In sickness and in health: Stroke survivor renews vows with husband

In her white wedding dress, Irish Pepito, 48, slowly walked down the aisle, bravely limping and choosing to do without a cane, to renew her vows to her husband Thoy and celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

“Pinilit ko talaga na makalakad nang walang tungkod,” Irish told GMA News.

She couldn’t walk properly after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke in 2018. But her resolve to walk down the aisle was rooted in the love and all the sacrifices that Thoy had shown her in the last 25 years.

“Gusto ko maglakad ako para sa asawa ko [at ipakita] na nag-effort din ako, hindi lang siya,” she said.

As she made her way to the arms of the man who stuck with her through sickness and in health, Irish vividly remembered their share of tragedies.

Giving birth, suffering from a stroke

While pregnant, Irish suffered from gestational diabetes that never went away. Paired with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, Irish was in critical condition when she gave birth in 2013.

“Nag 50-50 nga raw po ako noon, [sabi ng mga doktor],” she said.

While born prematurely, their son Miguel was lucky that he did not suffer from any illness.

“Siya okay siya, wala siyang diabetes. Sa akin po napunta lahat. Pero okay lang po ‘yun, huwag na sa anak ko,” Irish said.

Irish and her husband were expecting their second child in 2015, when she suffered a miscarriage.

Three years later, she suffered from a stroke due to exhaustion and overworking.

As a result, she hasn’t been able to fully care for the 5-year-old Miguel. Pepito can only express her profound gratitude for her husband.

“Napakalaking pasasalamat ko na nandyan pa rin siya. Hindi niya ako iniwan,” she said.

A walk to remember

Irish shared that their first wedding in 2001 didn’t go as planned due to heavy rains.

It became a reason they were adamant for a silvery wedding anniversary celebration. “Gusto [rin] namin bumawi sa mga naging bisita namin dati… Kaya nag-celebrate talaga kami. Nag-ipon kami.”

As part of the wedding, Irish did not see it any other way: She will walk down the aisle to show her gratitude for her partner in life, who has put so much effort into caring for her and their son.

“Sabi nga n’ung pari, doon [sa altar] na ako agad [pumuwesto].” But she declined.

When she reached her man, she felt nothing but joy.

“Sobrang saya nu’ng wedding namin. Parang lahat ng hirap, kahit may sakit ako, okay lang,” she said.

Irish was overjoyed with the thought of their family being together on their special day. And despite her struggles, Irish stayed positive.

“Lahat ng nangyayari sa’tin, may dahilan po. Kung anuman po ‘yung dumating ngayon, laban lang. Lahat ‘yan alam ni Lord,” she said.

— LA, GMA News