Iza Calzado reveals she was infected with a parasitic disease during pregnancy, pens sweet message for daughter Deia Amihan
Iza Calzado opened up about her battle with a disease that she had during pregnancy and posted a touching tribute to her daughter, Deia Amihan.
On Instagram, Iza, who celebrated her 41st birthday last Aug. 12, uploaded pictures and a video taken in Diesse in Switzerland last year.
"Dear Deia, around this time last year, I went on a trip with you in my tummy to a town called Diesse in Switzerland. It was a short healing trip I planned for my 40th birthday. Little did I know that it was God’s way of making sure I would connect with nature, my power and with you because I needed that strength to face what was about to unfold," she started.
She recalled that on the evening of Aug. 16, 2022, she found out that she was infected with a parasitic disease called Toxoplasmosis, which is an infection that can potentially cause organ damage in a person with a compromised immune system. Experts said it could be a potential risk for her baby if it passed through the placenta.
Her husband, Ben Wintle, was able to look for a specialist, which she met with through a Zoom call on top of a mountain called Chassareal.
"As darkness set in, so did the reality of the possible repercussions of congenital toxoplasmosis. I was told there could be brain damage, visual impairment or it could even lead to pregnancy loss," she shared.
"For the first time in my life, I felt a very primal urge to fight, not only for myself, but for another human. For you, anak. I remember crying as soon as the Zoom meeting was done and stepping out of the car, rushing to the edge of the mountain and, with tears streaming down my face, saying 'No. No. No! Lalaban tayo, anak. Lalaban tayo!'" Iza said.
The actress said she felt "deeply connected" to her daughter and knew that they will fight the illness together.
"I knew that God was on our side and he would make sure everything turns out well," she said. "I am so glad I held on to this faithfully in my mind as we went through our toxo journey."
Iza said that they had to remain in the United Kingdom as there are no treatments available in the Philippines. The actress said that the process they went through only made her stronger as a mother. It was later concluded that the disease is gone and her baby is safe.
"As I watch you grow into the healthy and strong baby that you are, I marvel at God’s divine timing, plan and His grace. Thank you for being one with me in that battle. We are so blessed to have you, anak. Mahal na mahal kita," she ended her message.
Iza and hubby Ben welcomed Deia Amihan in January 26, 2023. In an event last April, Iza said the name was inspired by a place in Mallorca, Spain and her character in Encantadia.
“(Deia) stems from a Latin or Greek term that means goddess or joy. And that resonated with me so I… because of course she was already bringing me so much joy at that moment," she said.