Lionel
Each of 30-year-old Daisy’s first two children died soon after birth, so she was understandably anxious during her third pregnancy. Her worst fears appeared to come true when, soon after Lionel was born in August 2022 at the Caja Nacional hospital in La Paz, Bolivia, he was referred for a cardiac evaluation. Daisy was told he needed “immediate” surgery to repair his heart wall. Nevertheless, the hospital discharged Lionel without giving Daisy much explanation except to return in three months. Unwilling to wait that long, Daisy took Lionel to a private specialist, but the family couldn’t afford to pursue further treatment on their own. Daisy and her husband, José, took the baby to the Caja Nacional appointment, where they were again told to come back at a later date.
Each of 30-year-old Daisy’s first two children died soon after birth, so she was understandably anxious during her third pregnancy. Her worst fears appeared to come true when, soon after Lionel was born in August 2022 at the Caja Nacional hospital in La Paz, Bolivia, he was referred for a cardiac evaluation. Daisy was told he needed “immediate” surgery to repair his heart wall. Nevertheless, the hospital discharged Lionel without giving Daisy much explanation except to return in three months. Unwilling to wait that long, Daisy took Lionel to a private specialist, but the family couldn’t afford to pursue further treatment on their own. Daisy and her husband, José, took the baby to the Caja Nacional appointment, where they were again told to come back at a later date.
The family traveled from La Paz to Cochabamba, where Lionel was operated at the private Belga heat clinic in September. He suffered some complications during the procedure, making it necessary to extend his post-op NICU stay a few extra days. But Lionel has now recovered well, and the family is back home in La Paz enjoying their beautiful little boy.