Baby Alex safely home to Guatemala

Our adorable patient Alex, from Panajachel, Guatemala is safely home following his successful surgical repair of his wide cleft lip. Dr. Andy Moore in Lexington, KY donated the surgical expertise necessary to repair Alex's lip. In partnership with Central Baptist Hospital (Lexington) and Oldham Country Pediatrics, Alex was the fortunate beneficiary of excellent care while he was here.
His journey home was an eventful time for foster mother Kim, who accompanied Alex back to Guatemala. The fostering experience came full-circle for Kim as she met Alex's parents for the first time, and was able to receive their thanks in person for all that Kim, Jay and their son Alex had done for their baby. There were not many dry eyes during the visit, and despite their economic constraints, Alex's parents provided a meal for Kim and Sharon (Mayan Families Coordinator) during the visit.
When he arrived home, Alex's mother was pregnant with her next baby. In order to support Alex's formula needs, Mayan Families has made regular donations of powdered formula to Gloria so that she can keep Alex's nutrition in an optimal place for him to be operated on for his cleft palate during the COTA 2009 team. It is a comfort to Kim, Jay and the COTA staff to know that this support mechanism is in place for Alex's family.

Lourdes healing after surgery at Shriners Hospital

Loudes, seen below with host parents Bobby and Lisa, has triumphed through 9 weeks of hospitalization, and is resting in her foster home in western KY. The dedication of the Shriners staff was amazing as they worked through all of the issues involved in getting Lourdes through her physical therapy, in-hospital schooling needs, wound care management and ambulation training.
We could not have asked for a better situation for this child with her complicated leg bone surgical needs. Lourdes is scheduled to fly home in mid-December to a family that will be amazed at her maturity, new health and English skills. Bobby and Lisa are to be commended for their dedication to the many needs Lourdes had while she has been here.

Jose arrives following diagnosis on Team 2008

In January of this year, Jose and his father traveled several hours to find Children of the Americas doctors in Tiquisate, Guatemala. Jose had been suffering with a long-term and rapidly growing hemangioma of the face. Although he is only five years old, Jose's tumor was already the size of a grapefruit and had spread from his upper cheek to below his jaw. COTA staff were reluctant to commit to finding surgical intervention in the United States, since this was a severe and very large growth that would require an interventional radiologist, anesthesiologist, pediatrician and possibly pediatric plastic surgeon. We left Guatemala with an promise to Jose's father that we would try, but we had minimal hope that we would be successful.
Seven months later, due entirely to the determination of April, fellow COTA host mother and busy mother of five, Jose arrived in Tennessee to a group of medical professionals willing to donate their skills to help him. New foster parents Margaret and Scott from Hixon, TN were ready to provide for Jose and include him into their busy household. Kenny, an ER physician and COTA host father, went "above and beyond the normal call of duty" by flying to Guatemala to escort Jose here (there were concerns about bleeding from the tumor with flight pressure changes.)
Six weeks later Jose has had his first round of sclerotherapy injections, is learning English and enjoying life in his temporary home. He has had excellent care and the tumor is reacting positively to the interventions. We are most grateful to the amazing and caring people in Tennessee who refused to forget the needs of a little boy in Guatemala who had no hope of finding care.
Once the tumor has reduced significantly, a photo of Jose will be posted.

Maria finally finds help

Maria, the newest foster child of Warren and Beverly from New Jersey, has found help for her numerous medical issues after seeking care for over four years. Every January when the COTA team came to Guatemala, Maria's mother found the American medical staff and approached us once again, trying to find someone to help her with her only child. Maria had been born with an imperforate anus, and she has had a colostomy since birth. The ostomy bags are impossible for this young mother to afford, and she was dependent on COTA to supply them to her.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of the foster parents, surgical donation of care has been arranged at Virtua Hospital in New Jersey. Currently undergoing a series of testing, Maria is meanwhile enjoying the benefits of donated dental care and immunizations.