I recently had the pleasure of traveling to Panajachel to help with an Ob/Gyn clinic, and thanks to Sharon from MayanFamilies, I was able to see both Angel and Alex (our two COTA children who are from this area).

In the accompanying photo, you can see Alex being carried by his grandmother (his mother had just had another baby and was still recovering at home). She brought Alex to see me in order to arrange his cleft palate repair during our surgical team in January. The lady standing to her left is Angel's mother. 

It was wonderful to see both patients doing well back in Guatemala with their families. 

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.

Angel's Reconstructive Surgery

Angel received his jaw reconstruction surgery at 8 AM this morning at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. All of this is possible because of the kind donation of care from Dr. Catherine White (anesthesiologist), Dr. Wayne Colin (surgeon) and the donation of ICU post-op care from the hospital. This follows three trips out-of-town to the office of Dr. Steve Hieronymus (dentist) for extensive donation of many hours of dental care (twice Dr. H came in on his day off) and the donation of oral surgery with the removal of 7 diseased teeth from Dr. Greg Erena (oral surgeon). The ongoing care and support from Ed and Teresa (foster parents) has been amazing. Thank you to all who made this possible.

Angel Has Surgery

Angel had his oral surgery today. Here are some pictures from the day.

This picture is from the day that Angel arrived. From left to right - Theresa, Angel's foster mom, Jody, president of COTA and Angel


This is Angel on his first appointment with the oral surgeon.



Angel with Dr. Greg Erena who donated oral surgery today.



These two young men are Guatemalan medical students Oscar and Jorge with Dr. Erena today. Oscar and Jorge have been a big help, epecially with translation services.



Angel's x-ray from today. Notice there are metal fragments in the lower right jaw and upper left jaw. The one on the upper left was protruding through the outside of Angels' cheek and was removed today.

More metal fragments from the bullet three years ago. You can also see the wires on his teeth. These were all removed today.



All of this mess was removed today as well as seven diseased teeth.



Angel after surgery was over.

Angel made it to Kentucky

Angel made it to the United States with only a few plane problems. He has already been to the surgeon and the oral surgeon. The case is a little more complicated then they first thought, but it will still be worked out.

These pictures were taken as Angel was meeting up with Aida and Rosemary before he got on the plane. (Angel is in the brown and white striped shirt)

Kimberly made it home

Kimberly did great on the trip home, even though they were two hours late getting into Guatemala. There was even a local TV station there to cover the event!! Kimberly's mom barely recognized her as she has changed so much due to the great care she got from her foster parents.

Baby Alex on surgery day

Alex from Panajachel, Guatemala received his gift of donated surgery and hospital time on June 24th at Central Baptist Hospital. All of the staff were very professional and welcoming as Alex was evaluated, prepped, had his paperwork done and was taken to the OR. Foster mom Kim and I waited together for Dr. Moore to let us know surgery was over, and soon after his surgery, Alex was back in Kim's arms. Hosting a cleft baby is an emotional roller coaster, but Kim handled the "ride" very well. This photo was taken an hour after surgery.

Kimberly, the day before returning to Guatemala

Kimberly was first introduced to COTA blog fans in the header above. The tiny malnourished infant with her cleft lip and palate has come to represent what we do in the stateside program. So many people bonded with this baby on Team 2008..there was something about her determination to live and her Mother's persistence in seeking COTA's assistance that won our hearts.

Kimberly was returned to her mother, Marta, on June 19 by Rosemary Vance, our Executive Director who was traveling to Guatemala on a Team 2009 scouting trip. I will post photos of her return soon, but meanwhile, I know you will enjoy this photo of Kimberly on her last day in Kentucky. Linda and Alan in Danville, KY are to be commended for an excellent job caring for Kimberly during her journey toward health.

Networking with Mayan Families in Panajachel

COTA has really enjoyed assisting Sharon and her staff at Mayan Families . Although we have never met, we share a desire to assist the citizens of the area MF's serves with their health care needs. Angel will soon be joining baby Alex as a temporary resident of Kentucky. He will be flying into Lexington on June 29th in order to have donated surgery for his jaw which has been broken since he was shot three years ago. Long-time COTA foster parents Ed and Teresa from Stanton, KY have graciously agreed to host Angel during his few months of surgical and dental care.

COTA first met Angel in January of this year when he presented to our volunteer medical/surgical/dental team. His surgical repair was too complex for us to attempt in Guatemala and many months of paperwork later, he is due to arrive. Thank you to Carol, a MF supporter, for making the initial contact with COTA last fall. She never gave up trying to network an agency to sponsor Angel.

Alex arrives from Panajachel, Guatemala

Mayan Familes (Guatemala) and Children of the Americas (Lexington, KY) worked together to bring Alex to KY for donated surgical repair of his upper lip. Thanks to Krystal and Mike from Georgetown, KY, who volunteered to bring baby Alex to the states for COTA, all went well on Alex's first plane ride.

New host family Kim and Jay from Simpsonville, KY are negotiating the challenges of two little ones under the age of two--both named Alex!

Kimberly; ready for cleft lip repair!

Kimberly, thanks to the amazing TLC delivered by host parents Alan and Linda in Danville, KY, is now ready for surgery. Her weight has doubled, the donation of her surgical care has been secured and we are all anticipating a great repair for this baby.

Franklin goes home to Guatemala

Franklin is preparing to return to Guatemala, following successful surgery to repair a crush injury to his foot. Shriners Hospital in Lexington has donated two surgeries for this COTA patient. Skila and Jarrod from Lexington, KY found time in their busy schedule (while parenting three other boys!) to host Franklin for his visits to the U.S.

Franklin's mother is a nurse in Guatemala, and she never gave up on her attempt at finding surgical repair for her child. We have no doubt that Franklin will make the world a better place in the future.