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. When I was given the news, I was really fearful for his health, but I had no idea to what extent the news would be.

Three hours after his birth, a group of doctors had a meeting with me and told me they thought Gabo had a certain syndrome, and if it was the syndrome they thought, Gabriel’s possibility for survival were minimal. They said he had multiple issues with his heart, pulmonary hypertension, renal reflux, glaucoma, cataracts, etc… They told me he would live at most, 3 months.

A week later, he was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit B. Thank God, he had overcome his respiratory problems, and was able to breathe on his own. Due to his life expectancy, the doctors suggested to not administer his heart medication, but thank God, that decision was left up to me.

After 2 weeks, the geneticist’s diagnosis came and, and it confirmed Gabriel has Trisomy 13. That was the worst news of my life! It was so sad, so harsh; I felt like my soul was ripped from me.

Gabriel left the hospital at 28 days old, on Hospice. He took several medications for each problem, being fed through a feeding tube because his heart bet too fast if he tried to suck. The first few months were the most difficult, very tiring, and to me, everyday that went by meant one less for my little angel.

With Our Lord’s blessings, Gabriel slowly learned to be breastfed, and that’s he was able to nurture during the first 6 months of his fragile life. At 1 and ½ months the feeding tube was removed, and at a year old, the antibiotics administered for his kidney issues was no longer needed. The same thing happened to his heart medication. He no longer needed it. On his birthday, he was taken to surgery to remove a thin layer of film in his eyes. Thank God it all turned out ok for him, as we were al fearful he would not be able to withstand the anesthesia.

Today, Gabriel has managed to survive without medication, and despite he eats only pureed food and liquids, he has been able to maintain a good weight and his good eating habits have allowed him to reach a good height. Gabriel was diagnosed blind and the doctors said he only had perception of light, but we are here to say that due to our Faith, Gabriel sees more than light, more than shadows, and that he is able to focus on objects in front of him and reach for them. He not only does it with objects that have light and sound, but also with those that are transparent.

I can say that Gabriel is a miracle of God, and I want to say as well that there is no better medicine than love. There’s no doubt that these little ones are so special. They’re angels that God has sent to chosen families so we can learn from them and to teach us to appreciate and value the truly important things in life.

No matter how long they are with us, the most important thing is what they are able to teach/show us and the tremendous influence they leave in our lives.

Thank you Lord for our Angels and may God bless each one of our families.

Monica Lugo, (speaks Spanish, some English)

E-mail: amanecerni@yahoo.com