Day Four in the Dominican Republic
We are back at CEDIMAT hospital in partnership with Chain of Hope UK and Syosset High School Global Health Club! So far this week we have completed four surgeries and nine catheterization procedures.
Four little hearts were healed in Santo Domingo today. One surgery and two caths were performed! The second surgery for today was cancelled due to the child being sick, but they will be able to have surgery during our next visit to the Dominican Republic in June!
Healing Hearts Proceeds
Ian
Today, our only surgery was done on Ian. Ian is a one year old boy who had a congenital heart disease called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), like baby Neythan from day two!
Ian before his surgery.
Ian came out of the operating room around seven in the evening and has been stable, resting, and recovering ever since.
Ian resting before his operation.
Waynel, Danelly, and Jenesis
Our three catheterization procedures done today were on Waynel, Danelly, and Jenesis. Up first was Waynel!
Waynel with his Gift of Life International teddy bear.
Waynel was loving his Gift of Life International teddy bear! Waynel had a congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). In the case of a PDA, a temporary blood vessel fails to close as one grows older. This allows oxygenated blood flow back into the lungs and can cause trouble breathing, problems gaining weight, and fatigue. To heal this defect, an interventionist (in this case Dr. Gregory Fleming) uses a catheter inserted into a vein or artery to access the heart and place a closure device on the opening.
Waynel with his Gift of Life International teddy bear.
Our second case was Danely. Before her procedure, Danely was nervous, but we quickly reassured her that everything would be okay and gave her teddy bear and chatting with her. This made her feel a little better and took her mind off of her procedure for a little while!
Danelly before her surgery.
Our third and final cath case of the day was Jenesis. Jenesis had a diagnostic catheterization procedure done and will be sent home later this evening or early tomorrow morning.!
Jenesis after her procedure.
Seeing all of the children in the unit be so brave when it comes to operations that they are not certain of is incredibly inspiring and we are so proud of each and every one of them for staying strong and cheerful!
Neythan’s Story
Remember Neythan from day two? Neythan was our second surgical case this week! He is the first-born to his mother and father, Bladimir and Suleika. Both of them were born in Santo Domingo and have lived here their whole lives. Bladimir owns a restaurant, while Suleika is taking a break from work to focus on raising her healing child.
Neythan being held by his father in the hospital.
Neythan’s parents found out about his condition when Suleika was twenty-two weeks pregnant through a morphological ultrasound. A morphological ultrasound is typically done between eighteen and twenty two weeks of pregnancy, and examines the baby in great detail.
After Neythan was diagnosed, his parents discovered Gift of Life International through one of Suleika’s friends. Suleika’s gynecologist also recommended she come to CEDIMAT for help, and referred her to the doctors here. Neythan was screened by the Gift of Life International team and chosen to have surgery during this visit!
When asked about how this operation would change their lives, Bladimir and Suleika told us that the surgery is scary and makes them nervous but it also makes them happy and relieved. Suleika says that even though Neythan will have to be treated a little differently than other babies for a while so that he can recuperate from his operation, she is relieved to know Neythan will have a normal childhood!
Training Continues
All of our visiting team have been working hard to help educate and train the local doctors, nurses, and medical students in areas of the pediatric cardiac field they may not be comfortable in yet!
Dr. Andrew Van Bergen teaches a lesson in the hospital conference room.
Here is Dr. Andrew Van Bergen giving a lecture about electrocardiograms to some of the local team. An electrocardiogram records electrical signals from the heart to check its rhythm, rate, and for any abnormalities!
The visiting team working in the ICU.
Progress in the ICU
Ever recovering with his Gift of Life International teddy bear.
Ever is recovering very nicely in the CEDIMAT ICU with his Gift of Life International teddy bear. Do not let the pictures fool you. When he is awake he is an energetic, rambunctious boy! Ever recuperates more by the hour and should be up and walking around by tomorrow.
Ever sleeps soundly in his hospital bed.
Ian waiting to be discharged from the hospital.
Also, Ian was discharged from the hospital today and will return during our visit in June to receive open-heart surgery! See you next time, Ian!
Until Tomorrow
Tomorrow will be our fifth day here in the Dominican Republic and our fourth day providing heart healing care to Dominican children! We are excited to continue watching how the children progress. As the week comes to a close, you can see the hope shine in parent’s faces as they watch their children get better and better after tough procedures!
See you tomorrow for our second to last day at CEDIMAT hospital!
Social Media Consultant for Gift of Life International
