Dubai-based entrepreneur Jenny Casa Dy never imagined that her journey to motherhood would become a battle for survival. Diagnosed with an exceptionally rare medical condition during pregnancy, she endured a life-threatening ordeal that tested her strength, faith, and resilience.
In 2021, during the early stages of her pregnancy, Dy was placed on strict bed rest due to unusual health concerns. What seemed like routine complications soon escalated into something far more serious. She was diagnosed with Splenomegaly—an extremely rare condition where the spleen enlarges abnormally.
According to Mayo Clinic, Splenomegaly is the medical term for an enlarged spleen, an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen beneath the rib cage. The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering blood, recycling old or damaged blood cells, and supporting the immune system by producing white blood cells and storing platelets. Various conditions can lead to an enlarged spleen, including infections, liver diseases, blood disorders, and certain cancers. Viral infections like mononucleosis, bacterial infections such as syphilis, and parasitic diseases like malaria are common causes. Additionally, conditions like cirrhosis, hemolytic anemia, leukemia, and lymphoma may lead to Splenomegaly due to increased workload or infiltration of the spleen.
Her case was even more complicated because her growing baby and her expanding spleen were competing for space inside her body—something that left medical experts baffled. “Doctors warned me that I might have to deliver prematurely,” Dy recalled. She underwent numerous tests, including MRIs and CT scans, as specialists tried to determine if the condition was cancerous. However, the exact cause remained unknown.
Fighting for survival
As her pregnancy progressed, Dy faced unimaginable physical struggles. Weekly hospital visits became necessary to monitor both her baby’s growth and the rapid enlargement of her spleen. Eating became difficult as her stomach was compressed between her organs, and she endured months of discomfort, uncertainty, and fear.
Despite the challenges, Dy remained hopeful. “It was a test of endurance, willpower, and faith, yet I held on, believing that both my child and I could defy the odds,” she said.
A miraculous birth and a life-saving surgery
Against all expectations, Dy safely delivered her baby via cesarean section. But her battle was not yet over. Months later, she had to undergo a splenectomy—a complex surgery to remove her spleen. Her case became a topic of medical discussions among specialists in Dubai due to its rarity and severity.
Even after her surgery, Dy remains under strict medical monitoring, requiring regular check-ups, vaccinations, and lifelong antibiotic maintenance. She has also been advised to avoid certain regions where she could be more vulnerable to infections.
Despite everything, Dy emerged stronger. She now runs a business in the UAE and serves as the admin of Filipina Club UAE, a community dedicated to empowering Filipina women. She has also embraced content creation, using her platform to inspire others with her story.
“If my story can inspire even one mother facing uncertainty, then my struggles have not been in vain,” Dy shared. “Life may throw unexpected trials, but with resilience, faith, and the right support, we can rise above them.”
