Emily
Emily was born in November of 2018 and spent the first month of life in an incubator. Her mother, Anel, is a university student in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. She says her daughter was very weak when she was first born, but survived. They took her home from the hospital and baby Emily became weak again. Emily lives with her parents Anel and Juanito and older sister in the home of her maternal grandfather in the village of Yapani on the outskirts of Santa Cruz. Juanito works as a receptionist while Anel finishes her university studies.
Emily continued to show signs of heart problems and was diagnosed with a combination of heart defects including Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ebstein’s Anomaly, Atrial Septal Defect, and Ventrical Septal Defect. Doctors in Santa Cruz informed the parents that Emily would need surgery. They were hopeful when they learned of a heart surgery mission at the Incor Hospital with visiting U.S. surgeons.
Emily was operated on September 4, 2019 by Dr. Barrientos and Dr. Douglas. She remained in the hospital for three weeks before she was sent home. Emily’s parents and extended family are caring for the infant as she continues to recover and regain strength.