
Radio personality, Nicole Hyala, took to social media to explain her recent absence.
She revealed that she was inactive for a while to take care of her daughter, Princess, who was in a coma back in April, after suffering from a potentially life-threatening disease.
Nicole Hyala and her daughter Princess / Source: PapamFam ni Nicole Hyala (YouTube)
Part of Nicole's post reads, “HE LORD HAS SHOWN HIS GLORY AND MIGHT. HE HAS GIVEN US A MIRACLE.
“You may have noticed that I was inactive in social media for more than a month.
“I took a break from social media because I needed to take care of my Princess, who unexpectedly got sick with meningoencephalitis, a rare disease that causes inflammation of the brain.”
Nicole shared a before and after photo of Princess, showing how her daughter has miraculously survived the disease and is now in good condition.
“Gusto ko din kasi na sa susunod na magpo-post ako sa social media ay tungkol na sa story of victory.
“And so, here it is. Our story of victory. A story of how God took over and gave us a miracle.
“A story of hope. A story of God's love.”
In their vlog, Nicole and her husband Renly tearfully recounted the experience.
They said Princess first developed fever on April 16 and they had her confined right away the next day at the Biñan Doctors' Hospital.
The couple said they noticed that their daughter was sleeping more than usual and when awake she was exhibiting odd behavior such as babbling.
They were then advised by their pediatrician to consult a neurologist, who then diagnosed Princess with meningoencephalitis.
Princess was then transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of St. Luke's Quezon City, where she stayed for three weeks.
The couple were only allowed to see their daughter and get updates through video call.
“Nilagyan siya ng NGT sa nose. Ang daming nakakabit sa kanya,” Nicole said in tears. “Tapos hindi siya gumigising. Hindi kami kilala. Sobrang sakit.”
Nicole Hyala and husband Renly tearfully recounts daughter's bout with meningoencephalitis / Source: PapamFam ni Nicole Hyala (YouTube)
Despite the fear and stress that their family experienced, they are grateful for Princess's recovery and revealed that the experience brought them closer to God.
“Grabe 'yung pagkapit namin sa Diyos. Hindi namin siguro maitatawid 'yung mga minute at mga araw kung hindi kami nagdadasal. Ang hirap, araw-araw, napakasakit talaga, sobra.
“Ngayon nga, sabi nga namin, ito 'yung pinaka-pinaka closest to God that we have ever been, 'di ba?
“Kasi lagi tayong ano, araw-araw kaming nagdadasal. Hindi lang araw-araw, minu-minuto.
“Lahat ng…every opportunity that we get para magdasal, nagdarasal kami kasi hina-haggle namin si Princess.
“Sabi namin, 'Lord, bigyan mo naman kami ng isa pang chance para makasama siya ulit. Bigyan mo kami ng tsansa na maging mas mabuting magulang po sa kanya..”
Several celebrity parents have reacted to the inspiring story of Princess's recovery on social media, such as Paolo Ballesteros, Sitti Navarro, Chariz Solomon, Lovely Abella, and Giselle Sanchez.
Celebrities react to Nicole Hyala's daughter's recover
Meningoencephalitis is an infection of both the brain covering called meninges (meningitis) and the brain (encephalitis).
According to Hopkins Medicine, it is caused by bacteria, fungi, and other types of germs.
But mostly, it is caused by a slew of enteroviruses and can be contracted through droplets, air, water, food, sexual intercourse or passed from infected mother to child.
Some of the symptoms of meningoencephalitis include headache, fever, vomiting, drowsiness, blurred vision, hallucinations, neck stiffness, seizures, purple rashes, behavioral changes and unconsciousness.
Meningoencephalitis is often fatal if left untreated. So, rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment is important.
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Learn more about other rare diseases that some celebrities have battled with in the gallery below.