Yari Ka!

Around this time last year, our lives took a turn for the dramatic. It all started innocently enough. My daughter E felt a lump in her tummy. And immediately, I started having fears about myomas and fibroids and all those other conditions associated with a woman's reproductive system. I remember my dear friend A having just such an operation a few weeks or so before she had to leave for Canada. I've also had several colleagues who have had to be treated for one condition or another. As is natural for mothers, I started worrying. I started imagining all sorts of things.

I scheduled an appointment with my Ob-Gyne, Dr. S. This is the woman who has seen me through three pregnancies, she knows me well. On the way to the doctor, I asked my daughter, "Are you scared?" She said no. I told her, "Whatever it is, we'll deal with it together."

And so, we saw Dr. S.

Dr. S: So, what's our problem today?
Me: It's not me. It's my daughter. She has a lump on her tummy.
Dr. S: Any other symptoms?
Me: Her period has been light for the past two months.
Dr. S: Okay, let's have a look.

And so, E lied down. When Dr. S touched her tummy, she immediately said, "Meron nga!" From there, she went for the Doppler. My jaw dropped. I've been pregnant four times before and I knew all too well what that's instrument for. In my head, there was this giant thought bubble wanting to just burst out, "WHY IS SHE GETTING THE DOPPLER? WHY IS SHE GETTING THE DOPPLER?"

Dr. S placed the Doppler on E's tummy and immediately we heard the unmistakable thumpity thump thump sound of a raging, beating heart. Dr. S nonchalantly said, "Baby!"

E said, "Serious?"

And I, for the life of me, could not say a word. I could not speak. In my twisted mind, I was half-expecting Michael V to jump from behind me and say, "Yari ka!" just so I know that this was all just a joke. Just a prank. Unfortunately, Michael V was nowhere in sight. There was no going around the thumpity thump of that little heart.

Baby!