The day after surgery, Ostin was discharged from the hospital and we drove from NYC to our home in Concord, MA. Ostin had adjusted to the car seat and was still rather drowsy, so the car ride went well. I had imagined he would need a few days to recover and would be “lying low”, but that certainly wasn’t the case. We soon found out Ostin is very active and into everything! Although he is almost three and a half, his behavior is more similar to a curious, experimental, defiant two year old who is now in a whole new environment and making up for lost time.

Ostin’s first discovery, the pantry in our kitchen where most shelves are in his reach and he went exploring. Next stop, the cabinet with a “lazy Susan” and all the spices and other ingredients he needed to shake and spread on the floor. We quickly realized we’d need to install child proof latches immediately! Things were moved to higher spaces and we learned our carpets are targets if he is without a diaper.

Soon it was time to give Ostin his medication which would become routine twice a day. We needed three adults to administer two medicines (antibiotic and steroid) in the mouth, drops in his eye, and an ointment on his lid, and it is still a challenge. Ostin goes “all out” in not letting any medicine enter his body…we hold his head, his arms, his legs and have a small towel under his chin for when he’s successful. Despite the reward of a little toy afterwards, Ostin continues to put up a good fight. During the day, if he sees a dish towel around, he associates it with medicine and yells “no vitaminos!”

After dinner, we helped settle Karla and Ostin into their new bedroom…it was nice to be home.

Our day began bright and early, and we picked up Ostin and Karla at the Ronald McDonald House at 6:30 a.m. Ostin had been scheduled for an MRI which required anesthesia and therefore he couldn’t eat after midnight. We drove to NYU and spent the next few hours filling out forms, having the exam and waiting for the CD which we needed to take to Lenox for the surgeons to review prior to surgery. As soon as we had the disc in hand, we were on our way, and running late.

There is no way to rationalize with a toddler that he can’t eat before surgery. Ostin is still breast feeding, and he was hysterical and grabbing at his mother. We had to separate the two, and remove a wailing child into a small “cut through” between two hallways, which was separated from the other patients. We were hoping to muffle the sounds which were spreading into every waiting area. After a half an hour or so, Ostin exhausted himself and Tom’s soothing voice comforted him, and he calmed down.

At last he was ready for pre-op. The surgeons explained the operation, the anesthesiologist described his role, and Karla dressed in a gown, hat and shoe covers so that she could carry Ostin into the OR. There was an interpreter by Karla’s side who also provided support while Inside Edition was filming Ostin’s story. Karla remained strong as she carried Ostin away but when she returned alone, this is when she allowed herself to let the tears stream down. She was frightened and overwhelmed…we tried to reassure her he was receiving top notch care, and thankfully she has a strong spiritual faith.

The surgery took about three hours, and afterwards the doctors met with us to discuss their satisfaction with the accomplishments of the surgery. They were able to clean out the lymphatic build up behind the eyeball allowing it to fit back into the bony socket. He was left with a drainage tube close to his eye which helps remove any accumulation after the surgery, and will remain in place for up to four weeks. Ostin’s next surgery will be in March when the doctors will be focusing their attention on his cheek and neck.

Karla breathed a huge sigh of relief and expressed her appreciation to all the doctors and physician assistant. We then waited anxiously to hear from the recovery room that it was time we could visit Ostin.

Ostin’s day began with the continental breakfast buffet. He was quite fascinated by the containers of cereal, pressing the button for juice, and spreading packets of butter everywhere! I don’t think he ate much but he found the experience quite entertaining. After things got a bit out of control, his mom took him back to the room where it was easier to manage him in a confined environment. We waited until the stores opened, checked out of the hotel and were on our way in search of sneakers for Ostin. It was a quick decision for him…the Cars far outweighed the Ninja Turtle ones.

We were then on our way to Lenox Hospital to meet the doctors. Thankfully, I have experience driving in Boston but NYC is more challenging with many roads under construction, snow piles, and using blinkers rarely happens.Tom joined Karla and Ostin’s first meeting with the doctors while I spent time finding a place to park. By the time I entered the hospital, the introduction and examination were finished and the doctors were back in the O.R.

Next stop, the Ronald McDonald House where Karla and Ostin were spending the night. The staff was incredibly kind but it was overwhelming for Karla as we toured the many floors beginning with their private room and bath. She was handed a “key” on a lanyard and showed that you just needed to wave it in front of the key pad and the door would unlock…magic! We then saw the dining room and kitchen facilities where each family is given their own cabinet for food, and bin in the fridge. A buffet dinner is served at 6:30, but I quickly thought how is Karla going to know the time since there’s no clock in her room and she couldn’t read my analog watch? They reassured me they would ask someone to stop by their room, and escort them. I wasn’t sure Karla would be comfortable leaving her room so I went to the grocery store while they spent time in the play room.

I quickly grabbed a container of watermelon, a bag of chips and salsa, a roasted chicken and a carton of milk…dinner was done. Back to the Ronald McDonald House to settle Karla and Ostin in their room. Everyone exhausted from “Day #1.”

For the past 14 years, Pilgrim Congregational Church, U.C.C. (Lexington, MA) has been involved with  our mission work in Honduras. Our minister, Rev. Loren Lorincz, and many members from our congregation have volunteered their efforts in our  “adopted” community of Flores. Countless members of Pilgrim have contributed their time by raising funds for projects, donating school supplies and clothing, offering their hospitality to visiting patients and so much more.

This past Sunday, we were presented with a hand made quilt created with welcoming messages from the church community. I can’t think of a more heart warming, comforting gift to offer Ostin upon his arrival, and something to snuggle with  during his many operations and recoveries.

Due to all the snowstorms, Ostin and his mom’s flights have been delayed two days. Cancelled flights are a real inconvenience for us, but it doesn’t compare to what it entails on the Honduran end. Ostin and his family live in the mountains and it is a challenge to reach their house because of the incredibly rough terrain. It’s a very time consuming endeavor for them to travel from their home to the airport in Tegucigalpa. This entails their family of four to travel on a single motorcycle, a bus and a taxi…any/all of which can break down at any given moment. Then they must face all the uncertainties and challenges of taking their first flight, which happens to be internationally. Not only is it juggling your tickets, passports/visas, going through security and finding your gate. It is making sure you have enough money to pay the taxes on the tickets, having the documentation for immigration, and paying the exit fees.

Karla is 20 years old, and tomorrow will say goodbye to her husband, older son and extended family. She leaves the familiarity and comforts of home to travel to the United States seeking more medical treatment for Ostin. We so admire her faith, resiliency, and deep sense of gratitude. We’re anxiously awaiting Ostin and Karla’s arrival and their reaction to seeing huge amounts of snow and the bright lights of NYC! Wednesday, we will meet with Ostin’s doctors and look forward to learning more about his operation on Thursday and what’s expected to follow…we’ve all been waiting for this day for a long time.

At times I find myself filled with childlike excitement when I think of this holiday season. Not only am I anxiously awaiting my sons and extended family to come home, and celebrating with friends, but it’s  knowing that Astrid and Noel will be arriving from Honduras in 10 days.

Nine years ago we met four year old Noel, who was in need of life saving heart surgery. Through the generosity of the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation and the skilled physicians at Tufts Medical Center, Noel’s surgery was a success. The next year, we were introduced to two year old Astrid, a toddler in need of spinal and foot surgery. These surgeries were successful, as well, and provided free of charge by Shriners Hospital.

Over the years, these two children have truly become part of our family and been embraced and loved by our friends. We’ve had the opportunity to share the ups and downs of life beside them, beginning with serious operations and recoveries, continuing with school and every day life, and sharing celebrations and summer vacations. They started as patients, but it has grown so much deeper and impacted our lives more than we could have ever imagined. Our lives are so much richer with them in it, and they certainly are two of our greatest “gifts”, which will last a lifetime.

This past Monday Paola Martinez tearfully said goodbye to her seven year old son, Johan, at the airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Lori Dunn, an airline ambassador for American Airlines was transporting Johan to Boston for continued medical treatment at Shriners Hospital. Six years ago Paola had accompanied Johan, who was born with a lymphatic malformation in his arm and chest and received two operations during their five month stay. Paola and her husband, Eduin, now have a one month old baby girl and would remain in Honduras.

I cannot begin to fathom what a mother goes through emotionally when she sends her child off with a stranger, to another country, to face intricate surgeries. Sadness, fear, emptiness to name a few emotions. But it is Paola’s endless love for Johan and her selflessness that enables her to let him go, and trust in others.

Despite being thousands of miles apart, Johan is never far from his mother’s thoughts. Paola has been faithfully calling her son to see how he is adjusting to living without her. I assure her that he is a happy, kind and polite little boy who has been having fun riding his scooter, going to the playground and trying new foods. I don’t share that the first few nights at our home were hard for Johan. In Honduras, he lives in a one room structure where the whole family sleeps in the same bed. Here he is given his own bed, in his own room, on his own floor of the house. It may be fun during the day, but it’s scary at night and the only time Johan expresses missing his mom. It’s heartbreaking watching this little boy trying to be strong as the big tears trickle down his face. I may be his fun playmate during the day, but nobody can replace Mommy at night.

Right now I am writing this in the waiting room while Johan is in the OR for approximately five hours. Just before he went in, his mom called to send her love, and comfort him. We’re three and a half hours in, and it’s a long wait…but not as long as it is for his mom. She is at home with her extended family, praying for the doctor and his team, and for a safe and successful surgery for Johan. I’m anxiously awaiting to hear Johan is in the recovery room and be able to call Paola with the news!

Esperanza-Hope for the Children, Inc. would like to offer a huge “shout out” to the folks at Samaritan’s Feet. Yesterday we received several boxes (containing 288 pairs of children’s “croc type” shoes and 91 pairs of adult flip flops). This generous donation of footwear will have a significant impact in the community of Flores, Honduras and beyond. The rubber made shoes are durable and will hold up well in the rainy, muddy weather.

We are avid proponents of prevention and these shoes will provide protection from many illnesses and injuries. Children are required to wear black shoes to school and we’re hoping these will fill the requirement. Unfortunately, many school age children do not attend classes because they cannot afford shoes or other pieces of their uniform. It is a common sight to see children running barefoot down littered dirt roads often resulting in bloodied open wounds…we know these gifts will be treasured.

We’re thankful of our new relationship with Samaritan’s Feet and the wonderful work they are doing throughout the world. Next month Rev. Lauren Lorincz from Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC in Lexington, MA will be joining us on our trip and we look forward to handing out shoes with her.

Esperanza has been working in the village of Flores, Honduras since February 2002. Over the years, we have been involved with many projects and individual cases. One of our dreams has been to build a playground…a safe place for children to play and be happy. This dream has now become a reality thanks to the financial donation from Pilgrim Congregational UCC Church in Lexington, MA, Presidente Luis Inestroza and the entire Patranato Board in Flores, and Ms. Diana Fuentes who facilitated the project.

Pilgrim Church has been actively involved in Flores for many years by sending volunteers, providing financial support and material goods. The community of Flores recently elected a new Patranato Board (similar to a Board of Selectmen) and they have proven to be a dedicated, hard working group of individuals committed to improving their community in a transparent manner. Never before have we worked with people more insightful, supportive and appreciative of our involvement.

The playground was installed last weekend, and Diana reported, “the kids went crazy playing!” We look forward to expanding this playground, and working on other projects with the Patranato Board to bring “hope” to this community and offer their residents the opportunity to see their own dreams come true.

It’s been two days since we returned from a three week trip to Honduras, and I’m beginning to adjust to life here. This time our return flight was cancelled, we switched airlines last minute and connected in Atlanta instead of Miami. Have to admit, it was easier entering the States this way…less chaotic, and not the same slap of reality.

I wish I could have taken the time and had the energy to write while I was away, but I really do “live in the moment” while I am there, and spend little time thinking about life “back home.” It’s too bad because I’m often in the midst of intense feelings and perhaps I would be better at conveying it then, but here goes.

There’s no way to sum up our trip in a few paragraphs but I’ll re-cap one experience. My first thought is the night we had an emergency at our home. I was getting the kids ready for bed, when I heard Mita Gomez (our new Honduran coordinator) yelling my name outside our locked gate. I ran to the door and saw Mita, her husband and a young couple with a toddler in their arms. The child was in a seizure, non responsive and they were looking for Tom (a pediatrician). As Tom checked the little girl’s heart and was relieved to find her breathing, I ran next door to our neighbor, “Patricia” who is a Honduran doctor.

I will never forget the sight of this child (rigid and staring blankly) or the shear panic of her parents, especially her step-dad who was drenched in sweat, praying his heart out, pleading with us not to let their child die.  Patricia gave her an injection (standard Honduran protocol) , we tried to calm the parents down, handed Mita some money (for gas and medication), and off her husband sped to the hospital.

As they arrived at the E.R. the child’s seizure continued, they had to wait in line with the mass of people and when they were eventually seen by the doctors they were informed there was no medication, they would spend the night and when they came up with the money some exams would be done. Despite the mother’s offer to give us their home (pictured above) in exchange for help with medical care, we assured her it wasn’t necessary.The next obstacle was finding people to donate blood…determining a match and convincing people to give.  This little girl remained in the hospital for the next two weeks, and since then, moved to a hospital in the capitol. We are still following her case from a distance.

It was a stark reminder of many things…living in poverty and not having the means to purchase medicine or have transportation in an emergency, life in the third world with inadequate medical care and non existent medicine. These feelings resonate with me as I return to the U.S.A., and try to be patient when I hear people complaining about the most inconsequential things…and remember, I am the “fortunate” one for having the opportunity to experience life elsewhere and gain a different perspective. I hope others will have this chance.