Human Nature dealer Jennifer Rellosa Belmonte shares her inspirational story of triumph over adversity through faith and resilience.

Human Nature dealer Jennifer Rellosa Belmonte shares her inspirational story of triumph over adversity through faith and resilience.

by Leslie Santos

Jennifer Rellosa Belmonte is wife to Nats and mother to two lovable boys. Her sons’ names, Arkin Ieuan (a gift from God) and Ethan Jared (strong ruler), are testaments to her steadfast faith in God. She shares her inspirational story with Human Nature Marikina. 

Battling it Out

A few months after her wedding, Jen woke up in the middle of the night, having difficulty breathing. She was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease, arteriovenous malformation or AVM. AVM is a defect in the blood vessels where an abnormal connection between the veins and arteries interferes with the body’s ability to circulate blood (www.healthline.com).

Jen’s first attack required her to undergo a lobectomy on her left lung to stop internal bleeding. Because of this, she was under strict instructions from her doctors to avoid any strenuous physical activity and pregnancy. However, fifteen months after her operation, she learned that she was pregnant. “It was a mix of emotions, feeling excitement and fear at the same time”, Jen recalls. It was unplanned but she went through the pregnancy nonetheless. Arkin Ieuan was born under normal delivery but with a special procedure, “vacuuming”, because she was sedated and not allowed to exert physical effort to push the baby out. Two days after, she had a seizure and experienced temporary amnesia for a full 15 minutes, not recognizing her husband and even unaware that she gave birth. 

Her doctors gave clear instructions not to get pregnant anew because the risk is very high. However, fate had other plans; she learned that she was again pregnant in 2012. Guilt filled her heart but she was determined to bring her child to life, even at the risk of both their lives. Abortion was never an option. At almost seven months, she had her second attack and doctors had no option but to have another lobectomy, this time in her right lung. Two days before her operation, she had to deliver the baby by C-section, and she remained in the ICU for weeks. Her baby, Ethan Jared, also had to stay in an incubator because he was delivered prematurely and developed some complications.

All these have been physically draining and financially challenging for Jen and her husband --- all hard-earned savings spent but hospital bills still kept coming. Her condition is congenital, thus, not covered by insurance. Fortunately, they were blessed with family, friends and office colleagues who generously contributed to help them out. 

Bouncing Back

Jen's children are healthy and growing up fast. Her husband and family continue to be very understanding and supportive. Yet, the road to recovery has not been an easy one. Recuperating from the physical toil of her illness has been much easier to deal with. What has been more difficult is the path to convalesce from the emotional wounds. 

After her ordeal, Jen, disengaged from her friends, suffered from low self-esteem, and started to question and blame God. But with the help of her loving husband, adorable children, and supportive immediate family, she was able to slowly get better. She wanted to integrate back into society which she has intentionally shied from for some time. One step she took is to sign up as a dealer of Human Nature Marikina. Jen shares that “Human Nature’s advocacy is something I strongly believe in,” making it much easier for her to promote and sell Human Nature products. Besides, being a Human Nature Marikina dealer doesn't take much toll on her physically. Jen says, “I just post in Facebook and get orders already”. It is an activity that breaks the monotony of her day-to-day housewife-mother-chores. And within less than two months of being a dealer, she bagged Human Nature Marikina’s top advocate award for September, a feat that completely surprised her.

Blooming Anew

Many would agree that Jen's battle may be one of the toughest anyone has hurdled, let alone heard of. However, Jen, in spite of her petite frame, has bounced back, not by fighting but by surrendering to God. She attests that “surviving all these wasn't easy and took some time. I still have fears each day, but there is really nothing I can do except to live life as best as I can, one day at a time”. Jen has a newfound outlook, and in doing so, she has started blooming anew.

 

Article and image credit: Joy Carpio and Human Nature Marikina