Medical

Esperanza – Hope For The Children’s medical work

A Courageous Fighter

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Gerardo

Gerardo Enrique Inestoza Ruiz just turned 15 years old on July 17th. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Hearing a diagnosis of cancer is difficult enough to handle emotionally, but if you are unable to afford treatment, it can feel totally hopless. Gerardo’s family visited with our Honduran coordinator, Ana Hernandez. to see if we could help. We have been able to provide financial assistance which covers his medical, transportation and food costs. Gerardo is handling his chemotherapy as well as can be expected. The days of treatment are extremely challenging because Gerardo and his dad travel by bus to a city a few hours away. Returning home, tired and nauceous on a bus making frequent stops for passengers and road work, is draining. Each day Gerardo faces many obstacles…trying to stay strong by eating soft foods his stomach can tolerate and wearing a mask to avoid infections. He is a bright student who is sad to not be in school. The family humbly asked if we could buy a mattress for Gerardo because his is full of holes and is so uncomfortable. Such a modest request and we’re grateful we can do something to ease his pain. We look forward to seeing Gerardo in three months and will continue to monitor his treatment from afar. Please hold him in your thoughts…

Living with Congenital Heart Disease

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Noel

As I write this entry, Noel is having an echocardioram (ultrasound). We have returned to Tufts Medical Center for his yearly check up since he had open heart surgery in June 2007. He has already been weighed, measured, and had an electrocardiogram. It is a rather lengthy visit where the doctors do a thorough evaluation of his heart.

It’s a reminder to Noel that it is the reason he receives a medical visa for the U.S., and that he’s not just here for summer vacation! For me, it is a time for reflextion…remembering that Noel has a serious health condition which lasts a lifetime. And my thoughts are also consumed with memories of Mr. Ray Tye and his generosity in offering Noel the “gift of life.” Both Noel and I talk about him often and believe he is still keeping watch over him.

We wish to thank the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation for their continued interest and support of Noel. We look forward to visiting Mrs. Tye and Ms. Teri Carlson later in the summer.

Update on Berenice

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Berenice in Honduras

Berenice will be 15 months old on June 10th. She returned to Honduras nearly two months ago (following open heart surgery), and is growing well both physically and developmentally. Berenice is now walking and so much more active with her improved heart. After returning home, she was hospitalized with dengue fever, but thankfully has recovered. Looking forward to seeing “Baby Bee” in 7 days!

Lixa and Wilmer

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Lixa

Lixa's Hand
Lixa (7) and Wilmer (1 1/2 ) were born with a congenital physical anomaly called “pre-axial polydactyly.” This condition presents itself with an extra thumb. Both children were operated on in San Pedro Sula by an American Medical Brigade organized by The Ruth Paz Foundation. Lixa’s surgery was more complex because it contained bone in her extra digit. Wilmer’s was an easier surgery because it contained soft tissue.

We are thankful to the many American medical personel who donate their services in Honduras. And we are especially grateful to Mrs. Peggy Kipps (Exec. Director of the Ruth Paz Foundation) who is readily available in directing us to resources within country and introducing us to trustworthy physicians.

Wilmer

Wilmer's Hand

In Bee’s time…

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It’s been a few days since I last wrote…Bee decided to spend St. Patrick’s Day in her own way…watching the doctors run to her room and having the ventilator re-inserted and a chest tube added to drain the fluid in her lungs. This wasn’t what the rest of us had in mind…perhaps she was getting me back because I didn’t have a green bow for her hair!

Bee remained on the ventilator for the next 3 days and it was removed yesterday at noon. She enjoyed the afternoon by getting out of her crib and being held and played with. Little by little, IV’s are being removed…although still enough wires to get tangled in and try to pull out!  Yesterday she was back to a popsicle and today she’s advanced to scrambled eggs and jello.

They continue to do chest xrays and actually culturing her now to see if she has some sort of infection. Hopefully, it’s simply a cold. On my way down to the gift shop to get her a balloon…she loved playing with the one for her birthday! Astrid has made a beautiful get well card and it is hanging in her room. Hopefully, we will continue on the up swing!

Bee’s newest milestone

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Berenice

Baby Bee is breathing on her own. The team removed her from the ventilator about an hour ago. Actually nice to see her fiestiness reappear, and she was back to kicking and shaking a rattle. Her voice is still quite raspy, and her distinctive voice (a.k.a. high-pitched shriek) hasn’t shown itself, but it will come. Right now, she  is resting comfortably and the docs are happy with her continued progress. She’s sporting one of her signature bows and has a doll by her side. Thanks to all the wonderful staff at Tufts and to friends and family for all your support.

Baby Bee has moved to P.I.C.U.

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Berenice

Am thrilled to report that Berenice’s surgery was successful and she’s moved to the P.I.C.U.! Dr. Warner was able to remove/patch her pulmonary valve and that seemed to stop the tricuspid valve from leaking. Her enlarged heart has already shown signs that it is decreasing in size, and it will continue to get smaller. They plan to keep her heavily sedated, and she will remain on a ventilator over night while her lungs become accustomed to the increased blood flow. There is much rejoicing being done both here and in Honduras! Thanks to each and every one of you for all your love and support…it is so very appreciated.

Berenice returns to Tufts Medical Center

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Last Wednesday (March 14th) baby Berenice spent 7 hours in the cath lab. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to complete the catheterization. Yesterday, Berenice was re-admitted to the hospital and this morning she is undergoing open heart surgery to repair her pulmonary and tricuspid valves. It has been nearly two hours since she entered the OR,  and we have many more hours to wait. Thankfully, Berenice’s aunt Digna and her cousin Gabriel have arrived from Pennsylvania and are waiting with me. We just spoke with Berenice’s mother, who is back home in La Lima waiting for news. We are comforted knowing there are people from many faiths and cultures, praying here and in Honduras…Baby B is surrounded by much love!

The Waiting Is Almost Over

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Berenice
It’s been six months since we first heard about Berenice Elizabeth and her need for cardiac surgery. I have worked with Lori Cordova, RN on other medical cases, and she wrote asking for help for this infant she had met during one of her cardiac brigades in San Pedro Sula. A week from today, Lori will arrive with nine month old Berenice. We are anxiously awaiting their arrival and finally meeting each other in person.

We are thankful to Lori who will be flying from her home in Virginia to Honduras on Thursday and helping Berenice’s family through the tearful goodbye; reassuring them that she will be well cared for and return in two months, with a repaired heart. It’s impossible to comprehend what her parents will be going through emotionally, and we’re grateful for their faith in us…strangers, living in another country. Once again, we realize how fortunate we are to be living in Boston, a medical mecca, and the generosity we receive from Ken Warner, MD and the folks at Tufts Medical Center, as well as the financial support from the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation. Without their help, this wouldn’t be possible.

Astrid’s recovery continues…

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Astrid at Shriners

In January, 2007, four year old Astrid Ordonez was operated on at Shriners Hospital for Children (Springfield, MA) for a “tethered cord.” Astrid was born with this neurological disorder, which is caused by tissue attachment that limits the movement of the spinal cord.

Astrid has returned for treatment of her left “cavus” foot, a condition of her neurological disorder, which results in a very high arch. The doctors at Shriners have now completed two sureries on her foot. The first one was a tendon release, and the second one required them to insert a wedge of bone into a cut in one of Astrid’s bones, in the middle of her foot.

Astrid is now wearing a full-length cast for six weeks. She will then be x-rayed and it will be determined whether she will require additional casting or if she will be fitted for an AFO(ankle-foot orthosis), a plastic brace which will be inserted into her shoe.

We are grateful Astrid has been given this opportunity for treatment because without it, the disorder is progressive causing sensory and motor problems, as well as, loss of bowel and bladder control.

On April 13th, Astrid will return home to her family in Flores, Honduras.