Today a young boy, Anderson (age 1 1/2) was scheduled for surgery. Anderson had spent the night at the hospital in preparation for today's surgery. While doing his last minute checkup, the nurse heard a heart murmur. This was verified by the pediatrician. For his safety and health, Anderson's surgery was postponed. But MOST feels a responsibility for follow-up to this problem.
Our pediatricians worked with local resources. Local doctors arranged for Anderson to be seen by cardiology at another hospital. A cardiologist at this hospital recommended that Anderson be placed on a Holter monitor for 24 hours. There were two problems with this: (a) financial and (b) how to get the results of the tests. After much help with translation and with MOST agreeing to finance the monitor (the cost in Guatamala is a fraction of what it is in the U.S.), Anderson went to the other hospital to pick up the monitor. He will return to the hospital where MOST is working and spend 24 hours here as the monitor tracks his heart.
Anderson has not received what he expected from the MOST team; he has, however, received important information about his heart which will hopefully be followed; and he will return for cleft work next year. The MOST team considers this a very positive outcome.
Kathryn Wallace
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1 comment:
This is an incredible story! It is very impressive that your team would be so flexible and eager to help this man even though his needs went beyond your original goal. This certainly is another way Most has changed a life.
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