Day Five in the Dominican Republic
It is day five in the Dominican Republic in partnership with Syosset High School Global Health Club and Chain of Hope UK!
We started today off strong with morning rounds to complete the switch between day and night shift teams.
The local and medical team gathers for morning rounds.
A local doctor presents at morning rounds.
Dr. Rodrigo Soto listening in on rounds this morning.
After rounds were complete it was time to begin the day of healing hearts!
Nurse Mia Mesmer and respiratory therapist Stephanie Barbour check on one of our patients.
Aaron, Albert, Yordy, Abiel, and Mael
Aaron
Today we started off surgeries with Aaron!
Aaron is a one year old boy who had a congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot. Tetralogy of Fallot is when four specific abnormalities of the heart exist at the same time. Tetralogy of Fallot is healed by the surgeon placing a patch over a hole in the heart, and removing thickened muscle in the heart to allow easier and better blood flow.
Aaron before his procedure.
Albert
Our second surgery of the day was Albert. Albert received a catheterization procedure earlier this week and was then scheduled for surgery. The surgery being performed on him today is called a Fontan. Long story short, a Fontan will allow Albert’s deoxygenated blood to get pumped to his lungs, while oxygenated blood gets pumped to his body, whereas before his oxygenated and deoxygenated blood was mixed together.
Albert after his cath procedure, before surgery.
Abiel
Our first cath procedure of the day was Abiel. Abiel is a one year old boy who had a small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), where a temporary blood vessel fails to close as one grows older.
Abiel healed after his procedure!
Mael
Our second cath of the day is Mael! Mael is a one year old boy who had a right pulmonary artery stenosis. This means his artery that carries deoxygenated blood to the lung was more narrow than normal. This can cause shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and fatigue.
Mael before his procedure.
Yordy
Our third cath was Yordy! Yordy also had the congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot, but his was able to be treated using a catheter to perform a transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement. The catheter is inserted into a vein through the groin or neck and used to guide a new valve for the heart into place!
Yordy before his procedure.
Parade of Progenies
The hospital can be a very fearful environment for children and parents alike. Confusion, big scary doctors, unfamiliar noises and beeps… Sometimes it is a good idea to shake things up at the hospital to make it a bit less frightening. There are a lot of ways that our teams try to do this, whether that be by bringing in toys, crayons, bubbles, candy, or whatever else the nurses and doctors think of. This week Nelva Pelaez, Executive Director of David Ortiz Children’s Fund at CEDIMAT, put together a “parade” for the children!
The parade marches down the halls.
Nelva Pelaez gathered supplies and pushed a cart full of fun surprises to each room in the step-down unit of the ICU. The cart held bubbles, candy, superhero capes and masks, a dinosaur costume, light-up sticks, and more! Nelva passed out the party supplies and then invited the children and their parents to come walk a lap or two around the unit before heading to the designated play room.
Jordy and Albert playing uno.
The children were able to get out of bed and have some stress-free fun, while the moms were able to get out and socialize with other mothers who are going through similar struggles. This bonding experience was amazing for the children, parents, and everyone who was able to witness the parade of cuteness!
Abiel enjoying playtime after the parade.
Robbie Donno, Eric Dickenson (CHADASHA Foundation), and Clint Doiran (CHADASHA Foundation) pictured with Albert, Jordy, and Mael during playtime!
Updates on the Children!
Today, Ever was doing so well that he was able to be moved to the step-down unit. He even got up and walked himself to his new room! Also, Waynel was discharged from the hospital, and he and his parents were sent back home. In the following days, more and more of the children will reach the point where they can start living their lives as normal children again with a healed heart!
Members of the local medical team walk Ever to his new room.
Waynel and his mother are wheeled out of the unit!
Our Visit Comes to an End
Tomorrow is our last day at CEDIMAT hospital here in Santo Domingo! While we are sad the week has come to an end, we are excited to see all of the children thrive as they step into this new lease on life. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for final updates on the children and a farewell to the Dominican Republic for now!
Social Media Consultant for Gift of Life International
