Recently we have posted about Ostin, a baby with lymphatic malformation in the face, who has received an experimental drug called OK-432 from Japan. Yesterday, Emily traveled to San Pedro Sula with him to visit his doctor. He received an ultrasound and we are happy to report that since his first injection there has been a 60% improvement in his condition! His next injection will be Monday.

While in San Pedro Sula, Emily met with Peggy Kipps of the Ruth Paz Foundation and got to visit local hospitals and doctors. The Ruth Paz Foundation has been an extremely helpful partner to Esperanza over the years and has significantly expanded our medical network within Honduras.

Emily also met with Hector Fonseca MD, a pediatric cardiologist we trust and he gave her a cd of a child who needs to go to the US. We also have another serious heart case of a 7 month old that Emily is pursuing help from a heart brigade in San Pedro Sula, otherwise he will need to come to the US.

Other cases being worked on at the moment include a patient who lost his eye sight 6 years ago from a machete accident. He needs an evaluation and possibly a prosthetic eye like Vanessa. We also have a 10 year old needing surgery on his testicles as soon as possible and have the best surgeon in Honduras lined up if a brigade cannot do it next week.

Ana is currently working her tail off between helping Esperanza and a group from Michigan who is running medical clinics in Honduras. Once again it’s being shown how hard she works and how much we depend on her!

On a sadder note, Peggy has informed us that all but one of the people from the prison fire who were hospitalized in Tegucigalpa have died. The level of medical care is just so much worse compared to the US, but this also shows why we need to continue to work hard in Honduras.

Will continue to update as I receive more information from Emily and Tom.